Back in the bleacher area where the Black Wolves and Belle had occupied, the others were minding their own businesses and talking amongst themselves, while Code sat quietly, keeping to himself, arms crossed, and a leg crossed over.
Brand turned around in his seat and merely looked at Code, then turned back around as they now both faced forward. It was then; fingers snapped, drowned out by the chatter of the crowd.
Confirmed, Code thought, exchanging with Brand with a snap of his fingers.
I'm glad you saw that, too, Vice Captain.
What was that? The second one you saw? The first one was earlier, no? Code asked.
Aye. It was but a blink, but I saw it. Whoever did it might not have known that I could see that far and zoom in my peripheral. They've been fairly cautious aside from that.
Did you by chance see the culprit?
Negative.
If one witnessed the two, there was only silence between them, but unbeknownst to everyone, the two were having a private conversation.
Around the same time, Code noticed some of the Green Owls that had been stationed all around the audience, slowly and stealthily mobilizing. It looked like they were collaborating with Daz's mages as well. Whatever Code and Brand had noticed, it seemed that the Arcane King had as well, and he was taking action.
I thought it was odd that they skipped right into the second round… something must have happened in the Keep. I'm not buying that 'secret tournament' announcement. He snapped a thought into Brand's head.
I also thought that was weird. But wouldn't they have started with Captain Greed vs. the Goro fellow? Brand thought.
Exactly. At first, I had assumed that if they were going to skip matches, it would be because some of the contenders went missing. Which is why the second round started right away between Cecillia and Lance. But I saw both Greed and Goro on the screen when the channels changed, meaning someone we're not seeing is testing theories. I bet they had suspected that Cecillia mage, but after witnessing more disappearances after she had just been rendered out of commission, turns out it wasn't her after all.
Aye. Keen eye, Vice Captain.
Code snapped his fingers again, already mid-flow-state.
Yo! What are you two talking about? Or uh… thinking about, heh… Havoc thought as he had somehow entered the thought chat.
Hav… What—how the hell did you get in this?
You two were acting sus… so I interjected Brand's thoughts…
The fuck? How is that even possible!? How am I now exchanging thoughts with you of all people!? Code thought; his forehead tightening as he proceeded to snap his fingers subconsciously.
To any case, what's happening is—
As Havoc was listening to Code's exchanged thoughts, he noticed Code was visibly irritated and scratching his head. "What the hell?" Havoc said under his breath.
The thought in Code's head in that moment was…
CHOCO BAR! CHOCO BAR! CHOCO BAR! MY TEDDY IS GOING TO GIVE ME A CHOCO BAR WITH OR WITHOUT YOU CODE! SO, FUCK YOU, YOU PRICK!— the thought went on and on.
At that time, Code had somehow exchanged thoughts with Star… and how it even happened to begin with has remained a mystery in itself.
All the while, Star looked as if she was keeping to herself, sitting with a dimpled, oblivious smile across her face. And Code continued to writhe with the thought he had accidentally exchanged with her.
***
Back in the Warriors' Keep, another vanishing had occurred. This time, from one of the Golden Rose Knights themselves.
"How!? Lance, did you see?" Viper asked, panicking.
He shook his head. Eyes closed. It was like the guy did not even care.
The hell is wrong with him? I thought as I watched.
I then whipped my head over to where I had left Jo on the couch—she was still there, and Nyx as well, keeping close watch as he threw me a thumbs up from where he was.
"Was it not Cecillia? Were we wrong?" Snow shouted.
Alphonzo began observing intently once more. Saying nothing and simply watching us as the squabbling began…
"It's not just Love…" Ryo said. "Zeke is now gone as well… and Polaris."
"How? When did this happen? We were all so vigilant." Snow asked.
That's three more from this keep while Cecillia has remained unconscious, escorted by four mages, Henza and Nash…" Zeno said.
With Love and Zeke gone. The ones left aside from Alphonzo and Henza were: Ryo, Snow, Rex, Zeno, Goro, Viper, Lance, Rok (whom I had forgotten about), Jo, Nash, and me. Along with Cecillia when she arrives with both Nash and Henza.
I first suspected one of the healer mages due to there being eight of them in the keep with us from the beginning of the Tournament, but since then, half of them—four—were vanished as well. And the other four are being escorted by Nash and Henza. Had Nash not gone, that would be my area of most concern.
The vanishings still occurred, even with Cecillia, the main suspect, out cold, and then the healer mages… so who was the culprit?
My eyes then darted to the other end of the room, where the biggest contender had yet to make any statement or move from his spot.
Because of his size, no one suspected him. Not even Viper, who was the most outspoken about who might have been. Had it been because he was also from the Desert Kingdom? Or did she just trust him that much? Either way…
I made my way over and stood next to him, leaning my back against the wall, as if to relax and maybe banter… if he would talk, that is.
As I made myself comfortable there on the wall with him, I took out another toothpick from my pocket and placed it in my mouth. "So, what are your thoughts on all of this, big guy?" I asked nonchalantly.
He didn't respond. Remaining as he was, large arms crossed, still, stoic. It was as if the whole thing had been trivial to him.
