Artemis Unveiled:The Descent

Untitled Part 36: Black Eyes

Neven returned, and everyone gathered around him. He began detailing the situation of the other legions, speaking quickly and with determination. "Venom's serpent men are weak during the day, but don't let their Executive Commander get close; his melee combat is deadly. Tailsting and Lunarshade will team up to eliminate the weakest, Mercury, before turning on Venom. Damian is a novice, inexperienced. Stormblade is a typical left-hander, weaker on the right side; be wary of his left-side attacks. Our goal is to protect ourselves, delay as much as possible, and deal with the remaining members of Lunarshade and Tailsting. Aria, you stick with me; Sander, stay with Lyra;Oak, you're in charge of protecting Aria and Sander while we're away.If any of us make it to the top ten, beware of Tailsting's betrayal when the Hellbear appears. Alpha will incite their Executive Commander to do so."

Amid cheers, a chariot pulled by two horses approached. It stopped in the center of the spiral gate, and Quinn helped Elde Gu down. Elde Gu, dressed in a dark robe, held a black jar. After surveying everyone, he beckoned Neven. Neven led his team forward.

"What are we doing?" Aria whispered.

"Sealing part of the Essence in our Soul Stones to prevent accidental injuries," Neven explained. He stepped forward first, drawing his Soul Stone longsword from his waist, presenting the dark, golden Soul Stone.

Aria expected Elde Gu to be furious about her sneaking food in the library. However, the elder merely glared at Neven before shakily opening the jar. A translucent spider emerged, leaping onto Neven's sword. It circled the Soul Stone, its eight legs extending and wrapping around the entire Soul Stone. When the spider disappeared, the Soul Stone's color had faded. Next were Lyra's sword, Oak's mace, and Sander's sword; everyone's Soul Stones were dulled.

Elde Gu impatiently gestured for Aria. "Come here, don't dawdle."

Aria hesitated before presenting her rapier. Elde Gu glanced at it and frowned. "Turn it over."

Aria turned the sword, and Elde Gu's eyes widened in surprise. "Where is your Soul Stone?" he asked, astonished.

"I don't have a Soul Stone," Aria admitted, embarrassed.

"Don't have one?" Elde Gu's face darkened, and he shouted, "You young people, what do you take this competition for? Entering without a Soul Stone is a death wish!" His anger was palpable.

Quinn whispered a few words to Elde Gu, whose purplish face softened slightly. "This is the first time a mortal has competed. I will suggest to the Lunar King to amend the rules to prevent this from happening again."

Everyone's Soul Stones, except those of Venom's serpent men, were sealed with some of their Essence Power. Elde Gu and Quinn left in their chariot, and Aria rejoined the others outside the spiral gate.

"I used to hate sealing Essence," Neven said. "But today, it might save me some effort." He pulled Aria's arm, leading her back a few steps. "Watch your step; it's starting."

A deafening horn blast sounded, and the ground began to tremble.

Neven gave a reassuring look as the ground slowly moved. Numerous spiral-shaped platforms rose from the soil. The earth split apart, and as the platforms rotated, they formed many spiral iron mountains.

The previously gathered team members were now separated. Sander nearly fell off the edge but was saved by Lyra, while Oak stood on another, larger iron mountain.

"I don't want the war god title; I just want us to leave safely," Neven shouted.

"What should we do now?" Aria called out.

"Delay as much as possible."

Suddenly, a horn sounded in the arena. The audience roared, and a coral-colored flag fell from the iron net.