Quick note:
I just wanted to apologize for the delays!
I've been having issues with wifi on my pc and haven't been able to post the chapters I had written for Saturday and Sunday.
Of course, eventually, my neanderthal brain realized that I could post chapters from my phone, and thus, here you are! The two chapters you were promised!
On another note, I've been writing the chapter for Monday on my phone, so it's been coming along significantly slower than it normally would...
In lieu of my network issues, chapters will probably be coming out later in the day than they normally would as I figure out what the hell is going on, but as soon as I find out, I'll begin updating at my promised speed.
Sorry once again for the issues!
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(Sunny's POV)
A brief flicker of motion registered in my periphery, tearing my attention away from the sheer injustice happening before my eyes.
Nephis and Audun got up from their seats, pushing through the crowd of sleepers wordlessly.
Before they could completely tear away, I ran forward and grabbed Nephis' shoulder, a sharp whisper breaking free from my lips
"What the hell are you doing???"
Nephis shrugged my hand off, giving me a small, knowing smile.
"Just watch."
I shook my head rapidly.
"Watch what?! Watch as you get gutted by Gunlaug and his goons???"
Nephis sighed slightly, turning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.
I stood, frozen in place for a moment, unsure of what to do.
Breaking me out of my stunned stupor, Gunlaug's insidious voice rang out sinisterly.
"A challenge, huh? As the kind and just leader I am, I cannot possibly ignore this sacred tradition! As long as good men are willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of righteousness, depravity can't win..."
The sleepers around me began whispering as I made my way back to Cassie, a heavy, anxiousness gnawing at my stomach.
Hearing my footsteps, Cassie turned to me.
"What's happening?"
I shook my head helplessly, a hesitant reply building in my throat.
"I... don't know."
Cassie frowned.
"Where did Neph and Audun go?"
I stayed silent for a moment before my flaw compelled me to answer.
"To do something outrageous."
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(Audun's POV)
Nephis and I split up.
I brought myself closer to the center of the hall.
Covered in a thick veil of starlight, I remained completely hidden from prying eyes as I positioned myself to interfere at a moment's notice.
"So what's the plan, Nephis?"
I waited patiently for a response, and after a few seconds, an indifferent voice rang in my ears.
"We're going to interrupt the right of challenge with one of our own."
A flash of interest crossed my features.
"Oh-ho? So what do you need me to do?"
Another few seconds passed, confusing me.
"Hello? You there?"
I heard a small sigh.
"Sorry, I'm just not used to hearing your voice."
I shrugged mentally.
"No problem, but what do you need me to do?"
Before she could respond, Gunlaug spoke loudly:
"However, it would not be suitable for you to represent the accused personally, Gemma. The Bright Castle can't afford to lose you, my friend. Jubei, would you mind if the accused chose another champion?"
My eyes narrowed as I heard Nephis' voice once more.
"Are you in position?"
"If by in position, you mean waiting in the center of the hall, then yes, I'm in position."
There was a slight pause as I let out a sigh.
"Hurry. This idiot hunter is about to walk into another trap."
As I spoke, Jubei responded to Gunlaug's challenge.
"Bring your worst, scum."
The Golden Serpent turned to the group of pathfinders in the corner, eyes locked on one in particular.
With a quiet, steady voice, the accused spoke.
"I choose Harus, my lord."
The hall grew silent as Jubei let out a venomous snarl.
"Even better!"
I watched as the hunch-backed Sunny downgrade walked down the steps slowly.
"Wow, judging from everyone's reactions, Jubei is royally fucked."
As I face-palmed, I heard a small chuckle in my ears.
Jubei summoned a flexible scale armor, a kite shield, and a curved schimitar, as his face contorted into a sadistic sneer.
"I'm going to slaughter you, butcher."
The gaunt hunch-back didn't respond, simply straightening his back to reveal his full menacing form.
Harus' monstrous frame didn't seem to deter the hunter from the outer settlement.
Jubei scoffed.
"So be it."
With a thunderous cry, the Hunter charged at Harus, lunging forward with his shield raised.
Nephis' voice echoed in my ears.
"Ready?"
"Of course."
There was a slight pause on the other side.
"I forgot to mention. As much as I'd like to slaughter them all, I'm not strong enough to fend off Gunlaug's lieutenants."
I waited for her to continue.
"I can take on any of the pathfinders and one or two of Gunlaug's five lieutenants without much trouble, but Harus, Tessai, and Gemma would make things complicated..."
An amused smile crossed my face.
"So I'm the fail-safe?"
There was a brief bout of silence from the other side.
"You could think of it like that."
A sigh escaped my lips.
"If things go south, do we have a backup plan?"
"Things won't go south."
Her response was instant.
"Alrighty then."
