("Ah, it's that feeling again. Everything burns inside me, but I feel no pain. Rage and chaos is trying to control my body. Not yet, not until I see it in front of me.")
"I still think your plan is insane. If it goes wrong, we may be fighting an entire nation."
"We're not fighting an entire nation, we're only fighting the strongest from each tribe.
"That just makes it worse Leo."
"At least you are experiencing something exciting in your lives, others are rotting away without ever really feeling alive.
Aiden and Auris said goodbye to the villagers. When Miriah heard what her big sister was up to, she came out of her house furious and sad.
"Are you going to leave me alone again Auris? After months we meet again and you immediately want to leave the village?"
"Listen Miriah, I made a deal with Leo. He freed me, led me back to you and protected the village. Now I will repay his favors. You know what our people care about most: Respect and honor to those who have helped us. What kind of a beastwoman would I be if I didn't follow these rules. Father and mother would do the same in my place."
"Father and mother are dead but you are still alive. Why are you throwing your life away for a few traditions? All these months I've been trying to keep harmony in the village, but you're just going to leave me to it?"
Miriah clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and looked her sister straight in the eye.
"If you leave now Auris...don't show your face here again. You are dead to me and this village if you follow these madmen. The next time we see each other we won't be sisters but strangers."
She found it incredibly hard to say something like that, the other villagers looked sad and their children started to cry. Auris looked at her sister and hugged her with a small smile and a tear in her eye. She then turned and looked at the ground and followed Aiden and Leo. Miriah sank to her knees and began to cry aloud, the other residents trying to comfort her. Despite his cold stare, Leo knew how Auris felt. Outwardly she was slightly sad and determined, but inwardly she must have been a wreck on the verge of sinking.
Aiden wanted to comfort her but Leo signaled him that it was not a good idea and he should leave her alone.
"Can we walk a little faster?" she said quietly.
Leo nodded and the three began their journey.
Aiden and Leo were amazed when they saw the capital. Huge walls and gates surrounded the entire city. It felt like they were about to enter a fortress. With each step they became more nervous but Leo could not afford to have any doubts. Auris still looked distressed, still wallowing in the goodbye and barely focused on her mission. Leo brought her out of her trance and gave her the golden seal. Arriving at the gate, she showed the seal and was granted entry after moment of silence. It was harder for Leo and Aiden to get into the city, they had to hand over their armor, all their weapons and their other items. The beastmen took no risks with their visitors. It was the only day of the year when many nations could attend this traditional festival. Auris was ordered to sign in and show her seal. When she showed the seal, the officials looked at her strangely, but allowed her to participate in the tournament. As Auris left the registration area, the small group discussed the seal they had received from her. There was a special area for the participants to stay. There were wooden training weapons and items to train fitness and endurance.
Her two companions could hardly enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Besides the strange looks, they didn't know where Auris was. Leo had feared something like this, but he was still becoming nervous. The two examined the arena from the outside. Aiden was amazed by this huge structure, for centuries these competitions had been held here. Suddenly, the two heard loud cheering from far away. As they followed the loud voices they saw that the king was presenting himself before his people. Leo looked directly at him, his appearance was just as others had described him. He was very muscular and exuded incredible pride. He enjoyed the cheers and praise but he was not an arrogant egocentric. Leo felt that he was a just king who took good care of his people. However, he couldn't figure out his motives.
"What are we going to do now? Finding Auris could take forever, and we barely have time for the marketplace."
"I would focus on other things.
Tomorrow the life of your "student" will be at stake. Think about what else you could pass on the way in case we see her."
In the upper part of the city they saw the training ground of the participants, Auris was looking at the area. As the two tried to enter the place they were rejected by soldiers. Aiden wanted to complain but Leo kept his mouth shut, apologized to the soldier and the two left the area.
"What was that about, you don't want to motivate her one last time?"
"If I were you, I'd think about what I'm saying first and then speak. What were you about to tell him? That you're her coach and we're her followers? Do you realize that sounds like a bad joke? Since when are humans the trainers of an beastmen?"
"Maybe there are new rules. Maybe one of the other participants is also trained or supported by another race."
"That may be, but because of her background, she doesn't need any support at all. The only reason we were allowed to observe them at all was because we wanted to admire her."
"What kind of bullshit are you talking, Leo? She's still our Auris despite her new identity. Leo, dont tell me...what kind of background did you come up with for her?"
"I had no other choice. The only reason to present a wolf human like her as a warrior was to give her a certain importance."
