Kael walked into the Vanguard Guild hall. It was packed and noisy. But it wasn't just William Arthur's hunters. Varric Armen, the cold, powerful master of the Glacial Guild, stood beside William. Behind Varric stood his own hunters – all looking tough and icy.
What's going on? Why are both guilds here? Kael thought, pushing through the crowd.
William raised his hand. The hall went quiet. "Listen up!" he announced. His voice was loud but serious. "We have orders. From a Sorcerer."
Gasps filled the room. A Sorcerer! One of the legendary Six!
Varric spoke next, his voice like cracking ice. "The Sorcerer commands this: All hunters – Vanguard, Glacial, everyone – must go to the King's Palace training ground. Today. Now."
Kael's eyes widened. A Sorcerer? I get to see one? A spark of excitement lit inside him. He'd never seen such powerful magic.
William looked worried. He glanced quickly at Kael. The Sorcerer had told him: "Find the one with blue fire... and mind power." Kael fit that description perfectly. What does the Sorcerer want with him? William felt a knot of fear in his stomach.
Varric noticed William looking nervous. He nudged William roughly. "Hey, bro? What's wrong? You look scared." He grinned, but it wasn't friendly.
William forced a smile. "Just thinking. Remember, I told the Sorcerer about... a strong new hunter." He didn't say Kael's name, but Varric understood. The Sorcerer was interested.
"The Sorcerer wants a big fight," Varric told the crowd. "A duel! Every hunter must show their power. Knights are invited too! The Sorcerer wants to see who is strong... especially anyone with blue fire. He thinks it might connect to someone... dangerous." Varric didn't say who.
The King's Palace Training Ground
The huge training ground was even bigger than the Vanguard Guild's. Hunters from both guilds stood on one side. On the other side stood the Royal Knights in their shiny armor. They looked down at the hunters.
A big Knight laughed loudly. "Look at these hunters! They just run around dungeons. We do the real work! Protecting the city! Fighting monsters in the streets!"
A hunter from the Glacial Guild yelled back, "Shut up! Without us clearing dungeons, monsters would overrun the city! You Knights just stand around looking pretty!"
"Pretty?! I'll show you pretty!" roared the Knight, stepping forward. "Bring it on!" shouted the hunter, raising his fists. Soon, many Knights and hunters were shouting and pushing each other. It was turning into a big fight.
Kael watched, tense. This is bad. Really bad.
CRACK!
A wave of cold power slammed into the ground between the two groups. Everyone froze. Standing there was Erec Edison, the Crystal Knight. His presence was like a mountain – strong and calm.
"If you all want to fight," Erec said, his voice quiet but cutting through the noise like a knife, "then fight me."
Silence fell. Hunters stepped back nervously. Even the Knights lowered their heads respectfully. No one wanted to fight Erec Edison.
William sighed with relief. "Thank you, Erec." Varric just scowled at Erec, looking annoyed. He didn't like Knights. Erec gave William a small smile. "Don't worry about him," William muttered to Varric, nodding towards Erec. "He hates you too." Erec heard and smiled faintly. "I don't worry about it." His sharp eyes then flicked towards Kael. He leaned close to William and whispered, "Is he the one?" William nodded slowly, his face serious. "Yes."
The Test Begins
The huge training ground was ready. Hundreds of hunters and knights stood waiting, confused. "What are we supposed to do?" "Is the Sorcerer watching?" "Who are we fighting?"
Unknown to them, Silas Vayne, the Sorcerer, was already there. He had used his magic. He didn't wear his scary black robes. Instead, he wore plain brown hunter clothes. He looked like just another ordinary hunter in the Vanguard Guild crowd. His cold, mercury-colored eyes scanned the fighters, finally locking onto Kael Jones.
Show me your power, blue fire, Silas thought, hidden in plain sight. Show me if you are a threat... or something else.
(Chapter 19 Fin)