A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

About an hour before the finale of the first stage took place, Mooks gathered everyone in his room at the inn. His room wasn't big, but neither was their usual place of meeting in Calvin's office. Besides, they had nowhere else to go. The tavern was closed, streets were empty, and any place that could provide a quiet space was currently out of service.

Everyone from not only the Capital itself, but from around the Country were waiting outside the gates to the Throne to see tonight's performance. Guilds that weren't even competing managed to grab passages to the remaining seats, but not everyone would be allowed in. However, projectors would still be presented outside the gates for those that haven't made it in, so there would always be a place to see the action inside.

"How is everyone feeling?" Mooks asked, knowing the answer.

"Nervous, duh." Leo replied boringly. "I ain't even on the field and I'm in sweats."

Everyone responded the same way. Everyone except for Atlas. "I'm actually feeling calm." He said. "It's weird, but I'm ready for whatever they throw at me."

"That's good to hear," Mooks added. "Everyone is going in blind, meaning no Guild knows what awaits. On the bright side, Draxx won't be there since he's already participated twice."

"Anyone else I should look out for?"

Mooks thought for a moment, then spoke. "Ellacina, she hasn't participated even once. Moxie won't be there. Marlyn might make a presence... Either way, you should be cautious of everyone. No one knows what tricks some might have."

"That's good to hear." Atlas said sarcastically. "I just wish Calvin and Rina were here…"

"We all do." Mooks patted him on the shoulder, but it looked awkward, so he backed up. "No matter what. Your goal is to gain as many points as possible. Because after this round, the bottom five Guilds with the lowest points are eliminated from the tournament."

Laena raised her hand, forgetting she was clearly not in a classroom. "Uhm, what place are we in right now?"

Mooks sighed, not wanting to spoil any excitement or hope, but he knew hiding it didn't prove to be beneficial either. "Second to last."

The room got silent. Silent like the stars glimmering beneath the moon. It was peaceful, but it was frightful all the same. Luckily, Mooks was kind enough to break them from the utter silence, "Atlas, change clothes. The rest, follow me outside."

They did just that without any objections. Atlas put on clothes that were a little easier to run and maneuver in. It didn't give him much of an advantage, but any bit could help depending on the task.

As they stepped outside, the wagon was already patiently waiting for their departure. Atlas hurried himself, and they were at full swing towards the throne.

The sun had just set, giving that blueish glow in the sky right before it completely turned to darkness. Street lights turned on, and the Throne was finely lit with luminous lights emitting from the walls and the floors. In the main arena, lights were spread evenly throughout the large perimeter like flames under a pot.

The wagon took a secret passage around all the citizens hovering around the front gates, giving Mooks and Endless Sun a much faster route to arrive at the Throne. After they arrived, Mooks gave his final good luck to Atlas, and let Flint escort him to the competitor lounge behind the gates.

As the two of them walked, Flint kept his eyes locked in front of him, but his words were directed towards Atlas beside him. "Say now, Atlas was it?"

"Yes sir."

"How are you feeling for tonight? Say, nervous? Scared? Or perhaps the opposite."

"I'm actually quite calm sir." Atlas replied, looking ahead along with Flint. "I'd be lying if i said I was completely calm. But I'm ready for whatever challenge awaits."

Flint smiled, "That's good to hear. And no need to call me sir, I'm just a simple old man with a cane." He paused, letting Atlas apologize. "Say, how do you think your father feels?"

Atlas stopped, but quickly caught back up to Flint in a heartbeat. "My father? I've never personally met him, but I know he's out there. I want to meet him. Even if it's just once."

Flint stopped in his tracks beside a large metal door, "I'm sorry for asking." Flint cackled and coughed, "It's just that you look so much like him, I must have left my manners at home."

"Please," Atlas gestured carefully, "No need to apologize."

"Listen carefully, Atlas Bright." Flint opened the door. "Whatever happens out there. Whatever they throw at you. Always, always do what your heart tells you." Flint slowly touched his finger against Atlas's c.h.e.s.t, and took it away back to his cane.

"I will sir, thank you."

Flint gestured for Atlas to walk through, closing the door behind him with a smile he hasn't worn for a long time.

…

As Mooks sat down with the rest, including Katie, Alastor decided to join them in the many open seats that still remained. He dusted off the non-cushioned seat, gave his blissful red hair a flick, and opened his robes for a comfortable seat. "My my," He began gracefully. "Seems like an open seat for the taking!"

Mooks gave him a wry look, "Do as you please, Alastor."

"My fabulous friend Mooks, the sagittarius. May you not be curious as to why I'm joining you to witness today's round?"

"Multiple reasons could be said, the most obvious is because we're closer to the action."

Alastor gave one of his many incredible laughs of p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, "Almost right you are! But I'm afraid I am just too frightened to see my poor children in Kryptonite get their hearts broken." He made a gesture to his c.h.e.s.t as if he cared, but it was all just for show.

"Seems you're very supportive as a Guild advisor." Mooks said sarcastically.

