**the Wolves Den**
Belle:
We had finished our morning session on his bed. His sheets were no match for us.
I laid there, covers barely draped off me as he placed a callused hand on my neck and kissed me, biting my lip as he pulled away.
Bastard. Only making me want him more…
And I loved him for it. He knew it too.
The minute he turned away and rose, I felt the air shift.
At first, my instincts told me it was a threat. But it was only him…
He looked almost… sad.
"My Greed?" I spoke, wanting to break the uneasy silence.
"Yes princess? Another round?"
"No—I mean… yes…" I didn't know how to bring it up. Was he sensitive to such things? Did he prefer not to talk about it at all? I had watched him from afar for so long—I knew his habits from a distance, but from this close… "Uhhh…" I made an embarrassing sound.
He chuckled and said, "Princess… Whatever it is, you know you can talk to me about anything. I'm here for you."
"You're just repeating what I said earlier, prick." I teased.
"Aye, but true, nonetheless."
He stared me down sidelong as he threw on a shirt and I watched him dress—unholy thoughts entering my mind… again.
"I won't pry. If it's nothing, then it's nothing." He said nonchalantly.
He was sharper than that. I knew he could tell. For I was not as composed with him as I was with others.
"I have to go to the Desert today. There's something I need to take care of." I said. A bit out of the blue, but I had to do something…
"Fine by me," he replied. "Your place tonight then?"
I said nothing. He only saw me rise and stand atop his bed, entirely nude. I gazed at him as my hair shimmied like rivers from the beaming lights entering through his massive windows.
An assured look overtook me, then, as he marveled.
I stepped down and made my way to him.
I cupped his cheeks with my palms and kissed him, rising to my toes just to do it. I was still getting used to how much taller and broader he was in comparison to me.
"See you there." I whispered in his ear.
He smirked and held my chin with his thumb and index before he turned for the door, hands in his pockets all the while.
I stood there and watched him leave. The warm rays were pleasant against my bare body. And even though everything had seemed perfect, that small interaction was all I needed to truly see…
My Greed… He was so sad.
Don't worry, my love, I thought as he gently closed the door behind him. Unlike before… This time, I can do something about that.
***
**A meeting room in the Arcane King's Castle**
Lance groaned. He couldn't help but let a bothersome thought enter his usually organized mind—though it was only speculation, he couldn't help but turn slightly red from the thought of the princess and…
Keeper, fuck off. He thought to the unwelcomed thought, and then said aloud—half on purpose, half on accident, "A Valley Tournament? What the hell are we doing?"
"Whatever the hell we please, Lance." Jecht said sarcastically from his end.
"Clearly."
The Captains and Royal King were amused by the idea of a Tournament among the Valley Kingdom's finest. Each Guild had their own assortment of quality mages—though the last incident didn't exactly present that—throughout the Kingdom, many were defending its citizens from the Phantomdrakes, fake Black Wolves, and even some of the Blue Phoenix Knights who raided the Crimson Dragons Castle. Many untold battles and mages who, if given the chance against the Blue Phoenix's top officers—like their Executives and Vice Captains—would have done just as well, if not better, than the battles that had occurred. Battles, unbeknownst to all but a few, that were mostly won by the Black Wolves themselves in the shadows.
This was a chance for those mages to shine and give assurance—hope even—to the Valley's people.
"It's an interesting suggestion, given the situation we are in." Ark inquired. He put an elbow on the table to prop his head and face toward Sirus now.
Before speaking further on the topic, Sirus closed his eyes and added, "Don't get me wrong. This is not us holding a tournament for fun, nor is this us distracting ourselves from the 'Blue Phoenix' incident. Rather… as you know, more than half of this room is lacking in magical prowess now. Until we can figure out how to get your magic back and make a plan to move forward with, we need to determine the next generation of Valley Kingdom Knights who will be taking our place and our future leaders for the Valley. I hate to be blunt, but…"
"I am completely on board," Ark said, quick to answer, "In fact, Ryoku can take my place right now if he wants to. But I know he wouldn't appreciate a handout. So, I'm on board for such an event. Ryo, I hope you will take part and show the Kingdom the same, if not more, of the strength you showed during the incident. What say you?"
