The Festival of The Five Kings!

“Yes! This pleases Dolphy!! I cannot wait to entertain the people! Maybe they will then begin to like Dolphy and treat him good!” The giant grinned widely, closing his eyes. The giants of Galea had a stigmata. After the war between the giant race, they were no longer a race to be trusted. Dolphy, as nice as he was, was no exception. The giant looked down at Benkei as he offered some words of encouragement to Alexander. ”You see Alexander, even Benkei’s in your corner.” Said Nir. But he wouldn’t end there. He also offered Dolphy some reassuring words, ”And Dolphy, you have a friend now. No, friends. We will look out for you.” The giant’s face would light up as he’d begin tearing. “Really???? You will all be Dolphy’s friends?????” Alexander nodded, smiling. “Yeah! We’ll be your friends! And thank you guys! I feel much better now!”

Nearby, Virgil had been approached by Elaria. He was caught off guard, mainly because of how beautiful the elven girl was. She’d smirk, crossing her arms. “Yeah, that’s me.” She’d then look at Shinji who was staring down Greyhawk, “You’ll get your chance to get him tomorrow. Just better hope he wins against Tauran. That beastman isn’t one to be taken lightly.”

At the restaurant, Persephone was surprised to see that Kane indeed knew The Blast. ”Wow, so all of the assassins must be well acquainted with each other then.” She held her hand to her chin. ”Many have tried to assassinate The Oracle. And many of the assassins happened to be employed from Dokku. You may even say that those from Dokku could be considered enemies of Galatia.” Kane’s pace had slowed down, until he stopped eating completely. He’d look up at Persephone, ”Oh no. We’re on neutral ground. We’re no enemies.” He’d chuckle. Van, however, turned to face Persephone. To him, she was quite suspicious. ”We’re not here on a mission. Relax. We’re just here for this stupid festival.” Kane’d close his eyes and would correct his posture. ”Truth be told lady, you’re looking at the number one assassin in Dokku. If we were here for a mission, we wouldn’t be here eating with you all.” Kane smiled, winking at Persephone. The atmosphere grew tense.

Elaria had crosses her arms, confirming herself to Virgil. She’d look over to Shinji who was lost in a daze as he watched GreyHawk. She spoke to him. With GreyHawk finally gone he became less tense. ”I’ll fight him. I know I-“ Shinji would begin turning around to face Elaria. He froze up for a sec as he noticed the beautiful elf girl. ”Wow! You’re so hot!” He had no filter as he spoke to her. He didn’t have any proper manners so he would rush over Virgil’s shoulder hanging there looking at her. ”Yo bro how you not gonna introduce me to your friend?” Shinji was a bit ticked off as he shook Virgil a bit. ”Yo chill out, I just met her myself.”

Persephone had explained the history between Galatia and Dokku, this would alert Remi. Biggs would stop eating as well as Anna. ”So then.. that would mean you two are-“ Kane would quickly deny it. Van would also add on they weren’t on a mission but rather here for the festival. Kane would then begin to boast himself as the number 1 assassin in Dokku. This comment had shifted the tension at the table to a more serious one.

Upon realizing Elaria had been standing there, Shinji complimented her on her appearance. She’d blush and scratch her head, “I’ve honestly never received a compliment like that.” She’d then place her hand on her hip, smirking. “And the name’s Elaria, since you didn’t catch your friend, Virgil, saying it.” Elaria would then cross her arms again. “So, where are you two from? It looks like you have both been friends for quite some time.” She looked at them both with her light blue eyes. To anyone else, it’d be difficult focusing with how beautiful she was.

