**Chapter 7: The Next Day – Consequences and Gossip**
The sun rose over Alvannia, illuminating a new day full of tension and murmurs. The **Guardians of the Dawn** woke up exhausted, still under the weight of defeat and the elimination of **Malbeth**. Meanwhile, the **Shadows of Ambition** took advantage of every second of their advantage, teasing and laughing at their humiliated rivals.
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### **The Guardians of the Dawn's Routine**
The day began with **Hardy** gathering the group before sunrise.
— *We lost, but we are not defeated. Today, we will fulfill our punishments with dignity. Remember: we are heroes, even if we clean up their mess.*
The members nodded, but some were clearly not convinced.
#### **Humiliating Tasks**
1. **Bathroom Cleaning**
- **Drew** and **Grayrock** were in charge of cleaning the bathrooms of both camps. The elephant grumbled as he scrubbed:
— *This is degrading... but at least Grayrock doesn't complain.*
- **Grayrock**, impassive, just replied:
— *Stone doesn't feel disgust.*
2. **Food Preparation**
- **Belor** and **Katherine** were cooking for the **Shadows**, under the sarcastic gaze of **Drake** and **Leerstrom**.
— *This soup is unsalted... just like your honor* — **Leerstrom** teased, licking his lips.
— *At least we have honor* — **Katherine** replied, with a furious look.
3. **Dishwashing and Laundry**
- **Calley** and **Ingemar** were washing piles of dirty dishes.
— *I wasn't born for this!* — **Calley** shouted, kicking a rock.
— *And born for what, exactly? Jumping in circles?* — **Glenda** laughed, walking past them with a clean plate.
4. **Forced Night Patrol**
- **Strong** and **Goldwine** were forced to watch the rival camp during the night.
— *They're laughing at us...* — **Strong** muttered, clenching his fists.
— *Laugh while you can* — **Goldwine** replied, his eyes shining in the dark. *I saw things... things that will change everything.*
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### **The Shadows of Ambition – Enjoying the Victory**
While the **Guardians** worked, the **Shadows** relaxed, but not without their own intrigues.
#### **Gossip and Teasing**
- **Glenda** watched **Hardy** from afar, while talking to **Leerstrom**:
— *He's too proud to ask for help... but he'll break.*
— *Or someone will break him for him* — the cat replied, sharpening his claws.
- **Drake** teased **Drew** while the elephant carried firewood:
— *Need help, big guy?*
— *I'd rather carry wood than carry your ego* — Drew retaliated, making **Cromdor** laugh for the first time.
- **Katun** and **Towerfall** were betting on who would make **Calley** explode in anger first.
#### **Malbeth's Scroll**
**Goldwine**, peeking from afar, saw **Hardy** opening the scroll that **Malbeth** had left. On it was written:
> *"Beware the traitor among you. He is already on their side."*
**Hardy** quickly hid the paper, but **Goldwine** smiled. *She knew.*
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### **The Climax of the Day**
Late in the afternoon, **Henrique Nakamura** showed up to inspect the **Guardians'** work.
— *It seems you have accomplished your tasks... but not without complaints.* — He looked directly at **Calley**, who had broken three plates in anger.
— *Does anyone need a break in the Cell of Shame?*
The group fell silent. **Hardy** intervened:
— *She won't cause any more trouble.*
**Henrique** smiled.
— *I see that defeat has brought them together... or are they just holding back so as not to destroy themselves?*
No one answered.
**END OF CHAPTER 7**
*(Next: The Traitor Revealed and the Next Challenge!)*