>>Amber

I was surprised when I was told that the event was going to take place in the forest. The forest does not have any protection since only the cities have barriers.

The air was crisp and filled with the earthy scent of pine and moss. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. I looked down at myself. I was given outdoor clothes today and that wasn't sitting well with me.

Why sport clothes? Trousers? Shirt? Coat? For what?

We stood in the clearing outside the forest and I stared at the shadows that formed inside the woods. A tent was pitched for the King and a number of tables with big parasols were all around us where the nobles sat to enjoy the event.

I looked at them, they were sitting there having tea and pastries, occasionally looking at me and Illaris, as if we were some sort of show piece.

It made me feel as if I was an entertainment for them.

...

Well, that was the truth.

I stood with Ahin by my side, my thoughts focused on different things but along with the aristocracy that sat there enjoying their time, I also noticed the number of guards there with them. "Ahin," I whispered his name and he leaned closer to me.

"Yes?"

"These are all Royal Guards, right?" I scanned the people, "Why would so many of you guys be here?"

"King's orders," He replied, "We weren't given the details though, Might just be because we're outside the barrier and anything can happen here."

Right, we are next to the forest too. One may never know what beast might come out and attack.

But still,

To have the Royal Force here, isn't it a bit too much?

I turned to look at the forest, and for some reason, I was getting a bad vibe out of all of this. As we waited for the event to begin, my eyes drifted to Illaris who stood a short distance away, speaking quietly with a few other nobles with Lyal by her side.

I didn't see Ophelia and wondered if she had already gotten her punishment. It hadn't been announced yet, so I didn't know.

Illaris's presence was a constant reminder of the recent chaos. Her serene expression and composed demeanor seemed at odds with the tension I felt. I don't really care about what's been done, but I need to know if Illaris is seeing things like I am.

"Ahin, I'll be right back," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I need to talk to Illaris, in private."

He nodded after seeing that I wasn't going anywhere far.

I made my way over to Illaris, who noticed my approach and excused herself from the group she was with. She turned to face me, her expression unreadable. I glanced at Lyal, he didn't approach us but he kept his eyes on me.

Prick

"Saint Amber" She greeted me, her voice calm and polite. "How are you feeling?" Her clothes were very similar to mine.

"Good," I replied, studying her face for any hint of hidden motives. "I wanted to talk to you before the event starts."

"Of course," She said, her tone inviting. "What is it you wish to discuss?" Her way of talking was as sweet as ever.

I glanced around to make sure we were out of earshot of the others before continuing. "Have you," I kept my eyes on her face, "Dreamed something strange lately?"

"Dreamed something?" She frowned, "No, have you?" She immediately grew suspicious, "Did you see something strange?"

"Maybe," I replied, "But if you didn't see anything, then don't mind my words." I turned to leave, but then stopped, "You really didn't have any strange dreams?"

Illaris's eyes softened, and she sighed lightly. "I never have dreams."I studied her face, trying to gauge the sincerity of her words

Never have dreams? So she normally doesn't see anything either...

Odd

"I see," I turned around and left.

"Did you have a vision, Saint Amber?" I stopped a few steps away

A vision? I'm not quite sure if I can label it as a vision. I saw the miasma moving, but that's not possible. But what if it is possible? And what I dreamed is a premonition?

"I don't know," I answered and right then the King came out of his tent. So I walked back to Ahin.

"Welcome, everyone," He began, his voice carrying effortlessly over the crowd. "Saints," He looked at Illaris and I who stepped forward, "I hope you're ready for the challenge."

Illaris and I answered softly, "Yes," It wasn't like we could say anything else.

A murmur rippled through the gathering. Ahin and I exchanged uneasy glances, our instincts warning us that something was amiss. I was waiting for the king to tell us what he had in his mind.

What was he planning?

The king's eyes turned to Illaris and me, his gaze lingering on the saints present. "Our dear saints, the challenge today is going to be a little tricky," A sly smile spread across his face,." You will be hunting."

My stomach twisted at his words. Hunting? This didn't sit well with me. Saints are meant to heal and protect, not to hunt. I knew this outfit meant we had to run around, but to hunt?

Hunt what? What is the king planning?

My question did not take long to get answered. A weird sound came from the forest and all the people turned to look at the entrance.

