Five days had passed since the battle in the ruins, and the city was slowly returning to its daily rhythm. There were two days left until the guild tournament, and each member of the Dragon's Flight felt that these hours could determine their future.
Valdor set off alone. He wandered through the narrow streets of the city, using the alleys to avoid attracting attention. Every step was carefully considered, every interaction carefully weighed. He knew that information about the Empire could prove crucial, and that every mistake could cost much more than just his honor. His eyes scanned the faces of passersby, he watched the guards and shopkeepers, and eavesdropped on conversations in cafes and taverns.
At the same time, the rest of the team trained on their own, scattered across different parts of the city. Arwen vented her frustration and tension after the battle in 1v1 duels with Kael. Blades whistled through the air, and each blow was a test of speed and precision.
— Your defense is still weak. — Arwen snorted, dodging another attack from Kael. — If the tournament is supposed to be a test, I'll have to give it my all.
Kael smiled to himself as he jumped back. — Well, at least we're not bored, but remember, it's not always about strength. Sometimes tactics and reflexes are everything.
In a separate part of the city, Mayuri practiced controlling shadows and magical barriers, still testing the bracelet with the purple crystal. Her movements were fluid, calm, but precise. Each spell strengthened her ability to predict her opponent's attacks.
— If I want to protect the team, I have to be fast and unpredictable. — she muttered, watching the energy of the purple crystal pulsate on her wrist.
Noah, meanwhile, was practicing a combination of fire and magic a few meters away from them. Flames danced between his fingers, each movement drawing paths of fire in the air. Kael watched his technique, correcting minor flaws.
— Control your pace better.— he said calmly. — There will be no time for experiments in the tournament.
Arok and Nebuko watched them from the shadows, meticulously noting every move. Their gazes were cool and analytical, but not hostile. The Dragon's Run's assessment was interesting to them, potentially crucial for future competitions.
— Valdor...— Nebuko whispered, pointing to a figure moving down the street. — Pay attention to his strategy. He thinks further ahead than the others.
— Yes.— Arok replied. — The rest of the team is also worth watching. Their individual preparations show that they will not be easy opponents.
At the same time, on the other side of town, the **Shadow Raven** team was signing up for the tournament. Tensho, the cool-headed leader, calm and sharp-tongued, noted everything in the clerk's documents. Kaya, the archer with a keen eye and ironic comments, ran her fingers along the bowstring, testing the tension. Muun moved calmly around the room, observing the other participants and easing tensions between them. Zenra, a silent warrior with a scythe, watched everyone closely, her every movement full of composure and the weight of authority.
Valdor crept through the narrow streets of the commercial district, weighing each decision like a sword in his hand. He knew that the Empire always left traces, even if they were hidden under the mask of everyday life. In one of the darker alleys, he came across an informant who barely avoided the gaze of the guards.
— Valdor. — the man whispered, not looking up, — the tournament... it's not just a fight. It's politics, behind-the-scenes games. Some want to use the winners for their own purposes.
Valdor nodded. — Thank you. I need details about the arena, the opponents, and any possible traps.
The informant handed him a map and a few names, then disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared. Valdor hid the documents and moved on, still assessing every movement around him.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Arwen was finishing her sparring session with Kael. Determination still glowed in her eyes, and her lips twitched into a brief smile as she stepped off the battlefield.
— I still need to work on surprising my opponent. — she muttered. — The tournament doesn't forgive predictability.
Mayuri observed the effects of her barriers in practice. Each new combination of spells tested the limits of her control over the shadow. Although the training itself was demanding, her thoughts kept wandering to Valdor—she felt that something important might happen and that he needed to be careful.
Noah, meanwhile, was testing the combination of fire and ice, experimenting with the balance of the elements. Kael interrupted him from time to time, correcting the pace and sequence of spells.
— If you don't master this by the tournament. — Kael said calmly, — you'll be easily trapped.
At the same time, Arok and Nebuko kept their eyes on all the members of the Dragon's Flight. Their analysis was ruthless, cold, but focused on accuracy. Every movement, every reaction was recorded in their memory like equations that would later give them an advantage.
On the opposite end of the city, Raven's Shadow was finishing its first training session. Tensho watched his team's every move, his sharp tongue constantly commenting on minor mistakes:
— Kaya, pull the bowstring more smoothly, your pace is too irregular.
— Muun, stay focused, don't get distracted by trifles,— he added, without taking his eyes off the healer.
Zenra was silent, but every nod of her head made the rest of the team hold their breath. Every command she gave, though rare, was followed to the letter.
The tension was palpable. The upcoming guild tournament was no longer a distant prospect — it was getting closer, and every training session, every sparring match, and every move Valdor made in the shadows mattered.
During a short break in training, Arwen approached Mayuri.
— You know Valdor is working alone, right? — she asked, watching her expression.
— Yes, — Mayuri replied calmly. — But I also know he won't let anything slip by him. I guess... I trust him a little.
Arwen looked at her intently, then nodded. — Me too. But I can't help worrying.
Valdor, wandering the narrow streets of the city, came across more clues about the Empire. Underground passages, strange conversations in taverns, officials who looked too closely... everything indicated that the tournament was a bigger trap than anyone had imagined.
The tension was mounting, and a heavy, electrifying mood hung over the city. The Dragon Hunt, though scattered, each in their own zone, was preparing for the inevitable storm — both the one coming in the tournament and the one in the hearts of the heroes.
