Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

According to witnesses, the individual was a figure in leather armor, wearing a hood, a cloak, and a black facemask. No one seemed capable of describing any other discerning features. They could not estimate the person\'s size, gender, or any other defining features about them.

Guards did state that as the individual left, they referred to themselves as \'Titan\' and to reach out to the Eroan embassy for additional information. After the person left, a blonde woman who appeared to be a wolf beastman, clamped onto the masked person\'s arm.

"Has anyone been to the Eroan embassy yet?"

"Yes, Commander. However, the guards at the embassy state that the men we sent do not possess the proper clearance to interact with the individuals inside." One of his soldiers answered.

Arturo nodded, understanding perfectly why they ran into issues. "That makes sense. Currently staying within the embassy are a small number of high-level individuals. I will go myself."

Arturo pointed for a few men to follow him then proceeded to leave. However, as he was leaving he noticed a strange char mark in the stonework that appeared to be the shape of a foot… "Strange…" he wondered aloud before continuing.

When he arrived outside the appropriate embassy, he saw some more of his guards standing outside patiently. The Eroan guards seemed to be in a pleasant mood, which meant that his men did not do or say anything untoward out of frustration.

"Hello, I am Commander Arturo of Arcadios. His majesty, King Aleksander Verall von Arcadios, assigned me over city security during the events. I wish to discuss the events today with a \'Titan\' who stated he was here."

The guards for the embassy turned to look at him and bowed. "Commander Arturo. You may enter the grounds. Your men may join you, but only two of your men will be permitted inside the building itself. The rest must remain in the garden."

He thanked the two men and instructed all but two of his guards to stay outside of the embassy gates for the ease and comfort of the kingdom\'s guests. Though they were granted permission to at least enter the grounds, it looked better to not have them join as a show of trust towards Eroa.

The inside of the embassy was rather beautiful. Though only a few dignitaries normally stayed on the grounds, the individuals in charge of caring for the exterior had done a wonderful job in tending to the native plants of Eroa that were able to survive in Arcadios\' different climate.

The inside of the embassy was also gorgeous. It was more rustic than one would expect, being furnished with many wooden pieces of furniture and items that still possessed the rougher exterior of bark, rather than the finished polish of fully processed lumber.

This was a nod to the standard furnishings of Eroa as well. Since most of the population lived in and among large trees, the more rustic style was common for commoners and nobility. Though the kingdom of Arcadios also had a vast sea of trees, the human nation spent a lot of time processing their lumber to create their goods.

"Commander Arturo, was it? Did you have something to discuss with our representative in the tournament?" A voice called out to him as he was admiring the surroundings. It came from a handsome man with cat-like ears and a thin, black and orange striped tail.

"King Verdayl Eroa… it is my pleasure," Arturo said with a deep bow.

"I have brought my representative, Titan, to speak with you."

*****

"Rena, are you quite all right?"

Currently fretting over her well-being was the old man, Wally Carmichael, who insisted that both she and Natali also refer to him as grandpa, for reasons she did not understand other than they were close friends with Lyrah.

A little while ago, the old man had let slip that Lyrah was his biological great-granddaughter. Hearing this made Rena swoon a little because it meant that she had been made privy to a massive state secret without her intending to and all thanks to the absentminded comments of a nearly senile old man.

"Grandpa Wally, I am fine. I healed the wound myself."

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"I know that, dear, but…" He sighed with exasperation. "You said you were saved by someone?"

"Yes… a strange person in a flat black mask… they said their name was Titan," Rena answered.

Wally stroked his beard slowly, pondering the name. "I do believe that…hmmm…"

"Grandpa?" Lyrah asked carefully.

"I believe this uh, Titan fellow… I believe he is a representative for Eroa in the tournament. He is one of the seven representatives."

Rena\'s face paled. "So you mean I might have to fight him?" She asked timidly.

"Yes, that exists as a possibility." Wally nodded.

She could not help but gulp. Unless it was a one-time trick, which she doubted, the speed at which Titan moved was astounding. In a one-on-one fight, she doubted that she could overwhelm him. Though she did not see him use magic, she could not rely on the fact that he was not also adept at that as well.

As a representative for the kingdom of Eroa, he was likely extremely skilled. He had to be at least as skilled as Thomas. Rena already knew she could not realistically beat him, though she wanted to, very badly. If Titan was at least as strong as that, then there was no way to win.

Her only hope now is for Thomas to get beaten out by someone else so that his promotion to head of the household is delayed long enough for her to formally remove herself from the family and strike it out on her own. If Thomas was granted his position as head before she did that, then there was no telling what would happen to her.

"Make sure you get plenty of rest. Stay here with us. You have quite a busy day tomorrow, Rena." Lyrah said with a quiet voice and kind smile.

"Thank you, Lyrah, Natali, Grandpa Wally. I appreciate you all so much." She said back.

Tomorrow was the tournament and first thing in the morning she would have to survive a free-for-all fight against an unknown number of eager fighters. If she made it through that, then she would have to figure out a way to potentially fight Titan.

She brushed her fingers over the cat pendant on the choker she never removed. "Wish me luck, Lucius, my love."