Our blows echoed through the dungeon, each strike filled with pent-up frustration and anger. The winged knights, now wary of getting caught in the crossfire, watched from a safe distance, uncertain how to break up our fight.
Suddenly, Lucian and Aurelius appeared before me, their faces twisted with anger. "You two again?" I muttered, glaring down at them.
Orion materialized in front of Alden, a smug grin stretching across his face. "You!" Alden's eyes lit up with a fierce grin, clearly eager for another bout with Orion.
Orion's voice dripped with malice as he continued, "Gentlemen, you're about to be thrown into the tiger's den." His smile was wickedly mischievous, hinting at the danger that awaited.
Moments later, winged knights carried us in handcuffs and shackles to a table of food. "Eat up boys, you're gonna need the energy." The king said at the end of the table and I saw the queen glance at me then look down covering her face.
The table was laden with an array of delectable dishes—roasted meats, vibrant vegetables, and rich pastries. The opulence of the spread seemed almost mocking in the current context. The aroma of the food wafted through the air, a tantalizing contrast to the grim atmosphere.
Despite our shackles, we were guided to the table, and with a mix of reluctance and hunger, we began eating. Alden dug in with a ravenous appetite, tearing into the food with gusto. I followed suit, though each bite felt strangely hollow, given the threat that loomed over us. The king watched us with an inscrutable expression, while Orion and the winged knights hovered nearby, ensuring we complied with their twisted hospitality.
As we ate, the tension in the room grew palpable. Every sound seemed to echo ominously, the clinking of utensils and the occasional murmur from the winged knights blending into a symphony of unease. The lavish meal felt like a cruel joke, a brief respite before the inevitable peril that awaited us in the so-called tiger's den.
Even then, "This is absolutely delicious!" I exclaimed, a tear slipping down my cheek. After three days of nothing but gruel and green berries, this feast felt like a divine reprieve. The rich flavors and succulent textures were a stark contrast to the bland, monotonous meals we'd endured. I couldn't help but savor every bite, feeling both grateful and slightly guilty for enjoying such luxury while our predicament loomed over us.
Alden, his mouth full, nodded in agreement, his eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and relief. "You're right, Gaian. This is amazing!" He paused, chewing thoughtfully before adding with a chuckle, "I never thought I'd be this grateful for a meal while we're in such a mess. But honestly, after all that gruel, this feels like a feast fit for royalty." He took another hearty bite, his expression a mix of contentment and disbelief.
Suddenly, the king and queen's laughter filled the room, followed by the menacing chuckles of everyone else present, except Ember. In an instant, everyone vanished, and the lavish feast disappeared with them. We found ourselves outside, standing in the center of a grand colosseum. The entire kingdom surrounded us on elevated podiums, their faces twisted into expressions of disdain and hostility. We could hear a chorus of boos echoing through the arena.
Alden's eyes widened in shock. "We're in a colosseum?!" he yelled, his voice tinged with both anger and disbelief. I glanced upward and saw Ember standing proudly on a stage high above us, flanked by her parents, who were seated on a cloud.
The king's hand rested affectionately on Ember's head, his voice dripping with pride. "That's my girl," he said, his tone warm and approving. As he spoke, Ember's face lit up with genuine joy, her smile radiating with the pure pleasure of her father's praise.
"Ember! Was all of this a ruse?" I shouted, my voice echoing through the colosseum, silencing the cheers and boos. "The laughter, the scolding of Alden about loyalty? They abandoned you for not being an avian hybrid! We're the ones who helped you find the ark!" My anger was palpable as I glared at her.
Ember's gaze dropped to the ground as she took a step forward, her voice trembling with raw emotion as she spoke into the microphone. "Gaian, it's true. I was destined to be the archangel to the Divine Owl. I always knew it deep inside. My family abandoned me—they wanted me to fail. They couldn't stand the idea of someone like me, a mere owl, achieving something greater, and they hated me for it."
A wave of murmurs swept through the colosseum confusion palpable in the air.
"King Bali banished his own daughter?"
"Queen Silvia said Ember was dead."
Queen Silvia yanked Ember down, and King Bali tapped the mic, his voice booming across the arena. "Is everyone ready for the foreigners to be ripped to shreds?!" he announced, reigniting the crowd's cheers and yells.
As the roars of the crowd grew louder, the ground beneath us trembled. Massive iron gates at the far end of the colosseum began to rise, the grinding of metal against stone echoing ominously. From the shadows emerged the tigresses?!
The tigresses that emerged from the shadows were a fearsome sight to behold. Each stood at an imposing seven feet tall, their muscular bodies covered in sleek, golden-orange fur striped with black. Their feline faces were a blend of savage beauty and intelligence, with piercing yellow eyes that gleamed with predatory intent.
