Category: The Three Realms (Book 4: Trials of Light and Dark)

While Arsha planned out her teams in her ready room, she considered why she hadn’t heard anything about the Realm Trinity Empire’s movements. It worried her a bit. However, she had other matters to attend to. As she planned, she got a call. “Yes?” she asked.

“It’s Aldarval,” replied the caller.

“What can I do for you?” asked Arsha.

“Reb and Patrica have caught up to us,” explained Aldarval.

“They took their sweet time.”

“They had to pick someone up, someone from Dwalna City.”

“From Dwalna? Who?”

“Lady Empria Dewlna.” Arsha goggled.

“…As in…the greatest witch of the Over-realm?!”

“The same.”

“But…but why?!” Aldarval said nothing for a brief moment.

“She said that there was something she needed to pick up here and she believes it’s related to the invisible ship.”

“…A little too close to be a coincidence.”

“My thoughts exactly. She’s also requested that Twirja accompany her.”

“I’ll need to ask Twirja, but if he says yes, then I think I’ll have your team all set up.”

“Does that team include you?” Arsha paused.

“…I’ll need to swap someone out as I DID plan on joining the fort team. …I think Marshii can take my place. They might need a doctor.”

“Excellent. Go ask Twirja if he can join us. I’ll await your team decisions. Aldarval out.” The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. She then made her way to Denstra’s quarters.

---

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” shouted Denstra.

“I asked Twirja, not you, Commander,” remarked Arsha as she met with Denstra and all her spouses.

“I’m siding with Denstra on this one!” called Jweltu. “He doesn’t have all his limbs, remember?!”

“Come on, that’s never stopped him before,” argued Jaltor.

“True,” agreed Twansa. “He IS capable.”

“Is anyone gonna let me get a word in edgewise?!” called Twirja. “You’re all acting like I’m not in the room!”

“Twirja, with what’s going on…!” protested Denstra.

“Denstra, dearest, my mind’s made up. The Crelima crashed here while I served on it, and we never found the wreck. If it IS the Crelima, this will give me the closure I need. Captain, I’m going with you.”

“Very well,” replied Arsha. “Report to the landing ramp bright and early at 5:25.”

“Understood.”

“Captain!” snarled Denstra.

“You’re on his team, as am I,” assured Arsha.

“…Fine, I have no more arguments.” Denstra settled back down on the bed.

“With that in mind, I will see you all tomorrow.” Arsha then left the room. Denstra scowled at Twirja.

“You couldn’t say no, could you?!”

“In this matter, no, I couldn’t.” Denstra rolled her eyes as she and her spouses got ready for bed.

---

6:25 came the next day and the two teams approached the meeting place. Hanjar and Erudsa were there as well. “These are your teams?” asked Erudsa.

“They are,” answered Arsha. “The fortress team will consist of Malnar, Emfam, Orbak, Lardeth, Gorfanth, Reb, Jeefef, Foresna, my mom, Hanako, Elmpam, Ufnamfa, Teefmanam, Marshii, Malak, and Melandra with Orbak as the team leader. The other team that will deal with the invisible object will consist of Aldarval, Endram, Twirja, Empria, myself, Patrica, Roomef, Pofomofo, Falnii, my dad, Elgrad, Olmarfa, Feymay, Denstra, Bashoon, and Thangred with Aldarval as the one in charge.”

“Thirty you have named, yet I only see twenty-nine,” remarked Hanjar. “Where is the last?”

“HERE!” called a Human lady as she rushed up to them. She wore a pink gown and had her hair done up in a ponytail resting on the top of her head.

“Empria Dewlna, so kind of you to join us!” snarled Aldarval. Arsha ran her hand down her face.

“Madam, this is a war situation. Why are you dressed like you’re going to a ball?”

“Come on, this is a reason to celebrate!” cheered Empria. “Somehow, I know in my soul, the Crelima survived!”

“We don’t know if it IS the Crelima,” remarked Orbak.

“This was where the Crelima crashed, so what else COULD it be?”

“So this…person,” remarked Erudsa, “is going to be joining the invisible object team?”

“Sure am!” answered Empria. “I have reason to believe that there’s a top-secret Realmfleet experiment on board!”

“Is that what this is about?” asked Twirja. “You’re after that experiment?”

“Empria, the project’s probably been totaled, whatever it is,” continued Endram.

“…Not even YOU know?” asked Erudsa.

“I tried digging around when I became King, but it was classified Code Black, tenth level. Royalty wasn’t supposed to know, for some odd reason. Raised a few red flags for me.”

“Come on, Ears!” urged Empria. “The project will be exactly what tips the war in our favor!”

“That remains to be seen.”

“Do you mind assistance from us?” asked Erudsa.

“I wish to observe the fortress team’s handling of the situation,” explained Hanjar.

“And I want to know how the invisible object problem will be resolved,” continued Erudsa.

“We don’t mind at all,” assured Arsha. “We would appreciate the help in getting these matters resolved. With that, I turn over the next stage to the team leaders.”

“For my team, we need to do some scouting,” decided Orbak. “Find out how many are in the fortress, what banners they’re flying, who the Overlord is, etc.”

“Overlord?” asked Hanjar.

“Fortresses are commanded by a central figure called an Overlord. We take out the Overlord, replace them with a new one, perhaps one of your soldiers, and we should be good.”

“You would give us the fortress?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Meanwhile,” interjected Aldarval, “if it IS the Crelima, we’re going inside to figure out why it’s invisible. Unless, of course, Empria wants to divulge why and save us the trouble.”

“Sorry, Admiral,” answered Empria, “that’s a need-to-know basis.”

“And I NEED to know!”

“Not according to Realmfleet Security. It’s still tenth level Code Black. Only those directly involved in the project need to know.”

“…I see. Well then, we better get going. I want these matters settled ASAP.” The teams then headed off to their locations, Orbak’s team heading north and Aldarval’s going west. Aldarval then spoke softly to Erudsa. “Can Gorgons only partially petrify someone?”

“It takes an incredible amount of focus, but yes. I’m one of those that can do that. Why?” asked the Gorgon Queen.

“I don’t know as I can trust Empria right now. She’s acting way too secretive for my liking. Could I avail upon your abilities if she tries to go against us all?”

“…Very well.”

“Thank you.” They then dropped the subject, keeping it in reserve until such a time came up.

The Royal Families had arrived at the Falchineve Colony’s main entrance cave. They met with the colony’s leaders, King Hekcho and Queen Yumbii Tolandah. “We’re so glad you could make it in these times of war,” greeted Hekcho as he and his wife shook their hands. “We’re in a really tight spot!”

“The Gorgons are starting to encroach on our own territories,” explained Yumbii, “and the Gryphons have been spotted patrolling the mountaintops, against our agreement!”

“We need your help, something fierce!” pleaded Hekcho.

“Well, that’s why we’re here,” assured Emfam. “Can we arrange a meeting with the leaders of the Gryphons and Gorgons?”

“Easily,” answered Yumbii. “We have one set up already at Meeting Mountain.”

“Then let’s get to it,” declared Orbak. The Tolandahs led everyone to a mountain that sat in the center of the colony. At the northern base of the mountain was a table. There were two parties already there. One consisted of beasts with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion while the head and front paws were replaced with the head and taloned feet of eagles. They also possessed eagle wings and carried an air of smugness about them. These were the Gryphons. The other party consisted of reptilian creatures with snakes for hair. The snakes were still as stone and silent, merely draping down like long hair. Some of the creatures had a snake tail like a Naga while others possessed two legs. These were the Gorgons. One female Gorgon with a snake tail examined her claws as she waited while a male Gryphon observed the party approaching them.

“Everyone, I present King Hanjar of the Gryphons and Queen Erudsa of the Gorgons,” introduced Hekcho.

“A pleasure to meet you,” greeted Emfam.

“Yes, I’m sure it is,” scoffed Hanjar.

“We’ll make this brief,” hissed Erudsa. “You’ve constructed a fort in Gryphon territory and placed an invisible object in an area that was supposed to be set aside for farmland for Gorgons.”

“Your Majesty, I assure you,” replied Orbak, “we did no such thing.”

“Oh? Then explain the design of the fortress!” Hanjar snapped his talons and a servant stepped forward. The servant drew a scroll out of her pouch and laid it out on the table. It was a sketch of the fortress. It was surrounded by walls of terrifying architecture, each wall corner holding a tower with a gate in the center, four surrounding a larger tower, and smaller supply buildings in between the towers. “Under-realm design, is it not?” asked Hanjar.

