*The following events took place about thirty minutes before the beginning of the final Nest tournament battle.*
Since the final fight between Jason and Damian and Vincent was expected to become a huge event, a lot of Pardour citizens were excited to attend to watch the competition unfold.
However, word got out even beyond the Pardourian borders, and even a few visitors from other cities in Ravenbrook and afar gathered to witness.
As such, the Pardour Market Square was filled with a lot of food stands, games for the kids, taverns were occupied to the brim, and a lot of other festivities took place.
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"Mommy, Mommy!! Big brother and I want to go to the kids' arena!! Please!!!," a seven-year old girl asked her mother as they entered the square.
"I'm sorry, sweety. Mommy doesn't have enough money to pay for you and your brother," a tired mom comforted her daughter despite her sad emotions.
"Mom, I have about 500 aspar, which should be enough. Can I take her?," her ten-year old elder son replied.
The mom smiled close to tears -knowing the intention of her son to reduce the stress of taking care of her sad daughter- nodded and said, "Ok my dear, but please be careful and be back in ten minutes inside the Colosseum."
They both nodded and ran in excitement to the animal fair while their mother anxiously walked towards the Colosseum, specifically the royal family reserved spot.
She did so wearing a cloak over her, hiding an unusual object underneath it.
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The woman's kids, after having an exciting time at the Square, planned to return to return to their mother until they heard a loud shout coming from the petting zoo.
An old man seemed to be chasing a large piglet which somehow manage to escape its enclosure and was heading outside the square.
"Oh no!! Big brother, that old man is chasing that little piggy!! We have to catch it for him!!," she said, leaving her brother's hand and running after the piglet.
"Ori, come back!!," the elder brother shouted back and began chasing after her.
The piglet ran all the way into the Avirian Forest -where the Auburn red ruby is found and where the first Nest test was held- and Ori was very tired but persistent to catch the young animal.
"Come here, little piggy!! We want to take you back to your home!!," she cried to the animal while chasing it, which she leaped and was able to capture it.
Her older brother Haru, was crying out in the Forest for his sister until he finally saw her holding the piglet.
"What did you think you were doing, Ori?! You know you're not supposed to leave my side with your condition!!," he said, scolding her but was glad she was ok.
As he held her hand gently to take her back, a huge shadow suddenly eclipsed over them.
Ori was a bit nervous but Haru held her hand tightly to reassure her that he will protect her.
As they turned slowly, they stood in fear and silence as a large purple serpent had its gaze on them.
Ori started crying and Haru hugged her in tears and the snake lunged towards them and swallowed them whole, but the piglet jumped at the last second and ran back to the square.
The snake then flicked its tongue towards the direction of the Colosseum after picking the scent of the piglet and slithered after it.