Persephone was very tense. She was afraid of this man, who initially came off as a harmless goof. If he indeed was the man he said he was, there was no telling was he was capable of. ”So, you’re actually The Blast?” She was beginning to sweat. In the presence of this man, she had lost all composure. Van turned away from the table, closing his eye. He trusted that Kane would ease her of the feeling. ”Listen, don’t be afraid. You four are all safe. You see, we really want to enjoy the festival!” Van would suddenly turn to Kane, ”Don’t say we!!!! I wanted nothing to do with this!” Kane would lower his head, ”Jeez! No need to get loud! It’s really me who wanted to enjoy the festival. I just dragged him along.”

”We’re from Ov- uhh a far off place. An outskirt village.” She was excited this young beautiful woven woman was responding to him with such a friendly demeanor. He had almost spoke the name of the village he came from but for some reason chose not to. ”Yeah we’ve been together since we were little. He’s legit like a brother I never wanted.” ”Oh come on she’ll get the wrong impression of me.” Shinji shove Virgil playfully. He’d throw a thumbs up to himself. ”The names Shinji! I was also the stronger fighter.” Virgil would look at Shinji. ”What are you talking about? Bro I’ve beaten you way more than you beat me.” ”You don’t have to show off for her dude. It’s not a competition.” ”Wow it’s not a competition all of a sudden. You really just made it seem like it was just now.” The two boys would bicker amongst each other.

Remi has changed her demeanor as well as Biggs. They two were in guard. Biggs would step up from his seat. Remi would top holding her spell book. ”If you’re really an assassin... then we’re gonna have to ask you to leave.” Biggs spoke up but nervously. Kane would try to defend himself, attempting to talk his way out of it. Van had nothing to do with this so he opted to stay out.

“Hmmm.” Elaria placed her index finger on her chin, watching the two bicker back and forth. They had a brotherly bond, and it appeared they also hd some sort of rivalry going on. Everything to them seemed to be a competition. “Hey, don’t think I’ll forget about what you were going to say! You totally were going to name the village you two come from!” She smirked, knowing well that she’d put them on their heels. “And if you guys think you’re going to woo me, you’re mistaken.” She’d close her eyes, holding her smirk. “Someone else peaks my interest.” She’d open one eye, sticking out her tongue.

In the restaurant, matters were growing worse. Both Remi and Biggs were put on guard after hearing that Kane and Van were assassins. Biggs had even stood up to tell them to leave. Persephone looked at both groups, growing anxious. ”Please, we don’t have to make a big deal out of this.” Van would smirk, closing his eye. ”You’ve got some nerve. I suggest you take your hand off of that book, before you lose it.” Kane’s expression had grown serious. ”Van, stop. We’re not here to cause any trouble. If you want us to leave, we’ll leave.”

Benkei would walk beside nir, dolphy and Alexander walk out the arena " we should give shinji and Virgil their space so they gather themselves and plan for there matches we all should do the same as we do not want to under estimate our oppnenets". As they retreated back in the streets benkei would look at nir"do you think we should return to the kuku wings spot to check on your friend?"

It would seem that Elaria wasn't about to let it slide, where the two boys had come from. She interrupted their argument to stay on the subject. She would also add in the fact that those two had no shot with her. She had already had an eye out for someone else. Both Shinji and Virgil would look at her with widened eyes. "NANI!?!" They would both say simultaneously.

Van had taken Biggs statement as him threatening both him and Kane. He wouldn't hesitate to speak his mind. He even told Remi to put her spellbook back or he'd cut her hand off. Remi would hesitate briefly. "What did you- You ungrateful punk!" She'd start to get fiery. Biggs had a nervous sweat. But he wouldn't back down so easily. "Knowing now that you're assassins it's best if you guys left." Biggs would restate his request once again.