“…It is,” answered Orbak, “but something doesn’t add up. When did your scouts discover this?”

“Yesterday morning.”

“Fortresses that elaborate take almost a year.”

“There were concealment spells placed around the build site. One of your people got careless and didn’t cast one properly, allowing my scouts to see the gate and counteract the spells so they could see the entire fort.”

“We have reason to believe,” continued Erudsa, “that such a thing is happening in our lands. We have only a rough outline after feeling its perimeter.” She took out another scroll and showed off the outline. Arsha goggled at the picture. It was the outline of a Dauntless-class skyship.

“That’s impossible!” she breathed. “Who would hide building a ship like that?!”

“Well, who?” asked Erudsa.

“Your Majesties, we have no clue who’s behind this!” argued Arsha. “For all we know, this is something Oyed’s planned!”

“You would naturally shift blame to Oyed?” asked Hanjar.

“Who else could it be?” retorted Malnar.

“Impossible,” answered Erudsa. “Oyed has given us his word that he’s not behind this. He outlined how Realmfleet would stoop to such tactics.”

“Against him, yes!”

“Which leads me to my personal question, why go against him?”

“Because he’s gonna kill us all, regardless of whether or not certain people are loyal to him!”

“She’s right,” urged Endram. “If we let Oyed have his way, we’d only be burying the future.”

“…You really want us to believe that this isn’t Realmfleet’s doing?” asked Hanjar.

“We do.”

“…Then attempt to prove it. If you can solve what’s going on and clear Realmfleet’s name, we’ll join you.”

“If not, we join Oyed and burn Realmfleet to the ground,” continued Erudsa.

“…Fair enough,” declared Orbak. “Shall we see each other again tomorrow morning? We’ll have a plan to show you we’re not at fault by then.”

“Very well,” replied Hanjar. “You have until Early Morning. Let’s say…6:25. I will see how you handle the fort situation and Erudsa shall observe how the invisible ‘ship’ is dealt with.”

“We’ll see you all then.” At Orbak’s declaration, everyone departed from the table.

“6:25, Daddy?!” hissed Malnar. “It’s 18:00 right now! That only gives us our remaining seven hours today before we have to hit the hay! We can’t possibly have a plan by then!”

“Actually, I think I have a solution,” interjected Arsha.

“Oh?” asked Malnar.

“We can divide into two teams. One team will be with Hanjar and the other will be with Erudsa.”

“And who will be the team leaders?” asked Endram.

“And who will be accompanying them?” supplied Lardeth.

“I have the team leaders already; I just need the rest of the teams.”

“Oh? And who ARE the team leaders?”

“Because of his knowledge of Under-realm Fortresses, I was thinking Orbak can lead the fort team. That leaves Aldarval to the invisible ship.”

“Me, Captain?” asked Aldarval.

“Well, you ARE the superior officer around here.”

“…Fair enough. Very well. Assemble our teams.”

“Aye, Ma’am.”

---

Dr. Borg took a walk. A grin was plain on her face. Oyed ordered everyone to hold position and not get involved. After a scout had reported that the Gryphons and Gorgons threatened to join the Realm Trinity Empire, she was initially stunned that they would do so without any convincing from their side. After the reports were confirmed, she became more confident in the plan. It was only logical. The Gryphons and Gorgons were too prideful to work with Realmfleet. Their isolationist policies ensured that. As she walked, she bumped into Remsu. “Ah, my bride!” she greeted. “And how are we today?”

“Enjoying some much-needed downtime,” answered Remsu. “Just wanted to tell you that our veiled hubby’s challenged Oyed to Liar’s Dice.”

“Liar’s Dice? I’m unfamiliar with that game.”

“It’s a betting game our pirate friends play. It’s become quite popular among the soldiers.”

“How is it played?” Remsu led Dr. Borg to the game as she explained the rules.

“Each player has five six-sided dice in a cup. They shake the cup, then place it upside-down to hide the dice. One player then declares a certain number of a certain face, not just for their dice, but for all dice in play. For example, you would say that there are two threes. The other person would then either say ‘Liar’, after which you would reveal your dice to see whether or not you were right, or the person would up the bid, three threes. After that, it’s your decision. At which point, a third option becomes available. You can either call ‘Liar’, up the bid, or say three of another die-face, like three fours.”

“You said it was a betting game.”

“Yep. They’re just betting money right now.”

“And Tensam and Oyed are playing right now?”

“That’s right. Ah, here we are!” They arrived at a crowd surrounding a table with Oyed on one end and Tensam on the other.

“Four sixes,” called Tensam.

“Five sixes,” replied Oyed.

“Six sixes!”

“…Seven sixes.”

“LIAR!” Oyed and Tensam then lifted their cups. Out of ten dice, seven were showing six! Tensam was stunned. “Man, my Lord! You pick up the nuances of this game fast!” He handed over 20 golds.

“I challenge Oyed!” called Dr. Borg. Everyone turned to her in amazement.

“…I accept,” purred Oyed. “How much are you willing to risk?”

“I wager everything I own.” Oyed scoffed at that offer.

“With someone as dangerous as you, I’ll only bet on what’s dearest to one’s heart, else there’s no way to tell if they’re bluffing. What one is willing to risk or not is a measure of their soul.”

“…Very well, my soul in eternal servitude to you.”

“NO!” shouted Remsu and Tensam.

“And what would you get out of this?” asked Oyed.

“You take orders from me and my fellow Council Members.” Oyed’s face then became one of shock and anger at such a demand.

“…Cytanek Yavenag Borg, be prepared to lose your soul!” hissed the Titan.

“Then it’s agreed?” Dr. Borg placed her dice in the cup and held it up.

“…Agreed!” Oyed did the same. They then shook their cups and slammed them upside-down onto the table. They peeked under their respective cup. “Since you challenged me, Doctor, it’s your bet.” Dr. Borg considered what would be the safest bet to make.

“Two threes.”

“Somewhere along the way, you became desperate,” chuckled Oyed as he checked his dice. “What the cause may be, it can only be related to your spouses. Three threes.”

“Spouses need not cause you to be desperate if you choose the right spouses. Four threes.”

“I recall your goals now. You’re the one that hopes to create peace among the Realms. But your fate is to create chaos in my name for my amusement!”

“I choose my own fate.”

“Then it wouldn’t be fate, would it? Five threes!” Dr. Borg checked her cup once more before deciding her next actions.

“Five sixes!” The crowd talked amongst itself, trying to determine her reasoning. Oyed chuckled.

“Liar!” They then revealed their dice. Out of all ten, five were sixes! Oyed was visibly upset, then he regained his composure. “What is thy bidding, my master?”

“If and when Realmfleet manages to overcome this and recruit the Gorgons and Gryphons to their side,” she commanded, “you are to kill Arsha Royana. Kill her and morale will dip for all the Realms.”

“…It shall be done.” Oyed departed from the table and room. The crowd dispersed, each person chatting with one another as they left the room. Only Tensam and Remsu remained with Dr. Borg. After a small silence, one of Tensam’s tentacles brought Dr. Borg up to his and Remsu’s faces.

“Of all the dumbass gambles you could have made, this took the cake!” he hissed.

“What were you thinking?!” snarled Remsu. “For all you know, Oyed could disobey us, and he could still take your soul!”

“The master plan will be ready by the time he tries,” replied Dr. Borg.

“For your sake, I hope so!” growled Tensam as he released her. He and Remsu then stormed out. Dr. Borg sat back down and idly examined one of the dice, smirking as she did.

The Sphinxes were invited to the Manticore Kingdom to negotiate how the Manticores would make amends for what they did, regardless of whether or not Oyed had ordered it. The meeting was going to take some time, so the fleet was ordered to make their way to the Falchineve Drider Colony in the Over-realm’s Southern Continent. On the way, Arsha had rediscovered Mordek in his quarters. “My Lord!” she yelped. “I didn’t expect you to come back!”

“I had to come back when I felt a Candidate’s Aura,” explained Mordek. Arsha’s face fell. “…You fear that power, don’t you?”

“Yeah, big time. It’s too much power for one person.”

“Would it ease you if I said other groups of Divine Ones felt a Candidate’s Aura from your lovers?” Arsha then gave Mordek her full attention. “Yes, you’re not alone, neither in power, nor fear of that power.”