"And what kind of importance would that be? Why shouldn't normal wolf people participate in the tournament?"
Leo gritted his teeth at Aiden's questions.
"It doesn't matter, the main thing is that my idea is working. It was the only way to make it believable."
"Damn it Leo, what did you do with her identity?"
"It's too long of a story. The only thing I can say is that she is by far the most significant fighter with the most impact in the tournament. Unfortunately, all eyes are on her. I wanted to prevent the extra pressure but I had no choice."
"With your ideas, I guess you don't care about others. If my training doesn't help her because of your methods and she loses her life in battle, you can forget about my support for your plan."
Leo was getting angrier but he didn't pick a fight. He gave Aiden a meeting place where they should meet in the morning. After that, they both went their separate ways for the rest of the day.
-At the same time at the training ground-
("Why is everyone staring at me here, am I just fodder for them?").
A big tiger-man stood in front of her who wanted to instill fear in her. He looked at her condescendingly with a smile. For him she was only fresh meat, which was prepared for him tomorrow.
"Hey slut, how did they let you in here? You'd be better off as a prostitute in a brothel. Though looking at your face, the job is still too good for you."
Auris gritted her teeth but didn't start a fight. Aiden had taught her to stay calm no matter what the situation. Be it in a fight or provocation, Auris should not focus on her anger.
"I would talk less and train more if you want to have any chance at all tomorrow."
A large beastman with the head of a bull was training on the apparatus, looking the tiger straight in the eye. He didn't care for show-offs and their shenanigans.
"Says the one still working out on the mini equipment. Build real muscles like mine first and then talk to me."
Auris didn't want to get involved and ignored any argument. Suddenly, a lion man appeared behind her, staring at her. He was far more impressive than the other participants. Even the tiger-man had respect in his eyes.
"So you are the wolf-woman, what tribe are you from? Nevermind, that doesn't matter. In the end it always comes down to the combat. Work hard if you want to survive tomorrow."
He then walked through the crowd and began to prepare for the tournament.
"He really is as impressive as the stories say."
A young female raven-woman fighter looked in his direction until he finally disappeared from her view.
"So you're the other female in the group, my name is Nayari, nice to meet you."
Auris liked her at first sight. She was humble and made a friendly impression.
"Likewise, is this your first time here?"
"Well, yes, actually. The city is quite impressive I must say and also the citizens were friendly yet I hate being here."
"What exactly do you mean by that, are your people despised?"
"It is not so much my people as it is me. In the clan of the Ravens, a chosen one is always sought for the tournament. But no one wants to participate in the tournament by choice. We are not exactly the strongest tribe and none of us have ever made it to the second round. That's why we have a little tournament by ourselves every year, and the loser is chosen to be the fighter in the tournament, and thus to meet death."
"Why don't you just refuse, why do you torture one of your own into the tournament?"
"You can't simply refuse, every clan that receives a golden seal has the obligation to send one of their own to the tournament. If we were to refuse, we would risk exclusion from the other beastmen tribes. No more trade, no more support in emergencies, that would be fatal for the Raven clan."
Auris looked into her eyes but she saw no emotion, they were empty as if she had already given up on the tournament. Her stomach turned at the sight and she got a headache. Suddenly a loud signal sounded, Auris and the four others left the area and were taken to the rooms prepared for them. From beside them, the women heard a loud discussion between the tiger man and the bull man as to who would kill the other. At their words, their anxiety came up. Nayari hands were shaking as she turned to Auris to speak to her.
"J-Just promise me one thing, if the fight starts tomorrow then please kill me quickly. I have no chance of winning the tournament and I certainly don't want to be brutally destroyed by the other tribes. I would prefer to be killed by a fighter with whom I could share my worries for at least half a day. I have only this one favor, I know you are not in my debt, yet please grant me this wish."
Nayari had tears in her eyes as she begged Auris to grant her wish. The wolf-man was bursting inside, but nodded to the raven woman. Nayari then unexpectedly hugged Auris, who was strongly holding back her emotions.
"Would it be possible for you to listen to my story? Haha, at the end of the day, I'm still asking for more from you."
"If it's really going to be your last day in this world, then tell me everything. I'm a good listener."