“Yeah, I agree. It looks like they’re trying to flirt with that elf girl. She is really pretty though.” Alexander said as he walked out with Nir, Benkei and the giant, Dolphy. Once they were outside of the colosseum, Benkei mentioned returning back to the restaurant. ”Yeah, let’s head back. We don’t want to keep them waiting for so long.” Nir’d turn in the direction of the crowd, beginning to walk. Alexander followed behind him. But Dolphy didn’t move one bit. Instead, he looked off towards the kingdom’s walls. “Dolphy really wishes he could come.....but Dolphy isn’t liked here. People are afraid of Dolphy because Dolphy is too big.” The giant lowered his head, looking at Benkei. “But Dolphy will sleep well in the fields knowing that he has three friends!” Both Nir and Alexander had stopped, turning around. “Dolphy....” Alexander said in a low tone. Nir smiled, ”Dolphy, tomorrow, I promise you that you’ll get to be with us in the city. You’ll be admired by all. Maybe you’ll even gain more friends.” These words had hit Dolphy. Never before had he ever felt such happiness. It brought tears to his eyes. “Dolphy is so thankful to have you as friends!!!” He’d run off towards the kingdom’s exit, crying. “Poor fella. I wish he could come with us.”

Inside of the colosseum, both Virgil and Shinji were surprised to find out that Elaria had her eyes on someone else. She’d giggle, “Yup! And I can’t tell you who it is! That’s my little secret!” She’d turn around, walking towards the exit before stopping. With a cute face, she turned her head slightly back at the two young men, “Maybe next time boys!” It was a tease that would certainly affect them. “See ya!” She then said as she walked out of the chamber.


In the restaurant, Remi had grown furious. Biggs was a bit nervous it seemed, but he repeated his request. He wanted the two men to leave. Persephone would stand from her seat, ”Please, don’t antagonize them!” Van would stand from his seat, facing Remi. ”What did you say?” He seemed very serious. With his single eye, he struck Remi with a gaze that seemed lifeless. ”Maybe I should just kill you both.” It was at that point that Kane had grown serious. ”Enough!!!!!! Don’t you dare Van! We’ll respect their wishes.” Van would turn to Kane, a look of anger. ”Call him back.....now....” The young man gritted his teeth, turning his back towards them and walking down the stairs. Underneath the table, a dark mass had created two dark blades ready to pierce both Biggs and Remi. It was retracted and quickly retreated into Van’s cloak. With a sigh of relief, Kane turned to Persephone. ”Jeez. Sorry about that. We’ll get out of your way. Thank you for the wings though!” With a smile, Kane followed behind Van.

Benkei sighed as they walked but dolphy refused to come because of the people resentment towards his people " I agree with nir tomorrow you will show your worth to these people but remember one important thing it is not your past that defines you but what you do with your future that ultimately shows who you are and what you are ment to become". Benkei gave dolphy words of wisdom before seeing the giant off so he could rest in the fields. As the friends went there separate waves benkei would look at nir " what exactly did his people do or say that they really do not like him around ?". As they would walk and talk, the smell of the wings would fill the air slowly and hit them.

Elaria had continued her playful behavior by mentioning she wouldn’t name the one who has captured her eye. As she left, she’d tell the two that she’d see the two later. Both Virgil and Shinji would look at each other in confusion. Elaria was gone at this point. ”You really messed up for me..” “Me?? You came over barking like a dog!” ”Whatever, you got cold feet, she clearly wasn’t interested.” Virgil would turn his head in denial. ”Lets just go I’m hungry.” The two would exit the corridor.

Van had taken Remi’s threat seriously and had intended on fully fighting with them. Persephone has tried to pacify the situation but it was Kane who got Van to relax. Van would walk down the stairs with an attitude but not before a shadow had retracted to his cloak. Koji had followed the shadow turning his head, while Anna was a bit confused at what the pup was doing. Remi and Biggs were still on edge as Van left first. ”him?” Remi thought to herself when Kane told Van to call “him” back. This was confusing because no one knew what he meant. Kane would apologize and follow behind Van.

”Phew! That was really tense.” Biggs sat back into his seat with a sigh of relief. Remi has remained standing. ”Are you ok, Persephone?” Anna was silent the whole time. She would turn to look over the balcony as she watched the two leave the Kuku wing shop.