“You mean…any of them can cause physical damage to Oyed?”

“That’s one of the perks.”

“But…but I thought…I mean, the prophecy said only one person can be the Champion!”

“That’s not entirely correct. Yes, historically, one person has become our Champion, but we made it possible for multiple Champions. In this war, I’d say we need all the Champions we can get.” The instant his sentence finished, Arsha beamed. “Just keep this between you, your lovers, and me and my brethren.”

“Of course, Lord Mordek.” Arsha bowed before she headed off to her quarters to tell her lovers what she learned.

---

As the fleet made its way to the Falchineve Drider Colony, Oyed was listening to a report about his forces. “My Lord, there’s no use arguing facts,” muttered Dr. Borg, “we don’t have the numbers to fulfill your goals. And with an enemy fleet on the way here, we don’t stand much chance!”

“They wouldn’t dare bombard the Falchineve Colony,” replied Oyed. “They would have to destroy the mountains to get to us. This is no retreat; this is us taking the Colony hostage.”

“And suppose Arsha gets a better handle on her Candidate’s aura?”

“I have a plan in mind to prevent that.”

“I hope so, morale’s dipping drastically. Our troops are at risk of losing their blind loyalty to you.”

“…I really wish you didn’t say that.”

---

As the Endeavor entered the Over-realm, Arsha made her way to the conference room. She had been told by Falnii that the All-realm Royals wanted to speak with their children and Aldarval. She had been held up as an Engineer needed something signed off. When she finished, she entered the conference room to see Aldarval putting her foot down on something. “Out of the question!” she barked.

“Admiral, that isn’t your decision to make,” replied Orbak.

“Daddy, you can’t be serious!” argued Malnar.

“Ah, there’s my daughter!” called Elgrad.

“Everyone, what’s going on?” asked Arsha as she took her seat.

“Our parents are joining us on the front lines in the Falchineve Colony!” replied Lardeth.

“Says who?!” argued Arsha.

“Says us!” replied Elgrad.

“And you’re in charge?!”

“Elgrad, King, yeah!”

“Arsha, Princess, no! You’re painting a big, honking, red and white target on your backs! You really think Dr. Borg won’t catch wind of this and order her soldiers to target you guys?!”

“My arguments against this exactly!” supplied Aldarval. “Your Majesties, I must insist that you stay in the castles!”

“We’ve been conducting this war from the sidelines for too long!” shouted Emfam. “We need to join our troops!”

“We’ve already made the decision! Whether or not you approve makes no difference!” snapped Elmpam. “We’re joining you, end of discussion!” Their part of the call ended, leaving Aldarval and the heirs alone.

“…I say this with all the loyalty I have for them,” growled Aldarval, “but your parents are being stupid!”

“That’s putting it mildly, Admiral,” remarked Malnar.

“Well, there’s nothing for it,” sighed Arsha. “They’re probably going to be deaf to any arguments we have.”

“I hate to admit when you’re right on matters like this,” muttered Lardeth as he folded his arms.

“In the meantime,” interjected Aldarval, “we know why the enemy’s retreated to the Falchineve Colony. Apparently, the Gryphons and Gorgons pledged their allegiance to Oyed a while ago.”

“But they aren’t extinct! We’ve had interactions since the First Age!” reminded Arsha.

“They’re also isolationist societies,” recalled Malnar. “They don’t like to interact with outsiders, not even those loyal to Oyed.”

“So their ancestors may have pledged their loyalty to him,” mused Lardeth, “but not their current descendants.”

“Not according to intelligence reports,” sighed Aldarval. “They’re threatening to join him unless we ‘remove our property’ from their lands.”

“Our property?” asked Arsha.

“Yes, a Realmfleet fortress is trying to encroach on their lands, according to them, and there’s something invisible that’s preventing them from expanding.”

“We better take care of it,” mused Arsha. “Do we have any idea who’s in charge of the fort?”

“Reports say it’s a two-headed Troll,” answered Aldarval.

“Two-headed?” asked Malnar. “Usually those with two heads argue constantly with each other.”

“Yeah, well, it’s rumored that this one’s wicked smart and agreeable with themself.”

“Do we have any two-headed Trolls in our ranks?” quizzed Lardeth.

“We had one, my brother. He died defending Rokanth.”

“Then who’s the mystery two-headed Troll?” mused Arsha. “Like I said, we’ll take care of the fortress and the invisible thing. …You know, this might be what keeps our parents off the front lines!”

“I think you got something there!” replied Lardeth.

“Darn right, she does!” agreed Aldarval. “Captain Royana, make a pair of teams and inform your parents of the situation! By taking care of this, they’ll still be fighting against Oyed!”

“Will do! Arsha out!” The call ended and Arsha breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“Arsha, you just saved us from an early coronation!” breathed Malnar.

“No kidding!” agreed Arsha.

“Well, how shall we do this?” mused Lardeth.

“We’ve got two hours to plan this out,” declared Arsha. “We need to decide who takes care of what.” Arsha, Lardeth, and Malnar then spent the rest of the trip planning out how to take care of the situation with the Gryphons and Gorgons.

An hour passed and Boltuk led the team to an elaborate room, spacious and decorated with murals about Manticore victories. The light of the torches gave a rather spooky atmosphere. At the end of the room was a set of chairs with a Manticore sitting in each one. One was male and the other was female. Boltuk bowed. “My King and Queen,” he greeted, “these outsiders have passed the first five trials and wish to challenge you in the last one.”

“Do they, now?” asked the Manticore King. Arsha came forward.

“Your Majesties, I am Arsha Royana. I urge you, release the Sphinxes! Forsake Oyed!”

“Your demands are steep, Madam Royana,” remarked the Manticore Queen. “The fate of the Sphinxes now rests with you and your friends.”

“Tell me, what can you determine of the mural behind us?” asked the Manticore King. Arsha observed a picture of a Sphinx inside a bubble, both in green.

“…The barrier?” asked Arsha.

“The same,” answered the King. “Boltuk, make your way to the stands.” Boltuk bowed and left the throne room as a crowd gathered. The King then puffed his chest out. “I am King Velkor Blacktail!” he roared. His wife then did the same as he did.

“I am Queen Altun Blacktail!” she called.

“These outsiders have passed the first five trials!” announced Velkor.

“Now, the last trial awaits them!” roared Altun. “The Royal Trial!” Two pedestals then rose from the floor in front of the King and Queen. Each pedestal had a red diamond resting on it.

“Before us are keys!” explained Velkor. “One of them will lower the barrier and the Sphinxes will no longer be under our thrall!”

“The other will kill them!” continued Altun. “By asking us three questions, the outsiders must determine which key will free the Sphinxes!”

“Hold on!” called Arsha. “There’s no reason to bring them into this! You can’t have us play with their lives like that!”

“If you wish to have us as allies, you will have to complete this trial!” answered Velkor. “If you pick the wrong key, then we will consider you murderers!”

“And know this,” warned Altun, “one of us tells the truth and one of us lies.” Arsha was now panicking! Lives were now at stake!

“Arsha, the danger is not so great,” called Orthena. “I will complete this trial.”

“Orthena, I can’t risk anyone having that kind of blood on their hands!”

“Arsha, trust me! I know how the riddle works. You said so yourself one time, the truth-liar riddle isn’t your forte.” Arsha considered her next actions.

“…Very well. Orthena, be careful.” Orthena then stepped forward.

“Your Majesties,” she called to the Manticore Royals, “you said I need to ask three questions? You’re being too generous! I can solve your riddle with one question only!”

“A bold claim,” remarked Velkor.

“I must insist that you limit me to one question.”

“…Very well. One question for only one of us.”

“Thank you.” Orthena turned to Altun. “Your Majesty, if you were your King, which key would you say is the one that will lower the barrier safely?”

“…The key in front of my husband,” answered Altun.

“In that case, I choose the key in front of YOU!”

“…Are you sure?”

“Beyond the shadow of a doubt.”

“Then place the key in the mural behind us.” Orthena took the key in front of Altun and placed it into a slot below the Sphinx. They then waited a few seconds. Once they waited long enough, the bubble glowed red, and the Sphinx glowed green. Velkor and Altun then smiled.

“Very clever,” praised Velkor.