Ryo looked at his Captain with gleaming eyes and responded adamantly, "Yes, sir!"
Ark faced Sirus again, "Well, that makes two of us. Who else thinks this is a great opportunity?"
The Captains pondered their answers for a moment. Sylva was next to say aye, "I think it's a great opportunity. Though, in normal circumstances, I would have loved to join myself so that I may earn the position I am in now, but given I have no magic to use… This gives the Snow Lilies' 2nd Vice Captain, Goro, a chance to do that in my stead. Then he will be the new leader of the Snow Lily Knights. I am in as well."
Next was Jecht, "Will this be just like the last Valley Tournament?"
"Depends what you mean by 'last'… If you're inquiring about the last winner and how we allowed an utter hooligan to win and represent the Valley… no…" Sirus cleared his throat in an attempt not to reopen old wounds. Ironically, this last winner and what he did was the sole reason that led to the Great Magistral War between the Mountain and the Valley five years ago… "If, however, you are inquiring about the one-on-one verses battles that allow each their own spotlight and a chance to start their own Guild as the prize for the winner—then yes. And I assure you, we will be stricter with our rules this year."
"Then I'm in as well. My Vice Captain's a punk, but he's gonna kick all your VC's asses." Jecht replied with a verdict.
And lastly, Tubolt, "Okay, fine. Though I am still able as a Captain, this is a great chance for you to see my Vice Captain in action. He had just arrived back from his four-month-long mission last week, just in time for when the Phantomdrakes were still scourging the place, if I may add… and still saved many lives and helped protect the Crimson Dragon's Castle—a valiant deed. I'd expect nothing less from a Purple Panthers Vice Captain." he raised his head high and fixed his shoulders to appear taller, "Zeno will wipe the floors with you all. Not that brat with the short fuse… what was his name again? I hardly remember," he finished off with a pompous gaze over to Jecht.
"His name's Snow. And you'd better remember it. It's only polite to remember the name of the mage who bested yours during the Guild Draft." Jecht responded, flaring his nostrils in Tubolt's direction.
"He let him win… they were kids. If anything, it shows how much more mature he is than… Snow… and what kind of name is that? Who names their kid Snow? Greed? Jecht? What kind of world do we live in where people don't get proper, elegant names?" Tubolt scoffed.
"What kind of name is Tubolt? Every time I say that name, I think of Tubby Bolt, the show for kids… You may not be fat to fit the description, but your name is anything BUT proper and elegant." Jecht countered.
The two went on bickering to themselves, and Ryo's eyes sparkled at the praise that two of his Draft friends were getting from their very own Captains—ignoring their progressing argument.
He recalled Zeno swooping in, followed by a team of Purple Panthers, saving the Crimson Dragons and their abode when they were swarmed by the Phantomdrakes. And then Snow, and even Rex, showed up later at the northern part of the Kingdom to help them there as well.
It was at this time that the double doors behind them opened—it creaked as it did so. The silhouette of a young girl stood there as the natural light behind her shone in this dimly lit room, with only the sun's rays from above as the meeting's spotlight. Her shadows stretched all the way to the round table.
"Wow, you all really started without me? Am I even considered one of the Captains of the Eight Guilds anymore? Don't tell me you're lumping me up with those Black Wolves now, are you? Keeper…" her voice echoed. Though she sounded young, when she strutted into the room, her height seemed to grow, and the shadows around her faded as she got closer to the group, revealing herself to them.
"Ah, thank you for joining us, Captain Laylee," Sirus said to her.
When the girl, Laylee, responded, her voice seemed to have changed—as if maturing on the spot, "Spare me, Sirus. Admit it, you think of the Green Owls like you do the Black Wolves, don't you? Just because we are rank seven on the roster."
"Not true at all. In fact, you came at the perfect time. Besides, 'Rank means nothing if there is no merit behind it.' Isn't that what you always say?" Sirus replied formally.