Dolphy had vanished into the distance. Both Alexander and Nir stood there waiting for Benkei, who would question Nir on why the people showed so much hatred towards Dolphy. They could also see Elaria exit the colosseum, waving them goodbye and she walked off. Both Nir and Alexander waved back before Nir turned to Benkei. ”Well.....it’s a long story.” He’d frown, ”To summarize, the people had gone to war with the giant race a long time ago. After the war, giants from all over were hunted down and discriminated against. Dolphy, happens to be one of them.” Alexander looked down as they continued walking back to the Kuku factory. “Dolphy doesn’t deserve that. He’s so nice! He’s so friendly! He’s always helping me and my fa—well, me, at the farm......”

Back at the restaurant, Persephone was asked if she was okay. The young woman would sink into her seat, sighing in relief. She was sweating heavily. ”Yes, I’m okay. I just....I just was so worried. The people of Dokku don’t have good reputations, especially if they’re assassins. They’ve tried to kill our Lady Oracle too many times. I’m not sure if I could trust those two.....” She looked at Anna, who was watching the two men leave the restaurant.

Once they got outside, Kane had stopped. ”Were you seriously about to do something so foolish like that?” Van stopped in his tracks, slightly turning his head. ”Yes....I was.” Kane closed his eyes, lowering his head. ”I’ve known you for three years Van. Three years. And for some strange reason, I feel like I haven’t been able to change you. Why?” The young man stood there in silence before turning his head back and placing on his hood. He’d continue walking away from Kane.

Benkei was shocked to here how his people were hunted and treated like animals" that is beyond disgusting, for something like that to happen to such a creature!". Benkei looked at nir and especially Alexander as he sympathized with him from his story "no one should be judge because of their race or their history he seems to have a good heart and he seems like all he wants to do is change the way people look at him". As the walked they got closer to the kuku wing spot "if anything I will take him back with me, the monks at the temple would welcome him with open arms and he could be of much help to us ". Benkei could see the wing spot "ah we have arrived friends".

Persephone had then explained the problems in the past about Dokku. Those of Dokku had attempted to kill the Oracle on numerous occasions. She also stated how she couldn't trust those two. "You're right. Those two are extremely suspicious." Anna would it back in her seat. The wings were completely finished at this point. "It's getting late we should start heading back." "Yeah, it's gona be a big day tomorrow." Remi and Biggs would get up from their seats. "You should be careful at night." Biggs would say to Persephone.Anna too would get up along with Koji. The wolf pup would stretch.

Persephone nodded, ”Yes, they did look very suspicious. I may have to alert the guards. Assassins from Dokku wandering around during the festival jeopardizes the safety of Galatians” She’d bow her head down, thinking to herself. Remi and Biggs would stand from their seats, along with Anna and Koji. She’d snap out of her pondering and would look to Biggs, ”Yes, thank you Biggs. I’ll wait for my friend Nir to get here so he can escort me home. It was a pleasure meeting you all.” She’d stand as well, walking over to Koji and kneeling down. ”You all be safe out there. Take care of Anna.” Persephone would gently place her hand on Koji, petting his head. She’d then stand up and give them a smile. ”Hopefully I’ll see you all tomorrow!”

Outside, Kane had been standing there. Van was no longer in his sight, having walked off into what remained of the crowd. He reached into his coat, pulling out a cigar. ”That boy’s going to be the death of me.” He’d place it between his lips and would snap his finger at the end, lighting the cigar. ”I’m so tired. Guess I’ll go hit the hay.” Kane would walk off towards the Galatian Inn.

