Three days had passed since the battle in the ruins, and the city was still slowly returning to its daily rhythm. There were 24 hours left until the guild tournament, and every member of the Dragon Hound felt that those hours could determine their future.

Valdor set out alone. He made his way through the city’s narrow streets, using the alleys to keep a low profile. Every step was deliberate, every interaction carefully weighed. He knew that information about the Empire could prove crucial, and that any mistake could cost far more than just his honor. His eyes scanned the faces of passersby; he observed guards and shopkeepers, and eavesdropped on conversations in cafes and taverns.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team was training on their own, scattered throughout different parts of the city. Arwen was venting her frustration and tension from the battle in one-on-one duels with Kael. Blades whistled through the air, and every strike was a test of speed and precision.

“Your defense is still lacking.” — Arwen snorted, dodging another of Kael’s attacks. — “If the tournament is going to be a test, I’ll have to push myself to the limit.”

Kael smiled to himself, leaping backward.

“Well, at least we’re not bored, but remember, it’s not always about strength. Sometimes tactics and reflexes are what make all the difference.”

In a separate part of the city, Mayuri was practicing her control over shadows and magical barriers, still testing the bracelet with the purple crystal. Her movements were fluid, calm, yet precise. Each spell strengthened her ability to anticipate her opponent’s attacks.

“If I want to protect the team, I have to be fast and unpredictable.” — she muttered, watching the energy of the purple crystal pulse on her wrist.

Meanwhile, Noah was practicing a blend of fire and magic a few meters away from them. Flames danced between his fingers, and every movement traced paths of fire through the air. Kael watched his technique, correcting minor flaws.

“Control the pace better.” — he said calmly. — “There won’t be time for experiments in the tournament.”

Arok and Nebuko watched them from the shadows. Their gazes were cool and analytical, but not hostile. Assessing the Dragon Hunt was of interest to them, potentially crucial for future competitions.

“Valdor… I recognize that name too… but” — Nebuko whispered, pointing at a figure moving down the street. — “Pay attention to his strategy. He thinks further ahead than the others.”

“Yes.” — replied Arok. — “The rest of the team is also worth watching. Their individual preparations show that they won’t be an easy opponent.”

At the same time, on the very other side of town, the Raven’s Shadow team was signing up for the tournament. Tensho, the cool-headed leader, calm and sharp-tongued, jotted everything down on the official’s paperwork. Kaya, an archer with a sharp gaze and sarcastic remarks, ran her fingers along the bowstring, testing the tension. Muun moved calmly through the hall, observing the other participants and easing the tensions between them. Zenra, a silent warrior wielding a scythe, watched everyone intently, and her every movement was full of composure and the weight of authority.

Valdor crept through the narrow streets of the commercial district, weighing each decision as carefully as the sword in his hand. He knew that the Empire always left traces, even if they were hidden beneath the mask of everyday life. In one of the darker alleys, he came across an informant who was barely avoiding the guards’ gaze.

“Valdor.” — the man whispered, without looking up. — “the tournament… it’s not just a fight. It’s politics, behind-the-scenes games. Something will happen during the tournament…”

Valdor nodded.

“Thank you for your help. I need details about the arena, my opponents, and any potential traps.”

The informant handed him a map and a few names, then vanished as suddenly as he’d appeared. Valdor tucked the documents away and moved on, still assessing every movement around him.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Arwen was finishing her sparring session with Kael. Determination still glowed in her eyes, and her lips curled into a brief smile as she stepped off the fighting area.

“I still need to work on catching my opponent off guard.” — she muttered.

Mayuri watched the effects of her barriers in action. Each new combination of spells tested the limits of her control over the shadows. Though the training itself was demanding, her thoughts kept wandering back to Valdor — she sensed that something important might happen, and he needed to be careful.

Noah, meanwhile, was testing a combination of fire and ice, experimenting with the balance of the elements. Kael interrupted him from time to time, adjusting the pace and sequence of the spells.

“If you don’t master this by the tournament.” — Kael said calmly. — “they’ll trap you easily.” 

“I’m a child of fire. Only fire magic flows through my veins. It’s hard for me to master other elements…”

At the same time, Arok and Nebuko kept their eyes fixed on every member of the Dragon Pack. Their analysis was ruthless, cold, yet focused on precision. Every movement, every reaction was etched into their memory like equations that would later give them the upper hand.

On the opposite edge of the city, the Raven’s Shadow was finishing its first training session. Tensho watched his team’s every move, and his sharp tongue continued to point out minor mistakes:

“Kaya, draw the bowstring more smoothly; your rhythm is too erratic.”

“Muun, stay focused; don’t get distracted by trivialities.” — he added, without taking his eyes off the healer.

Zenra remained silent, but every nod of her head made the rest of the team hold their breath. Every command she gave, though rare, was followed to the letter.

You could feel the tension in the air. The upcoming guild tournament was no longer a distant prospect — it was getting closer and closer, and every training session, every sparring match, and every move Valdor made in the shadows mattered.

Mayuri returned to them

During a brief break in training, Arwen approached Mayuri.

“You know Valdor works on his own, right?” — she asked, watching her expression.

“Yes." — Mayuri replied calmly. — “But I also know he won’t let anything slip by him. I guess… I trust him a little.” 

Arwen looked at her closely, and a faint, amused smile appeared on her lips.

“Do you happen to like Valdor?”

Mayuri immediately looked away. A delicate blush spread across her cheeks, and her voice faltered slightly as she replied.

“No… I just… we’re a team.”

As Valdor made his way through the city’s narrow streets, he came across more clues pointing to the Empire. Underground passages, strange conversations in taverns, officials who were watching too closely… everything indicated that the tournament was a bigger trap than anyone had suspected.

