The Chrysalis Mark

Chapter 6- The Silver Dove

Haizen's mouth tightened as he looked at the sheer display of power that was shown before him. This was meant to show strength and make sure that every person here knew that this so-called Director Aestos was on the top of the food chain. A churning feeling made its way into his stomach as he saw the tranquil look on the director's face.

"Now then, with the pleasantries out of the way, the first chapter of this tournament begins now," announced Aestos as he grabbed some sort of stick out of one of the keeper's hands. "This is a sapphire staff, there are 20 other identical ones scattered throughout the main village,"

Aestos paused, twisted the staff in his hand, and then cracked it. A luminescent blue shined out from the middle of it, it looked like he had captured the stars themselves and imprisoned them in these pieces of wood.

"There are however some trick ones among the real ones, the way to tell if it's real is to crack it like I demonstrated and as a show of my good graces, your shackles should be able to come off now. Now, you have two hours to get a staff and bring it to the temple of the twins' aitrum,," spoke Aestos as he pointed his staff in the direction of a temple that seemed to be bathed in golden amber.

"Also about that grace period, I lied, time begins now," exclaimed Aestos. Then he was gone, only smoke lay in his place. He must have an inkanota as well, but how can he disappear and shoot beams, no one had more than one ability, did they?

Haizen took a quick stock of his surroundings, noting that most of the other competitors had split off in different directions. Two. No. Three went towards the rightmost building, and six of them went towards what could only be the residence building. He couldn't pick up on the other trails, they were already gone.

No matter, he just wouldn't head in those directions, he hadn't sensed anyone on the left. The left side had multiple little buildings, was that where the guards slept? Curious. He'd keep that information tucked in his brain for later.

The sticks wouldn't be in any of these front buildings, it's too obvious and Aestos seemed like the type of guy to mess with your mind. Not the front, not inside either, and then it clicked.

The buildings were a diversion, the place he should be looking was by the dock. Cursing himself for taking forever, He turned on his heel and surveyed the docks.

The darkened wood gave none of its secrets away, it was chipped in places where a pier would be chipped from loading and unloading crates. Where is it? There! Just off the pier, on the beach lay a piece of wood submerged in the sand; Haizen could see a glimpse of that starry blue as he vaulted over the side of the pier.

Haizen threw his hand out as he fell and a lengthy blood-red tendril came out of it and latched around the pier's support beams, lowering him safely to the ground. He brought his hand back and the tentacle made of blood wormed its way back into his body.

He grabbed the staff from the ground and cracked it. Yes. The crystal blue shined true, now just to bring it to the atrium. Haizen had a death grip on the stick as he made his way back up the side of the pier and onto the road leading toward the temple.

As he sprinted, he could make out the dark-skinned man from before standing on a roof doing what appeared to be dancing? Two other competitors he hadn't met were also dancing but not in the same way.

The dark-skinned man probably has a vocal inkanota, theorizing this, Haizen fastened some earplugs out of the blood on his hand and popped them in his ears. Too easy. If all the competition was this weak, it would go by in a breeze and he would have his freedom all the sooner.

The Twins temple came into view as he rounded a corner. Two massive statues stood on either side of the temple looking towards the sunrise and the sunset.

Haizen recognized who the statues were modeled after, the god twins, Kaxtar and Tyva. Kaxtar was the god of balance with his sister Tyva sharing the same title. The twins are some of the only gods that are respected throughout the factions. Haizen didn't particularly care for the gods, if they were real, they didn't care about mortals.

Haizen felt the man's attack before he felt his presence. A strong gust of wind knocked him onto his side, only for Haizen to roll with it and launch back into a sprint. He almost made it inside the temple before the stick was pulled from his grasp by the air itself.

Not even thinking, He threw his hand out and a blood tendril came out and grabbed the staff. Hazien grimaced as he felt his grip slipping, he looked up and made eye contact with the silver-eyed figure getting in his way. The man's slender figure seemed to dance with the wind as the stick was tugged further to him.

"You're a long way from home Oladove," shouted Haizen as his other hand shot out a tendril to the stick.

"Very observant blood man, may I inquire how you found that out so quickly," shouted Oladove back.

"The tattoo on your neck gives it away, a silver owl, it's your family crest.

"You must have read about me in the papers I take it? Those are exaggerated," Oladove stopped his wind from pulling on the stick.

Haizen felt this and pulled the staff back quickly and secured it in his hands as he stepped into the temple. Despite his better knowledge, he looked out at the Oladove and asked "Why did you give it back?

Oladove smiled. "Because I just took one from that feisty woman over there who tried to steal my face. Besides I believe this could be a fruitful partnership,"

"You want to form an alliance?"

"It's the only way to stay in this twisted game long enough to find a way out, what do you say," said Oladove as he walked into the temple and stuck his hand out.

Haizen looked at the outsreched hand. This man could be beneficial to getting out of here. Vouvant allies have proved useful in the past, however, this man is most certainly a snake in a pile of twigs.

"Haizen Rorik," said Haizen as he took the mans hand and shaked it.

Oladove smiled "Daitrium Oladove," Daitrium dropped Haizen's hand and headed further into the temple motining for Haizen to follow.

Haizen's eyes darted around the wide open room until finally landing at the center back where Aestos sat, with five of his competitors sitting on pads in front of him, each holding a staff.

Daitruim went and matched what the others were doing, Haizen assumed he should as well. He held his staff high and sorta waved it at Aestos as he sat down.

"That's another two done, congratulations you get to advance. That makes thirteen spots left to fill, I'm sure they will go quick," Announced Aestos as he took a sip from his cup.

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"Look, can't we just talk about this, im sure there's another stick we can find for you," Stated Koa as he looked at the vibrating man.

"Nah, I like my way better," said the man as he zoomed toward Koa at a near-impossible speed and slammed his fist into his face.