Remembering the after effects of a warzone always makes me smile just a little. Remembering my own days out in this putrid world, making my name easily in my generation...and the one after...etcetera and so forth. Elves do live tens of thousands of years, remember? But never mind the short memories of your kind. Back to these False Heroes, those that say their the best of this world and will bring it to some kind of enlightenment, the fools barely even started that journey yet feel like they have grown beyond it...the folly of every generation not taking the wisdom of their forefathers. Striving for something better, usually so narrow minded to see the silver linings of their ancestors' failures, often doing a parody of what was performed in this game known as life but these at least seem to have a grasp on their elder's mistakes and have used them to fuel an ever growing explosion, of what? Hmm...well it would be nice to know actually wouldn't it? I'd place my money on something...Dark...yes that seems right to me but we won't know until the next play has been made.
The day had bleed into the night seamlessly because on the bustling streets outside the Forest's Crown where our pack had all seemed to regain themselves. Otto's fever like symptoms had left only to return ten times worse than he previously looked but seemed like a new man, healthy as a horse if you were to ask the Goliath with both Silver and Kyu standing either side of the wide humanoid, glancing up at each other, seemingly speeding up with each task trying to show dominance of their domains. Orelia sat alone in the corner booth slowing swirling a glass of shining Deialeaves, steaming off only to see the green and violet of Willabaar's eyes in the bronze reflection though she did not respond, he placed a jug of thick cloud down next her and as she turned up he had already made his way back to the bar where Wilt and Bee stood arguing about the results, Bee screaming,
''Ya did nothing but dirty tricks! Dirty little fucker...Even got his royal asshole to go to sleep so not all bad ahaha! We will call that one a draw eh?''
Smiling and lifting his horn towards the half-mix before he smiled and responded,
''One clean hit that I turned into an advantage versus an uncountable amount of times I sent you flying...Hmmm sound like a draw to you Bumble Bee?"
Willabaar resumed sipping his drink while the demon went off again making Wilt come over to the corner Orelia sat, getting up with a small jump,
''Here they go again...Never ends huh?''
He could see she was distracted before he looked into his drink and responded,
''You know worrying about him ain't going to help him...Two good healers over there working on him so calm ya self...The bird may be weird but his heart is in the right...place...Does a Azamaar even have a heart?''
Orelia felt a tear roll as Wilt whet on this tangent of stupidity, wiping it away from his gaze and laughed hard, making him stop and smile,
''Of course they do ya idiot!! How would they be alive otherwise ahaha!''
The young elven girls laughter spread through the rest of the bar, even making Kyu chuckle sounding more natural even in the slightest, Otto was able to huff out a wheezing laugh more like air being grasped at, Orelia saw this and smiled before she looked back down into her drink thinking that if the worst were to happen she could be stuck with worse people...maybe...One thought went through her head before this,
''Could be Gnomes I guess...they maybe a feral pack of dogs...but not Gnomes at least''
Kyu and Silver took time away from smirking at each other to share a look of dismay that the group all seemed to pick up on in a instance, Willabaar stood from the bar, stretching his arms behind his head to a loud click before walking over to the healers,
''It cannot be as bad as your faces make out...surly?''
His voice was blatantly different to all that heard him, there was worry for the man laying before him. Not seen in this charismatic man's face but read all to clear in his voice, Silver spoke soft but true,
''The spores have spread to far...He will be taken by the curse that ails him almost certainly...All I can recommend at this point is a peaceful end..''
The fallen gritted his teeth showing rage in his face more than before seen,
''This cursed place has layed are friend low...the only course of action is to give him a proper en-''
Interrupted by the Goliath grabbing a fork and impaling the roof,
''No...I going on my terms...that's my right.''
This stopped everyone as he stood, coughing slightly with drool leaking from his mouth,
''I choose this path. I'm not getting off it...not till I can't continue.. Now Wilt...whip up something to keep me going...don't care if it will kill me...This is me...this is what I have chosen…. Now stop sitting their gawking and move forward.''