The afternoon sun was slowly setting in the west, and the city was bathed in warm, orange light. Arwen and Kael were finishing their last sparring session, their movements fluid and almost synchronized, as if each knew the other's future moves.
— It's good that we still have a day to recover, — Kael said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. — But tomorrow the real fight begins.
Arwen nodded. — I know. But I don't want to feel surprised. I want every move I make to be certain.
In another alley, Mayuri tested a new combination of barriers and shadows, repeating the spell sequences in her mind. Although her movements were quiet and elegant, her heart beat faster when she thought about Valdor possibly encountering danger on his mission.
— I have to believe he'll be okay, — she muttered to herself. — But I also have to be ready for anything if he comes back injured.
Noah was practicing combining fire and ice in the deserted courtyard, creating swirling spirals of energy that danced in the air. Kael watched him closely, adjusting the pace and direction of the spells.
— One more set and we're done, — Kael said. — You need to master your reactions to any unforeseen threat.
From the shadows, Arok and Nebuko continued to observe the movements of the Dragon's Flight. Their gazes were cool and analytical, but not hostile—they noted every detail: how the heroes reacted, how they corrected their mistakes, their pace, their reflexes. All of this would matter in the upcoming tournament.
Meanwhile, Valdor arrived at the secret location mentioned by the informant. In a dark room underground, a group of Empire informants had gathered. The conversations were quiet, and every sound echoed off the stone walls. Valdor moved to one of the side edges of the room and watched.
— The tournament... will not be a simple test, — heard one of the Empire's officials. — The winner may gain more than they expect.
— But we don't want to lose anyone, — replied the other. — It's a risk that must be controlled.
Valdor moved a little closer, committing everything to memory and jotting down notes. He knew that this information could save his team's lives or give them an advantage if they managed to reach the arena in time.
Arwen appeared in the courtyard where Noah and Kael were practicing to watch the training. Her gaze shifted to Noah, who was manipulating fire and ice with remarkable precision.
— You know...— she said quietly, more to herself than to anyone else, — I hope the tournament doesn't take us all too much by surprise.
Noah looked up and smiled, raising his eyebrow slightly. — If we have to, we'll save each other. You, me... and the rest.
Arwen nodded, feeling a strange warmth in her heart. She knew that everyone had their place in this team, and the trust between them could be crucial.
From a distance, Arok and Nebuko continued to watch the whole scene. Their assessment was ruthless and fascinating at the same time. They saw the potential that could tip the scales of victory in the upcoming tournament.
When the sun had completely set and the first street lamps lit up with golden light, all the members of the Dragon Hunters slowly finished their training. Night enveloped the city, and the upcoming tournament was becoming more and more real. The storm of preparations was not yet visible to their opponents, but everyone on the team felt it in their hearts.
— Tomorrow...— whispered Mayuri, looking west, where red light reflected off the rooftops.— It all begins.
— Yes, — replied Arwen, gripping the hilt of her dagger more tightly. — And nothing will surprise us.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation. Each of them knew that this night was the last moment of calm before the storm that was to come in the guild tournament arena.
The night passed quickly, and with the first rays of sunlight, the city awoke to a new day. The Dragon Hunt, though scattered throughout the city, was moving toward the tournament arena with every step. Each member of the team felt that this was not only a test of their skills, but also a test of their determination and mutual trust.
Valdor led the way through the early morning crowd, glancing sideways at Arwen, who was walking right behind him. Her gaze was focused, and her hands clutched her weapon tightly, as if the mere awareness of the upcoming tournament could turn the air into fire.
— Ready? — Valdor asked, glancing at her slightly.
— Always,— Arwen replied, but there was a slight tension in her voice.
Mayuri and the rest of the team joined one by one, each with their own preparation ritual: Noah manipulated fire and ice one last time, Kael checked his blades, and Mayuri checked the energy of the crystal on her wrist.
A mixture of adrenaline, focus, and quiet tension hung in the air. All the teams headed toward the arena, and among them appeared **Shadow of the Raven**, calmly making their way to their place. Tensho led his team, his cold gaze sweeping over the other participants. Kaya, Muun, and Zenra moved in perfect synchronization, as if each step had been planned in advance.
When the Dragon Hunt arrived at the arena, its enormity was apparent. The stands were filled with nobles and townspeople, and the smell of freshly cut grass and dust hung in the air. The commentator on the platform above the arena stood up, raised his hand, and his voice rang out, loud and clear:
— Welcome, everyone, to the capital's arena! Today, the empire's great tournament will take place, in which the best warriors from across the region will face off in duels that will go down in history!
The nobility moved toward the stands, each of them watching the participants from the height of their seats, assessing their potential and elegance. Valdor spotted the king himself in the distance, looking at the arena with a stern but attentive expression on his face.
— This must be a special tournament,— Arwen murmured, glancing toward the royal box. — There's no room for error.
The teams lined up in formation. At the front, each captain stood confidently, eyes fixed on their opponents. Behind them, the team members stood ready to react, cooperate, and fight when their turn came.
Valdor nodded to the rest of the Dragon's Flight, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also the strength he drew from the presence of his team.
The commentator continued:
— Ladies and gentlemen, before you are warriors from across the kingdom! May the best team win!
The air trembled with applause and the roar of the crowd. Dragon's Flight, Raven's Shadow, and the rest of the participants stood at the ready, feeling adrenaline mixed with cool calculation.
The day of the tournament had arrived. The silence before the first gong was like a held breath, and every warrior knew that from now on, every decision, every move could determine their fate.