The Queen's Prophecy || ON HOLD ||

S i x | The Mystics Of Universes

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THE FIGHTING ARENA IS A TREMENDOUS patch of muddy field beneath the castle; an enclosed underground area solely designed for sparring and training and weaponry.

Adrenaline buzzes so raw that it feels warm in here compared to the otherwise cold upper floors of the castle. Hundreds, likely thousands of people-shadow hunters-were seated on level-wise arranged seats around a circular clearing, cheering and shouting with such fevor at the two division of teams fighting. It was a wonder how the castle above, if not the entire Shadowland didn't hear them.

Half-naked shadow hunters spar in the arena, their blows and movements so coordinated, so concisely smooth and deadly, it's fascinating to watch.

Emerick is among them, sweat streaking down his burnished brown hair, the muscles of his back rippling with the movement as he delivers a brutal blow with his sword towards his partner.

Metals clank and the man shields himself on time. But Emerick is quick on his feet, retreating his sword and attacking with another blow after powerful blow. His partner parries every strike but that is all he could do. The shadow hunter is so agile and forceful, that it takes his partner a few more blows and falling on his bottom before he yields.

"Fuck, man. You're always so ruthless." The ginger haired man groans, dropping his sword and stretching his arms as if to check whether they were still intact.

Emerick shrugs, offering his hand with a smile, "Wait till you spar with my sister. I'll seem far more merciful, Brian."

Brian visibly pales, grabbing Emerick's proffered arm, "No, thank you. I would like to stay alive."

Emerick chuckles, the action softening his usually cold features, "She isn't that bad."

Brian rolls his eyes, "The last time Esmeralda sparred with Hector, Hector who shan't be bought down by anyone," he emphasized, "and he ended up with broken ribs and partial coma for a week. The king's second, your sister, is a living death wish."

Emerick opens his mouth to retort when a feminine voice pipes in,

"Are you people backbiting about me?" Esme approaches from behind a pillar a few steps away from the two males, her eyes twinkling with mischief and feigned shock.

"Hello, Brian." She croons at him, seductively trailing a finger across his bare chest, "You gained quite the muscles, I see."

Brian looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole or he'd rather prefer being hunted by the hyenas than facing the girl in front of him.

"I. . . I. . ." He clears his throat, ears turning red, "I'll take my leave." The last words are a rushed shriek before he shashays away, wondering God knows what.

Resistance against mind-reading, it seems, is a familiar trait among the shadow hunters and creatures. It is the reason I can't read any of their thoughts.

"Why do they piss at the sight of me?" Esme pouts. There's something lilting about her tone so at odds to the ferocious venom that dripped at me yesterday.

Emerick gives her a bland look, "Because you're the king's second in command. And you are scary."

Esme radiates pure cheeriness as she drapes an arm over her brother's shoulder and passes him a look of mock hurt, "I didn't expect this from you, Rick. You wound me."

Emerick smiles, flipping her off.

"At this point, I'm not even sure which sibling I prefer. They're both so irresistibly hot." Joshua begins dreamily, dragging me out of my eavesdropping.