…..
Squad 1 - First Place
Squad 4 - Second Place
Squad 3 - Third Place
Squad 2 - 4th Place
Squad 6 - 5th Place
Squad 7 - 6th Place
Squad 21 - 7th Place
"Now for the selection process," A young dark-skinned young man with black hair, and black eyes, in a maroon suit stepped up to the podium in the Treehouse.
Seeing Prince Adoli, the audience erupted.
....
'Oi, so many people, I never thought I would see the day. Is the 'Man's Glory' Father was talking about.' Prince Adoli scanned the crowd in awe. Just a few years ago this place was a small farm town constantly under threat of death.
'We have come so far but we still have so much further to go.'
He then turned his back to the crowd and an orb similar to the one in the middle of the arena, only smaller, appeared. From the top of the Red-gold ord sprouted a Dark tree. Its bark was black and its leaves were reddish-gold.
...
On the big orb in the middle of the arena this scene was projected to each of the spectators.
"Hey, isn't that the Darkwood Roster?"
"What? No way?"
"It is. I have seen it before. Look at the names and ranks on its trunk."
"Woah, so does that mean he is taking in members into the official Darkwood Forces?
"I think so."
"Why not choose from current league members? Why choose from these newbies?"
"Who knows, but they haven't taken in members in years. For a force under the Darkwood prince it must have high requirements."
"I wonder who those blurred out names represent."
Listening to the conversation of the spectators around them Xavier Matten and Sir Isaac couldn't help but get enraptured in the atmosphere as hope seeped into Xaviers Heart.
"Ian's squad lost in the grand finals. Do you think he has a chance sir Isaac?" Xavier could no longer control his anxiety.
"It depends on the bar they are looking for. I am afraid if they are looking for those as strong as the Liutenant colonel and colonel from before then the chance is low." Hearing Sir Isaac's reasoning, despair began to quickly wash over Xavier fearing his son missing such a great opportunity to get close to the Farrar family. "But, if they are looking to increase quantity instead of quality and are willing to train then he has a chance. That fight between them and Squad 1 was thrilling."
"Who knew squad 1 was so stacked. That BJ Holmes kid is a walking calamity. It was an unfair fight to begin with. If Ian would have taken on that spoiled rich kid in salmon he may have been able to show more of his abilities." Xavier couldn't help but voice his frustration with his son's battle awareness. If you see someone touching things and those things dissipate in front of you, DONT FIGHT THEM!!!
Simple Logic.
"That really was a bad matchup. If he didn't receive help from the Grotten fella, it would have been worse. That Break ability is truly something else. The ability to just walk around and punch things out of existence, So cool." Seeing the change in Sir Isaac's expression as he spoke of the man who demolished his son, Xavier Matten felt betrayed.
...
"Today's Tournament is special. Most of the participants of today's competition were, in a way, invited to be here. Today's competition is part of a recruitment campaign I entrusted to my soldiers. Each member of the Darkwood forces that are present shall select an entire squad to train, and I will select two."
"During the training the members of those squads can end up eliminated or they will officially become members of the Darkwood Army. For those who are uninterested in joining the Darkwood forces and those eliminated, you may still have a job in the siege league if you prefer." As Prince Adoli finished speaking, 5 shadows appeared behind him. Those five shadows were revealed to be: Princess Vana, the Darkwood Polemarch; Marsh Burna, the Darkwood Brigadier; Anette Burna Darkwood Colonel; Lance Burna, Darkwood Colonel; Andrew Tubbs Liutenant Colonel.
"Each of the members of the current Darkwood forces has selected a stone with a number on it representing the squad they wish to take in. We shall begin with Vana and then go down the ranks. I will go after Andrew." 'Whew, great job. You got this. You sounded very professional.'
"Oi, he's getting a big head again." Princess Vana snorted as she walked past her older brother and stood in front of the podium. The crowd held their breath as they prepared to bear witness to Princess Vanas selection.
…..
"Squad 3 oh, wow they were first pick?"
"Not really. Prince Adoli, hasn't picked yet."
"Oh, yeah. Squad 3 isn't bad too with those Campbell siblings."
"Yes, their battle style looks fun."
"I think you're confused, that looked like absolute torture."
…..
"Great, we didn't disappoint young master Luber" Terry Campbell nearly jumped out of his seat. He would have if Courtney didn't hold him down.
…..
"Would the members of squad 3 that wish to join please come and stand behind Polemarch Vana." Prince Adoli ordered.
The crowd looked over with expectant gazes. Yet they all jerked back in surprise as they only saw 4 members stepped forward. Instead of making a scene everyone simply nodded in understanding. A job in a private militia or a job in a sports league. A hard decision to make indeed.
As the 4 youths formed a line behind Vana she turned to them.
"Report!"
"Maylor Exisen"
"Courtney Campbell"
"Terry Campbell"
"Dusty Runs"
After a few chuckles the crowd quieted down once again…
"Brigadier Marsh." Prince Adoli called out. Marsh quickly walked to the podium with a confident stride.
Squad 2
…..
"Woah, if Brigadier Marsh selected Squad 2 and Polemarch Vana selected Squad 3 Xavier your son might -" Sir Isaac couldn't hide his surprise, and Xavier began to feel more comfortable with his change of character.
….
"Report!"
"David Strokoff"
"Keyle Strokoff"
"Damian Strokoff"
…..
"Colonel Burna" As Prince Adoli spoke a red headed young woman stepped out and raised her stone.
Squad 21
…..
"Report!"
"Jacob Kelly"
"Kevin London"
"Natasha Crosseur"
"Patrick Tuggle"
…..
"Colonel Burna" The burly behemoth lance stepped forward and brandished his stone.
Squad 6
…..
"Colonel Tubbs"
Squad 7
…..
"Xavier -"
"I know." Sir Isaac could see his friend on the verge of tears.
…..
"As for myself…"
Squad 1
Squad 4
Seeing the stones the arena fell silent.
14 people lined up behind prince Adoli.
"Report!"
"Donna Tremors"
"Bj Holmes"
"Russell Foul"
"Hunter Damons"
"Laci Pinkerton"
"Mari Gomez"
"Fen Lockson"
"Ian Matten"
"Luana Frost"
"Fronz West"
"Greta Worshire"
"Greg Lucciano"
"Nina Edwards"
"Luber Gotten"
"This concludes this evening's festivities. Please enjoy the food vendors' souvenir shops. Goodnight!" With that last word all of the people on the platform vanished.
Standing Ovation!
Attendants quickly began scurrying about settling arrangements with losers. Inviting them to work on other levels. There were even recruiters frm other organizations coming to feed off the scraps.
...