---

Over near the Regatim Oasis, Merrim was talking to Tursu, the Sphinxes’ Queen. As they spoke, a red line appeared between them, then vanished. Tursu blinked, then stepped into the area. She went further and further, then realized that her people were saved! “EVERYONE! WE’RE FREE! ARSHA DID IT!” she called to her people! The Sphinxes entered the Oasis and were greeted warmly by the Nagas.

“I told you Arsha became a miracle worker!” chuckled Merrim.

“Then she convinced the Manticores to see sense! Queen Merrim, you have allies in the north and west of the Caltem River!”

---

Arsha received a call from Aldarval. They had ceased the bombardment once they received news of the Sphinxes being freed. After ending the call on a high note, Arsha turned to Orthena. “Lieutenant Orthena Strongaxe, you’re a genius! How did you know she was lying?”

“I didn’t. I still don’t know who the liar is,” explained Orthena.

“…But…but she tried to tell you that the other key was the one.”

“Your Majesties, do you wish to explain, or shall I?” Orthena asked Velkor and Altun.

“You passed the last trial. It’s your right to explain, not ours,” answered Velkor. Orthena then grinned as she turned back to Arsha.

“I asked Altun what she would say if she were Velkor,” she began. “If she lied to me, then that would make him the truth-teller. She would lie about what he would say, so I could pick the opposite of what she said.”

“What if he were the liar?” asked Arsha.

“Then she would tell the truth about what his lie would be, so I would STILL pick the opposite. Understand?”

“…Not quite.”

“It takes practice.”

“Arsha,” called Velkor, “you and your team have proven that you are more trustworthy than Oyed and his cronies. We wish to join you so we may make amends for what we have done to the Sphinxes.”

“You should have killed those ineffective idiots!” shouted another voice. Oyed then appeared in a cloud of black mist, along with Dr. Borg.

“The Manticores no longer bow to you!” shouted Velkor.

“If you had any sense, you would!” answered Oyed. “You know, I just recalled a funny story on the way here! It goes like this; a Titan makes a deal with someone, that someone fails his end of the bargain, has the courage to admit it and accept losing his soul, only for that someone to fade in a flurry of maho-particles, then the son of that someone detects that the avatar was cast by his King! Where’s the real Toonsar?!”

“Dead! I won’t have anyone pull my strings!”

“Then this is your execution!” Oyed and Dr. Borg charged at the Manticore Royalty, only for Arsha and her team to get in the way.

“We defend them at all costs!” ordered Arsha. The team rushed at the two villains with Arsha, Malnar, Lardeth, Bashoon, and Delselii attacking Oyed while Falnii, Foresna, Gorfanth, and Patrica fought Dr. Borg. Velkor joined in fighting Oyed and Altun fought joined the fight against Dr. Borg. Velkor swung his tail forward, intent on stinging Oyed, but the Titan grabbed the tail.

“Nice try!” he snarled before slamming his fist into Velkor’s face. Arsha then decked him, making him spit out blood. “I don’t know how you’re able to do that, child, but it doesn’t matter! Your parents will die! Your lovers will die! YOU will die!”

“Sorry, not letting myself die until I hit 50,000!” hissed Arsha.

“YOU HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER!” Oyed then fired a stream of caustic mist at her. Arsha then used a fire spell to evaporate it and a water spell to neutralize the burning. It was then that she opened her eyes…only they weren’t their usual golden self. They were red like Mordek’s, even down to the lack of pupils! A red aura then surrounded Arsha, and she grabbed Oyed by the neck, then took him for a ride straight through the ceiling and into the open air! Oyed wiggled out of her grip and shoved her away. They then stopped and floated in the air. As Oyed caught his breath, a grin crossed his face. “So, that’s how you’re able to damage me,” he purred. “A Candidate’s Aura surrounds you!” Arsha then looked crestfallen.

“I can’t begin to tell you how it hurts,” she muttered, “to hear that I’m a potential Champion.”

“Oh?”

“That kind of power would elevate me too high! If I DO become your children’s Champion, I’d be hailed as a living god! People would look to me to solve EVERY problem and overlook my friends, lovers, and family!”

“So, you wish you never had a Candidate’s Aura? Then power down and serve me. I promise, I can remove it for you with no pain.”

“…Honestly, I’d rather die than serve a pasty white guy like you!”

“THAT CAN BE ARRANGED!” Oyed then charged up an energy attack. Arsha charged her own and they fired, engaging in a beam-clash. The resulting ball of mixed energies was moving between the two combatants. “JUST GIVE UP!” roared Oyed. “I AM OYED, THE TITAN! I WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED! MY CHILDREN WILL FALL! YOU EXIST ONLY TO SERVE ME, JUST AS YOUR ANCESTORS SERVED OTHERS LONG AGO!”

“…NOT…AS LONG…AS I…AM ARSHA ROYANA!” Arsha then poured more energy into her attack as she screamed her defiance at Oyed’s intentions. The energy ball then travelled back towards him and struck him hard! He fell to the ground, smoking and injured, but alive. He picked himself up as Arsha floated down to the ground. Dr. Borg managed to escape through the hole Arsha and Oyed made during their fight and approached her master.

“My Lord,” she panted, “the Manticores are overwhelming our operatives! The Sphinxes have crossed the Caltem River with a Naga company from the Oasis! We’re surrounded! We must retreat!”

“…Have our forces fall back to our Falchineve base,” ordered Oyed. “This time, let them find us.”

“…My Lord, why?!”

“Because I have an idea. Even if we lose the Gorgons and Gryphons, we’ll still cause a lot of damage in the long run.”

“…Very well.” Dr. Borg called all of their forces and ordered them to retreat to the Over-realm and let Realmfleet find them. Multiple small Realmgates opened, and the Realm Trinity Empire evacuated the Mid-realm.

The team arrived in a new arena. Boltuk was actually feeling rather hopeful. During the trials, he was actually turning towards Realmfleet. He wasn’t sure they could convince the King, but they convinced a few Manticores at least. Arsha saw this. “You know, you COULD help us,” she offered.

“…Disobeying the King like that is a capital offense punishable by a most dishonorable death,” answered Boltuk. “My paws are tied.”

“…I’m sorry to hear that. You’re a good sort, I can tell.” Boltuk gave a sad smile before he took his place in the center of the arena. The crowd then gathered in the stands.

“These outsiders have passed one of the Trials of Intelligence by showing that proofs can be abused!” he called. “That is four trials under their belt. Only two more remain! How well can these outsiders find a pattern?! …Lady Andotal! Come forth!” A female Manticore strode out and waved as the crowd cheered.

“An interesting pun, Mr. Bloodwing,” she chuckled. “I am the fourth and you tell me to come forth.”

“…An unintentional pun, I assure you,” groaned Boltuk. He then turned back to the crowd. “Lady Andotal will write five numbers and the challenger must find a pattern within a minute! If they write out five more numbers that fall within the pattern, they win. If they fail to write the correct answer or they fail to come up with any answer within a minute’s time, well, I think we all can guess what that means!”

“All right, Delselii, Patrica, Foresna, it’s the four of us. Who’s the best at finding a pattern?” Arsha asked her team.

“Let me try my hand at it,” offered Patrica. “I’ve been able to find patterns in the past.”

“Then good luck.” Patrica then entered the ring.

“I, Patrica Looden, will accept the challenge!” she called.

“Very well!” replied Boltuk. “The instant Andotal finishes her last number, your time begins!” Andotal then used her tail to write five numbers in the sand. The numbers were 610, 987, 1,597, 2,584, and 4,181. “BEGIN!” called Boltuk. Patrica was a little surprised that the numbers were so large. Ten seconds passed and there was still no answer from her. Arsha gulped.

“I…was NOT expecting that,” she muttered.

“This is bad! There ISN’T a pattern!” groaned Bashoon.

“Actually, there is,” replied Orthena. “It all depends on if she remembers her math classes.”

“…Oh, I see it now!” realized Delselii.

“You do?” asked Arsha.

“Half a minute remains!” called Boltuk.

“Wait, really?!” protested Patrica. “I think you just added…added…added…just a minute!” She then started tracing out the first two numbers in another part of the sand. After that, she included an addition sign. She then saw that 610 and 987 equaled 1,597. She then added 987 to 1,597 and got 2,584. She then snapped her fingers. “A Loquntho sequence!” she cheered. “I know what the remaining five are!”

