43rd of Frost, Year 123, A.o.S
☠ Læbirius had been wondering how he would go about getting the sword of an Arbiter. He had known nothing about them, and Taidryn explained that they were the chosen disciples of the Demigod Raxen, that they were fierce warriors and dealers of truth and justice whose skill with a blade was unmatched. he knew there was no way he could steal one, or ask an Arbiter for it. That's when he saw the fliers, advertising the expedition into a ruin that held the sword of a lost arbiter. He wasn't going to miss a chance to get in on the action. To be honest he saw it more as hands-on research rather than a danger-filled incursion, a way to learn about the history of Ecith and its people. It's how he approached most situations or encounters he was unfamiliar with. There were tryouts to see who could handle the journey, and Lae knew he had to get on this expedition no matter what. Walking the streets to the training grounds, he was in nothing but some homemade armbands he crafted out of cloth, leather shorts, and sandals. Lae was never one to boast about his physique, but he didn't have to, many admiring ecithians, both male & female, seemed to enjoy looking at his lithe if not athletic frame in such an attire. Reaching the arena, he steeled his nerves and found a spot to await things to start.
He truly didn't want to draw attention early on, but his eyes did that for him. He scanned those who were present, noticing young and eager warriors like himself as well as those who seemed to be veteran combatants. He wouldn't let them intimidate him, as he had too much to lose, his fingers nervously running over the sword scar given to him by the dragon woman he met so long ago. The air that day was filled with excitement and anticipation.
His axe and shield in hand Lae fixed the hood over his head, so the brim of it somewhat obscured his eyes, but still gave their usual ethereal glow. He was excited to test out some new techniques, a custom strategy he came up with to deal with those who may have been more than he could handle at once. Looking over the arena, he gauged the attendees of this tournament. There were fighters of varying strengths present and accounted for, and in his honesty, this was the first time he had participated in any form of tournament. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was curious to see how this would go.
Soon the master of ceremonies commanded the attention of all the participants, tapping the ground with the pommel of their greatsword."Welcome one and all to the Tournament of Rokoshu the Warden. He was an arbiter loved and admired by all who knew him and struck fear and despair into all who would threaten what was precious to him. He fought valiantly during the eclipse when the shadow creatures first invaded our home and gave his life so that we could live to fight on. It is known that Rokoshu stated that upon his death a tournament be held in his honor, consisting of four trials. This tournament will test you all mind, body, and soul in the way Rokoshu described." he smirked, as he raised his massive sword at the crowd.
"And the first round begins now!" he declared, as the crowd that came to watch the tournament erupted in thunderous cheers and applause. Settling the audience down the MC continued explaining what all would entail the first round. "The first trial is a simple one. Simply put only six of you will be able to advance to the next trial." he stated, his sword now moving to point at the three temples that stood atop the Summit of Drathera. "The first six to reach The Unseeing Temple will advance to the next trial. It doesn't matter how you do it, just as long as you get it done. Only the resourceful and swift will qualify."
With a resounding slam into the ground, the competitors sprang into action, sprinting towards the temple to Galetira. Lae would not be left in the dust by the others. He ran too, but quickly remembered it was not something he was used to doing. He could sprint for a few moments but would ultimately get fatigued, and so he went with another means of outpacing everyone else. "Urelp Parm!" he called, a pool of smoke with ethereal green lights and currents running through it as the infernal spectral horse came galloping forth. Catching the reigns of the spirit Lae was hoisted up onto its back and cracked them to spur the spirit to run.
He wasn't the only one who opted to use magic to gain an advantage, as several others had the same idea. An animist took on a wild cat totem allowing her to move through the treeline with relative ease, another seemed to ride the earth like a ship would ride a wave of the ocean. He could also see that many of the competitors were doing their best to ensure no one else got to the temple before them. It was truly a race against time. Urelp neighed as he leaped over logs and galloped towards the massive staircase that would lead to the temple.
Luckily for him, Urelp was fast especially since Lae was feeding him a moderate amount of his aether as fuel. That was when a target was put on his back, as now he had a slight lead, and Urelp dodged a fireball, almost causing him to careen into a massive tree before coming around the bend, the stairs in full view of him. He could also see that three others where right behind him, each one throwing attacks at him while he dodged and weaved as they ran up the steps. He was almost there but knew this would be the hardest part as everyone would be fighting tooth and nail to reach the top.
"Dinok Jot" he whispered as the skeletal demon came skittering out and immediately caught up to them. "Keep them off me." he ordered it, as it made a hissing sound and went to stall the others. Now with some reassurance he focused on going forward as one of the competitors had passed him as they made their ascent to the temple.
Citizens lined the stairs, all cheering as they watched the last leg of the first round come to a close. Lae and the other contestant were now neck and neck as they raced to the top. The top of the temple was soon coming into view and Lae poured all he had into giving Urelp a boost. In doing so he enacted the ability Awakening as to give both spirits a boost. Lae felt a strong jerk as Urelp shot forward catching a lead just as the top of the temple was seen.
He was the first to enter the Summit grounds, if even by a fraction, as he dismissed both spirits, colliding across the ground before rolling to a stop in front of the temple. He let out a sigh of exhaustion as he watched five other competitors make it up there too. He qualified, and that's all that mattered. Taidryn would have been proud to see this, but that just made this all even more worthwhile for him. He had to see this through no matter what. The MC eventually found his way to the group of six who were now an exhausted group after ensuring their place in the next trial.
"Now that was quite a race you lot, and you six qualify to go to the next round. I would suggest that you get some rest as tomorrow's trial will be one that tests your courage." with that he smiled, tapping his greatsword on the ground before a portal opened and he stepped through it. Lae remained on the ground, splayed out as he allowed the cool stone to calm his body as he was still getting use to riding a horse not to mention fueling the horse with his own aether. He wandered what tomorrow's trial would bring, he wasn't sure how they did things, but if it was anything like today's he would need all the rest he could get.
After a moment of allowing his body to soak up the cool of the stone, he finally rose to his feet and made his way home. "One trial down three more to go, and one step closer to fulfilling my contract with the dragons." ☠
"Common Speech"
"Vastian Speech"
"Vallenor Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