The pack all stared in disbelief expect Willabaar who seemed more happy than anything, Otto nodded at the half-mix letting out a smile filled with foam bubbling up, eye only just open before Willabaar nods back placing a hand on his shoulder, pulling him close and saying something that opened his eyes before he placed his hand back on the short royals shoulder and smiling true again, he stumbled and struggled but eventually got to Orelia and hugged her tight whispering in her ear,
''Don't worry kid...I ain't leaving ya...anytime soon...understood?''
The girl could not help but wail in sadness as the group all looked away, closing their eyes in unison while Kyu and Silver proceeded to do simple prayers only for Silver to notice that the fallen ones hands were shaking and for him to imbue some of his calming nature into him, Otto spoke very short as he had still struggling to keep coherency,
''I will protect ya...I did promise ya...When I found ya…''
The goliath went over to the bar to reset himself trying to joke with the rest of the group, all forcing smiles and laughter at what they knew would come expect Bee who stood straight faced and left the bar without another word, Wilt went to chase him before Otto's hand enveloped his head
''Leave him Wilt...I will talk...to him soon…Also I need...a favour''
The confused goblin stopped before seeing Willabaar walking out the door with Otto looking on smiling
''Never mind...The boss got it..''
The dwarf was staring out at the central plaza with a look of cold rage. Trying to collect his own thoughts on the news, on the one hand he remembered all the tortuous things he made him do and what he did to him for 'Training purposes' but on the other hand he remembered it was that man who helped him find his way of fighting, he may have been slightly younger than the mid forties demon but his skill with a hammer sent shivers down Bee's spine thinking about it even now, he could see the night they spend on the borders of Freedawn, thinking how cool his new family was, a group of known bandits setting up camp only a mile away from the main capital of the continent, seeing Otto from ten years ago swinging both hammers, crushing the skulls of the guards back to back with him reminding, Bee to never let his guard down before placing his oversized thumb downwards in between his broken horns,
''Stupid giant, why did you go and get yourself poisoned.. he's a goo….'
Resigning himself his back completely hunched over the balcony overlooking the fitting view in this city of half burnt, half unbridled life with no cure in sight, it was almost like a divine joke, he thought his eyes glazing over to the empty thorns. fitting considering what he wanted to do to this place, it deserves nothing more that to burn no nothing to be nought but cinders. He knew he could not though, that would be against the wishes of his old friend, then feeling a void like flame in his stomach devouring his rage and replacing it with something darker clutching at the bar in front of him as it started to steam.
''This is one of the most beautiful places I've visited...Dying here wouldn't be the worst you know...It's no Recocto but it is in the top five at least''
Bee turned to see Willabaar sitting on the sign for the establishment they had walked out of, Bright green apple with tinges of red creeping across it
''Ya think? Then why did ya not just kill me when you had the chance?''
Mountain turned back to the view realising that he would not get a serious response only to hear afterwards,
''Because you are the strongest bastard I've ever fought outside my family.''
Bee's eyes opened wide now shining,
''Along with the personal wardens of course, Recoctons are not easy to beat you known...Only two have ever made me cough up my own blood''
He dropped to the street walking close,
''They all knew something that now so should you...ya earned the right I suppose..''
The half-mix leaned in whispering something to the dwarf, eyes now not only wide but shaking, mouth gaped at what he heard before they were blurred into the crowd.
Back with the rest of the pack, contemplating their next moves before the doors are swung open with Willabaar and Bee returning, Otto lets out a fading smile as the demon walks straight to him and smirks,
''So...This bumble Bee is going to outlive you huh?...you remember why you gave me that name right?''
Otto looked up with a painful smile,
''Aye...short life spans and...they are all...loud and irritating''
The dwarf laughed while taking a bottle from behind the bar of Sandstorm and began to chug it down before retorting,
''Aye aye say what ya want...you should be grateful not many get to attend a pre-funeral, ask the clerics. I doubt even they have heard of it!''
