CURSE BOUND

"Wow, it looks like they did some renovations" Benjamin says while walking around the village grounds

"Some of the buildings certainly need maintenance though" aurora says

"If they made it a utopia it would just contradict the point of this stage" heliop says while looking around

"The closest squad is Lara and Luke, then Helga and Marcia, after that though Im not sure" Lelovia says exhausted

"The fact that we can't access the alter is a great annoyance" Aurora thinks before sitting on a nearby bench

"We shouldn't settle in the dorms as of yet, it's better that we can see and assess the situations of the conditions of the other contestants" Aurora says before sighing

"You speak as if you have taken the position of leader within this alliance" heliop says before standing in front of the bench that Aurora is seated on

"Well it's only natural, I was able to triumph against the twins while you have only managed to get yourself injured" aurora says arrogantly

"Hmm" heliop grunts

"we shouldn't promote infighting, as it stands we as a collective are easily the second strongest group here, fighting would only damage our standing" Mathew says trying to speak reason

"With all due respect Mathew, I don't think you are able to stop this" Derrick says while grabbing Mathew's shoulder

"Listen Im no fool, I know I cannot defeat you in combat, so how about a voting instead" aurora says before standing to confront heliop

"backing down from combat, how cowardly" heliop says triumphantly

"If you're trying to anger me you have failed" aurora says

"Oh wow, a dispute and an alliance being formed under my nose, how interesting" a figure says from atop one of the buildings

"M'lady it is unsafe to stand up here" another figure say's worryingly

"Your stealthiness is more than I expected" lelovia says

"Eh, my covers already blown" the figure says before jumping down, encompassed in a feint magical glow

"I must say I am quite interested in this alliance you people speak of" says lara

"M'lady are you hurt !" Luke says before leaping to Lara

"Quell your worries Luke, Im not as fragile as you think" Lara say annoyed

"Are you also interested in joining ?" Aurora asks

"Well even if I was I wouldn't join now, seeing as you people seem to be in a dispute as of right now" says lara

"Oh I am dearly sorry if that is how it seems, but I assure you that is not the case" aurora says cheerfully

"And beside you know as good as us that no one duo can defeat those twins, luckily that is why this group was formed" aurora says

"Is that so, if I am to join I would do so if I am included in the afor mentioned voting" Lara says smiling

"No problem" aurora says

"However it would be good to wait for the others to arrive, to see if they will join" says aurora

"I'm not opposed" Lara says excitedly

"While I don't like the fact that a poll has been established without our agreement I can't say Im against it" Mathew says

"Like wise" Derrick says before unhanding Mathew

"Seems our little rag tag group has officially gained some legitimacy" lelovia says in surprise

"It's good that we have another duo though" Benjamin says after sighing

"Hale how close are we to the village" Helar says tired

"Should be just past this hill" Hale says as she radiates a green glow

"I sense alot of people, about eight" Hale says

"Alright lets hurry I hate this goddamn forest, too many beasts" says Helar

"That would make you a coward and I hate cowards" A stern voice says

Helar turns around drawing his dagger and Hale begins to charge up mana

"With all due respect you cannot triumph here" Metralar says while raising his hands

"I agree" Davil says also raising his hands

"Damnit if they attack we're done" Helar thinks

"Dont worry you two we dont want to fight, we only want to reach the village without any unwanted injuries" says Metralar

"Plus I dont think you would want anything to happen to your beloved sister, am I right?" Davil says with a smile

Helar puts his dagger away cautiously followed by Hale who stops charging her mana

"Good, now will you let us pass" says Davil

"Sure go on" Helar says visibly anxious

"Thank you good sir" says Metralar

As they wake off in the direction of the village Helar sighs heavily

"Damn that was close" Helar thinks

"Do you think we couldve beaten them" Hale says while helping Helar up

"No, not in a millon years, we wouldve been destroyed" Helar says still shaking

"I see, well lets continue to the village" says Hale

"Right" says Helar

"Its been a while since anyone has arrived, maybe we should start voting" says Mathew

"No wait, I sense a duo coming" says Lelovia

As they wait the duo reveals themselves

"Its those two, but I thought they got taken out by the twins" Benjamin says

"Well miracles do happen" says Mathew

"I'll see if they're interested in joining" Benjamin says before walking over to the two

"Would you be interested in an alliance " says Benjamin

"Why do you ask" Helga says annoyed

"We need a large number of people to not only make it through this stage but to also defeat the twins seeing as they defeat you two quite easily " Benjamin says expecting them to agree to his request

"No, me and Helga will be the ones to defeat those two" Marcia says with anger in her voice

"Okay, to each there own" Benjamin says as he walks back to the group

"You know, it might have been a good idea to join them" says Helga

"No, I wont join that group just to beat those two" Marcia says still angry

"Couldn't persuade them" Benjamin says disappointed

"Thats fine, there are more to come" says Aurora

A little while later Isabelle's duos arrives at the village, her and Benjamin's eyes meet but they quickly part

"How about them" says Derrick

"No, they're weak, just some spoiled high royals" says Benjamin

"Aurora ?" Derrick says awaiting an answer

"I agree" says Aurora

Aurora suddenly tenses up as she sees Davil and Metralar arrive at the village

"Look brother its the rag tag group of weaklings" Davil says smiling

"Your right, I almost didnt see them" Metralar says jokingly

"Are you trying to fight ?" says Derrick

"No, we dont feel like fighting at the moment" says Metralar

"Then get going bastard" says Benjamin

They leave without saying a word

"I see, those two are our main targets" says Luke

"Hmm, it seems I underestimated how long it would take them" says Aurora

"Theres another duo coming" says Lelovia

"Finally made it" Helar says exhuasted

"Wow, I thought this place would be like the slums, I guess I was wrong" Hale says suprised

"Hey you, arent you the guy I took down with one punch" Benjamin says arrogantly

Helar looks down in shame not saying a word as Benjamin begins to laugh

A spear of ice flies past Benjamin's face bearly missing it

"Dont you dare mock my brother again" Hale says as she and Helar begin to walk off

"Are you okay Benjamin" says Lelovia

"Yeah i'm fine just shaken" says Benjamin as he brushes off the small amount of snow that landed on him

"Damn I react way too slow, if she wanted to kill me I wouldve been dead right there" Benjamin thinks as he places his hand on his forehead

Benjamin is snapped out of his thoughts as two duos emerge from the forest

"It looks like the number five and six duos have grouped, and they're completely ignoring us, I suppose offering an alliance would be useless" aurora thinks but is shooken by miseria suddenly arriving in the middle of the village

"Now that everyone's here, gather around I gave an announcement to make" says Miseria

"Im here to tell you all what will happen after today" Miseria says with a grin