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Chapter 7 - The Trial Begins

[The sun had barely risen over the castle's towering spires when the courtyard began to fill with spectators. The knights of the kingdom, nobles draped in their finest silks, and even common townsfolk who had somehow gotten wind of the trial gathered to witness the spectacle. The early morning light cast long shadows across the stone walls, painting the scene in sharp contrasts of light and dark—an apt metaphor for the predicament the four friends found themselves in.]

[In the center of the courtyard stood a large, circular arena surrounded by stone barriers, where the trial of combat would soon take place. Spike, Borton, Gigi, and Devena stood just outside the ring, watching as armored guards sharpened swords and arranged weapons on a wooden table nearby. A low murmur of anticipation filled the air as everyone awaited the arrival of the king and his chosen champion.]

Spike shifted uneasily, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his borrowed sword. His mind raced with strategies and counter-moves, but the reality of facing a royal champion—one who was likely far more experienced than any of them—loomed large.

SPIKE – "I don't like this. Not one bit," [he muttered, glancing over at Gigi.]

Gigi's gaze was focused on the arena, her face set in an expression of determined calm. She took a deep breath, then turned to face the others.

GIGI – "We don't have a choice. We have to fight—and we have to win. It's the only way we can prove we're not in league with those bandits."

BORTON – "But what if we don't?" [he asked quietly, his voice tinged with worry.]

DEVENA"We will," [she said firmly, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her nerves.] "Besides, we're stronger together. We just have to stick to the plan."

The plan. It was simple enough in theory—work as a team to take down the champion. But none of them knew who or what they would be up against.

[Before they could dwell on it any longer, a trumpet blared, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. The king, dressed in regal crimson and gold, strode onto the raised platform overlooking the arena, followed closely by Prince Rowan. The prince's eyes flickered with a predatory gleam as he surveyed the four friends, a smirk playing on his lips.]

KING – "Citizens of Tevnim, today we witness a trial by combat—an ancient tradition that will determine the guilt or innocence of these knights before you."

His voice rang out, clear and authoritative, carrying the weight of judgment.

KING – "If they are truly innocent, then the gods will grant them strength and victory. But if they are guilty… justice will be served."

[A hush fell over the crowd as the king gestured to his right. From the shadows of a nearby archway, a towering figure emerged—a knight clad in heavy black armor, his face obscured by a menacing visor. He carried a massive warhammer, its head etched with runes that seemed to shimmer ominously in the morning light. The crowd gasped, whispers of "the Black Knight" spreading like wildfire.]

SPIKE – "We're fighting him?" [he whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.]

Gigi swallowed hard, her heart pounding. The Black Knight was a legend—a warrior known for his unmatched skill and brutal strength. Facing him alone would be a death sentence. But together…

GIGI – "We can do this. Stay close, cover each other, and don't let him separate us. No matter what."

The four friends exchanged tense nods, then stepped into the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers and jeers as they took their positions, weapons at the ready.

[The Black Knight stood at the opposite end of the arena, silent and unmoving, like a dark statue of death itself. The king raised his hand, and the entire courtyard fell silent.]

KING – "Let the trial… begin!"

[With a deafening roar, the Black Knight charged forward, his warhammer swinging in a deadly arc. Spike barely managed to duck under the blow, the force of the swing sending a shockwave through the ground.]

SPIKE – "Watch out!" [he shouted, rolling to the side as the hammer crashed into the stone floor, shattering it into pieces.]

Borton rushed forward, swinging his sword at the knight's exposed flank, but the Black Knight moved with surprising speed, blocking the attack with the haft of his weapon and kicking Borton back.

BORTON – "He's too strong!" [he gasped, struggling to regain his footing.]

GIGI – "We have to use his size against him. Don't fight him head-on!"

[The Black Knight turned his attention to Gigi, his helmet tilting slightly as if assessing her. Then, without warning, he lunged, swinging his hammer with terrifying precision. Gigi barely managed to parry the blow with her staff, the impact sending a jolt of pain up her arms.]

DEVENA – "Over here!" [she shouted, hurling a rock at the knight's head. It bounced off harmlessly, but it was enough to distract him for a split second.]

Spike took the opportunity to dart forward, slashing at the knight's knee joint. His blade glanced off the armor, but it left a thin scratch—a small victory.

SPIKE – "We're wearing him down. Just keep moving!"

[But the Black Knight seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment, his movements becoming more aggressive and relentless. He swung his hammer in a wide arc, forcing the four friends to scatter.]

Gigi's mind raced. They needed to find a weakness—some way to turn the tide in their favor. She glanced at the ground, noting the uneven terrain where the stone had shattered earlier.

GIGI – "Borton, lure him over here!" [she called, pointing to the cracked ground.]

Borton nodded, then charged at the knight, feinting a strike before darting back toward the weakened section of the arena floor. The Black Knight followed, his heavy footsteps causing the ground to tremble.

Just as the knight stepped onto the cracked stone, Gigi shouted:

GIGI – "Now, Spike!"

Spike swung his sword with all his might, aiming for the fractured ground. The stone gave way, crumbling under the knight's weight. With a roar, the Black Knight stumbled, losing his balance. Borton seized the opportunity, lunging forward and driving his sword into the gap between the knight's breastplate and helmet.

The Black Knight staggered, his warhammer dropping to the ground. For a moment, it seemed like they had won. But then, with a guttural growl, the knight reached up and wrenched Borton's sword from his armor, throwing it aside.

BORTON – "No way…" [he breathed, his eyes wide with shock.]

The knight rose to his full height, blood trickling from the wound, but his strength undiminished.

KING – "Enough!"

[The king's voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade. The Black Knight froze, then slowly stepped back, his gaze never leaving the four friends.]

KING – "You have proven your resolve and skill. But this trial is not over yet. Tomorrow, you will face the final challenge. Prepare yourselves."

The crowd erupted into applause and shouts as the king turned and left the courtyard, his cloak billowing behind him. Prince Rowan shot them a venomous glare before following his father, his face twisted with barely concealed rage.

[The four friends stood together in the center of the arena, bruised and battered, but alive. They had survived the trial—for now. But as they looked at each other, they knew that their true test was only just beginning.]

SPIKE – "We did it… we actually did it," [he whispered, a grin spreading across his face.]

GIGI – "Don't get too comfortable. This was just round one."

[She glanced at the retreating figure of the Black Knight, a sense of foreboding settling over her.]

GIGI"Whatever's coming next… we have to be ready."