The two laughed at the situation at the almost unheard nature of an event; most sell swords don't have funerals at all, let alone one with the dwarf speaking facts about the situation they found themselves in,
''But really we should get into a plan. Anything for Ores sake at least.''
Wilt said looking around the bar, Willabaar calling the older barman over which he did with pleasure and a smile,
''Ah Prince Willabaar how may I help you lot this fine afternoon?''
The half-mix smiled back and responded
''Ah Hugo you have been such help, a round of Deialeaves and a black bean stew for the fallen one, much thanks.''
The old elf proceeded to make the order as Willabaar turned back to the group,
''Well it is simple is it not? Wilt is in along with two more from the gold team of his choice, Bee is also in the same boat then the other four is done by the public, Wilt's choice is easy just pick me and Kyu while Bee can't just pick himself so he will pick Ores and the young archer, you saw him right Kyu? Took out like a good fifteen of our team before Ores had her meltdown and he was out for blood that was for sure and could only help your chances no?''
The group seemed shocked by this idea, all but Wilt who sipped his freshly placed brew and spoke,
''He is right...No planning needed I suppose and they are announcing the results soon right?''
''Hugo do you know when?''
Willabaar turned to behind the bar as his small head peered over,
''Ah yes your grace in exactly forty-five minutes''
''Splendid! Okay everyone let us take Otto for his finally festival day shall we not?''
The crew all stood in unison but perplexity on some of the faces still shone through, Kyu dragging Silver proclaiming that he needed to keep his holy eye on him, as they left the establishment the old man's smile faded into that of evil contemplation picking up a rainbow shaped horn of beautiful quality and spoke into its opening slow and soft
''The big one will not be taking part...Should be part of the Forest's walls soon masters.''
A crowd had formed around where the two main seats had been watching the first trial as they proceeded to speak to everyone, Treevoar first moving forward,
''Welcome to the seeding of the second trail! Wilt Grove, last of the gold team and Mountain Bee the last of the silver team please step forward!''
The two looked at the rest of the group before walking together up the steps,
''Bee...Pick two teammates. Who will they be?''
Reev spoke, eyes still shut but in the direction of the demon before he responded
''Aye It will be me, Orelia and Otto.''
The short elf opened his cloudy blind eyes fully in shock before Treevoar responded,
"Umm...Bee you cannot be serious? Do you want to reconsider laddie...If we wanted more dead corpses we would have already put him through!"
The demon started making a chuckling sound that could of came from a lord of the layers itself, looking at the tall elf standing a clean five feet taller than him, even a full foot taller than Willabaar, responding as you'd expect from him by spitting on the floor between them, hitting the slice wound in the bark left by Kyu's white tipped dagger in the first trial that Wilt made and spoke,
''Oh?...Shut your pretty mouth before I crunch it from both sides…'Laddie!' ahaha!''
Treevoar looked as if he had been slapped directly in the face, staring at the incision and his eyes filling with rage, spitting back hitting Bee's boots, smirking and saying while Orelia grabs Bee's arm,
''Fine...Love a good laugh ya know...death is always funny when the one dying don't know when to quit...Now back away and bring forth Wilt to tell us his verdict!''
Wilt ascended the stairs putting a hand on Bee before calmly smiling at the two leaders and speaking.
''No it is quite fine that he stays here, not really any tension if the two teams are away from each other is there?''
Reev with his eyes closed again stood up and spoke, moving Treevoar back to his seat to his irritation,
''Wilt...You won the first trail...Your two teammates?''
Wilt smiled and bowed, straightening his body and replying,
''Well that should be obvious right? Willabaar and Kyu will be joining me in this next trial''
Treevoar stood having enough of the mockery they were making of their sacred event,
''Ya want to be squashed in seconds goblin?!''
Willabaar now next to Wilt responded for him,
''Oh you want to be violent? I'd love to put your plain eyes in a jar in the darkest corners of my home study...Probably be the best time in your life and is that not a little sad friend?''
All interrupted by Kyu pointing at the tall and confused Elf,
''Your religion and culture offend my goddesses' domain! I'm looking at you to Shard!''