"You know, if you don't speak up or act normal, the others might start suspecting you, too," I said. We both faced outwardly in the same direction toward everyone.
Again silence. I expected as much. But what I didn't expect was his delayed reply. "If you are here to observe me, you may, but I will tell you now that it is not me," he said. His deep and heavy voice vibrated the walls we leaned against.
I loosed a breath and said with a tone that said it all to him, "I know."
Our conversation was hardly one, but the understanding was mutual.
I could tell just by his tone, all the way down to his choice of words, that it was not him. It was also one of the reasons he had not moved from his spot. He did not want others to be wary or think he was a suspect. Though I supposed regardless of where he stood, he'd be seen, but I digress.
I saw Ryo's diligent eyes meet mine across the room. He nodded once slightly, and I shook my head once in the same manner. It was our unspoken signal to each other, telling us everything we needed to know. I had the same gestures with Snow, Rex, and Zeno, but they had witnessed our exchange and already knew amongst themselves.
But it only narrowed down our suspects dangerously to just the few of us left. And I knew for a fact that it wasn't any of us.
That's what I'd like to think, at least.
At this same time, Nash and Henza had made it back with the four healer mages and Cecillia, who was out cold on a stretcher.
Nothing else out of the ordinary had seemed to occur since they came back. The halls that led to the arena and back weren't that long, but anything could happen at this point. And now that Cecillia had been ruled out as the culprit, it seemed the Valley Tournament was proceeding as normal. However, not all agreed on it.
Viper whipped her head over to Alphonzo and shouted, "We need to stop this Tournament right now! We need to save Love and the others! We can't just sit here and pretend nothing is happening while our comrades are vanishing left and right! Don't you think it is our duty as mages to solve this in the best interests of the Valley people? Who cares about this damn Tournament anymore!"
Alphonzo merely looked at her with his bland eyes and said, "We have our security making a move as we speak. We need to stay put until they are at their stations."
"Screw staying put! Put me at one of the stations. I don't care if I am disqualified!" she defiantly stated.
"I'll go too," Zeno said next.
I looked at Zeno with a raised brow. He felt my stare as he turned his head to me and shrugged. It can't be helped, he seemed to say.
After staying silent and considering, Alphonzo pulled out his comm and called Daz. He picked up immediately.
Daz here, the Arcane King said over the line.
"We have some contenders choosing to drop out—"
Then, before Alphonzo could get in another word, the Valley's heart spoke up.
"I object to that." Ryo said, "With the competition dwindling, it is even more imperative that we all attend these next matches. This is no longer for us; it's for the Valley. The Kingdom's people have been waiting for this moment. They have been waiting for the Kingdom to demonstrate its Knights and future captains. Will you deny them this and have them go into a state of panic instead? For a second time? The Valley had already endured that not too long ago. People died, and the people here are seeking recovery and closure. We already have security and even Alphonzo here to take care of everything in the shadows, while our only duty is to fight in a ring for the people's peace of mind. We should all be unified and proceed as is." He looked over to Viper next, "I lost both of my comrades here today. Left to wonder if they are alive or… Keeper forbid… but I know without a shadow of a doubt that they would want us to continue this Tournament, for them, for its people. We all have a duty to play, do we not?"
"Plans change. A mage—no… a responsible adult should know to adjust." Viper replied.
"And a responsible adult also knows when to adjust."
That was all Ryo had to say as I watched Viper's expression change to one that knew when she was bested. A smirk formed on my face, and I lowered my head, closing my eyes all the while as I remained at the wall next to Rok. This was the same kind of speech Alphonzo had given me earlier. But when Ryo said it, it was a reminder to everyone else in the room. And Daz was on the line too to hear every word.
Well said, Ryoku, Daz said over the comm. To be frank, I knew why Alphonzo was calling. I was just about to respond in the same fashion. But I couldn't have said it better myself.
All the while, Viper scowled where she stood. She didn't like it, but dared not speak back to the Arcane King—especially if he agreed with Ryo.
For your peace of mind, I have just ordered security and the Green Owl Knights to guard all open areas leading to the hallways. We even have eyes on the audience to make sure we catch any vanishings that occur during the upcoming rounds. Alphonzo has also ordered parties to guard all the designated rifts he and Henza have found. About three mages to each of the six rifts at this time. Rest assured, as the next match commences, we will not let any more vanishings occur. Have trust in your allies. And give the citizens what they came to see.
She was silent for a moment, but then agreed, "Aye, sir." And then a renowned "Aye" sounded from everyone else. I didn't say it myself, but I heard Rok next to me in unison with the others.
Alphonzo then flipped off his comm and said, "Well, there you have it. Orders from your Arcane King himself."
"And now, Valley citizens, we will be introducing the next set of fighters for our ring!" When the announcer said this, the crowd above in the colosseum cheered, and we all readied ourselves.
"Your next contenders will be…" each of our eyes flashed in readiness to his next words, "Head Guard of the Desert, Rok and Nash of the Black Wolf Knights!"
When the announcer said this, Nash made a smirk that turned into a roaring laugh, stomping on the ground as he did. He was elated at the opponent he would be facing in the ring for all to see. His light blue eyes met Rok's across the room as he said,
"Finally. A true fight between men!"