Volume 2 Chapter 12
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Part 1
We see our heroes arrive at the end of the desert where the desert and forest connect in a strange, unnatural way.
Arnox, amused, says, "Isn't it strange that the forest and desert are separated so unnaturally?"
Ursus replies, "It's not unnatural. It's the border between the wild and sand beasts. Naturally, they separate their kingdoms and mostly don't interfere with each other."
Nile asks, "So you're telling us this is the natural order of the beast kingdom?"
Ursus nods. "Sometimes beastfolk also do this."
Ruby says, "It's too dense. My senses are detecting the presence of wildlife in the forest... and there are too many."
Arnox offers, "If you want to rest your senses, you can."
Ruby shakes her head. "No, I'm fine. I'm used to it. I live in mountains and forested areas."
Arnox grins. "Yeah, you're a mountain girl. So it's fine for you."
Ursus bows slightly. "Sorry, Ruby Auralith, for giving you trouble."
Nile adds, "Yes, and I apologize for Arnox's words."
Arnox protests, "Hey! What did I say wrong?"
Ruby smiles gently. "It's okay."
Arnox straightens. "We're going to enter the Forest of Jaaga. Everyone brace yourselves."
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[Scene Shift – Three Hours Ago: Klein and His Team]
We see Klein and his team fighting wild beasts.
Michael Bruce calls out, "Hey, Sir Klein, I recommended that at the start of Round 3 we travel at night through the desert to gain an advantage. That way we wouldn't have to spend the night in the forest."
Klein retorts, "Stop your nonsense."
The black-haired elf speaks urgently. "Sir, the mage girl is injured."
Klein turns to the elf girl. "You can use divine power, right? Heal her with that."
Michael shakes his head. "I thought you made some smart decisions... I misjudged you based on your beast hunting score."
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[Scene Shift]
We see a group consisting of:
A wolf beastfolk with a sword
A human warrior with a sword and shield
A girl with daggers in her hands
A male elf who is healing
An injured dolphin oceanfolk
They are lost, fighting too many sand beasts at night.
The wolf beastfolk growls, frustrated. "This is getting annoying! Where is the forest?!"
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[Scene Shift]
Another group:
A vampire boy
A demon girl
An angel male
A moon elf
They reach the border of the lake.
The vampire says, "We have to do something to cross the lake. I can't fly here; the magic in the lake is too unstable."
The angel adds, "We also need to collect resources."
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[Scene Shift – Treehouse in Forest]
Lenslot and Lyrenya are drinking tea.
Lyrenya asks, "Do you think you can win this tournament?"
Lenslot smiles. "I don't just think I can win. I can dominate this event... even do something this world isn't ready for."
Lyrenya replies, "I'm doing this to improve relations between the Forest Elf Kingdom and the Star Angel Kingdom."
Lenslot chuckles. "I know your interest. That's why this prince approached you."
Lyrenya frowns. "I think you're planning something shady."
Lenslot raises a brow. "Why do you think that?"
Lyrenya says, "A prince like you, who seems to hate angels teaming with other races... is now teaming with an elf?"
Lenslot smirks. "You make me sound racist. Any proof of that?"
Lyrenya shrugs. "I didn't say it. It's just what the rumors say."
Lenslot smiles silently.
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Part 2
Scene returns to the present. In the Forest of Jaaga, Arnox and his group rest in a stone shelter created by Ruby.
Arnox says, "We're going to rest here for 1-2 hours, then head out to collect resources."
Everyone nods and rests.
Later...
Arnox stands. "We'll divide into two teams to gather resources."
"First team: Ruby and me. We'll collect food. Ruby, you'll check if it's edible or poisonous."
"Second team: Ursus and Nile. Ursus has strength and Nile has knowledge. You two will gather wood and supplies."
Nile teases Ruby, "So you finally get a chance to go with Arnox."
Arnox adds, "If I go with Ursus, I might burn the materials. It's better this way."
Ursus nods. "With my ice magic, I can preserve water as ice."
Arnox concludes, "Let's split and meet back here in four hours."
Everyone: "Roger!"
Ruby and Arnox walk through the grassy path.
Arnox says, "You sure know a lot about forests."
Ruby replies, "Maybe because of where I'm from."
Arnox nods. "Yeah, the Auralith Clan... Southern Boulder of Yuravan."
Ruby: "Thanks."
Arnox: "No, I should thank you for saving me from that sand beast."
Ruby: "You got mad at Klein not because he called you Spark... but because he called me a museum stone."
Arnox shrugs. "That ice guy? It's fine. We're a team now."
Ruby: "Just a team? You and Nile are really close."
Arnox smiles. "He's reliable. I even asked him to join my warrior party."
Ruby: "So your goal in joining the Trial of Vaga is to create a warrior party?"
Arnox: "One of them. I want to become capable of leading my clan. The experience from this will help."
Ruby: "That's a responsible goal."
Arnox: "What about you, Ruby? Your goal isn't to win?"
Ruby: "I want to travel, make friends, and experience everything a warrior can."
Arnox stares at her, amused.
Ruby blushes. "I know, it's a small goal for someone like you... Arnox Arakan, the Thunderstorm of Arakan."
Arnox laughs. "Thunderstorm? That's a bizarre title."
Ruby: "You're not just a spark. You're the thunderstorm."
They start gathering herbs and food.
Arnox suddenly says, "Ruby, would you go on an adventure with me?"
Ruby blushes. (In warrior culture, this is like a proposal.)
Arnox quickly corrects himself. "I mean, will you join my party and travel the world with me?"
Ruby, still shy, calms herself. "You're flirting with me too much."
Arnox: "Sorry if it sounds like that... but I'm serious."
Ruby: "Sure... sure."
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Part 3
Four hours pass. The group regathers.
Arnox: "So, we gathered all resources?"
Nile and Ursus: "Yes."
Arnox: "We also collected food."
Nile: "I have a report."
Arnox: "Go on."
Nile: "We saw a team of a vampire, angel, elf, and demon. They've nearly finished building their boat."
Arnox: "That's a bizarre mix."
Ursus: "Before Round 3, I heard rumors of Lenslot Morningstar and Lyrenya Aerasyl teaming up."
Arnox: "It doesn't matter now. Let's build our boat. We cross tomorrow at midnight. Rest for twelve hours."
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Scene shifts: The team works on their boat near the lake, then rests.
Scene shift: Lenslot and Lyrenya are crossing the lake with:
One angel girl
One elf girl
One elf male
Suddenly, a giant crab appears. Lenslot summons release Baskin,an aura it's made air heavier, and the crab retreats.
Scene shift: Klein Vale and Michael Bruce's group rests after fighting beasts.
Michael: "Sir Klein, after rest, we should build the boat and cross by sunrise."
Klein: "Shut up. I'm the leader. We rest two more hours, then prepare the boat. We cross at midnight."
Michael: "Crossing without rest is dangerous. The frozen desert is next."
Klein: "Don't lecture me. You're just a hunter."
Scene shift: The vampire-angel-elf-demon group battles crab and squid beasts. Their ship breaks. The vampire and angel fly them out, but the lake drains their mana.
Time passes.
It is midnight.
Arnox: "We sail now and try to cross before evening. The lake is unstable. We must make it through to reach the Frozen Desert."
Narrator:
Things are heating up. Not just our heroes, but many other teams are advancing. What awaits them across the lake?
To Be Continued...