“Then write them,” declared Boltuk. “The clock has stopped for now.” Patrica then added new numbers to the original sequence. They were 6,765, 10,946, 17,711, 28,657, and 46,368. Lady Andotal then looked at the answer and how Patrica got her answer. She raised her eyeridges in approval.

“I never thought my ancestor’s number sequence would survive into your time,” she mused. She then turned to Boltuk. “She’s got the correct numbers!”

“And that makes five trials for the outsiders!” called Boltuk to the crowd. “The last trial will be prepared in an hour as it involves our King and Queen. Rest and prepare, for you need to have a flexible mind to face them.” The crowd departed and Boltuk gave one last look at Arsha and her team. “…I beg you, don’t take the last trial. If you fail it, we’re all slaves to Oyed and the Sphinxes will forever be in our thrall.”

“It’s because of the plight of the Sphinxes that we’re not turning back now,” replied Arsha. “I believe my team has demonstrated that they’re more than capable of passing anything you throw at us. I could only feel pride as they passed their trials and found the entrance to your kingdom. I won’t spit on their efforts now.”

“…No outsider has ever passed the Trial of the King and Queen. I urge you to reconsider.” Boltuk left and Arsha sighed.

“You have to admit, it IS a change from when we first met him,” remarked Lardeth.

“Still, I really hope he sees sense,” sighed Arsha.

“That’s the problem, here,” replied Falnii. “In accordance with his own culture, he DOES see sense and we don’t. Different cultures have different definitions of seeing sense. You’ve seen it yourself. I’m willing to bet your own parents have their own culture clashes, despite being on the same general page on certain things.”

“And it’s not just different species,” remarked Malnar. “Over-realm and Mid-realm Humans have different cultures. Even then, those pockets of humans have even further divisions. Rich and poor, smart and ignorant, which Divine One is the better one to worship, but it’s NOT inherently evil. It looks to me like the Manticores WANT to be more diverse, but they need a change from the top. Hopefully, we can bring that change. You saw it in Boltuk’s eyes.”

“…Well then, looks like we have a trial to pass!” declared Arsha.

“Atta girl!” cheered Malnar.

---

“Where is he?!” grunted one of the Manticore Revenants.

“It’s almost the end of the day and I don’t see 35 people before me,” replied Oyed. “Your father isn’t attempting to renege on the deal and get away with it, is he?”

“It’s well within his standard M.O.” The door then opened to let Lord Toonsar into the room.

“Ah, there you are,” purred Oyed. “How kind of you to join us. …Where are the people you promised?”

“…I regret to inform you,” replied the elderly Manticore, “that I couldn’t get enough in time.”

“Then your soul is forfeit. Farewell.” Oyed drew a circle in the air and…Toonsar smirked.

“Ta!” The circle then surrounded Toonsar and both it AND he exploded in white light.

“Wh-what?!” spluttered Oyed.

“That shouldn’t have happened?” asked the Revenant Manticore.

“No! It…a Maho-particle avatar! Someone tricked me!” Oyed was frothing at the mouth. The Manticore sniffed the air.

“It smells like…like…like something Velkor wove! The King’s behind this!”

“Your people’s loyalty is no longer certain! Get a team for me that will get me past the trials! Make sure they know a path to get me there before Arsha or there’ll be the Depths to pay!”

“Before Arsha, my Lord?”

“Arsha surrounds herself with people who are not only strong, but clever as well! They may very well pass the trials!”

“I understand, My Lord.” The Manticore headed off and Oyed looked out the window.

Boltuk led the team through what would have been the third arena. The place looked more ornate than the previous one. “Man, I would have enjoyed this!” moaned Bashoon.

“It’s one of our favorite arenas,” replied Boltuk. He then led them to a new arena where a whiteboard stood in the center of the ring. The crowd filed in and Boltuk began his announcement. “These outsiders,” he called, “have passed the Trials of Strength! But brawn is nothing without a brain to back it up! Outsiders, you had best be able to prove your intelligence, for we do not love idiots! The first trial shall determine whether or not you have the ability to abuse proofs! If you can stump one of our smartest with something ridiculous and prove that it is possible with no loopholes, you win! If your opponent finds a loophole, you lose! Who shall go?!”

“Arsha, let me in on this!” giggled Malnar. “I’ll give you a year’s supply of chocolate if you do!”

“What? Why?” asked Arsha. Malnar then whispered her plan into Arsha’s ear. “…There is no way that will work!”

“Come on, Foxy! For me?” Malnar then gave her lover puppy-dog eyes.

“No! Stop that! You know I hate it when any of you do that! …Fine! Go ahead!” Malnar kissed Arsha on the cheek then practically skipped into the ring.

“It looks like you have set your challenger on us,” remarked Boltuk. “Very well! Lord Tanatar! You are needed!” An elderly Manticore man then came forward. He had a limp, but he was cheered to the echo as if he were a great gladiator. He raised his hurt paw as the crowd cheered, then he pointed to a section and lowered his paw. The section then quietly cheered. He then raised his paw, and the cheering grew louder. Then he put his paw to the floor and the cheering stopped.

“…Dang,” remarked Malnar to her opponent as he approached the whiteboard. “Sounds like men of intellect are REALLY prized here.”

“We DO uncover secrets that prove useful to fighters,” answered Lord Tanatar. “Now, what do you wish to prove?”

“Well, first off, I need to set the scene. Tell me, do you have grandchildren?”

“Seven of them, and I spoil them all rotten. Why?”

“That makes it a lot easier. So, do you see yourself as someone who spoils them equally?”

“Of course. But, I must be fair. Let’s say, for example, that there’s candy, about…give me a number.”

“Twenty-eight.”

“Then I would give each one of them four pieces of candy.”

“I thought you said you spoil them rotten.” Lord Tanatar was confused.

“I do.”

“Only four?” Malnar clicked her lips in disappointment. “My Lord, you’re cheating them. Twenty-eight pieces of candy for seven grandkids? They deserve thirteen apiece.” Lord Tanatar goggled at Malnar.

“What in the name of the King are you talking about?!” he protested. “Seven by thirteen does NOT make twenty-eight!”

“Yes, it does!”

“Seven by FOUR makes twenty-eight!” Malnar sighed.

“Lord Tanatar, seven by THIRTEEN makes twenty-eight!”

“Seven by FOUR is twenty-eight! Aren’t you a soldier?!”

“Yes, but I’m also a Princess.”

“…What are they teaching royalty these days?” muttered Lord Tanatar.

“I can show you my work, if you wish.”

“Please, show us.” Malnar took up one of the markers and set up a long-division problem. She set it up like so:

7⟌28

“Now, seven into two?” asked Malnar. Lord Tanatar shook his head. “Seven will NOT go into two. No matter how much you push that big seven into that little two, it won’t fit! That’s gonna hurt the poor little two! So, I’m gonna put the two down here!” She drew a little two at the bottom of the white board. “Now, seven into eight?”

“It goes in once,” replied Lord Tanatar.

“Exactly!” Malnar drew a one at the eight’s right.

7⟌28 1

“Now, I’m gonna carry the seven. It’s a big seven, so we need to distribute it right.” She wrote a seven under the eight. “Now, eight minus seven?”

“One.” Malnar then wrote out the next step and answer.

7⟌28 1

     -7

      1

“Now, this is where the magic happens!” called Malnar. “A minute ago, we had a little discussion about a little two.” She then pointed to the little two at the board’s bottom. “This little two! You mind if I use it?”

“Go ahead,” sighed Lord Tanatar.

“Much appreciated! So, I’m gonna put the two by the one below the carried seven.” She then wrote her new two.

7⟌28 1

     -7

    21

“Now, seven into twenty-one?”

“Three.” Malnar wrote the resulting three at the left of the one at the top!

7⟌28 13

     -7

    21

“There we go! Seven goes into twenty-eight THIRTEEN times!”

“NO! NO! NO! Nothing of the kind!” Lord Tanatar then erased the board. “There’s something you’re missing! Tell you what, we’ll multiply all this!”

“All right.” Malnar then wrote out a long multiplication problem.

13

x7

“All right, seven times three?”

“Twenty-one.”

13

x7

21

“Seven times one?”

“Seven.”

13

x7

21

  7

“Seven plus one?”

“…Eight…” Lord Tanatar then saw where she placed the seven.

13

x7

21

+7

  8

“And we carry the two!”

