(The Sun Sets Over Batima)
The sun dipped low over Batima, its golden rays casting long shadows across the village as the ceremony drew to a close. Warriors stood tall, their faces etched with pride as their families crowded around them, offering cheers and embraces. It was a celebration of resilience and determination, but beneath the joy lay an unspoken unease. The warriors knew their chosen path was not only one of glory but one fraught with brutal enemies and untold dangers.
Still, they smiled, hiding their fears behind the warmth of the moment, savoring it while it lasted.
(Chief Soto's Chambers)
In the dimly lit chamber, Chief Soto sat at the head of a long wooden table, his expression grim. His chin rested on one hand while the other clenched into a fist against the armrest of his chair. The tension in the room was palpable as Captain Lech stood before him, awaiting instructions.
Soto finally broke the silence, his voice steady but strained, each word carrying the weight of responsibility.
"Lech, you must take our best warriors to join the game. We don't have the luxury of waiting. The deadline is noon tomorrow."
Lech's brows furrowed, the unease evident in his posture. He took a deep breath, his tone cautious but questioning.
"You mean we leave now? And what of Misty?"
Soto's jaw tightened, his gaze faltering for a brief moment. Rising from his seat, he began pacing the room, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. His voice dropped, low and heavy with regret.
"We don't have a choice. We'll have to let him go."
Lech dropped to one knee, his voice rising with desperation.
"Sir, with all due respect, this is madness! Misty cannot go—this is far too dangerous! Sending him is as good as telling the Sons of Trinity exactly what we're looking for. Please, reconsider."
Before Soto could respond, the door creaked open. Misty stepped inside, his young face set with determination, though his heart raced beneath his calm exterior.
"I'll go," he said firmly, his voice breaking the tense silence.
Lech turned toward him, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Misty…"
The young warrior met Lech's gaze, his fists clenched at his sides.
"If it means protecting my comrades, I'll do it. I won't stand by while others risk their lives."
Soto stopped pacing and turned to face Misty fully, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the boy. Slowly, he approached, his hands still clasped behind his back. The air in the room felt heavier, each step Soto took amplifying the tension.
"If you go," Soto said, his voice grave, "you must promise me one thing."
Misty straightened, standing tall despite the fear flickering in his eyes.
"Anything, sir."
Soto stopped a mere step away, his expression unreadable.
"You must not use it. No matter what happens. Do you understand me?"
The words struck Misty like a hammer, but he nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"I promise, sir."
Soto studied him for a long moment before placing a firm hand on his shoulder. His voice softened, almost a whisper.
"Then go. And may the gods watch over you."
Misty gave a solemn nod and turned to leave, his heart pounding in his chest as he walked beside Lech. The heavy door closed behind them, and Soto remained motionless, staring at the wooden panels for a long time before letting out a weary sigh.
(The Ruined Temple)
The ancient temple lay hidden in the heart of a dense forest, its crumbling walls cloaked in shadows. Faint, otherworldly markings glowed on the stone, casting an eerie light that danced across the room. Hooded figures stood in a circle, their black robes blending with the darkness, their sinister auras pulsing like a heartbeat.
One of the figures stepped forward, his smooth yet venomous voice cutting through the silence.
"We'll send Trinity Five to the games. It's time to accelerate our plans."
The others murmured in agreement, their dark forms shifting slightly. Another figure, Trinity Six, raised his hooded head, his voice sharp with warning.
"Be careful. The master has warned us. The prophecy… it's beginning to unfold."
The circle stilled, the weight of the statement settling over them. Trinity Nine crossed his arms, his tone cold and calculating.
"And what of Trinity Eleven? Is he ready yet?"
From the shadows stepped a figure more menacing than the rest. His aura radiated raw power, his hood obscuring all but the sinister smirk that tugged at his lips.
"He will be soon," Trinity Five said, his voice deep and laced with malice. "His release is inevitable. Until then, let me remind them why we are feared."
A dark chuckle rippled through the group as their forms began to dissipate, vanishing into the shadows one by one. The eerie glow of the markings faded, leaving the temple in suffocating silence.
Trinity Six lingered for a moment, his voice a whisper, almost as if speaking to himself.
"And what will the Seventh Heavens say…?"
As the last words left his lips, the temple plunged into complete darkness, the oppressive energy thickening like a storm cloud. The wheels of fate had begun to turn, and there was no stopping them now.