Nayari told about her whole life. She had very caring parents who took care of her with all their heart. In her village lived many raven people who were her age. She was the most popular of all and was also called a child mother by everyone. Together with her sister, she entertained the younger children and took care of them when their parents became overwhelmed. Year after year she saw them being given the seal. Year after year she heard how one of her friends died in the tournament. Last year it was her sister that died in the tournament. She held up a farce to the other kids to not scare them. Her memories of her sister and her friends were all Nayari had left. Eventually, her time had also come, in her year she had no chance against her friends and relatives. With tears in her eyes, she was bid farewell by everyone, her friends collapsing inside, just as she had collapsed the last few years. Now death was waiting for her, already casting a glance at another one of her people next year.
Auris became sadder and sadder. Thoughts of her childhood and her village flashed through her mind but she withstood her emotions. Leo had warned her that if you show emotion and empathy on the battlefield, you lose. She remembered the cold look on Leo's face. To her, it looked so natural, not forced or trained. It was just there. At that moment she wondered what Leo must have experienced to acquire that natural look.
"I don't know whether to thank you or apologize. The thought of death scares me but at least I have found some peace in knowing you. Even though we just met, I already see you as a good friend."
"I'm glad we agree, now it's time to sleep Nayari."
"Oh that's right, I've been talking for a long time. If all goes well, I will fall into a deep peaceful sleep tomorrow."
The two were haunted by their fear and could hardly get a wink of sleep. But Auris knew there was no turning back. She forced herself to sleep to get enough rest.
Early in the morning they were all awakened by a loud signal, group by group they were led to the arena. Left and right saw the other groups of 5 they could meet. They were led into the huge arena amidst thunderous cheers. Auris could hardly believe that death brought so much cheering. In the bottom row, she felt the aura of Leo, who was watching her together with Aiden.
VERY IMPORTANT, STAY CONFIDENT, THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WIN. REMEMBER THE TRAINING AND THE DIFFERENT SKILLS AND MOVES I TAUGHT YOU!!!
Aiden yelled in her direction, concern for her written all over his face.
But he could not help her now, she was on her own. Her group was fighting the first battle of the tournamen. Before the battle, all the participants were introduced and which tribes they came from.
"Fresh from the tribe of tigers, Tigras, who has already won hundreds of fights in his tribe without using all his strength.
"From the tribe of bulls, we have Xoris a young fighter with an incredible strength that made feathers even from stone.
"From the tribe of lions, from the glorious tribe of lions and the current legendary ruler Sezur we have one of his most loyal warriors, Gladius."
Cheers erupted as Gladius was introduced, he bowed to his king and gave him an oath.
"From the tribe of Ravens we have Nayari, a young fighter who has competed in several tournaments in her homeland," he said.
"And from the Tri-...A-and from the tribe of Yokariu, we h-have the young female fighter Yasaris..."
The crowd became silent and amazed at the name of the tribe. Even the fighters turned to her and could hardly believe it. Auris was completely confused by the reaction, Leo had told her solely that her name would be Yasaris and nothing else.
Over Leo and Aiden's row, young men were talking about the Yokariu tribe. Not revealing anything to Aiden, he informed himself as they discussed.
"Hey you two, what exactly is the Yokariu tribe?"
"You must be from the edge of the world friend, the Yokariu are legends throughout the kingdom. They were the first tribe to help unite the kingdom. Their strength was untouchable, no one wanted to fight them. But the most amazing thing is that they are supposed to be the direct covenants of the wolf god Fenriolus. If she wins, a new era in the history of the beastmen will begin. I can hardly believe it..."
Aiden turned to Leo in a rage and grabbed him by the collar.
"So this is your plan, to lie to her and then let her be killed. Her pressure was already great enough but you try the impossible again. YOUR METHODS REALLY MAKE ME WONDER IF YOU'RE NOT JUST AS BAD AS MY FATH-"
"First of all calm down, you're only making it worse than it already is if you shout like that. I've told you before to use your brain. You know as well as I do that there is a risk that Auris would not be accepted as a ruler but when she happens to come from a legendary tribe neither her looks nor her improvised fighting skills matter. It's a hell of a lot of pressure, but it doesn't change anything. Even before, it was an extremely difficult task for her, that was clear to all of us. By now, she should have realized why I presented her the way I did. I have confidence in Auris and her abilities, even if she is about to fail, I still have a plan B. Not only the king has an ace up his sleeve that can turn the tournament completely upside down.
-Gate entrance to the city, check-in and control-
" Remove all weapons and all other items and present them. When everything is stored you can go ahead."
One of the soldiers took the belongings of the visitors to a chamber. As he was about to leave, he heard a rustling sound coming from the armory followed by a slight swoosh. He looked around again but everything seemed normal. He closed the door and went back to the inspection. Again came the swishing and a red glow shone through the pile of weapons.