As King Alaric prepared to leave, the high luminary entered the hall with her entourage, her presence calm yet commanding. She approached him, her expression serene but her words sharp.
The High-luminary had long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down her back, shimmering with a soft glow that seemed to emit a gentle radiance. Her eyes were hidden behind a soft light veil. Her skin was fair and smooth, with a faint luminescence that made her appearance literally glow
She wore a regal gown made of light, white fabrics that flowed around her like wisps of mist. The gown was adorned with patterns that resembled constellations, shimmering subtly as she moved. Around her neck, she wore a pendant with a radiant crystal that seemed to have a pulse of its own, it hummed with an inner light, a gift from the Goddess herself.
"King Alaric," she said, her voice steady and measured, "I always knew you had a penchant for questionable choices, but I did not expect you to exploit Elias with this challenge."
The High-luminary's presence was both calming and awe-inspiring and she radiated a sense of peace and purity that drew most people to her. She moved with grace and poise, and her voice was gentle yet commanding.
Alaric opened his mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, continuing in the same composed tone. "I met Lord Varric on my way here. He explained the details of the challenge's stakes to me. I must admit, I am deeply disappointed." Her eyes met Alaric's, conveying a quiet yet firm disapproval.
King Alaric laughed, a harsh sound, "You misunderstand, High Luminary," he said, a sly smile playing on his lips. "It was Elias Ashdown himself who proposed the challenge. He was the one who took advantage of me and the other family heads, not the other way around."
The high luminary's eyes widened ever so slightly, a subtle sign of her surprise, though her calm demeanor remained unchanged. She studied Alaric, her expression unreadable, before speaking in her usual measured tone. "Is that so?"
Alaric's smile widened, sensing her unease. "How was your trip, Luminary? I heard you faced some difficulties with wild beasts and demons."
There was a brief pause as the high luminary composed herself, her gaze unwavering. "Yes," she replied, her voice steady. "We encountered a few challenges, but my priests, acolytes, and brave soldiers ensured our safety. Their dedication and courage were exemplary." She met Alaric's eyes, her calm mask firmly in place, giving nothing away.
King Alaric clapped his hands together, a mocking grin on his face. "Well, the fun is over now," he declared, turning to leave. "I'll be on my way."
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As the crowd continued to surge towards the exits, the guards struggled to maintain order, guiding people away from the arena. The air was thick with fear and uncertainty
"Explosions?" Elias muttered to himself as he looked around the arena
The once-excited murmurs turned to panicked screams as chaos erupted in the arena. The spectacle had taken a horrifying turn, and the crowd's collective fear became palpable. People scrambled from their seats, desperate to escape the threat of the explosion.
Bodies pressed against each other, the air thick with the scent of sweat and fear. The frantic pushing and shoving intensified, with some resorting to climbing over others to reach the exits. The weaker and slower were shoved aside or trampled underfoot, their cries for help drowned out by the deafening roar of the panicked crowd.
Blood splattered the ground as the crush of bodies forced people against the sharp edges of seats and barriers. Limbs were twisted and broken in the desperate struggle to escape. The suffocating press of people made it hard to breathe, and some fell to the ground, never to rise again.
In the midst of the chaos, a young woman fell, her scream cut short as the crowd surged forward, trampling over her. A man tried to help only to be shoved aside, his face smashing into a railing, leaving a bloody smear.
Elias' eyes traced around the crowd, unsure of what step to take next, amidst the crowd he spotted a familiar frame wearing a cloak. The figure's movements were strange, different from the rest of the fearing crowd. Instead of heading for the exit, he walked in the opposite direction.
"[Perception]"
Elias locked on in on the figure who was headed upward, toward the direction of the King's canopy. As the figure accelerated, the hood of his cape was pushed back, until it finally fell back completely.
Elias' eyes widened as the figure's face was revealed to him, that face, that hair...that scar. It was;
"Carius.."