Laylee sighed, "Using my own words against me now… How quaint. I'll give you one thing Sirus, you sure know how to flatter a girl."
Laylee, the Captain of the Green Owl Knights, was dressed in an olive hooded poncho, with brown leather beneath, similar to that of a hunter. Her hair was brunette and wavy, and her eyes were the color bright green, matching the lime highlights hidden away in her hair—glowing as she grazed her eyes at the round table occupied by top-tier mages. She had to have looked the age of twenty-six, in contrast to her arrival, when she'd looked about twelve. She was fairly attractive now, able to control her age with her magic… no one knew exactly how old she really was.
"And though rank seven in the Valley—it's a far seven from the Black Wolves eight… just stating the facts." Sirus tried to reassure. He hadn't meant it as an insult; rather, it really was the cold, hard truth, according to Valley documentation.
"Keep the flattery coming, I do enjoy a good praise. You could work on your game though, Sirus," Laylee teased. To which, Sirus cleared his throat, nearly turning red as he nodded.
Tubolt leaned back in his seat afterward and threw an arm over his armrest as she finished speaking and said, "And what exactly do you want, Laylee? You and your Green Owl's crew weren't present at all during the incident. I'd say you have no place here."
She clicked her tongue at him and shot him jeering eyes, "Tubolt, the man with the silver tongue they say… It's more like a black tongue in my opinion. You should join the Black Wolves ranks with that color," she countered back, knowing that would trigger him. Tubolt ground his teeth at her, clicking his tongue back.
"So much mention of the Black Wolves amid your insults… If I didn't know any better, I'd think you like them, Laylee," Jecht teased.
"My Vice Captain is friends with the Acting Captain Greed. Also, if I had to give that Guild one thing—it's full of fine young men…"
"Ah, that explains her attitude. It's ovulating season." Tubolt spat.
"Fuck off, bowl cut. And to finish that statement, Jecht, the Black Wolves are… how should I put this… like an ex you can't quite get over."
"Oh, here we go. Keeper spare me."
"You want me to smack that toupee off your arrogant head, you blond busboy—"
"That's enough of that now…" Sirus interjected, then redirected the topic, "Actually, Captain Laylee here is the someone I was referring to earlier… So, Laylee, if you would be so kind as to inform the rest of us of you and your Guild's mission."
Piquing their interest, they all faced Laylee now as she still stood at the edge of the round table. Sirus waved his hand, and another coated mage appeared and cast an extra seat for her there at the table. The double doors she had left open were shut by two other mages.
Laylee sat pleasantly in her seat and proceeded, "My pleasure, Sirus." She was still shooting jeers in Tubolt's direction, and he rolled his eyes as he caught her glowers.
"I'll cut to the chase. The Mountain Kingdom didn't come because we, the Green Owl Knights, intercepted the Mountain's council by airship. We had known even before Syemore announced it in his rally that the Mountain's council was coming, my Guild specializes in reconnaissance after all." she whipped her brunette hair like a brag.
"Congratulations..." Tubolt commented.
Jecht cleared his throat to him, and Tubolt gave him an incredulous look.
"Anyway..." Laylee went on, "My Vice Captain gave word after he encountered a Blue Phoenix Knight—aka, 1st Vice Captain Henza—on the scene of an abandoned church at the border of the Valley and Forest Kingdom's jurisdiction. My crew keeps a close watch of the Forest Kingdom jurisdiction, as you all know… so we did some digging. One thing led to another, and viola, we arrived." she tilted her head onto her graceful palm as if proceeding to revel in her job-well-done, "That's when I told my Vice Captain, Rex, to come back to the Valley, where he singlehandedly disposed of multiple Phantomdrakes and even reunited a young boy with his mother after the incident."
