We Need To Talk

Braun's POV

Gabriel looks up at me with wide hopeful eyes, before taking my outstretched hand as I help him up.

"Would you really...get stronger with me?"

"Sure, sounds fun doesn't it?" I reply chuckling as Elizabeth who was held back by Emma rushes onto the wreaked battle platform.

"Gabe, are you alright!?" She asks before Gabriel nods.

"Other than a few injuries I'll be alright." Gabriel says as he limps before Elizabeth places his arm around her shoulder and aids him.

"I have to admit, I underestimated you, Braun Astern." Elizabeth says to me, sizing me up with her yellow eyes.

Of course you did, it wouldn't be as fun proving you wrong if you didn't.

"I told ya he'd win." Emma brags as she appears from behind me and wraps her arm around my shoulder.

"Well that was an intense fight I have to admit, but Gabe over here needs to get medically checked up." Elizabeth responds before walking off with Gabriel into a nearby medical tent, which was prepared in advance to treat injured people from the tournament.

"He's not bad actually." I say whilst stretching as Emma scoffs.

"You know, for a second, I thought you were going to take it too far back there."

"Gee, I appreciate your faith in me." I say sarcastically as I roll my eyes.

"Come on you can't blame me, your hair was glowing all white for a moment and you were emitting a blinding blue light, it was pretty epic actually." Emma admits as I smugly smirk.

"I know, I'm one of a kind aren't I?"

"Good grief I can't even compliment you without inflating your already massive ego."

"You know me so well."

Before we can continue our banter two royal guards approach us as I raise my brow curiously.

"The 5 great rulers would like to meet you in person after your display of mighty power." The first royal guard informs me.

"They are waiting for you in the VIP room, we're here to escort you there." The second guard adds causing me to chuckle.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I have other plans in mind." I say before emmiting a temporary blinding blue light with a snap of my finger.

I immediately grab Emma's hand before running off with her at great speed.

"Hey what the hell!?" She speaks as I laugh and come to a halt once we're far enough.

"I cant risk running to Arielle Ravonna, she might recognize me from our previous encounter and I doubt she'd be pleased."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot your little story about your holiday in Jasmine city." Emma says, appearing to be slightly amused now.

"You'd do your best to remember it." I reply as I flick her forehead as she winces in pain.

"What was that for!?"

"I'm the main character, it's rude to forget what I tell you." I say to her playfully as she narrows her green eyes.

"I never knew main characters wore damaged clothes." She replies, referring to my half burnt shirt from my battle with Gabriel.

My cheeks heat up in embarrassment before Emma pulls me by the remains of my collar and drags me along whatever direction she's walking.

"Come on, let's get this "main protagonist" proper clothing." She says mockingly, a smirk plastered on her face.

Raymond's POV

"So you're telling me he ran away?" I ask the royal guards who just entered the VIP room.

"Yes sir, he got the best of us."

Incompetent fools.

"I'll pardon your incompetence because I know he'll be back for the tournament." I say as I stand from my throne, motioning to exit the room.

"Where may you be going?" Cedric inquires, his brow raised in suspicion.

"Arielle went out to her supposed "lunch break" can't I do the same?" I reply slightly agitated as Cedric scoffs.

I can't wait to end you, disgusting old man.

"Do as you wish." Cedric says with a glare before I walk out.

The Five Rulers.

Just who do they think they are, especially that Arielle Ravonna. Making a fool of me in front of everyone else, she's fortunate I chose not to fight back.

But alas, everything is going to plan....for now at least.

I tell myself as I walk away from the tournament venue and into a dark hidden cave.

The familiar stench of fresh blood fills my nostrils as I finally venture into the centre as I look towards the Goblin army before me.

"Hmm, what brings you here?" The Goblin king asks me as his goblin army savagely feast on raw animal meat.

"I take it your performing your end of the deal well?"

"It is a pleasure to work with you after so many years, however it seems as if after all this time you still don't trust me?"

"Trust?" I let out a bitter laugh before glaring at the King, my eyes glistening with rage.

"You were supposed to be hunting down any potential threats to my plan for the upcoming tournament not feasting, have you grown lazy perhaps?" I ask rhetorically before a goblin commander screeches.

"You shall talk to the King with respect!" It says to me before charging forward with it's blade.

How pitiful

With one swift move I cut the goblin commander's head off clean, using my bare hand.

"Let this be a warning to you all and your complacency... don't fail me." I order as the Goblin king relectuantly agrees with a low growl.

"Always so cold Raymond, I forget you hired us to kill your own Uncle and Aunt all those years ago, orphaning their children." The Goblin king reminds me with an amused smirk as I scoff.

"Gabriel and Elizabeth turned out fine, they're parents were catching onto my...illegal activities so I did what needed to be done." I say before walking off as all the goblins break into chatter.

Everything's going according to plan.

I repeatedly try to tell myself as I walk out the cave.

All according to plan...

Braun's POV

After getting me some new clothes, Emma relectuantly had to return to the bar in order to help James with some chores.

It was quite amusing to watch by the way.

I make my way back to the tournament venue, confident I won't run into any rulers.

They'd be too busy devouring delicacies up in their VIP room.

"You thought you could run away?" A familiar feminine voice echoes from behind me.

Please don't be her, don't tell me it's her...

I slowly turn my body around to face...Arielle Ravonna.

My face falls sheepishly as she speaks in her usual cold and authoritative manner.

"We need to talk..."