Turning my attention back to the death match happening in the middle, I watched as Jubei's sharp schimtar was grabbed by Sunny's distant cousin.
"You better act now, Nephis. Jubei's about to get unarmed."
This time, instead of a response, a bright white light flared, the crowd parting as the armored form of my silver-haired companion stepped forward, though I noticed her eyes were oddly bloodshot.
The brilliant light immediately caught the attention of everyone in the hall.
Jubei's execution was put on temporary hold as Harus' attention was captured by Nephis' dramatic entry.
"And who do we have here?"
Gunlaug sat up a bit straighter in his throne, amusement creeping into his voice.
Nephis stared at Harus and Junbei before turning her defiant gaze towards the Bright Lord.
"I am Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan."
The hall grew deathly silent as Gunlaug, for the first time, seemed shaken.
After a brief bout of quiet, the Bright Lord spoke.
"And what does Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan seek? If you could not tell, we are in the midst of a challenge!"
His voice boomed across the hall.
Nephis stared at the Bright Lord and declared dramatically:
"I invoke the Right of Challenge."
I let out a low whistle.
Confusion broke out across the hall at her words. The tall hunter, Gemma, stepped forward with a heavy frown.
"Do you even know what it means to invoke the Right of Challenge, little girl?"
Nephis looked him dead on, calmly stating:
"I do."
Just then, I heard a voice in my head.
"Take your pick."
A chuckle broke free from my lips.
"Any of them will do."
"Ok."
Nephis continued with conviction:
"I am here to accuse Harus of the murder of one of my closest allies!"
Pure disbelief washed over the hall as her words hung heavily in the air.
In a move that surprised everyone present, the Bright Lord, the Golden Serpent, the nigh invincible god of the Dark City, began to laugh.
A chuckle morphed into a laugh, before that laugh transitioned into pure, maniacal cackling.
Gemma opened his mouth in a panic, but Gunlaug raised his fist, cutting the hunter off.
"So, you are accusing Harus of murder? Do you have any evidence to back it up?"
Nephis was about to speak up, but a familiar voice interjected.
"I saw it!"
The entire keep turned their eyes to Cassie, to the absolute horror of the black haired sleeper sitting next to her.
Sunny tried to put his hands over her mouth, but Cassie brushed him off.
I nearly burst out laughing, but I held it in.
No one spoke as Cassie stood up defiantly.
"I saw Harus kill our friend... Frank! He ripped him apart in an empty hallway during the dead of night!"
There was a hint of fear in Cassie's expression, but she remained strong under the stares of the sleepers around the hall.
Gunlaug turned his attention to my blind companion.
"And how, might I ask, did you see him? The castle's torches are extinguished come midnight, so how, how did you see Harus murder your friend in the pitch black of night?"
Without even blinking, Cassie clapped back.
"My aspect allows me to see incredibly well at night in exchange for my sight during the day!"
I was genuinely about to get up and applaud the sheer bullshittery the girls of our party were able to spout out at a whim.
Her declaration silenced the Golden Lord.
Nephis picked up where Cassie left off.
"It's as my companion Cassia has said. Harus brutally murdered our dearest friend Frank in the dead of midnight. We will not stand as this Murderer walks free."
She pointed a finger at the completely stunned Harus in righteous outrage and shot a fiery glare at Gunlaug.
The Bright Lord merely stared at the defiant form of my companion with an air of authority.
"Fine. Harus will prove his innocence with blood."
Harus bowed to his Lord, tossing an intact Jubei aside casually.
Gunlaug looked down at Nephis with mock interest.
Just as Harus got ready to pounce, Changing Star interjected once more.
"As much as I'd like to enact my righteous revenge on this murderer, I was recently injured in a battle with an abomination-"
The Bright Lord interrupted her.
"So?"
Nephis shook her head lightly.
"I am not fit to enact revenge for my deceased party member, and would therefore like to call forth another champion."
My companion shot a daring look at the Golden Serpent.
"Do you have any objections?"
An air of suspicion hung over the Lord, but ultimately, his confidence in his lieutenant led him right into our trap.
"I have none. Harus, do you object?"
The gaunt man bowed respectfully to Gunlaug.
"I do not, my lord."
Gunlaug nodded.
"Then summon your champion, Lady Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan."
An imperceptible smirk spread across Nephis' face.
"It's time."
With a small smile playing on my lips, I stepped into the center of the hall and unveiled myself in a brilliant flash of celestial light.
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(A/N: I know that you might have some doubts about how Audun will handle this fight, especially since he's unable to fight well in crowds, but I have a solution that's not an ass pull this time!
I really hope you guys like the direction I've taken with this, but if you have any complaints, feel free to voice them as well.
Well, nuff said.
Thanks for all the support, and I hope you'll leave a comment or a review if you like what I'm pumping out!
See you guys tomorrow!)