Their movements were fluid and graceful, exuding a deadly elegance as they stalked forward. Clawed hands and feet hinted at their formidable strength, capable of tearing through flesh and bone with ease. Despite their animalistic features, there was an unsettling human quality to their posture and expressions, making them even more terrifying.
They wore minimal armor—polished metal plates that covered their vital areas, leaving much of their powerful limbs exposed. The armor was intricately designed, with patterns that seemed to mimic their natural stripes, adding to their regal and menacing appearance. Around their necks hung various ornaments, likely trophies from past victories.
As they approached, their snarls revealed sharp, gleaming teeth, and their tails lashed behind them, reflecting their readiness for combat. The crowd's cheers only seemed to fuel their aggression, making it clear that these tigresses were both revered and feared by the people of Glimmerfen.
Ten tigresses stood on the other side of us, their eyes fixed on their prey. Alden and I were seething with fury at Ember's betrayal, our auras flickering with intense energy. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist, trying to maintain control. "Try to hold back, Alden," I warned, my voice tense with anger.
Alden spread his wings, his face contorted with rage. "No promises," he growled, his eyes locked on the approaching tigresses.
Meanwhile, Vex lounged in the throne room of the Aurora Kingdom, his feet planted firmly on the king's head. Ravyn, perched on the queen's back, let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, this was a bust. Took over a whole kingdom for nothing."
Ravyn yanked the queen's hair, pressing a dagger to her throat. "Where did they go?" she demanded.
The queen sobbed, her voice trembling. "I don't know! They just went back to the Aurora Forest!"
"Wrong answer." Ravyn's eyes narrowed, about to continue her interrogation, when a winged knight burst into the room.
"Sir Vex! I've just received word that the people of Glimmerfen have the vessels of Sagea and Nocturne in their grasp!"
Vex's eyes lit up with interest, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Is that so?" He shoved the king aside, standing up and stretching. "Looks like we might have some entertainment after all."
Ravyn released the queen, pushing her aside as she stood. "Finally, some useful information," she muttered, slipping the dagger back into its sheath.
Vex turned to the winged knight. "Prepare the troops. We're heading to Glimmerfen. It's time to claim what's rightfully ours."
Back in Glimmerfen, the battle raged on. I relied on my Avian weaving, gracefully dodging each ferocious swipe and biting the tigresses aimed at me. My movements were fluid and precise, a blur of agility and skill. As one tigress lunged at me, I spun to the side, her claws grazing the air where I had just been. Seizing the opportunity, I raised my leg and delivered a powerful kick, sending her crashing into another tigress. The impact was forceful, causing them both to stagger.
Alden soared above the battlefield, his wings slicing through the air with fierce precision. He swooped down in calculated arcs, each pass a blur of motion as he slashed at the tigresses with his razor-sharp talons. His strikes were relentless, leaving trails of crimson in their wake. The tigresses roared in fury, their attempts to retaliate thwarted by Alden's superior speed and aerial maneuvers. He dodged their attacks effortlessly, a whirlwind of feathers and claws, always staying one step ahead.
After a grueling struggle, I slumped onto a pile of battered tigresses, their forms tangled and bruised beneath me. Gritting my teeth, I muttered, "I usually hold back when fighting women, but once I get my hands on her…"
Alden, breathing heavily and still seething, cast a fierce glare at Ember. She stood above us, her gaze cold and unyielding, as if our struggle was nothing more than a distant spectacle.
The crowd's boos echoed through the colosseum, their disappointment clear. The king's voice rang out, a mix of surprise and mockery. "Well, would you look at that! The foreigners have actually pulled off a win! Who would've thought?!" He chuckled, savoring the irony. "But let's see if they can handle—"
Before he could finish his taunt, I was struck from behind, pain exploding through me as I was sent sprawling. Lucian appeared in front of Alden with sudden ferocity, his foot connecting sharply with Alden's side. The sudden attack was relentless, cutting off any chance of respite as the chaos in the arena intensified.
The arena was charged with tension as Aurelius vanished from sight, reappearing in random spots around me with unnerving speed. Lucian's figure shimmered in and out of existence, darting around with disorienting agility. The crowd roared with excitement, their cheers blending into a chaotic roar of anticipation.
Aurelius materialized directly in front of me, his presence commanding immediate attention. At the same moment, Lucian flashed into view, appearing right before his brother with a snap of his fingers.
"Hold onto your seats, folks!" the king's voice boomed with dramatic flair. "It looks like the vessels will now face off against my youngest sons: Aurelius, the master of invisibility, and Lucian, the master of teleportation!" His voice carried an edge of glee, promising a new level of challenge as the crowd's anticipation soared.
