A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

During the train ride to the capital, most of the scenery from the windows was nothing but dark caves and empty shadows. This was mainly due to the underground passage, so finding things to do was a bit of a problem. Faibel always had his books in stock, but no one else was interested in reading with all the noise and commotion going around.

Finally, after hours of immaturity, stories that seemed far too fake to be real, and pointless jokes, they arrived at the capital of Harvoria: Worcester. A beautiful city shaped like an upside down bowl in the midst of hilltops and mountain sides. As the train ascended from the underground, the brilliant rays of sunlight burst through the windows like an unexpected bonfire. The light nearly blinded everyone, but after a few seconds of adjustment, the city of Worcester came into view.

Everyone huddled by the windows as the glorious red rooftops and polished sidewalks started tipping the edges of every corner they looked. Nearly all the town homes were made out of a yellowish material, layered upon perfectly placed spruce and brick chimneys. The architecture used to design all the houses and buildings was truly the work of professionals, making it seem that even the streets were perfectly aligned to one another. Citizens peaked in through their own windows, either drying clothes or waving to the new contestants of this year's tournament passing by in the silver train.

The whole city had a medieval kind of feeling, but it was savory, and gave a feeling of pure warmth and comfort. The closer the train got to its destination, the more detail became visible in the streets, and the capital itself.

At the peak of the city, a large, castle-like structure stood firmly and shiny in the center. The height of the massive building looked as if it touched the clouds, and the glistening white stone sparkled in the everchanging sunlight. At the base of the structure where roads and streets seemed distant, the train made its casual, yet slow stop.

The conductor prompted everyone to get off, opening the doors onto the shiny tiled floor of the capitol building. Thin carpets made easy navigation throughout the center, but the amount of different ways one could go was too many to keep count.

As Endless Sun and Kryptonite stepped off, three men awaited their arrival like statues ready to be judged. The man in the front was Flint Evermore, holding himself up with a half-broken cane. The second was Kull Gorladine, a short, but angry looking fellow who had an unusual facial structure. The third was Fredrick Mill, a man with too many years on his shoulders, and a round face with an orange beard. They all wore high-class clothing, but looked as if it meant nothing but to show their superiority.

Flint gave a warm introduction for the two men next to him, "Kull. Fredrick." He started with a lavish smile, "Here before you stands Endless Sun, advised by Calvin Pride who is not currently present."

Kull gave a welcomed grin, but took it away as he heard Calvin's name, "Seems like Pride can't even commit to his own Guild, what a shame."

Fredrick would have shaken hands with their Guild advisor, but due to the absence of one he just gave them a blank stare.

"And here," Flint gestured next to them, "Here stands Kryptonite, advised by Alastor Hellsgate."

"Alastor Hellsgate," Fredrick said in a deep, arrogant voice. "That name brings back some memories I wished to let go."

Alastor bowed, "A p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e." Giving an evil grin.

Flint gave himself the luxury of leading Endless Sun to their inn, gesturing for Kull to take care of Kryptonite. Flint looked down at Mooks, giving a slight wave of his hand for everyone to follow. "How does someone like yourself find themselves in a Guild like this." Flint directed his words towards Mooks, but kept his chin facing forward.

"The same way your friend Calvin Pride had the opportunity of joining a hierarchy like this." Mooks barked back at him, keeping his voice quiet and steady.

Flint laughed into a state of coughs and wheezes, "So word spreads fast around Princewood I see. Or perhaps, you two are closer than I imagined." Flint raised an eyebrow.

Mooks ignored him, deciding it's best not to make enemies with Flint Evermore, especially at a time like this.

Flint ended up leading Endless Sun to a wagon by the streetside. The wagon kept their identities safe inside, and strolled them to the inn they would be staying in. Surprisingly, it wasn't far away from the capitol building at all, but blended in perfectly to the houses on the street and the city folk walking about.

The man from the wagon led them into a small, three story building on the edge of the street. Vines and broken barrels littered the outside of the small building, but it looked more like decorations rather than filth. The finely-dressed man then led them upstairs into a narrow hallway, filling their vision with evenly spaced doors on both sides.

There were around 10 rooms, so each one had their own luxury of having a full-working restroom, two couches with a coffee table, carpeted floors, a small kitchen and of course, a magnificent view of the outside. Luckily, everyone's luggage was already in their designated rooms, meaning the rest of the day was theirs to explore or settle themselves in.

