The Jester’s Debut

The Chamber was now full of Tension, people making Alliances just to stay alive. It was weird,however it was needed. Whatever that Shadow figure was, it seems strong and truly powerful but that shouldn't be the main priority, it was Survival now. Caius, Luca and Kyra now holding together as the weirdness in the room started to unfold, people just disappeared and the number of people in the room declined, at a weirdly fast pace.

There were no screams, no blood, they just vanished like they never existed. "That's weird' Luca spoke finally in that now silenced War Room. "We need to stay on the watch. We might be the next to vanish like them if we are not careful" Kyra said, her voice low, almost reluctant. "People are dying, and we can't even see from where or even from what." The room itself was shrinking, its once vast expanse subtly closing in, the walls pressing closer as if urging them together. It wasn't just paranoia the space was physically changing, funneling them toward the inevitable. In that moment out of nowhere, in that little dark space Caius had in the corner of his eye, a movement came, sharp and precise, almost inhuman.

Luca's hand curled into a fist, arcs of energy flickering at his fingertips. "How the hell did they get here? No one's seen them move. No one's seen them fight." Kyra glanced over to the spot where a few seconds ago was a guy middle aged. Now there was just his sword and a hand covered in blood, nothing else "What if that's the point?"Caius's gaze flickered upward.The inscription above the grand door still glowed faintly."Trial will start soon enough..."

"I get it.." Caius said quietly, now taking his knife out of his pocket and looking deeply into the shadows. "The trial wasnt about to begin, it had begun the moment we stepped into this Room, it was a straight out getting rid of the unworthy" They were being hunted and they knew it, that one Shadow or even Shadows were after them and they were close, closer than they realised, but it was already too late anyways.. "Guess size does matter, just not in your favor." A shadow said before appearing behind Kyra slicing her throat then flying over Caius and Luca crouching down as Kyra fell to the ground. "Kyra!" Caius shouted as she fell to the ground, her limp body on the floor, her last breath still lingering in the air. He had reached for her, but it had been too late. The cut had been precise, unforgiving. There were two guys now opposite them, one less scary but mysterious, like he never existed but there he was in front of them but he was less important now. The guy on the right, the murderer of Kyra, stood so confidently. A self-assured smirk played on his lips as he twirled a thin dagger between his fingers. He stood with the arrogance of someone who had already won, his gaze flickering between Caius and Luca like a wolf surveying a meal.

"One down. Two to go. Let's make this fun, shall we?" He tilted his head, eyes flickering with amusement as he gestures lazily towards them. "Oh my, oh my where are my manners? Ravien. But you can call me the Problem you won't solve" He said with a smile, Ravien clicked his tongue, stepping forward, his dagger still dancing in his grip. "You look upset, Caius. Is it because of her?" His voice was thick with amusement. "Don-t worry. I promise she didn't suffer.. much."

Caius felt Luca tense beside him, fists clenching. The energy in the air crackled, but Ravien only chuckled, unfazed. "See, that's the problem with you sentimental types. You hesitate. You think. You care. And that's why you lose." He tilted his head, golden hair catching the dim light. "Me? I prefer efficiency. No wasted motion. No second thoughts. Just one clean strike, and poof..gone."

Then, with the grace of a predator, he lunged. Caius barely had time to react before Ravien twisted around him, lightning-fast, his dagger flashing.A choked gasp.Caius turned just in time to see Luca stumble. "Dont blink little guy" Ravien said as he buried a knife in Luca's eye socket, his smirk widening as he twisted the handle slightly, relishing the moment. "Oops. Looks like you blinked." Luca's body crumpled.Caius's vision blurred with rage.And then, the world exploded into motion.

Caius stood frozen, breath unsteady, his body tensed as he stared across the battlefield. Luca's lifeless body lay crumpled on the floor, the hilt of a dagger still protruding from his eye socket. The blood pooling beneath him was already beginning to dry. Ravien stood over the corpse, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off an inconvenience rather than a human life he had just snuffed out. His smirk was still plastered on his face, his expression one of pure, unfiltered amusement.

"Ahh, Luca. Poor, poor Luca." Ravien clicked his tongue, shaking his head mockingly. "All that thunder, all that spark, and yet..nothing. Snuffed out like a candle in a storm. It's almost poetic, really. What a shame."

Caius clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to lunge, to drive a blade into Ravien's throat, but he was still standing. Still breathing. Which meant he wasn't dead..yet.

Ravien turned his gaze toward Kyra's body, his grin widening. "And Kyra gods, what a disappointment. So full of fire, all that strength, and for what? To die like a cornered animal, squealing about how she'd never give up?" He snorted. "Pathetic. I swear, if I had to listen to one more of her empty speeches about loyalty and honor, I wouldve killed myself."

Caius took a step forward, his voice low. "Shut up."

Ravien let out a laugh, slow and deliberate, as if savoring every bit of Caius's anger. "Oh, did I strike a nerve? How touching. Tell me, do you actually care about these people, or is it just the guilt gnawing at you? Because, lets be real..if they were strong enough, they wouldn't be dead, would they?"

He turned, locking eyes with Caius, his expression shifting from amusement to something darker. "Every single one of them Kyra, Luca, the nameless nobodies who screamed before they died."every single one of them was unworthy. Their deaths? Their own fault. That's just how this works. Life isn't some grand stage where the good and righteous prevail. No, no, no life is a game of predators and prey. And all of them? They were prey." He chuckled, tilting his head. "But me? I am something else entirely."