The tension was mounting, and a heavy, electrifying atmosphere hung over the city. The Dragon Hunt was bracing for an inevitable storm — both the one approaching in the tournament and the one brewing in the heroes’ hearts.

The afternoon sun was slowly sinking toward the west, and the city was bathed in warm, orange light. Arwen and Kael were finishing their last sparring session; their movements were fluid and almost synchronized, as if each knew the other’s next move.

“It's good that we still have a day to recover.” — said Kael, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “But tomorrow, the real fight begins.”

Arwen nodded.

“I know. But I don’t want to be caught off guard. I want every move I make to be deliberate.”

Mayuri stood slightly to the side, her head bowed, staring at the ground. She remained silent, as if trying at all costs to hide her thoughts.

“I have to believe she’ll manage.” — she muttered to herself. — “But I also have to be ready for anything if she comes back wounded.”

Arwen walked over to Mayuri

“Let’s go get something to eat, friends.”

From the shadows, Arok and Nebuko continued to observe the Dragon Hound’s movements. Their gazes were cool and analytical, but not hostile — they noted every detail: the way the heroes reacted, how they corrected their mistakes, their pace, their reflexes. All of this mattered in the upcoming tournament.

Meanwhile, Valdor had reached the secret location mentioned by the informant. In a dark, underground room, a group of Imperial informants had gathered. Their conversations were hushed, and every sound echoed off the stone walls. Valdor moved to one of the side corners of the room and watched.

“The tournament… won’t be just an ordinary test.” — he heard one of the Imperial officials say. — “The winner might gain more than they expect.”

“But we don’t want to lose anyone.” — replied the other. — “It’s a risk that must be controlled; they’ve already prepared everything.”

Valdor moved a little closer, committing everything to memory and jotting down notes. He knew that this information could save his team’s lives or give them an advantage if they managed to reach the arena in time.

Arwen, Kael, Noah, and Mayuri were sitting at a wooden table in the inn, eating dinner. All around them, they could hear the chatter of guests, the clinking of mugs, and the clatter of cutlery.

“You know…” — she said quietly to Noah, more to herself than to anyone else. — “I hope the tournament doesn’t take us all by too much of a surprise.”

Noah looked up and smiled, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“If we have to, we’ll save each other. You, me… and the rest.”

Arwen nodded, feeling a strange warmth in her heart. She knew that everyone had their place on this team, and that the trust between them could be crucial.

When the sun had set completely and the first streetlights glowed with golden light, night enveloped the city, and the upcoming tournament became more and more real. The flurry of preparations wasn’t yet visible to their opponents, but everyone on the team felt it in their hearts.

Dragon Hunt had booked two rooms at the inn. Mayuri and Arwen were to stay in one, while the other was for the boys.

“Tomorrow…” — Mayuri whispered, gazing westward through the window of their room. — “It’s all going to begin.”

“Yes.” — Arwen replied, gripping the hilt of her dagger tighter. — “And nothing will take us by surprise.”

“We need to get some sleep.” —Arwen smiled.

“Yes.” — Mayuri replied, nodding.

They both got ready for bed, setting their things aside. After a moment, they turned off the light and settled into their beds, hoping to regain their strength before the next day.

A silence filled with tension and anticipation hung in the air. Each of them knew that this night was the last moment of calm before the storm that was about to hit the guild tournament arena.

The night passed quickly, and with the first rays of sunlight, the city awoke to a new day. Dragon Gon stood in front of the inn, moving step by step toward the tournament arena. Every member of the team felt that this was not only a test of their skills but also a test of their determination and mutual trust.

Valdor led the way through the early-morning crowd, glancing sideways at Arwen, who was walking right behind him. Her gaze was focused, and her hands clutched her weapon tightly, as if the very awareness of the upcoming tournament could turn the air into fire.

“Ready?” — Valdor asked, glancing at her from a slight angle.

“Always.” — Arwen replied, though a hint of tension could be heard in her voice.

A mixture of adrenaline, focus, and quiet tension hung in the air. All the teams were heading toward the arena, and among them was the Raven’s Shadow, calmly making its way to its place. Tensho led his team, his cold gaze sweeping over the other participants. Kaya, Muun, and Zenra moved in perfect synchronization, as if every step they took had been planned in advance.

When the Dragon Hunt reached the arena, its sheer size became apparent. The stands were filled with nobility and townspeople, and the scent of freshly cut grass and dust hung in the air. The commentator on the platform above the arena stood up, raised his hand, and his voice rang out, loud and clear:

“Welcome, everyone, to the capital’s arena! Today we will witness the great tournament of the empire, in which the finest warriors from across the region will face off in duels that will go down in history!”

The nobility made their way toward the stands, each observing the participants from the height of their seats, assessing their potential and elegance. Valdor spotted the king himself in the distance, gazing at the arena with a stern yet attentive expression.

“This must be an extraordinary tournament.” — Arwen murmured, glancing toward the royal box. “There’s no room for error.”

The teams lined up in formation. At the head of each stood a captain, confident, with eyes fixed on their opponents. Behind them were the team members, ready to react, cooperate, and fight when their turn came.

Valdor nodded to the rest of the Dragon Pack, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also the strength he drew from the team’s presence.

The commentator continued:

“Ladies and gentlemen, before you stand warriors from across the kingdom! May the best team win!"

The air trembled with applause and the roar of the crowd. Dragon’s Hunt, Raven’s Shadow, and the rest of the participants stood at the ready, feeling the adrenaline mix with cool calculation.

The day of the tournament had arrived. The silence before the first gong was like a collective hold of breath, and every fighter knew that from that moment on, every decision, every move could determine his fate.