Knights gathered in the courtyard, each one bearing the proud crest of their family. Nobles pressed embroidered handkerchiefs into the hands of their chosen knights—tokens of affection, hope, or silent claims. The air shimmered with excitement, whispers weaving through the crowd. Some smiles glowed with happiness, while others burned with jealousy at being rejected.
Aria sat tall on her horse, clad in her uniform, the sunlight catching on her figure. Then Icarus appeared, his steps sure, his smile soft.
He approached her horse and extended his hand, offering a handkerchief delicately embroidered with lilies.
Aria's eyes widened. It was her first handkerchief, and the significance of it struck her immediately. Around them, murmurs rippled through the crowd, followed by gasps and awed glances.
Without hesitation, Aria reached for it. "Thank you, Icarus."
Instead of simply handing it over, he caught her hand in his. Lifting it, he pressed a gentle kiss across her knuckles. His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed his intensity. "Please… come back safely."
The courtyard erupted. One of the young ladies in the crowd fainted outright, overcome by the romance of the scene.
Aria laughed lightly, warmth in her eyes. "Then, I'll offer my biggest prey to you at the end of the day."
Color crept up Icarus's ears, his composure cracking under her words. For a moment, the mighty Tower Master looked more like a boy caught off guard by the girl who owned his heart.
Aria's gaze drifted toward Abigel. He was watching her, his stare sharp and unreadable. When their eyes met, he didn't look away. Then, almost deliberately, Abigel turned his gaze to Icarus.
Icarus met it without flinching, and with the faintest of nods—an unspoken acknowledgment passing between them.
The signal was given. The tournament had begun.
Within seconds, the thunder of hooves shook the earth as horses surged toward the forest. Banners whipped in the wind, the colors of noble families streaming like fire across the fields.
The forest itself was vast and wild, its gates only opened once a year for the hunting tournament. A wide river cut through its heart, dividing the land into two domains. The western side was dangerous enough, filled with beasts that tested even seasoned knights.
But it was the eastern side that all whispered about. Beyond the river lay the true challenge—the lairs of the most dangerous prey. Crossing into that territory meant risking one's life. Few ventured there without a highly skilled warrior at their side, for survival was rarely guaranteed.
And yet, that was where the greatest glory—and the greatest peril—awaited.
Liam, with his White Knights, rode toward the western side of the forest. His aura alone was enough to draw the largest prey in the tournament—but he never used it here. For fairness, the royal family had decreed that no aura-users were to unleash their powers during the hunt, since not every house possessed such gifts.
They pushed deeper, closing in on the forest's center. The air grew heavier, shadows thickening beneath the canopy.
Then—a deep growl rippled through the silence.
Every knight stiffened.
"On guard," Liam whispered, signaling with precise gestures.
Steel hissed as swords left their sheaths. Liam drew his own blade, stepping forward with calm authority.
Leaves rustled. Twigs snapped. The ground trembled under pounding paws.
And then—within seconds—they were surrounded.A pack of glowing-eyed beasts emerged from the undergrowth, circling them, their snarls echoing through the forest like the promise of blood.
—————————————————————————————
Meanwhile
Aria and the Red Knights rode toward the eastern side of the forest. Tristan kept close at her right, his eyes sharp, every movement calculated. Each step their horses took was measured and cautious.
But the silence was unsettling. Too still. Too perfect.
Not even the wind dared to stir the branches.
Then—a heavy thud split the quiet.
Something crashed to the ground before them.
A deer's head.
Blood spattered across the earth… across their boots… streaking crimson across the white trim of their uniforms.
The metallic stench thickened the air.
Aria's breath caught, her eyes lifting slowly, instinctively—upward.
———————————————————————————————
Abigel and the Black Knights rode straight ahead. He had already gauged the field—Liam had taken the western side, and Aria was near the east.
"We'll make sure no one dares think the North is powerless," Abigel said firmly. He knew this terrain well; in the North, hunting was survival. Beasts attacked often, and men learned quickly—or they died.
He raised his voice just enough for his unit to hear. "Sir Issac, keep your eyes on the right. I'll cover the left. The back row will guard our rear. The center—watch the skies. You never know where the attack will come from."
The knights acknowledged with disciplined nods, tightening their formation.
But before another word could be spoken, the forest answered.
It came from behind.
A deafening roar split the air, shaking the ground beneath their horses.
Liam – The Western Side
The White Knights tightened formation as the pack closed in, eyes glowing in the shadows.
"Shield wall!" Liam commanded.
The beasts lunged, claws scraping against steel. Liam's sword flashed, severing one head cleanly. Blood sprayed, but the line held.
The pack circled, testing them. Liam's aura trembled beneath his skin—untouched, restrained. Not here. Not now.
Another beast leapt. Liam's blade cut it from the air. Calm and steady, he pressed forward, every move a reminder why he was Crown Prince.
Yet as the beasts kept coming, his thoughts sharpened:something is not right..
Aria – The Eastern Side
The deer's head fell with a wet thud, blood spattering her boots. Aria lifted her gaze—up into the branches.
Coiled above was a massive serpent, its scales glistening like obsidian, eyes burning with unnatural light. Its tongue flickered, tasting the air, tasting her.
The ground shook as it dropped from the canopy. Horses reared and knights shouted as the monster's body slammed against the earth, long enough to crush a carriage with a single coil.
"Lady Aria!" Tristan moved to shield her.
But Aria had already raised her bow. Her hands trembled only for a moment—then steadied.
The serpent lunged, jaws opening wide enough to swallow her whole. Aria loosed her arrow straight into its eye.
The monster shrieked, thrashing violently. Trees snapped like twigs under its weight.
"Don't let it coil!" Tristan roared, spears striking its hide, but Aria's focus never wavered. She pulled another arrow, whispering to herself, I will not be devoured.
Abigel – The Northern Riders
The Black Knights moved in tight formation, discipline in every stride. Abigel's gaze was sharp, scanning every angle.
Then—the roar came.
From the trees behind them burst a hulking beast, its paws shaking the earth. Three massive heads, each snarling with dripping fangs, eyes glowing red. A hellhound of nightmare.
The rear guard scattered as the monster lunged, one head snapping a knight's shield clean in half.
"Hold steady!" Abigel roared, wheeling his horse. His twin blades gleamed as he slashed across one snarling maw, forcing the beast back a step.
Another head lunged from the side—he blocked, sparks flying from the clash of fangs and steel. The third snapped down at his mount, but Abigel leapt from the saddle, landing light on his feet, blades already spinning.
The Black Knights rallied behind him, spears striking from all angles.
Abigel's eyes locked on the monster, unshaken. "Three heads, three deaths," he growled. "Come then—let's see who bows first."