"Let's see how the vessels handle this!" the king continued, his eyes gleaming with cruel delight. The entire colosseum seemed to vibrate with the energy of the unfolding battle, as Aurelius and Lucian prepared to unleash their formidable skills.
As Aurelius materialized directly in front of Gaian, the air crackled with tension. His sudden appearance caught Gaian off guard, but he quickly adjusted, only to find Lucian flashing into view beside his brother. The brothers worked in seamless unison, Aurelius vanishing and reappearing in rapid succession, his strikes unpredictable and relentless. Gaian struggled to keep up, each time trying to anticipate Aurelius's next move, but the constant flickers of invisibility made it nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Lucian's teleportation allowed him to strike from unexpected angles, his kicks and punches landing with pinpoint accuracy. Gaian's defenses faltered under the relentless assault, leaving him vulnerable to the coordinated onslaught.
Alden fared no better as Lucian materialized in front of him, the sudden appearance accompanied by a swift, powerful kick that sent him sprawling. Aurelius used his invisibility to his advantage, striking from behind and above with a series of brutal, unseen blows. The combination of Lucian's teleportation and Aurelius's elusive attacks overwhelmed Alden, who struggled to keep track of their movements. His wings flared in frustration, but each attempt to counter was met with a new assault from a different angle. The two brothers' synchronized attack left Alden reeling, his strength waning under their unrelenting barrage. The crowd watched with bated breath as the vessels, once formidable, were being overpowered by the king's sons.
On my side, Aurelius materialized behind me, and I threw an elbow instinctively, only for him to reappear in front of me and deliver a punishing kick to my stomach. "Fuck!" I grunted, collapsing to the ground. Pain and frustration surged through me. "I'm supposed to be the Divine Owl's vessel—why do I keep losing? Korin, Alden, Vex... Why are they so much stronger? I died and was reincarnated into this, but what's my goal beyond finding the other vessels? This is so frustrating!"
In the midst of my turmoil, Sagea's voice echoed in my mind.
{Divine Mode-}
"No, Sagea," I snapped mentally, "I don't want to rely on that anymore." I forced myself to stand, breathing deeply to steady my nerves. "Give me the Luminous Talon Technique."
{Luminous Talon Technique activated}
The shimmering energy enveloped me as I readied myself for the renewed battle. I squared my shoulders, determination blazing in my eyes.
"Let's see if you can handle this." I muttered, diving back into the fray with newfound resolve.
Despite Alden's initial surge of dominance, Lucian quickly adapted to the relentless onslaught. With a sudden, strategic teleportation, Lucian reappeared behind Alden and landed a decisive blow to his back. Alden faltered, his wings sagging as exhaustion and pain took their toll. Lucian's relentless precision and rapid movements overwhelmed Alden's defenses, each strike landing with brutal accuracy. The final blow left Alden sprawled on the ground, defeated and gasping for air as Lucian stood over him with a cold, victorious gaze.
Alden slammed his fist into the ground, his frustration palpable as he struggled to rise. A swift kick to his face sent him crashing into the colosseum wall, pain and anger mixing in his mind. "Dammit, how am I losing to this guy?!" he roared, his voice cracking with frustration. "How am I supposed to take down Vex with Ember's betrayal and Gaian's constant edge over me? Gaian's got divine mode, Ember's an archangel, and I'm just stuck here. If I were the leader, would this be happening?"
As Lucian charged at him, poised to deliver another crushing kick, Alden's vision wavered, and the shadow assassin materialized before him. "And you," Alden spat, frustration and self-loathing evident in his voice, "you never help me." The assassin, a dark embodiment of Alden's inner struggle, crouched next to him, eyes gleaming with intensity.
"You're the vessel of Nocturne Raven," the assassin's voice cut through the chaos, a blend of reprimand and encouragement. "The raven of secrets was Sagea's second in command for a reason. And here you are, letting yourself be defeated? Nocturne's power stemmed from his mastery of two things—shadow stealth and dark reflexes." With a firm yet reassuring grip, the assassin lifted Alden's chin, his words a stark reminder of Alden's potential.
With renewed resolve, Alden transformed into a shadow, reappearing behind Lucian. He delivered a powerful punch, driving Lucian into the ground.
Aurelius materialized in front of me, but in a flash, I struck him in the chest with a force that caved it in. He collapsed to the ground with a wheeze, the wind knocked out of him.
"I'll never lose again," we said in unison, our voices echoing through the colosseum as we fixed our gaze on Ember. "We're gonna get you back."