Mooks thanked the man and waited for him to leave before speaking to everyone, "Listen up. Tomorrow is the start of the official tournament, there will be lots of people, lots of strong fighters, and lots of pressure. Go to sleep early tonight, for tomorrow is the first round of the one-on-one's."

"One-on-one's?" Atlas asked, "Do we get to pick or is it random?"

"We get to pick." Mooks said as if he was avoiding telling them that. "However, we don't know who we will be facing yet, so I haven't decided who'll be fighting."

"What?" Paris barked at him, "You knew and you didn't tell us?"

"I didn't want to put pressure on the one who will be competing, and the others who wish they were."

Cartuja took his hands out of his pockets, and crossed them with anticipation. "I'll go. Don't matter who we fightin' cuz I ain't losin. Simple. Any complaints can kiss my cheeks." Cartuja turned around, entered his room, and locked his door.

Although Mooks didn't want Cartuja to fight on the first day, it didn't seem like he had a choice to change things now. "You heard him." Mooks sighed.

"So that's it? We're just gonna pick who goes like that."

"No." Mooks opened his own door after a few tries, "I didn't want Cartuja to fight. But he will learn that being irrational and irresponsible isn't going to work. I wanted Atlas to fight first to gain us an early lead, but arguing with Cartuja isn't on my list of professionality. Let it be for now, he'll understand." Mooks walked into his room, closing the door behind him, and making sure it's locked.

Everyone looked slightly confused and worried, but Faibel reassured what Mooks was saying is nothing but the truth. No matter who Cartuja faces, he will learn that there is more to pointless bragging and certainty than one can sustain.

…

Mooks certainly made it sound like a restful night of sleep before the start of a tournament would be easy. In short terms, it wasn't. Atlas remembered wandering around the streets in the depths of night, glorifying the fabulous view of the city lights beneath the stars. Even Faibel took a stroll with Laena around 1 in the morning, but it only lasted so long.

A complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner was offered at the inn they were staying, and anything additional would have to be paid for separately. They were contestants after all, not kings and queens.

After an early breakfast, the dark wagon carried by 2 horses rolled about on the empty curbside, picking everyone up and bringing them to the royal heart of the capital: The Stadium. Flint met with Mooks, welcoming him in and requiring a final answer on who the contestant will be.

Cartuja stepped forward, giving a twisted expression of confidence Flint didn't know how to react to. However, he told the boy to follow him, and Mooks had everyone else follow him to the stands after a few more needed directions.

The Stadium where all the tournament stages were held was absolutely massive. Think of the largest thing you can, and now triple that. Rows and rows of solid seats, stone pillars and stands for the foundation, and the battleground of nearly a quarter mile long. It was truly a sight to see, sending nerves down the spine of anyone stepping foot in it. Some called it the 'Den of Gods.' Some called it their playground. But most just referred to it as the 'Throne.'

As all the crowds of people hoarding in finally settled in, the contestants were getting ready behind the scenes. Mooks found a perfect spot for him and the rest of Endless Sun to sit and witness the action close hand. It was their designated seating regardless, but it was still nice to know they were close to the arena below the stands.

Since the size of the Throne was so large, a few of the Bureau's men would have to use their magic to display projectors of what's going on for some people in the further seats, or if anything catastrophic happened that the human eye just couldn't keep up with.

Mooks settled in, as did the citizens after about a half hour. Mooks glared up at the ten gazebo-like stands located in separate places. They were empty except for a couple containing the announcer and some higher-ups Mooks didn't know. A few patrons held their spots as well, but they tried their best to remain hidden within the stands and the crowds.

As all the noise settled down, the announcer was finally ready to conduct the first round of this year's Gilded Throne. "Welcome citizens of Warcester!" The people clapped, wooing and gossiping as much as they could. "Thank you all for being here today as we start the very first round of the anual, 127th year of the Gilded Throne!" The crowds roared again, but died down quicker this time.

"Today we have 10 of the most amazing, powerful, and strongest Guilds of the country, ready to face each other in one-on-one matches to determine who is the strongest of them all! There will be five total rounds today, each set with a 30-minute timer in the case of an equal dual. The rules are the same as ever: The party that completely neutralizes the other's ability to keep fighting will be crowned the winner, and of course, given a total of 30 points. The losing party will gain 0 points, and in the case of a draw, 15 points to each." The crowd kept cheering, but the announcer ignored them the best he could.

"Today's first match will be a rivalry between none other than the undefeated Draxx Lincoln from the Golden Eagle! And the miscehous queen of explosions, Moxie Mora! From Haven Eclipse" The cheering somehow got even louder, almost as if this was a war between two of the strongest Guilds.