A hush fell over the clearing and all of us went quiet in shock. Then my eyes went wide in horror.

My God,

A shudder went across my body as five children and five adults were brought forth from the darkness of the forest. There were five guards holding the magic chains that held the miasma corrupted people.

Each guard had an adult and a kid chained together.

The corrupted people looked like they had lost their ability to think straight, they were outright biting into the air, hoping they would catch something with their teeth.

Their appearance was shocking—pallid skin, eyes glazed with a sickly black glow, and an aura of malevolence that sent chills down my spine. The air around them shimmered with dark energy, corrupted by miasma.

Gasps and whispers erupted from the crowd. Even the most stoic nobles couldn't hide their horror.

The king raised his hand for silence. "These individuals have been corrupted by miasma, I'm sure everyone can tell," He announced, his tone grave. "They are no longer themselves and pose a great danger to anyone alive. It is up to you, our saints, to purify them." Everyone looked at the king, "The guards will leave them open in the forest. You will hunt them down and heal them."

WHAT!?!

The reality of his words settled over us like a dark cloud. Purifying the corrupted was one thing, but hunting them down as if they were mere games was entirely different. The notion filled me with dread.

The king's eyes scanned our faces, "Neither of you will be allowed to take anyone with you." My eyes grew wide in horror, "You both will go alone."

Has he lost his mind!? He wants us to hunt them in the forest which is filled with wild beasts?!?

"With all due respect Your Highness, do you want to kill us?" I couldn't keep myself quiet.

"What? No," Matthias chuckled, "Why would I want to lose someone so precious?"

My heart pounded as the chains were pulled on. The guards who brought the corrupted people took them back to the forest.

"Dad," Lyal spoke up, "This will be dangerous."

King Matthias looked at his son, "It won't be dangerous for the saints," He looked at the crowd, "As for our guests, the guards will protect you."

"Dad, they can heal them, but they can't fight!" For once, I felt like he was presenting a valid point, but I also knew he was doing it for Illaris, "Neither of the Saints are fighters, what will they do if they come across a wild animal?"

"It seems my words have caused some misunderstanding," The King raised his hand, "Let me correct my words. I won't allow any guards to go in with the saints. If the saints want, they can take one partner with them."

Oh no

Ahin and I looked at each other in horror. Ahin won't be able to go in with me. That's the only partner I have, if not him, I'll be alone.

"Lyal since you were so worried about them. I'll allow you to go with you." He smirked, then looked at the crowd "And if anyone from the crowd wishes to go as well. You can volunteer."

Shit

Lyal is going to stay with Illaris. And I know none of these noble will be willing to go in there knowing that the corrupted are loose. On that note, the corrupted aren't the only danger.

Wild animals live there too.

Shit

I had no idea that the event would be something so outrageous like this. I thought it would be something that could be held in the palace walls.

"You will be given ten pins each." The King began to set the rules, "Saint Illaris will have the white ribbon pins while Saint Amber will have the black one. Each person you purify, attach the pin on them. An adult counts as 10 points, while the kids count as 7 points. You can use whatever method you like. There are no other rules." He paused for a second, "And please don't try to replace the other person's pin. Cheating is not a good thing." He smirked

Damn it

What am I going to do now?

Ahin placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry,"

I turned my head to look at him, "It's not your fault." I pursed my lips. But why does it feel like I'm being cornered on purpose. The King must know that Lyal and Illaris have a thing going on, then why did he place him between us?

"Maybe I can talk to the king," Ahin started to move when I caught his wrist and stopped him.

"Don't," I shook my head, "You might get into trouble, You're already being sent north." He looked back at me with a worried look, "But you don't know how to fight, and you don't have any offensive magic either."

"..." I let his wrist go.

Illaris stepped forward, her face a mask of determination. I guess she was confident now that Lyal was with her, "We're ready Your Majesty."

The king nodded approvingly. "You have until midnight. So take your places please." The king pointed towards the forest, and then he looked at me, "Oh? Did no one volunteer to go in?"

I closed my eyes in defeat. I guess if I come across anything dangerous, I'll just have to run. I wonder if Holy Power can create a shield? I never tried anything like that, neither was I told anything about it, so it might not be possible

...

Someone raised their hand, "I will go," A voice came from the crowd.

I opened my eyes and shot my head around to see who it was.