"It's good that you're friends with someone in the Galatian army." Biggs would say to Persephone. She would then walk over to Koji, kneeling in front of him."W- wait don't do that!" Remi became panicky as soon as Persephone had gone to reach for Koji. For some reason Persephone was able to pet him. Remi was confused. "Wow look at that! He's never that friendly to strangers." Anna would gaze at Persephone as if she were in a trance. Persephone would tell the group to be safe. She would tell Anna to take care as well. "We'll be in the stands if you can find us." "We'll try to get somewhere in the middle again." The group would then proceed to walk down the stairs. Persephone would send them off with a smile. They'd wave as toward the balcony as they exited the shop. The group would return to their lodgings.

“I agree with you Benkei! The giants shouldn’t be treated like that! Not all of them are bad!” Alexander had said. There was so much emotion in his voice. Nir could see how this affected both Benkei and Alexander. They truly cared about the giants. Benkei had even pitched the idea of taking Dolphy in with him. That he’d bring him to the temple. ”You’d really do that Benkei? Wow! You are a good man!” Nir placed his hand on Benkei’s shoulder, smiling. Alexander had also shared a smile. “Yeah!!!! He really is!”

The group was closing in on the factory. The smell of the wings had began filling the air, reaching every nose. “Mmmmmm! So good!” Once they entered the Kuku Factory, the hostess greeted them again. “Welcome back friends! You still have one person up there. Everyone else left.” Nir’d nod, ”Why thank you.” Both Nir and Alexander made their way to the stairwell, walking up to the second floor to see Persephone sitting at the table. ”You actually waited for us???? You’d usually be gone by now. What happened?” Persephone slowly turned to Nir, ”Well, I just felt a bit safer going back with you.” Alexander’s face widened in excitement.

Benkei looked at nir and Alexander as they complimented him" course I would he has a good body and soul he deserves happiness" As they closed in on the kuku wing bar the hostess greeted them again claiming that only one of their friends was waiting. Benkei was a bit puzzled until he saw that it was Persephone waiting for them " ah my lady Persephone you waiting for nir ? Perhaps she needs a escort back to her house it sure is unsafe in these parts since the tournament has started". He could feel her aura once again glowing with warmth but even more so that Alexander lit up with excitement " hmm I dare say he is enchanted".

”Yes, I was waiting for Nir. I’m going to leave with him.” Nir had nodded, ”Yeah, you’re right Benkei. The streets are unsafe around these times. We should get going Persephone. I need to be up early, actually, we all do.” He’d smile, reaching into his tunic and removing a small pouch of Stals. ”This should cover the meal.” Alexander’s eyes widened. “Whaaaaat!? Wow! You’re a great guy Nir!” Persephone smiled, looking at Nir. There was a connection between them like no other. Alexander could see it. “Well, thank you again. I should get going. My father doesn’t like when I get home too late. I also have to be up extra early to get some training in. Thank you for everything guys. I’ll see you tomorrow!” Alexander’d wave to the three and make his way downstairs. ”Get home safe Alexander! It was a pleasure meeting you!” Persephone returned the wave. ”Alexander’s a good man. I really want him to do his best tomorrow.”

Nir would peer over the balcony, watching his friend exit the restaurant. Once he did, he’d turn to Benkei. ”Well, we’ll be taking our leave now. You get back to where you’re staying safely Benkei. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” Nir’d give him a head gesture and Persephone would wave. ”Bye Benkei! I’ll see you tomorrow!” With that said, the two of them had walked off, heading out of the restaurant.

As they all met with Persephone once more she wanted to be brought back home by nir since the streets were crowded with many citizen but also strangers visiting for the tournament. Alexander had left first because his father would worry to much but he wanted to train some more " well Alexander I shall see you tomorrow for your match, walk with haste and the pride of a warrior". He waved him goodbye and followed nir and Persephone outside as he went to see them off " well my lady you take care and cheer this young man on with all your might as well as us if I may ask" he would bow in respect. They would wish him safe travel as Benkei had to find a place to sleep for the night until tomorrow "hmm I'm sure there is a hotel or something for participating fighters of this tournament. He would look around until he came across a building that would look like a in, the clerk in the front would notice benkei and wave him over to come.