As Veda dashed toward Emrys, hoping to slip past him, Emrys swiftly drew his Wakizashi with his left hand, severing Veda's head clean off. Blood splattered from Veda's neck as his head rolled on the floor, and his headless body collapsed.
Sheathing his Wakizashi, Emrys picked up Veda's head by the hair and walked out of the player tunnel.
Emerging from the tunnel, Emrys assessed the situation. Solone and Thereon were in dire straits. Unsheathing his Wakizashi again, he threw it, severing the Yari and chain before embedding itself in the stadium wall, creating a wide crack.
Fortis, holding the broken half of the Yari and chain, gazed into the darkness of the player tunnel, curious about the impressive feat. Emrys slowly walked out of the darkness and into the grassy pitch, his eyes almost buried under his heavy eye lids.
Sniffing the atmosphere, he slowly looked up, not a hint of light reflecting in his eyes.
"Petrichor, it rains today." He remarked.
Fortis narrowed his eyes, frowning. He was puzzled by Emrys' sudden appearance in the player tunnel and realized the grim implication of Veda's beheading.
Is this truly the end?
(Pause)
(Rewind)
…
A year ago, Emrys, then 18, contacted the spy of the Echowood Retreat faction, proposing to exchange information on Starfall Reach's plans for a substantial sum. The spy, known as Rattle, asked for Emrys' name, to which he responded, "Chime." After consulting his boss, the spy agreed to the deal.
"Though it might be a lie and just a money grab, we can't ignore it. Pay the guy and hear him out," the boss said from his dark room.
At 3:30 PM, they met in a dark alley. Emrys, staring directly into Rattle's eyes, revealed, "They plan to conduct a stealth attack on Hall Olympus two nights from now." Rattle's eyes widened in shock, realizing the imminent threat.
Hall Olympus was the base of Starfall Reach.
After a few moments, Rattle asked, "Which faction do you belong to, and why are you helping us?"
"Do you hear that sound?" Emrys asked.
"What sound?" Rattle replied, raising one of his brows.
"Tick... tock... tick... tock... tick... tock... you don't hear it?" Emrys said, prompting Rattle to back away cautiously.
"Well played." He laughed angrily.
Immediately, the Echowood Retreat boss began preparations for an ambush the following night.
...
After leaving Rattle, Emrys contacted an infamous member of Shadowmere Groove, offering valuable information under the name "Handler". The boss, intrigued, summoned Emrys to their quarters. Emrys agreed and went alone, walking confidently past the faction's members who eyed him with hostility.
He met the infamous student who was about 6'4 with a slim build in black corporate suit at the entrance to the quarters who welcomed him.
So he's the one who felled Bhung the glutton last year. Emrys looked at the black corporate suited fellow as he escorted him to the meeting room where the Shadowmere Groove boss was. The boss, a kind-looking plump fellow, encouraged Emrys to sit.
"So, what is it you said I'd love to hear?" the boss asked.
"Wait, are you with the student who proposed a peace treaty last year?, what's his name again, yes, Emrys Arlorias?". The suited guy asked Emrys.
"No, I'm not and I do not belong to any faction, but yours isn't so bad". Emrys replied. The boss was flattered to hear this while the suited one kept looking at Emrys with the corner of his eyes trying to confirm how sincere Emrys was.
"Before I tell you, I demand something in return". Emrys said, keeping eye contact with the boss.
"But that wasn't included in what my friend told me''. The boss said looking at his colleague.
"Well, your right-hand man hung up too fast like he was the one who called me". Emrys said as he sat back and rested his hands on the arm rest. The infamous student was offended by this and hated Emrys at that moment.
If not for what you have to offer, I'd have taken your heart out the moment you said that. The suited fellow soliloquized while staring at Emrys with veins appearing on his head.
"Ok… how much in exchange?". The boss asked Emrys.
"100(meaning 100,000 Kounties)". Emrys said. Hearing this, the boss asked for Emrys' account details and transferred the amount to him that moment. Emrys saw the notification and went straight to the point.
"Two evenings from now, Starfall Reach and Echowood Retreat will engage in battle at Hall Olymus, and it won't be one-sided," Emrys revealed, locking eyes with the boss to convey the gravity of his words.
Understanding the implication, the boss commanded, "Prepare for an ambush tomorrow evening. We'll kill two birds with one stone while they're distracted."
As the boss finished, he turned to find Emrys gone. The suited fellow, known as Wolf-bat for his gliding tech suit, jumped through the window in pursuit. He activated his high-tech suit, gliding past buildings until he spotted Emrys.
"Hey!" Wolf-bat yelled, landing on a nearby building. Emrys, about to enter an alley, glanced at Wolf-bat with an ominous expression before disappearing into the darkness.
"I've seen your face. I'll find you later." Wolf-bat soliloquized, returning to prepare for the upcoming battle.
...
The next day, Klause, 19, was playing chess with Veda, 16, while Fortis, 17, watched. Their game was interrupted when Hakera, 17, burst in, shouting, "We are under attack!"
"By which faction?" Klause asked, springing from his chair and looking out the window.
"Echowood Retreat. Poseidon's Rattle....is here!" Hakera reported, sweating and breathing heavily.