Chapter 33

The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Roshan, Ian, Dorrien, Kael, Nyx, Zimri, Johnn, and Nick walked in a loose group, their footsteps quiet on the soft earth.

Which was quite opposite to the hunters who spoke in loud voices, chatting and breaking branches as the walked past. As Ian's eyes lingered on Gorm for a few seconds, he wondered whether they were all very daft or there was actually strength behind their talk.

But most of all, he was curious. What was in Listonne and what exactly is this tournament. He had a fair idea of why Roshan was allowing this to happen. People like Roshan only care about one thing, getting stronger...and as it just so happened, they were in sync.

Ian's thoughts landed on Pierre. He could imagine his smug expression and the look on his face after causing all this mess. Anger flooded in and Ians hands formed a tight fist with a slight cracking sound being heard.

"Hey you!! A voice said from behind Ian causing him to come back to reality.

"Trying to escape, are you?", a hunter said from behind him moving closer. The hunter was slim and carried a sword twice his size giving the impression it was just for show.

Ian turned, his eyes narrowing letting his aura loose for a second.The hunter known as Marbe flinched as sweat dropped down his face. He had never felt this way before and he wasn't sure what it was. Fear?, danger? Every inch of his body was telling him to run.

"Whats wrong man", another hunter came shoving him slightly making him realise he had been standing in one spot for a while now and was a little behind. Wiping the sweat off his face taking a deep breath, his mind was filled with one thing...who are these people....

His thoughts were soon interrupted as the had reached listonne. The crew immediately noticed that listonne was very busy and crowded in most places.

As the walked by they were greeted by many eyes staring at their direction which seemed to turn the other way on eye contact with any of the hunters.

"They really are scum, home and abroad", Kael muttered under his breath.

One thing Ian noticed was they weren't being led through the streets but rather they were going through narrow, winding tunnels that could only be addressed as Listonne's Undercity. The air was thick with the smell of smoke, sweat, and one more thing...desperation.

As they walked, the sounds of the city above grew fainter, replaced by the murmur of hushed conversations and the clanging of swords. Ian's werewolf senses were on high alert, detecting the presence of numerous fighters, thieves, and other shady characters.

Gorm who was acting like their guide sort of..., led them deeper into the Undercity without hesistation. "Welcome to the real Listonne," he said with a wink. "Where the city's elite come to play... and the rest of us come to survive."

Gorm stopped in front of a nondescript door, adorned with a symbol of a snake coiled around a sword. "This is the black mamba Tavern," he said. "Where the tournament's competitors come to... negotiate."

Zimri's eyes narrowed. "What kind of negotiations?"

Gorm's grin was sly. "See for yourself ."

The door opened and Ian and everyone were led to sit in the dimly lit backroom of the Tavern, surrounded by the tournament's competitors. The air was thick with tension and the smell of smoke.

A hooded figure, known only as "The Architect," stood at the front of the room. "Welcome, fighters," he said, his voice distorted by a mechanical device. "To the true tournament."

The Architect revealed a hologram of an ornate box in the center of the room. "This is the Heart of Listonne," he explained. "A powerful artifact that grants immense power and wealth to its possessor."

Eyes widened in the room together with hushed whispers. Even Roshsn seemed curious as he paid close attention though with a calm smile plastered on his face.

"What's the catch?", a voice said from the other part of the room drowning others.

The Architect's laughter was cold and echoed through the room.

"Lets just say, the heart wants who the heart wants".

The room erupted into a slight chaos. Ian and Nyx exchanged grim glances together with Kael, Dorrien and Nick. This was certainly not what they had imagined.

Suddenly something drifted through Ian's nose as his senses shot in response. It seemed familiar and unfamiliar at the same time causing his mind to think of only one place, Valnaria.

I wonder what that is....