Moxie was a very attractive woman, especially with the so called 'blonde hair blue eyes,' she fit the description perfectly. Her hair was tucked into a ponytail, and most of her clothes were pretty exposing for a battle. She seemed no older than her early twenties, but her confidence was well above that. At least that's what she hoped to achieve, but she knew the outcome of the battle as soon as Draxx's name was called.

Draxx had a face of steel. A man that clearly knows his power and superiority over anyone that stands in his way. He wore a dark top that galloped over his shoulders, silver armor that only appeared on his belt and knees, and an eyepatch over his left eye. His hair was short and grey, but his beard made him seem more manly than his eyepatch ever could. Scars scattered around his body like trails on a map, and his muscles could barely keep his clothes around his massive body of 6'5".

Draxx kept his arms crossed the entire time he stood on the empty battleground. Even the announcer looked concerned for the man's inability to even blink away for a second. Moxie had an arm around her hip, and looked as if she wanted to seem scary, but she was boiling with fear and nervousness on the inside. She knew there wasn't a single person in her Guild that could beat Draxx, so her plan revolved around dragging time, and wasting Draxx's energy.

The announcer called the start of the match, and the projectors popped up for the folks in the furthest rows. Neither Moxie nor Draxx dared to move, falling perfectly into Moxie's plan. She knew the less attacks she was able to throw, the better her chances of winning.

Five minutes have passed now, and neither party moved a muscle. Ten minutes, then twenty minutes have passed, and Moxie finally decided to yawn. The crowd began to boo, but they knew Moxie had no chance of winning anyway.

Draxx took a step forward. "I guess I'll have to do this the hard way." He said in a low, deep voice of a man that's clearly been through too much.

Moxie snapped her fingers, sparking a small sparkling light in her hand. She flicked it towards him, activating a spell around Draxx. "Explode," she said in an annoying way. The spark quickly traveled to Draxx like a paper airplane, and instantly burst into a bulging blaze of fire and explosions.

It was similar to Alastor's spell, but much less force behind it. The area around Draxx quickly started to rise in temperature as the flames and crackling explosions began closing in, but the man continued making his approach towards her anyway.

Just as Draxx couldn't handle the heat anymore. He countered with a spell of his own, "Absorb."

Up in the stands, Faibel kept his gaze on the arena, but pointed a question towards Mooks. "Is this the man you told me to watch out for?"

Mooks squinted his eyes with aggression stirring inside them, "Yes. He's one of the deadliest five in this tournament. Draxx, the man that can absorb any magic attack, and make his physical abilities excel because of it."

Mooks watched as all the flames vacuumed into Draxx's body like air, and his eyes began to burn a bright shade of red. His muscles seemed to pop out more, and his steps began rattling the ground with each one.

Moxie knew this would happen. There was no hope for her, and she wasn't about to be killed with a single blow. So, she raised her hand to the announcer, and surrendered.

Draxx regained his composure, and spat in Moxie's direction, "Your Guild never learns. That's why you never win. You idiots don't try." He walked off inside the gates below the stands, giving Alexia a death stare.

Moxie was embarrassed, as was her Guild, but that was to be expected. The Golden Eagle dominates their competition every year. They are the fan favorite, and they are the longest standing champions this tournament had to offer.

The crowd cheered, but not as lively. The outcome could've been spotted from a mile away.

The announcer settled everyone down again, calling up the next two opponents right after. "In our second match of the day, we have the very best, Marlyn Monroe from Grim Nation!" The crowds cheered, "His opponent today is young, a newcomer into the Gilded Throne, and comes from the very best Princewood Academy! Please Welcome Hendrix Valentine from Kryptonite."

Just as word of Princewood slipped in, the citizens lost their minds at such young participants into such a deadly arena. Some were a bit confused, but most just clapped anyway for the excuse to be able to.

Leo nearly jumped out of his seat as he saw Marlyn enter the arena. "Wait! That's the weird guy we trained with!" He said loudly, feeling that Marlyn somehow heard him.

"Yes." Mooks answered. "He's a competitor just like everyone else. Hendrix on the other hand, has no experience of what it's like to be a competitor in the Throne. Sure he can smile and wave all he wants." Mooks grinned for the first time in nearly a month. "But when the pressure dwells onto him at the thought of losing in front of thousands. The real competitor will shine, and his pride will be shattered."