Journey To The Realm

Chapter 3

King Toby's POV:

I looked through the results which were noted down. Everyone's other than Janice and Arthur's results seem to be normal.
I mean who prefers sleeping on the floor when there is a comfortable bed right there. Okay it may be just one bed for a girl and a guy but really, one usually would sleep on the bed. It seems
Arthur and Janice makes an interesting pair. Hmm..

I checked the time and realised it was 6 am in the morning. It was almost time for the first trial. Me and my faithful companions had decided our first trial must consist action as we must check all our challenger's strengths. We decided to make them duel some of our most challenging guards. I was pretty interested to see the results.

As i thought about things, there was a knock on the door.
" May i come in, Your Majesty? " came the familiar voice from the other side.
" Yes, you may enter " i answered as the door flew open to reveal my most trusted scholar, Cedrick. Cedrick was a tall sinister looking man filled with mysteries. He covers his face with his robes and doesnt like showing his face. Being his king, i have never seen his face nor do i want to if it disrespects his wishes.
" Its time, isn't it? " Cedrick replied in his voice as soft as a whisper.
" Yes, we must wake them up at once " I replied back as i made my way out of my quaters. Cedrick was following me, closely behind.
" Should we not ask the guards to go wake our brave contestants up? " He asked curiously.
" No, i insist that i wake them up myself " I answered him as he turned a corner and disappeared. Thats one thing about Cedrick. He might choose to disappear from sight when you are talking to him. I sighed as i made my way to the contestant's wing and woke them up each one after the other.

Moments later, we were all standing outside in the courtyard of my castle, where the first trial has been set up.
" Welcome to our first trial, my dear contestants! So, let me explain what your first trial is and the rules of the trial or what i would rather want to call it, the game. " i said looking around at all the sleepy faces of each one of my brave challengers.
" Explain.. i cant wait to sleep after this... " i heard one of them speak loudly.
" Your first trial is to defeat any seven of my fourteen strongest guards. You guys may choose any opponent you desire. The rules are simple, you may not use any weapon, just bare hands and objects around you. Whoever is able to knock the other down first wins. "I said as i nodded at my guard to set the opponents free.
" You may now choose your opponent. May the best win. " I wished them luck and snapped my fingers. Cedrick had let out the fourteen guards out to the courtyard and the contestants stepped forward to choose their opponents.
" Man.. these guys are scary looking.. look at that one with the beard!! " Lancis whispered to Plain. Plain looked at Lancis and gave this weird look. She turned away from Lancis and giggled to herself. Arthur was eyeing Roy, The Hooded One. I looked over to Janice and noticed she was studying the same person. They both walked over to Roy at the same time and looked at each other in surprise.
" This hooded person, im fighting him, you back off " Arthur was saying to Janice.
" Um.. nah, we all know that I noticed him first, so I should fight him! " Janice replied looking a bit annoyed.
" Uh Shut up.. Idiot.. i noticed the guy when he first stepped out of the shadows. " Arthur directly faced Janice bending his head slightly down to look at her splat in the face. Janice was trying her hardest to avoid eye contact. I will just leave them to it.. i thought as i moved on to studying Kayla. She was fangirling over every single one of my guards whom she finds hot. Wow.
" I will give you exactly one more minute to choose your opponent. " I said loud enough for all to hear me. I watched as they hurriedly picked random guards and chuckled to myself. They dont know how strong these guards are, obviously. If anyone would get past them, i would actually be surprised. But of course, im gonna select the ones who has the best technique of fighting and does the greatest damage.
" One minute is over. The challengers may all step forward with their chosen opponent. " I said. It seems Arthur and Janice decided to not pick Roy. Instead Kayla has picked Roy. Plain has picked Sozan, The Trusted. Sozan was my first guard and my best friend, thus earning him his title of The Trusted. Plain had selected Range, The Boulder. He is the best when it comes to attack and defence of the fist. Arthur picked Tristen, a young boy in his twenties known for his fast and agile movement, rewarding him with the title The Light. Lancis has decided to challenge Gore, The Determined. Gore had quite a long history, but throughout it all, he was known to never give up. He is a determined soul who will do anything for the safety and good of my citizens. Marlin decided to battle Andy the Young, the youngest to ever be recruited for the position of a guard. He probably chose him because Andy is the same height as him. And Lex selected Nickel the Clever. He is the most intelligent one from all and can calculate the exact way to defeat any opponent while Janice decided to challenge Jesse who did not get her title. Yes Jesse is a female. The only female to have confronted the head guard, Devon for the position. When she asked for the position, Devon made fun of her. But I told Devon to give her a chance so here she is now. The strongest female guard.
" Okay, who wishes to finish this first? Nobody? Okay, i shall pick one of you with my eyes closed " I said smiling cheerfully. I closed my eyes and pointed to my right. " Whoever is standing here right now, speak up! " No voice replied. I opened my eyes and saw that i was pointing at a tree. I looked back at the teenagers and saw that most were trying not to laugh and my guards were facepalming. I felt very stupid.
" Um.. What about Plain? Why dont you go first??? " I suggested loudly in an embarrased voice.
" Me?! Um.. okay i guess.. " She said as she made her way to the rink her opponent, Sozan, following closely behind her. Plain stood facing Sozan nervously while Sozan studied her calmly.
" 3, 2, 1.. you may begin now " i announced.
The game has begun.