13

x7

21

+7

28

“There we go! Twenty-eight!”

“NO! NO! That’s not it!” Lord Tanatar erased the board again. “All right, that’s it! There’s only one surefire way to find a loophole here! Put down thirteen seven times!”

“Oh, I get it, you want me to add it.”

“Bingo! Go on!” So, Malnar wrote down 13 seven times.

  13

  13

  13

  13

  13

  13

+13

“All right, now we start…!”

“Hold it!” Lord Tanatar leveled his stinger at her. “I’LL start it!” His stinger then went up the threes. “Three! Six! Nine! Twelve! Fifteen! Eighteen! Twenty-one!” Malnar then ran her marker down the ones.

“Twenty-two! Twenty-three! Twenty-four! Twenty-five! Twenty-six! Twenty-seven! Twenty-eight!”

  13

  13

  13

  13

  13

  13

+13

  28

Lord Tanatar goggled at the whole thing. “…I…I-I…I can’t…I don’t see any loopholes! She’s abused proofs!” He collapsed to the floor in shame.

“By Lord Tanatar’s declaration,” called Boltuk, “the outsider has won the first Trial of Intellect! Now, outsider, since you’re the winner, you may point out any loopholes he missed with no penalty.”

“Thank you.” Malnar then turned to Lord Tanatar. “My Lord, there WAS a loophole that I didn’t have a counter for.”

“What’s that?” he mumbled.

“The tens place.”

“…The tens place! Of course! …I will have to learn more, even if my King forbids it.”

“Come with me, and we shall proceed to the next trial!” called Boltuk. The crowd roared as Arsha and her team were led to the next challenge.

The Manticores were finishing up the arena as Lardeth recovered. Arsha noticed that the inside of the circumference was lined with springs pointing inwards. A circular piece of material was then hooked up to the springs. “A trampoline?” asked Arsha. “I had one of those when I was a little girl. Went too high at one point and landed in a way that broke my leg.”

“Ouch!” winced Delselii.

“That would mean you lose this trial,” remarked Boltuk. The crowd then returned. The size of it somewhere between the first trial and the second. “We have seen these outsiders pass two of the six trials!” Boltuk called to the crowd. “They are physically and emotionally strong, but what of their agility?! How well can they dodge?! Will they be able to make good enough decisions and quick enough changes in direction?!”

“It’s a dodging trial?” asked Bashoon. “Let me in on that action! Goblins are only rivaled by halflings in our ability to make quick getaways!”

“Bashoon, wait!” hissed Delselii. “What if it’s something you can’t see?!”

“That’s where the ears come in.” Her ears flapped to back up her words.

“…Very well.” Delselii stepped back.

“Good luck, Lieutenant,” wished Arsha. Bashoon took off her shoes, then stepped into the ring.

“You believe your shoes will slow you down?” asked Boltuk.

“No, just don’t want to tear the trampoline,” replied Bashoon.

“…Very considerate.” Boltuk then turned to the crowd. “Bring forth the Casters!” Three Manticores then came out of the gates and took to the air surrounding the ring. “Dodge their magic blasts within a minute’s time!” he instructed Bashoon. “One hit and you fail the trial! Begin!” The Manticores fired on Bashoon, and she bounced upwards, dodging the blasts. One then fired near her, forcing her to twist out of the way in mid-air. Another one followed a milli-second later and she twisted out of the way again. There was a rapid-fire series of shots and Bashoon stayed ahead of them.

“10 seconds so far,” muttered Patrica.

“She’ll falter,” remarked Boltuk.

“You don’t know Goblins as well as I do,” retorted Arsha. “Heck, you don’t know Bashoon Barmek as well as I do. She takes any bit of adversity, and she makes the best out of the situation. Whenever she has a problem, she finds a solution.” The magic blasts soon became more erratic in their timing. Bashoon yelped as she twisted in the air, hoping to gain some speed.

“Half a minute remains,” remarked Boltuk. Another caster then joined the fray and fired.

“Oh, come on!” groaned Bashoon. With more shots added to the mix, she had to make decisions faster.

“I didn’t hear you summon another!” protested Arsha.

“I assure you, it’s part of the trial,” replied Boltuk. Bashoon kept leaping out of the way, but the added caster made things more difficult. Finally, they all prepared for a simultaneous shot. They were matching her movements and the blasts were getting bigger by the second! When Bashoon went into the air, they fired. There was only one choice, she dove OUT of the ring. She then looked to her team as the blasts hit each other and made a brilliant light. Her team then rushed up to her, leaving Falnii to continue her dream-weaving for Lardeth.

“I’m sorry, Captain,” she mumbled. “I felt like I had no choice! It was going to…!”

“With that done,” called Boltuk to the crowd, “all trials of Strength are passed!” Bashoon then looked at Boltuk.

“Wait, I won?! Bu-but I went outside the ring!”

“If the trial were still continuing, the casters would have targeted you regardless of whether or not you stepped out of the ring. The only way you could have lost is by being hit. I never said a ring-out would mean a loss. You could have run along the outside edge of the ring.”

“…ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME I COULD HAVE USED THE WHOLE ARENA?!”

“Even the stands.” Bashoon fell to her knees, groaning at the whole thing.

“I made things way too hard for myself!”

“Seems that way. In any event, like I said, the trials of strength are over. We will rest as we prepare the remaining three trials.” The crowd departed and left the team to their devices.

“Awake,” Falnii said softly. Lardeth then yawned and stretched as if he slept through the night. He then looked around the arena.

“Did…did we…?” he asked.

“Bashoon won the last trial for us,” replied Arsha.

“Though, I made it harder on myself,” remarked Bashoon.

“Then why aren’t we at the next trial?” asked Lardeth.

“We’re gonna be waiting for them to set up the next stage,” answered Foresna.

“…My opponent. The one who jabbed me with her stinger. What happened to her?”

“She was dishonored after attacking you. If I were a betting boy, though, she’s probably run to Oyed to tell him the news.”

---

Foresna would have won that bet. Nedola made her way to Oyed’s chambers. She bowed before an altar. “Mighty Oyed, I have news that must be reported in spite of how bad they are.” A black mist came into the room and coalesced into Oyed.

“You may speak,” he directed.

“Realmfleet’s found the entrance. Their team passed two trials. I tried to kill one as you ordered, but they knocked me aside, gave my target the anti-venom, and shamed me.”

“Someone undid your work?! I ordered their deaths!”

“Boltuk disobeyed those orders.”

“…Boltuk Bloodwing?”

“The same.” Oyed gnashed his teeth.

“He was there when I gave the order publicly! He was supposed to kill them outright!” Oyed drew in a breath. “I need to think on how to salvage this. In the meantime, report to Dr. Borg to have that mark removed from your forehead. It doesn’t suit a loyal follower like you. Thank you for bringing this to my attention as quick as you could.”

“I live to serve you, My Lord.” Nedola then headed to the door. Oyed sat in a chair and steepled his fingers as he thought. “If we had the numbers,” muttered Nedola, “we could make an example of them.” She then left the room.

“That’s a frightening statement in and of itself,” Oyed mumbled to himself.

The crowd for the second trial was a little less than the first. It was clear that some of the Manticores thought Gorfanth had cheated in some way or that Teknar flaked out at the last second. Either way, the Manticores didn’t have much respect for Arsha’s team at that moment. Like the last time, Boltuk made his way to the center of the ring and addressed the crowd. “These outsiders have passed the first trial of strength!” he began. The crowd roared in anger. “However, there are other trials to consider! For physical strength is nothing without other kinds! Bring forth the Hunter, Nedola!” A female Manticore then strode towards the center of the ring. “As I have said earlier, since the Minotaur passed the first trial, a new challenger must take his place!”

“My turn!” declared Lardeth.

“What?!” protested Malnar. “I’m the second strongest of us! I should go!”

“Meaning that you’ll win too easily,” replied Lardeth. Malnar was confused.

“You sense it too, huh?” asked Arsha. Malnar then arched an eyebrow, wondering what her lovers were talking about. She then concentrated on her senses. It took a few seconds before she realized what they found.

“Hang on!” she called to Boltuk. “What kind of trial is this?! She’s far weaker than Teknar was! Heck, she’s weaker than you!”

“Like I said, strength is not strictly defined by physical fitness,” replied Boltuk.

“In that case, Lardeth, be as cautious as everyone says you are,” warned Malnar.

