As the dust finally settled, the aftermath of the initiation was stark and sobering. The Plaza, usually a site of festive gatherings and grand ceremonies, was now a grim tableau of destruction and loss. The ground was littered with the remnants of the brutal contest—bodies and parts of both humans and beasts lay scattered, a visceral reminder of the ordeal. The air was heavy, saturated with the smell of blood and magic spent, the silence punctuated only by the soft moans of the injured and the subdued whispers of the bystanders who had just witnessed the horrors.
The remaining participants, now war-weary and shell-shocked, gathered their bearings, each one internally questioning the cost of their survival. This was not just a test of skill but an ordeal that had pushed them to the very edge of their endurance and beyond, forcing them into fleeting alliances with strangers under the most harrowing conditions. The King's decision to change the initiation protocol had not only tested their combat skills but also their ability to quickly adapt and work collaboratively under extreme stress.
As Danity sprang into action, her voice cut through the haze, directing the healers with military precision. "Mark the critically wounded with red, stabilize, and move on! We need to save as many as we can!" Her commands orchestrated a flurry of activity as makeshift triage stations popped up around the Plaza. The stark efficiency of her orders belied the gravity of their situation; every second counted.
Amid the chaos, Haruto, Sylvie, and Bane approached the group whose impressive magical display had helped turn the tide of the battle. Bane, ever the diplomat even in exhaustion, extended a hand in gratitude. "That was remarkable magic. I'm Prince Bane of Algoro. May I have the honor of your names?"
The leader of the group, a charismatic figure with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, responded with a flourish. "I'm Bingo, hailing from the Cortera region. This sharpshooter is Mira, of the esteemed Elfian race, and the quiet one with the deft hands is Rose." Mira nodded with a reserved smile, while Rose gave a polite bow, his tunic shimmering slightly with residual magic.
Their introductions were suddenly interrupted by Gram and his cohort, who swaggered into the clearing, tossing a beast's severed head back and forth. His intrusion sparked immediate tension, especially after his taunt aimed at Sylvie, which prompted her to lunge at him in a fury of grief and rage. Bingo's quick intervention prevented an escalation, but the air was thick with hostility.
"You used her as bait," Sylvie accused, her voice breaking with emotion, "like she was nothing!"
Gram scoffed, unrepentant. "We were told to eliminate the enemies by any means. What does it matter how we did it?"
The crowd's murmur grew as they listened, divided between shock at Gram's callousness and confusion over the unfolding confrontation. It was then that the Vanguard approached, led by Serena, whose formidable presence commanded immediate attention.
Serena confirmed the brutal rule of the initiation but then turned the tables on Gram, condemning his actions not for their ruthlessness but for the cowardice they represented. "Your actions today were not just ruthless; they were cowardly, betraying the trust of those who relied on you for protection, I shall leave you with a stark reminder." she declared coldly.
Without warning, Serena's spear materialized and expanded with lethal precision, impaling Gram's accomplices. The crowd gasped, silenced by the swift execution. As the bodies slumped to the ground, Serena's voice cut through the silence like a knife.
"In the Vanguard, we value courage and honor as much as strength. Cowardice, especially that which costs lives, cannot be tolerated."