"Oh believe me my dear old friend. I want nothing more but to see them win, but with my brother's main henchman on the field, their precious lives won't be spared."

Mooks ran Alastor's sentence through his head again. He remembered who Alastor really was, and he remembered Alastor's family tree; a total of four children. Three males and one female. Mooks looked at Alastor with smite and anger, "Don't tell me your brother is in the tournament you son of-"

"Heavens no!" Alastor interrupted him with a smile. "Death would never enter such child's play. If he did," Alastor leaned in with a terrifying smile, "There wouldn't be a soul left standing."

"Then what is this rumor of this so called, 'Reaper' that's making a return?"

Allastor galloped his arm over Mooks's shoudlers, "Death's henchman, my guess is the Lich."

"Lich?" Mooks raised his furry brow with speculation, "You must be joking?"

"My my, heavens no! Well, it only makes sense for it to be the Lich. That's why the Bureau men who are complete simpletons gave a nickname like the Reaper!" Alastor swallowed himself in his own laughter. "Boy if my brother heard they used his name as a mere mockery for the Lich, he would obliterate the entire capital!"

"What does your brother even do? How has he never heard the nickname 'Reaper' used before in the Throne?"

"You think Death cares about some tournament?"

"Fair enough." Mooks understood his answer. "So, how exactly powerful is the Lich?"

"Don't know," Alastor crossed his arms over his c.h.e.s.t. "I would have thought it was nothing more than a walking corpse, but hearing the Lich made a fool of the Golden Circle back in the day makes me question him myself."

Mooks sighed, still unaware of one problem. "If the Lich is one of Death's henchmen, why is he operating as a competitor for the Fallen Angels?"

Alastor flung his hands back into the air, "I simply haven't a clue!"

"You're useless." Mooks shooed at him, getting comfortable in his seat once more. Besides, nearly all the seats were already filled, and the announcer was about to begin the introductions.

"Welcome, all citizens of Harvoria to the conclusion of the first stage in this year's Gilded Throne!" Cheers and applause swept through the stands like a sudden storm, dieing down with the announcer speaking again. "Today, we have ten brave souls who will be competing against each other in a quest for their exit to victory!"

Mooks could feel the tension stirring in the air. Something wasn't right, but he wasn't sure what, or who it might be. Mooks continued observing the crowds as the announcer started calling out the competitors.

Ellacina was called out from the Elemnatalist, Halo Ox from Haven Eclipse, and Lee Carnell from the Golden Eagle. Surprisingly, Celestia, who was the captain of the Golden Eagle, has yet to make a presence on the battlefield.

"And Finally," The announcer only had one competitor remaining as he looked down on the list of names that was given to him. Even the announcer couldn't believe what he read, but he did anyway. "From the Fallen Angels! With no name given! Please welcome, The Reaper!"

Slowly, the last gate opened to allow the entrance of the final competitor. It was a decently tall man, perhaps no older than forty-years at best. He wore black robes, had a lavish black patch of hair on his scalp, and had a dazzling smile on his face. His eyes were pale and dark, almost lacking any life except from the innocent ones he stole from. His skin was pale, almost blueish to a point of disgust.

Even the crowd couldn't believe the return of the infamous Reaper. Draxx looked furious in the stands, as did all the competing Guilds that were watching. Atlas however, stayed calm, unaware of the strength this man might hold.

Alastor clapped and laughed, "My my, the Lich it is! Heavens, I can't believe they're making such a big stir over a mere henchman."

"Death's henchman." Mooks added with a slight sprinkle of disgust.

The announcer settled all the noise down, and proceeded carefully. "Today will be a battle of honor! Glory! And long forgotten rivalries! Our brave competitors will be swallowed into an ever-changing battlefield of twist and turns, corners and circles, blood and death!" He paused, waiting for the clapping to settle again. "The task is very simple. The goal for all the competitors is to exit the battleground in whatever means necessary. The first to exit will of course receive the most amount of points, and the points will only diminish as the number of places decreases. As some of you may know, the bottom five ranked Guilds after today's round will be eliminated from the tournament. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, please, give a warm welcome to The Labyrinth!"

Immediately, walls of stone began rising from the ground at unearthly speeds. They towered so high that even the audience could barely see what was going on, and the rows of people towards the front would have to pay their attention to the projections. More and more stone walls began to form, and every competitor was separated within a moment's notice from another, but fairly far away from the only exit in the center.

The space between the walls was limited, but there were a few large clearings scattered about. The pressure was more impactful than the walls themselves. Any corner could be your last turn. Any sudden move could be your last. And due to the walls changing their routes and passages, this could take a lot longer than most had hoped.

Atlas looked around carefully, seeing nothing but walls of stone surround his every route. The only way was east, but he remembered that Lee Carnell and Halo ox were in that direction as well. However, the second he turns a corner, a different route might make its way.

Nevertheless, the announcer clapped his hands, and initiated the start of the final round: The ever-changing Labyrinth.