Just like every other man, Hazen stepped into the barracks. She surveyed the building with its exposed wooden beams and brick walls adorned with colorful banners. The polished wooden floor echoed with footsteps, and the flickering candlelight cast warm, golden hues over the heavy atmosphere. A group of men with grave expressions surrounded him, the air thick with the scent of sweat and leather.
"Hey, you!" a sharp voice called, halting Hazen in her tracks.
His heart raced. "Did they find out I'm a girl?" Dread flooded her veins as she turned slowly.
Rooted to the spot, she watched as a massive, burly man charged toward her. "What if they're Madam Nora's men?" Her heart hammered as the man approached, and she resigned herself to her fate. "I guess this is how it ends," she muttered, forcing a weak smile.
But the man rushed past him, tackling another recruit to the ground. "You practice magic, and it's forbidden! Didn't I warn you? What were you thinking?" he scolded coldly.
A wave of unexplainable relief washed over Hazen. "Thank goodness it's not me," she whispered, a smile creeping onto her face as she watched the bulky man reprimand the other recruit.
"I'm sorry! I just wanted to get stronger! I swear I won't use magic again!" the young man pleaded, looking up at the burly figure.
"What's the army's rule?" the man barked, pointing at a large banner on the wall.
Hazen's gaze followed his finger to the banner displaying the army's strict regulations.
Rule No. 1: No magic is allowed. Any member found possessing any form of magic will be sentenced to death.
The smile froze on Hazen's face as she turned back to the man, whose expression was now grave.
Before the man could react, the bulky figure seized him and hurled him toward the sun, where he was consumed in an instant.
Hazen stood frozen, her thoughts drifting back to when she used Madam Nora's sealing spell. Her heart pounded heavily. "I won't ever use her magic again; thank goodness I'm not good with it," she muttered, shaken.
"Welcome, recruits," a commanding voice echoed through the room.
Hazen turned to see a tall figure stride forward. The man, about 6'2", had an athletic build, broad shoulders, and jet-black hair styled in a neat military cut. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room with cold intensity, his chiseled jawline framed by a small scar above his left cheek. He wore a tailored black military uniform with golden epaulets, radiating authority.
"How good-looking," Hazen muttered under her breath.
"I am Commander Kyle Darkhaven, leader of this esteemed army. You've chosen to participate in this tournament to earn your place among us, to defend our realm and uphold our honor. I expect unwavering loyalty, unrelenting courage, and unshakable discipline. This tournament will test the limits of those who are not strong enough. If you doubt your readiness for the dangers ahead, I advise you to step back now." Commander Kyle's gaze swept across the recruits until it landed on Hazen, lingering for a moment. "Who's he?" he seemed to wonder before turning away.
"Was he looking at me?" Hazen pondered, checking over her shoulder before facing forward again.
"Everyone, freshen up. The tournament begins in two hours," Commander Kyle stated, casting a brief glance at Hazen before leaving the building.
Feeling restless, Hazen decided to explore the barracks, hoping to calm her nerves. "Damn! How am I supposed to handle the tournament?" She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "The commander said people might lose their lives. Why do I feel like he was talking directly to me?" she said, walking into an empty, dimly lit room.
"What do I do?" Hazen squatted down, burying her face in her lap.
"Hazel."
His heart skipped a beat wondering who knew her enough to her real name. "Who's there?" she asked, scanning the dim room.
"It's me," the voice replied.
"The voice from the cell?" Hazen murmured, disbelief washing over her.
"Yes, that voice," it confirmed.
"Why can't I see you but hear you in my head?" Hazen asked, confusion clouding her mind.
"That's because I'm inside you," Amoris replied.
"What! How can a bonafide Christian in my previous life have… Wait, what are you?"
"I'm a demon—Amoris," he replied.
"Ahh! And you're a demon?" Hazen said, running her hands through her hair.
"Keep calm, you lowly vampire," Amoris reprimanded, annoyance creeping into his tone.
"How am I supposed to stay calm? I have a demon living in me, and you're calling me a lowly vampire? You're just as lowly!" Hazen shot back.
"Don't you dare," Amoris warned, his tone laced with anger as the candlelight flickered ominously.
"Whoa, I was just kidding!" Hazen quickly said, trying to appease Amoris.
"You are so weak! You couldn't even face a little bit of my wrath. How do you plan to deal with what's ahead?" Amoris challenged.
"What's ahead?" Hazen asked, genuinely curious.
"All I can say is, prepare for what's coming, Hazel Arman. You have a long way to go," Amoris replied cryptically.
A chill crept through Hazen. "What does the future hold?" she muttered, anxiety rising. "I wonder what's going to happen in the tournament," she added, her thoughts drifting back to the upcoming challenge.
"I want to help you," Amoris said.
Hazen raised an eyebrow, suspicion creeping in. "I've read enough stories to know how this goes. You'll offer some deal, and if I agree, you'll take control and trap me in my own mind," she scoffed.
"I, Amoris, am not like that. Besides, I can't fully possess you. Your body is too weak," Amoris teased.
"Who's weak?" Hazen snapped, irritation flaring.
"Just let me take control during the tournament. I can help you win," Amoris suggested lazily.
"We don't even know what the tournament entails! Why should I trust you?" Hazen shot back, crossing her arms.
"I'm just trying to help. If you need me, just summon me," Amoris said nonchalantly.
As Amoris's presence faded, Hazen felt a unique aura dissipate around her. "He's gone," she murmured.
"Just a few more minutes until the tournament starts. I wonder how many stages there will be and what we'll have to do," Hazen thought, bracing herself for the challenge ahead.