Chapter 84: Preternatural Zone

Jarlon Valley, Sunset

"All thirty teams have gathered," Barabin patted Howard on the shoulder, "There can only be two teams from Horned Nation, so chances are you will run into many more enemies than you do allies."

"Remember, the goal is to get to Nermasis Ridge. However, along the way, because of the powerful Ki in the area. You may run into Authoritarians, Dream Beasts, and perhaps a few Mocralin. No matter what happens, you must listen to Reece. In the last few weeks, she entered into the B rank. "

"Yup, and I still regret drinking so much last night. Ugh, it would've been nice to wake up with someone or something besides a headache," Reece yawned, looking at a large iron gate in front of her.

The Unclaimed Shrines had been sealed behind 10 iron gates, and they got opened up every 10 years in order for the youth competition to begin. Going inside usually spelled death. 90 of the 100 entrants normally suffered great tragedies from the other teams hands. Obviously, any person killed today would be one less enemy for tomorrow.

Barabin knew the rules, but all that mattered was survival.

Losing even one student, whether it was the Varlen, the Horned, or the Aresoul, could topple over their foundation for years to come.

The Horned received roughly 3 students a year, the Aresoul roughly 70 and the Varlen up to 100. For this reason, the Horned only had to send 6 students into participate. Not only did the Horned Students have greater overall power, they also simply were less numerous. For that reason, they also were the main targets. The Varlen and the Aresoul almost always worked together, to paint the valley with the Honred blood before turning against each other.

However, not this year, with Howard. Barabin expected nothing but skulls and bones of the other teams to be left behind. Howard had learned a special ability, a terrifying ability, that once he unleashed even made him dangerous to someone in the A rank!

"Who are they?" Howard pointed at a large group of people walking towards a gate. "Why do they look so much older than us?"

"The Aresoul are cheaters," Reece said, crossing her arms. "They know people are age couldn't hurt us, so along time ago, teacher Annibell agreed to let 40 years old fight us. Hmph, I saw one in the bar last night and nearly tossed my drink in his face."

"There are a few younger ones too this year," Barabin shrugged his shoulders. "The fact are the Aresoul are more numerous than us, and take longer to get stronger, so we had to make a compromise. The battle that took place in this valley 100 years ago was so heinous, you may still find ghosts lingering in the dream's of this land."

"Any questions?" Barabin turned and noticed a killer glint coming from one young man's eyes.

He had on the black robe of the Aresoul, and seemed to give off a nefarious energy. His black hair spun down his shoulders while he stared at Howard and scoffed with disgust. Barabin even felt a sense of fear from him, but he also felt the same fear from Howard.

"Ignore them, they're garbage," That same young man said, pointing specifically at Howard. "They're nothing but true trash."

"I bet that girl's head will look good on my wall!" Another quipped, smiling and smaking his lips!

"Yeah, and that little green haired girl! She's hot! You think we can capture her?" Another young man smiled, rubbing his hands together with a disturbing look on his plump countenance. "Heh, I bet she's like Una! She'll do anything to survive?"

"What did you say?" Howard suddenly stopped smiling, and a strange black fire began to burn around his body. This black fire seemed nothing like the normal flame he'd been consumed with in the past. It had almost a malevolent presence that seemed to brandish like swords cutting into the air. "I'm sorry, but if you want to talk about Una, say it to my face."

"Hoh, you think you're tough?" The plump man walked over to Howard and began to glow with a white light. A regal armor seemed to appear on his body, causing him to look like an ancient knight. Stepping forward, his disdain was palpable as was the strange sight of his big belly shaking. "Heh, well what are you going to do if I told you Una's been dancing to stay alive? Singing to get food? Cleaning to get a few minutes of rest!"

"I'll show you death," Howard stepped forward, preparing to unleash all his rage from his fist. His eyes seemed to contain a primordial energy that made him look like death incarnate. "Hmph, but I can tell you're lying. I already know Una is fine."

"He's a good opponent. Get back here, Orel," That same man with strange black hair seemed to somewhat laugh at Howard before pointing at the doorway. "You should never underestimate someone you're trying to kill."

"Him, good at anything?" Orel patted his large rotund stomach and walked back to his group. "He's going to be easier to kill than a Varlen! That green haired girl will be mine! I can't wait to see her dance!"

"Howard, ignore them. The doors are opening," Barabin gently patted Howard on the back. "When you go inside, you will again find nothing is as it appears. The land inside is not a dreamscape, but dreams inside can also affect reality. It's also known as a Preternatural Zone. If you let anyone effect your will, it will effect your mind.``

"Now Monica, and Reece. Please protect Howard. At night time, the rules clearly state no one can attack. Do you understand what you need to do?"

"Yeah, protect our future," Howard smiled, gently grabbing Monica's arm and pulling her towards the opening steel door. It soon revealed a bright blue stone field with dozens of strange pillars that cut through the landscape at random places. "Also, kill him. Kill all of them if they get in my way."