Switching his view to Silver, still standing back with the crowd now seemingly huffing and letting out a smile and wave to the fallen angering him more,
''Shut your damn mouth bird, you're not part of this. If you want I'll show you more than a love tap right now say one more word.''
Orelia mustered up her resolve to stand and screamed,
''Treevoar calm your nerves before you make a fool of yourself even more than you already have. I thought you were meant to be a leader? A example to the next era?''
The young elf passes her judgement over to the leader undermining his position. Feeling Like His thought was being gripped, Slamming his foot on the ground and sending a tremor across making the young elf fly back, being caught by Kyu. Treevoar eyed her from his throne
''you try and touch me with that power again, I'll crush you into bone meal.''
Otto was now up the stairs as well looking eye to eye with the elf holding back his rage as best he could leaning in and whispering into his ear
''Fuck the tournament . Let me just rip out your vocal cords now and save everyone the pain of listening to you speak.''
Reev stood tall on his throne before bellowing out,
''Votes have been cast!..Results are in!..From the chosen by the winners...Only Orelia and Willabaar were chosen...The next were….Vagnoman!''
The crowd erupted more than they had all festival long as this tall slender six foot pure wood elf with skin resembling a muddy field, eyes of emerald green only darker than the shade of Wilt's, A bow of fine quality Elven elder wood, grey to match his attire, hood and bald head that was seemingly shaved short, he makes his way forward and bows before standing proud, Reev continued,
''The other voted in was...Silver!...The man who is one of us as well!...Nomadir was built by the wanderers...We will always accept them!''
The group cheered on as the elf made his way to the stage, covering himself mostly from the rays of light entering through the vines now showing the red sky of the night starting to take over, Treevoar spoke aggressively,
''And now the matches will be drawn! Oh by the way they are all individual one versus one fights...And me and Reev will fill the last two spots...Let the draw begin!!''
All the names of the remaining contestants swirled in the air like smoke drifting on the breeze but within seconds it was decided. The names all placed in different directions with no semblance of order, confusing Wilt before Reev snapped his fingers making it clear as night before he spoke,
''These will be the first round fights...Myself...against Willabaar''
Willabaar smiled faintly before Wilt tapped him on the knee,
''Lucky asshole, you pay of the guy or something?''
''Only a idiot would underestimate a man due to age...heard someone spouting nonsense over that subject recently didn't I?''
Wilt turned back with awkward laughter as the elves looked at each other with a smile and nod before Reev continued explaining,
''The three others will be….Bee against Silver!!....Vagnoman against Orelia!!...and the final of the first will be….Kyu against Otto!!''
Wilt looked confused as to where he was, not seeing his name on the board until Treevoar spoke loud
''Ah!! As the second seed i will progress to the semi finals...where It will be me and the winner of the first trial, whoever wins will make it to the final, the other semi final will be between the two who made it through the first round''
Reev raising his voice bellowed out
"All weapons allowed...All spells accepted...All death your own faults...Now rest and plan...They will start….Dawns next break!!''
The crowd went berserk at the prospects in front of them, all the contestants looked around the square they all stood sizing their opponents up some more than others, the sounds of merriment again whisk away the turmoil happening the minds and hearts of our feral pack all readying themselves for the next trail.
The trail has been laid out, who fights whom has been decided by democratic means as if these trials were fair. No no of course they aren't for nothing in nature is fair. But alas these savage beasts have positioned themselves for the unbridled passion of this community. They seem to slowly be starting to see what this lands true nature is and once it has been made a mockery off,just like all Elves they will now have to squash the impotent dregs that wandered into their home...That is how all elves think at heart as if the fire was now smouldering, leaving the steam cool off ready to reveal it's final product. To most they would hope for its form to be perfect, devoid of all imperfections and look fit only for the most important people on the board but not here, This end result will not be based of any that they 'proud' 'Wood' elves game plan and hopes but of these False Heroes and what they wish this contorted abomination to be used for.