“That’s the idea,” answered Lardeth as he strode towards the ring.

“Same rules as last time,” called Boltuk. “The challenger must win either by killing her or by ring-out. Begin!” Nedola looked at Lardeth as he adopted a ready stance. Her gaze focused on his head.

“…How old are you?” she asked.

“…307, why?” replied Lardeth.

“That’s the hair of someone who’s 307 years old?”

“Not hair, clouds.”

“You’re a Zephyr?”

“Half Zephyr. The other half of my blood comes from my human father.”

“…A human father who failed to teach his son how to be masculine. Just like Zephyr fathers with their own sons.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said your people don’t know a thing about what it takes to be a man. I know all about your race of trannies.” Foresna moved towards the ring.

“Why, that little…!” Arsha held Foresna back.

“This is Lardeth’s fight!” she hissed.

“He’s manly enough for us!” shouted Foresna.

“Foresna, stay out of this,” called Lardeth. “This is between me and her.”

“You think a delicate princess like you can take me?” mocked Nedola as she circled her opponent. “You, who spends so much time on your lipstick and your dresses and your nails and your eyes? Face it, Zephyr men are weak!” Lardeth, at this time, was examining his nails.

“…He’s not…bored, is he?” asked Delselii.

“Very bored,” remarked Foresna as he saw what the trial was about.

“Even now, you prove my point!” laughed Nedola as she pointed her paw at Lardeth. “So focused on something so unimportant! Blissfully unaware of the danger because it keeps you safe!”

“…Could someone get her to stop spewing cowardly rhetoric?” asked Lardeth in a bored tone.

“…Say that to my face!” hissed Nedola, her smile dropping.

“Oh, and someone tell her that she’s not worth the effort of me talking directly to? I don’t really associate with dull, unoriginal idiots who want to weaken men so badly.” That did it! Nedola pounced on Lardeth.

“I’M NOT GIVING YOU THE OPTION TO WALK OUT OF THIS, YOU FAILURE OF A MAN!” she roared. “I AM MAKING MEN STRONG BY GIVING THEM FOCUS!”

“WRONG!” shouted Lardeth as he kicked her over him. That was when she landed headfirst outside the ring! Nedola recovered, then saw where she was.

“Wh…wh-wha?! How?!” She couldn’t find an answer until Lardeth spoke.

“Do you have any idea how many times I heard such things in my life? Let me tell you. I lost count; it was that much. The reason we wear dresses is because we’re not afraid of being judged! The most arrogant of us Zephyr men laugh at the men of other races because, and I use THEIR words, ‘Other men are all concerned about their absurd muscles and their misplaced pride in looking tough’! They’ve done this while fanning themselves and laughing like the corrupt lords they are! We pride ourselves on how we bear these words and dress as we do despite their words. For they are just that, words! You use them too much…and that makes you the worst kind of coward of all. You’re too afraid of any change or outliers. …That’s why I said you weren’t worth the effort of talking directly to.” Lardeth then left the arena.

“…You…damn…outsider!” snarled Nedola. “DON’T THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT REBUKE!” She flew upwards, then dove down onto Lardeth. After pinning him, her stinger strikes his backside, flooding his insides with venom. The Manticores roared in outrage. Boltuk pounced onto Nedola and slashed her face with his claws.

“COWARD!” he roared. Manticore doctors then rushed to Lardeth’s aid and whipped up anti-venom. They injected it into Lardeth, and he stopped convulsing in pain.

“He’ll get better,” reported one of the doctors. “He’ll just be in an uneasy sleep. One of you needs to stand by him.”

“Will dream-weaving help or harm him?” asked Falnii.

“It will help. The more restful his sleep, the quicker the anti-venom will do its job.”

“Then I’ll stand by him.” Falnii then chanted.

Dream your dream with me.

Tell your woes to me.

Show your troubles to me.

Dream your dream with me.

As she chanted, Lardeth’s face became more at ease. Her chanting stopped and they were both in a deep sleep. Boltuk then turned towards Nedola. “You coward!” he snarled.

“What did I do to warrant that?!” protested Nedola.

“What did you do?! You let his words affect you, that’s what! You could have just let him leave with the grace that was due to him since he won, but thanks to you stinging him, you’ve ruined your chances of ever rejoining your sisters!”

“I can gain those chances back!”

“…No, you can’t.” Boltuk then leapt onto her and scratched a mark onto her forehead. “As the senior in this gathering, for displaying cowardice, I hereby strip you of your rights as a Hunter! Return to your parents and show them how much of a coward you really are!”

“You will regret this!” roared Nedola. “Mark my words, you will pay for this slander!” She fled from the arena.

“Sir, I…” began Arsha.

“She’s the one who broke the law,” interrupted Boltuk. “Justice has been served. Because of this, however, we need to conduct the third trial here. That will require fixing the ring up to accommodate it. Wait here while we do so.” A company of engineers and builders then set to work.

The Manticore led Arsha’s team into an arena. Thousands of Manticores roared as if they were ready to see bloodshed. “…One of the trials of strength?” asked Arsha.

“Correct,” replied the Manticore. He then took up a position in the center of the arena. “I am Boltuk Bloodwing!” he shouted to the crowd. “I come to you today to announce that outsiders claim they can pass the trials!” A lot of jeering met this statement. “We cannot let this claim go unchallenged! I have granted them only one concession! One person must pass each trial! If and when they do, another person must take their place! But, we all know that no outsider, not even Oyed, has gone past the first trial!” Everyone in the stands roared their agreement. “Let us see if they can even get past my brother, Teknar!” A cage door opened up from beneath the stands and a rather beefy looking Manticore with a darker mane than Boltuk’s strode out, filled with confident swagger. “Whomsoever beats my brother, either by killing him or by ring-out, shall have completed the trial of physical strength! Outsiders, pick your combatant!” Arsha and her team then huddled.

“Guys, I gotta be real here,” muttered Malnar, “the only one who stands a remote chance against him is Gorfanth.”

“Me?!” hissed Gorfanth.

“I have to agree with him,” remarked Lardeth. “Minotaurs are lovers, not fighters!”

“Do we really have much choice?” asked Foresna.

“I can’t believe you and Malnar!” snarled Falnii.

“Can you honestly name anyone stronger?” asked Arsha.

“Captain, are you sure that’s wise?” asked Bashoon.

“I don’t know if it’s wise or not,” muttered Arsha, “but what I do know is that we ARE pressed for time.”

“…If and when I die, I’m haunting your nine-tailed ass!” grumbled Gorfanth. The team then broke up the huddle and Gorfanth stepped into the ring. The crowd roared in laughter.

“Looks like we’re gonna be having beef tonight!” laughed Boltuk. “Ready yourselves!” The two combatants sized each other up and got into their respective ready stances. “BEGIN!” Teknar rushed along the side, catching Gorfanth by surprise and forcing him to roll out of the way. The Manticore Champion then flew into the air and dove straight down, paws first and claws out! Gorfanth ran to the edge of the ring, but Teknar was able to change direction quickly! The sudden shift in the wind generated by the flapping of his wings kicked up the sand of the ring, flinging it into Gorfanth’s face. Gorfanth stumbled backwards…and his foot missed the floor of the ring! He was about to fall backwards out of it. Teknar then rushed at Gorfanth, then put his paw to the back of his opponent’s head…and shoved him back into the ring. The crowd roared in confusion. Arsha and her team were equally perplexed. Gorfanth then picked himself up and gave Teknar his attention.

“Why?” he asked. “You had me!”

“You stumbled,” answered Teknar.

“…I don’t follow.”

“To defeat you in such a manner would be lacking in honor. I would not have EARNED the victory.”

“…I see, you see this as a duel of honor.”

“Exactly, and to take advantage of that would mean I would have been a coward. There’s only ONE true way to finish such a duel, head-on…and BRUTALLY!” Gorfanth then leapt out of the way of the Manticore as he dove down with a bloodthirsty expression on his face. He then grabbed Teknar’s wing and twisted it in a way that there was an audible snap. Teknar went silent for just one second before he was on the ground, roaring in pain caused by a broken wing. With that distraction, Gorfanth grabbed the tail, his hands under the bulb of the stinger, and spun around before flinging Teknar into the walls outside the ring. Teknar fell to the ground, groaning in pain, while the crowd sat there, stunned at what had just occurred. Gorfanth then stepped out of the ring and walked up to Teknar. Teknar then managed to look up at the Minotaur in fear and pain. “…There is a knife carved from an elephant’s tusk,” grunted Teknar. “Use it on me. At least make it quick.”

