"What about the moon statue?" asks one of the citizens.
"I've talked with some of your town historians and since none of them could determine which town is the official owner, I have decided the statue will remain in the stadium." Alastor preemptively holds a hand up to keep the crowd from asking further questions. "However, Amon and Emon are to continue trading and nothing else. Not until you can all behave in a civilized manner."
Dimas hears low grumbling from the entire crowd. It's obvious the solution satisfies no one but Alastor. Even Lilee seems bothered by his ruling and she doesn't even know what the problem is.
"Now return to your towns and tell everyone." Alastor enters the stadium, leaving behind a dissatisfied crowd.
The townsfolk disperse, none of them agree with Alastor but follow his orders regardless.
Dimas sucks his teeth. "This sucks. I could've gotten a great room for next to nothing."
Lilee is about to berate him for trying to use the argument for his own benefit when a little boy pokes his head out of a nearby bush.
"Joey, are you there?" The boy asks out loud.
"Right here, Joel." A voice replies from within a bush, another boy pokes his through that bush as well.
The two boys laugh out loud before running towards each other and hugging.
"I missed you, Joel."
"I missed you two, Joey."
"Why do adults have to be so stupid? I say we break the statue!" Joey grabs a thin branch from the ground. "This'll have to do!"
"We can't! We'll be in big trouble!" Joel says.
"You heard Alastor! Only traders can talk to each other now."
"Then we'll become traders!"
"But that'll take forever… I wanna play now…" Joey looks at the ground.
"I do too…" Joel looks to his right.
He finally notices the duo who has just been watching the entire conversation.
Joel gasps and falls to his knees. "Please don't tell our parents! We'll be in big trouble."
Joey sees this and mirrors Joel's stance. "I was just kidding about breaking the statue! Don't tell Alastor!"
Dimas looks down at the kids. "What's in it for me?"
Lilee pushes Dimas aside. "Don't worry." She puts a finger to her lips. "We won't tell anyone."
Joey and Joel's faces light up. "Thanks miss!"
"Joel! Where are you?" A woman's voice can be heard in the distance.
"That's my mom! She's probably looking for me." Joel runs off in the direction of the voice. He stops and turns around. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Joey waves goodbye to his friend.
Joel waves back and continues running.
Joey grins at the duo before leaving.
"We have to do something about this." Lilee says as she watches the young boy leave.
Dimas crosses his arms. "I can snitch on them to their parents."
"That's not what I meant!"
"I know what you meant but I honestly don't care. We're here for the tournament not to solve everyone's problems. And let's say I did, what can we do? Neither of us knows the full story or what the deal is with this stupid statue. Besides-"
"The matter is settled." Alastor exits the stadium with a man following close behind him.
The man has neat brown hair and square glasses. Dimas hadn't seen him inside alongside the other judges, he must've been wherever they were keeping the statue Alastor mentioned.
"But I don't think it is. Alastor, sir, please…"
Alastor interrupts the man. "My decision is final."
Damn, his ego is annoying.
"I see you brought order but where is the peace?" Dimas decides to give Alastor an ego check.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion." Alastor narrows his eyes.
"Oh, I know. But it needs to be said that your decision is stupid. Nobody likes it but they're all too wuss to say anything."
"And I suppose you believe you know the best course of action." Alastor says through clenched teeth.
Dimas holds back a smirk.
Somebody has a temper. I could stop but…
"Not at all." Dimas shrugs. "But I'm not the one with my nose up in the air preaching about helping others, only to tell everyone to obey my order and suck it up."
Alastor looks like he's about to go off when suddenly his hand reaches for his necklace. And like that, Alastor calms down. "Amon and Emon require trading from each other. I am making sure both cities survive."
"But people are still mad at each other! What about the people affected by that?" Lilee exclaims.
"They will eventually get over it." Alastor turns his attention back to Dimas. "As a child, I was taught to help others. I don't need to be lectured by someone who's probably been self-serving since childhood. I doubt you even have a memory of ever helping someone else without asking for anything in return, do you?"
Selfish Bastard…
What did you do…
Nobody will take him now…
Greedy Kid…
Dimas instinctively grips at his blanket. The sudden harsh memory draws a small gasp from him. No one hears it.
Dimas takes a deep breath. "Why don't you go fu-"
"Okay! Why don't we go our separate ways now? We need to find a place to stay and train, right?" Lilee grabs Dimas's arm.
Dimas huffs and turns away.
Lilee breathes a sigh of relief when Alastor leaves quietly.
"That was tense." The man lets out an awkward chuckle.
"Sorry about that, Mister." Lilee apologizes on Dimas's behalf.
"It's no big deal. I highly doubt I was going to get anywhere anyway." The man looks down. "I just wish I knew how to end this fight amicably but it seems so impossible. I'm a sculptor not a mediator! But apart from the judges, I'm the only level-headed one left."
"Why are the judges sitting on their asses if it's such a big deal?" Dimas asks.
"They're also unsure on how to settle the matter." The man answers.
"Maybe we can help." Lilee stands proudly. "My partner and I have rescued a kidnapping victim and saved a farm from a giant spider."
The man studies the two before responding. "Well, with a background like that, maybe you two are what we need."