Tubolt scoffed, "Laylee… we're talking about what YOU did during it all… not your half-wit Vice Captain. You're too head over heels with the younglings. It's no wonder you only recruit 'fine young men' in the Green Owl ranks…"
"Tubolt, leave my preferences in men out of this. Just because I like mine pristine and not with a bad haircut and attitude…" she snickered, and he scoffed again, "Doesn't change the fact that his being here, not only benefitted you lot, but also benefitted our interception of the Mountain." She adjusted her gaze to everyone else once again, "They were hostile at first, but they became civil once we reminded them whose territory they were in. The rest was simple when I told them, 'If they advance further, they will be enticing another war.' They had already done enough with Syemore, and the Blue Phoenix Knights, and I laid out their plan to them, but they simply denied it, and we were at a stalemate in the sky… I presume they were trying to make contact with Syemore first, but failed to get any word, thus resulting in them turning around. I would have given chase, but they had the leaders of each of their eight Guilds, minus Syemore, on board. As strong as my crew is, and even with the Forest Guard and High Marshal with us, I didn't want to take any chances, especially with Rex in the Valley still… It was almost a relief, really."
Sirus nodded then replied, "You made the right call, Laylee. We have decided to treat this diplomatically and wait for more answers once the Arcane King arrives. So, we thank you for turning the Mountain Kingdom away for now while we conspire."
Tubolt snickered at her afterwards, but it was more in an approving manner than that of discontent. Laylee stuck her tongue out, facing him again, then changed the topic, "So, what is this I hear of a Valley Tournament? I have ears everywhere you know…"
"Ah, yes. This is something we are planning. What say you? Do you approve of this?" Sirus asked.
"Yes. But on one condition."
"Go on."
"Unlike the last Valley Tournament. The winner should be allowed to lead the next eighth Guild."
Sirus pondered her two cents. "Hmm… We've always just made the next in line start a new Guild or taken submissions from the Guild request committee—"
"That won't do," Laylee interjected.
"Look what happened last time. Blue Phoenix Knights. Syemore… That's what happens when we are too trusting—they even came from the Mountain… By the Keeper, we should have been more cautious. We should develop within and have the Knights earn it. That's what I did, and many of us here. "Even Asura, when he started the Black Wolf Knights," she caught Tubolt rolling his eyes. "Oh, come on, you have to admit he earned it." You don't hate him for nothing, we all know it."
Tubolt only responded with a shooing from his hand as he turned his head away from her.
"So, if we agree to this. I'm in. Plus, I have faith in Rex; he demonstrated skill in leadership between his Guild and me, all the while defending the Kingdom alongside his fellow Guild allies. He may have a few screws loose, but I can assure you that your Vice Captains will have an extremely difficult time with him… I guarantee it. I have no doubt he may even win the whole thing."
Friendly bickering riled up between Jecht, Tubolt, and now Laylee, who joined the fray. Ryo enjoyed every bit of it, while Ark listened with a gentle smile across his face, knowing full well he didn't have to hype up Ryo.
"Come on! Out of our boys, which one of them is awakened? That's right. Rex. It's not even a competition," Laylee bragged as Jecht and Tubolt wrangled in defiance.
At this time, Alphonzo stood up and began walking towards the double doors. "Seems this meeting has concluded. I will be in contact again with you all when I get word from my sources," he said flatly.
Sirus nodded, then faced his quiet attention to Lance, who had said nothing since his small outburst moments ago. A concerning eye met his, and he simply looked away, almost agitated. After a moment of the Captain's bickering and friendly fire, Lance stood up and bowed, "I will relay everything here to Captain Belle. Thank you for having me."
A formal gesture. Then just as quickly, he whipped around, his white sheer cape whooshing out dramatically, almost like he did it on purpose. His face harbored shadows all over it as he walked out of the meeting room. Sirus couldn't help but be concerned for him.
With the meeting adjourned, all that was left was to inform a certain someone… But in all of the scenarios Ryo kept playing in his head, he just kept seeing him turn this down. He knew his friend all too well, but he was to give it a shot and ask anyway after this meeting. Maybe, just maybe…
***
**Later that same day. After the meeting**
Greed:
"No" was all I said to Ryo as he stood outside the front entrance double doors of the Wolves Den.