“…What?” asked Gorfanth.

“You defeated the strongest Manticore. Not only did you pass the trial, but, by law, you must take my place as Champion. And the only way to do that…is to end my life.”

“…Does that law really apply to outsiders like me?” Gorfanth then turned to the audience. “Are outsiders required to take a Manticore’s place?!”

“No,” replied Boltuk. “In his agony, my brother has forgotten that non-Manticores are forbidden from taking a Manticore’s job, regardless of circumstance.”

“And didn’t you say I had to win by either killing him OR ring-out?”

“I did. And all evidence says you picked the latter option.”

“JUST END IT ALREADY!” howled Teknar. “THERE’S NO HONOR FOR ME NOW! I LOST TO AN OUTSIDER! I FAILED MY PEOPLE!”

“AND I DON’T WANT AN INNOCENT MAN’S DEATH ON MY CONSCIENCE!” Gorfanth roared back. The arena was silent for a minute. Gorfanth sighed before continuing. “You were doing your duty according to the laws of your people. I don’t kill people that dedicated to their kingdom. I don’t want to kill you! I never did! …But, I couldn’t allow you to kill me either. Tell me, how would either of us gain? If you killed me, you would serve Oyed, and it sounds like you lot don’t like him. If I killed you, your King would hear about this and be less receptive to us. I’m tired of killing unnecessarily and fighting strangers when I should be making friends. …We’re going to the next trial and, if you insist, we can continue this fracas to its final, stupid end, or you can side with us.” Teknar appeared to consider Gorfanth’s words as Manticore doctors came to set his wing so that it could mend itself.

“…If you and your fellows pass their trials with the same amount of honor, then I will consider fighting with you against Oyed,” the Manticore Champion finally answered. “Otherwise, I am duty-bound to follow King Velkor’s commands.”

“Having passed the first trial and being the first outsider to do so in a long time,” remarked Boltuk, “follow me to the second trial. Be warned, it will test a different kind of strength. Let us pray you can endure it.” Boltuk then led Arsha’s team through a door leading to the second trial.

“The elephant is…dead?” gulped Arsha.

“By multiple claws, teeth, and giant scorpion stinger wounds,” confirmed Aldarval. “The distinct warped soul signature confirms Revenant activity.”

“That’s no coincidence. There must be Manticore Revenants.”

“We’re moving out now. Arsha, prepare your team.”

“Aye, Admiral.” The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. “We’re moving out,” she announced to the crew. “Have the infiltration team ready on my command. Nazay, take us up.”

“Aye, aye!” confirmed Nazay. Shalvey then got a signal.

“Captain, Merrim’s hailing all ships,” she reported.

“Merrim?” asked Arsha.

“She says she has information that can help the infiltration team.”

“Can it wait? We’re about to launch.”

“She claims it’s vital information that can’t wait.” Arsha sighed. She really didn’t have time for this.

“…Make sure the channel is secure, get the infiltration team to the conference room, and have Aldarval listen in on this.

---

Arsha’s infiltration team consisted of herself, her lovers, Orthena, Delselii, Bashoon, and Patrica. Merri was on screen as she explained what she learned. “It turns out,” she began, “the Manticores were the ones who gave the Sphinxes’ ancestors the designs on the barrier at the behest of King Velkor’s advisor, Overseer Toonsar Lortem. He used the barrier for his own ends in an attempt to satisfy some twisted debt. The more immediate way is to find the key to lower the barrier.”

“And that’s where we come in?” asked Malnar.

“From what I’ve heard from my spies,” continued Merrim, “there are six trials that you must pass, trials of physical strength and impeccable intellect. The Manticores were the original masters of riddles before they passed it onto the Sphinxes.”

“…Can we even afford to go through the trials right now?” sighed Gorfanth. “We may have an impressive fleet, but what if the trials turn this whole thing into a siege? We don’t exactly have the manpower OR firepower to make such a thing possible.”

“The other option is to kill King Velkor and that would enrage the Manticores something fierce. I don’t know about you, but I DON’T want to start a relationship with Manticores on that note if we’re trying to get them away from Oyed’s influence.”

“And it would keep the Sphinxes trapped in the barrier or kill them if we use the wrong key,” sighed Arsha. “Looks like we have no choice. We HAVE to complete the trials. All right, thanks for the information. We’ll do what we can. Arsha out.” The call ended and Arsha received a message saying that Aldarval heard the whole thing and authorized the completion of the trials.

“Dammit, this ain’t gonna be smooth,” grumbled Patrica.

“Understatement of the millennium,” replied Malnar. “Oyed could get wise really easy!”

“We don’t have that many options,” remarked Lardeth.

“What’s our move here?” Bashoon asked Arsha.

“We enter the Manticore kingdom as planned, but we try to assure them that we come in peace and declare our intentions to pass the trials.”

“Because a foreign power entering a kingdom while its forces are sieging said kingdom is SO peaceful,” snarked Foresna.

“Do we really have much choice?” asked Delselii.

“Not really,” replied Arsha.

---

“All ships ready,” reported Denstra as the fleet hovered over the sands where the Manticore Kingdom dwelt underneath.

“Admiral, my people are MOST excited to begin,” called Reb.

“Then let’s do so,” declared Aldarval. “I’m transmitting the different coordinates. Fire on them at my command.”

---

“Here we go,” muttered Arsha as she and her team entered a cave. They arrived at what looked like the end of the cave and were confused. “That…that doesn’t…”

“It might be a concealed entrance,” remarked Orthena. “We need to tap around.”

“You and I might have a better chance at finding the right sound,” mused Bashoon.

“Everyone, find the entrance,” ordered Arsha. “We’re on the clock.” Everyone tapped the rocks and felt around for any hidden levers. Orthena then stopped as her hand felt something. She lowered her hand near the floor and felt a breeze coming from behind the wall.

“…Bashoon, come here for a minute,” she called. Bashoon headed over to her. “Put your ear to the wall.” Bashoon did so and Orthena tapped it. Bashoon’s eyes went wide.

“That’s a hollow echo if I ever heard one!” she called. “There’s a way in behind this wall!” Everyone heard her and joined her and Orthena in locating an opening mechanism. Delselii then felt his hand sink slightly into the wall and part of the wall slid aside to reveal a tunnel.

“Good work, you three!” praised Arsha. “Now, let’s…!”

“NOT ONE STEP FURTHER!” roared a voice from inside the tunnel. Everyone drew their wands and waited intently. After a few seconds, Bashoon’s ears flicked.

“Someone’s coming!” she warned. “Someone with four feet and said feet covered in something soft!”

“A Manticore guard?” guessed Falnii.

“Most likely.” Bashoon’s confirmation was made more solid as a male Manticore with a lightly-colored mane stepped towards them.

“I am the Mouth of Velkor!” he introduced himself. “I am his emissary, his ambassador, and his means of communication with the outside world! Through my words, you will know my King’s intent! Why are you here?”

“Sir,” began Arsha, “my team and I heard rumors that your people have six trials which will determine whether or not those that take them can be trusted both in body and mind.”

“Such rumors are true. You wish to take them? If Oyed himself could not pass them, what hope do YOU have?”

“We wish to show you that Oyed’s plans will only lead to ruin.”

“There are ships bombarding the circumference of our kingdom!”

“Only so we may prove ourselves with no interruption from Oyed’s forces.” The Manticore snarled at Arsha’s counterargument.

“You consider your actions appropriate to treating with us?! Know this, we EAT those who are unworthy of our trust!”

“And you trust someone who has not passed the trials?”

“Be warned! Oyed has power beyond your capabilities!”

“Our decision is made! Lead us to the trials! We will pass them and prove we are worthier allies than Oyed and his followers!”

“…Very well, you may take them. Ordinarily, only one would take all six, but I will allow you to send one per trial. However, once that person has completed the trial, they will not take another!”

“We’ll accept this.”

“Then follow me!” The Manticore then turned and led them into the tunnel. As they walked, the secret door shut behind them. “There are three trials of various aspects of strength and three of intellectual pursuits. Choose your people wisely. There will be no do-overs. Fail even one trial, we will kill you.”

“…No pressure,” muttered Foresna.