The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 455: First to fall

Team: Alliance of the cursed ones/ 00:20 SS (since start)

"Shouldn’t we start targeting the other teams now?" Elron whined as they searched for the flag on the second branch.

"I’m not interested in attacking others. We will sweep through the branch, starting from the edge, going to the trunk." Hex’s voice remained calm yet firm, making it clear that he wouldn’t change his mind no matter how much anyone complained.

"And if we encounter another team?" This time it was Gronke who posed the question.

"Then we fight."

Hex replied with the same firmness. He wasn’t afraid nor was he trying to be the good guy. Conflict was inevitable. At some point battles were bound to erupt. He rather clashed at branch number thirteen than two.

But things don’t always pan out as one desires. They completed the search over the distance they believed to be their region. No sign of the flag. Or any treasure.

With a nod at his two team mates, he continued.

Heaven’s Army/ 00:20 SS (since start)

"Another blue flag!" Fiona cheered. Her bubbly personality often spilled over when she was happy.

"Please behave, Fiona," James said sternly, earning him a pout from his team mate. Cute as she may appear, James didn’t melt. "We are following Lady Althea and our behavior reflects on her. Refrain from acting childish."

"But–"

"But nothing. Finding a blue flag isn’t that impressive. Lady Althea is following the movement of Fate and is helping–." James interrupted Fiona’s weak protest, lecturing her, before he himself was interrupted.

"You two are both childish." Althea said dryly. Fiona and James looked hurt. Althea ignored them.

"We are moving to the third branch." She ordered.

"Shouldn’t we snatch–" James proposed. But once again, Althea interrupted him. "No. Not yet. Only by moving fast can I use Fate. Once someone else has the flag, I will be forced to snatch it. The backlash will be something I would rather not face."

Despite her apathy toward James and Fiona, Althea still squandered a few minutes to explain why she was against James’ idea.

Neither of them felt the need to oppose her decision and followed her upward to the third branch.

Eye of the Sky/ 00:30 SS (since start)

"Dear, the other teams are starting to move toward the third branch," Serenade informed her husband. Her ear twitched continuously as she picked up sounds and movements in the air.

"Let them. For now, these little worms are our target," Sven replied as he observed three masked people run in their direction. They had yet to notice Sven’s team waiting for them.

Divine Servants/ 00:35 SS (since start)

"We found it," Hestia exclaimed. She pulled the green flag out. "Let’s find the treasure and move to the third branch before someone tries to rob us."

"Too late." Hans said as he moved in front of them with an Aegis appearing around him and them.

"I think they are just in time," Starshe chuckled. She drew her sword and licked her lips. "I was getting bored."

Hestia groaned. She knew battles would occur. She just hoped they would happen once they had gathered enough points. In the event the enemy overwhelmed them, they could then flee.

"I guess it was a fool’s dream," she sighed. And still she stood ready, with vines spawning around her. The Vine witch wasn’t afraid to shed some blood.

Tyrannical Trident/ 00:35 SS (since start)

"They noticed us," Krovia said, a smile splitting his face in two. Two rows of jagged, sharp teeth glistened in the dim light peering through the leaves above.

"Those three won’t be easy to defeat, boss," Conked growled. His speed didn’t decrease. With a snort, his body and face started to split open as scales came out and covered him.

"Watch out for those vines," Alluvia warned. She was perhaps the only one who remained level-headed in the face of battle. She had to be. Her two brothers, while strong, had fish brains.

She knew her enemies wouldn’t be easy to defeat. She was especially wary of Hestia. All the intelligence reports dismissed her as a healer but she knew more than the spies. That woman had served the man known as the baron.

Her father had warned her long ago. Even if they antagonized the sea lord, they should never draw the ire of that man. Even the depths of the sea wouldn’t be able to save them. The man was no more. But she wouldn’t underestimate his maid. She had more brains than a fish.

Shifting Sands/ 00:30 SS (since start)

"I didn’t think the great prince of the north would wait for us," Shadow One said, signaling his team to stop. "We are flattered."

His eyes shifted around him. Sven appeared to be alone. But he was never alone. His wives were always around. They could hide in the wind and disappear from the senses. He hoped his team could survive an ambush.

"It’s the least I can do before taking that little flag from you, isn’t it?" Sven grinned. "If you guys surrender, and vow to follow me, I can consider sparing your little lives."

Shadow One felt a shiver through his spine. Before he could react, his team mate cursed.

"Bastard –"

Shadow Two’s curse stuck in her throat. She tried to speak. But she had lost her voice.

"Let her go!" Shadow One cried out. "Shadow Three, give them the flag."

He knew he wasn’t strong to face Sven and his team. He was already glad to have reached this point. He had hoped to gather one or two treasures before going into hiding till the end of this round. Who knew he would attract trouble before that.

"Shadow Three!" He shouted when he didn’t sense any movement. This was the issue with young people. They never listened immediately–.

Thump.

The sound came from behind him. And he felt it inside his chest. He turned his head, afraid to see his fears come to live. When his eyes fell on the headless corpse of the youngest team mate, he knew it was over.

A chill crept over him. He felt the breath on his neck. And then...he froze. Slowly the chill faded, as did the sound of his heart beat.