Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 215: The Water Portal

Chapter 215: The Water Portal

Upon making it to the court of celestial Valor, Samantha could spot Maurice amongst the trainers, and she wasn’t surprised when she saw Alain with him. Maurice had crouched on his knees with his palms set forward, and Alain was sending playful blows into Maurice’s palm, while imitating the sound ’hyah! Hyah!’ as he simultaneously turned Maurice’s palm into his own punching bag.

The sky was darkening, and the lamp torches set on the court burned brightly, illuminating the whole arena.

A subconscious smile graced Samantha’s lips at the cute interaction, but she averted her gaze when Ivan gently pulled her with him as they moved past the pillars. They went to meet Queen Lucinda who was sitting at the far end of the court, playing the chess game with Viktor who for once, seemed to be in a dilemma. Lucinda’s blue eyes moved to gaze at the couple who approached her table, and with a little twitch at the corner of her mouth, she dropped the porcelain cup in her hand on the table.

"It’s a good thing you two are here, I needed an audience to witness Lord Viktor lose to me in a game of chess." Lucinda gestured at the board, showing how she has all of Viktor’s players cornered by her White Queen. Viktor’s crimson eyes reflected his disapproval, but he could not refute as she was, disappointedly right about him losing.

Not like he’d openly admit it anyway.

"You have not wished me and my soon-to-be bride congratulations on our alliance, Lord Viktor. Are you not happy that I have found happiness with the woman I’m going to spend eternities with?" Ivan pointed out, facing Viktor, and the vampire, who seemed stressed enough about what was going on, released a soft sigh before pausing in the game he was playing. He has heard the announcement, and although he wished to be happy, he could not.

"That is not the issue," Viktor finally answered truthfully before reclining against his seat, and then he stated, "you came to me the other night, we discussed, and I warned you of what is likely to happen if you carry on with this alliance. I am not trying to discourage you, neither am I in disapproval of your relationship with her, but if she is destined to be with someone else–"

"When marked, she becomes bound to her partner, even in death." Ivan interrupted him, his eyes darkening upon hearing his little lamb belonging to someone else. "She’s marked by me, and that makes her my woman. Saying she has someone else when the lady in question isn’t aware of it, I take it as an illusion."

"You won’t listen, you’re as stubborn as your Father." Viktor carefully moved another piece, and Lucinda stepped into the conversation.

"I believe they say love conquers all?" Lucinda arched an eyebrow at Viktor before looking at the couple. "You can’t force them to break if they don’t want to. If they want to be together then I support the two of them. I’ve never believed in the bonds that connected one to an existing soulmate, I only know that a bond is true when sacrifices for love are made. Pay no attention to Viktor, and you two must stay together, no matter what."

Lucinda advised the two of them who smiled her way, and Viktor dared not oppose as he was the only vampire standing.

While everyone carried on with their positive mingling, Helena stepped forward in the center of the court to finally address the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, including the six contestants who are about to move on to the fourth round of the event...your attention please" She paused, and to her relief, she could hear whispers ripple through the small crowds of important guests as they moved forward to listen to what she has to say.

"Due to some unforeseen circumstances," she audibly began, "we have decided to alter the course of these extraordinary challenges. As a result, the strength and the agility of every contestant shall be pushed to their utmost limit. Will the six contestants step forward where I can see them, I’m going to make an example so you must come closer to get a good view."

The crowds subconsciously leaned forward, a sense of intrigue overwhelming their curiosity as the six contestants moved forward as ordered. Herbert stepped forward as well, and he handed a smooth blue stone to Helena who received it. Everyone gazed at it, some stupefied, while some showed no reaction as they were already aware of what the stone was, but it didn’t hide their curiosity as they wondered how it would be used for the event.

Turning around, Helena drew an invisible circle in the air, using the stone as her pen. As she drew the circle, a thin blue line began to materialize in the air, and by the time she was done drawing a full wide circle, the reflection of a water filled the space within the center of the circle, and awed gasps could be heard. Facing the contestants and the crowd, Helena continued from where she stopped.

"In this next stage, each of our six contestants will be paired in order to be eligible for the next round. These pairs will venture into a mystical portal which is this." She pointed at the portal she just created, "there, they will embark on a journey to retrieve a powerful gemstone. Whatever they come across on their way towards finding the gemstone is all part of the event, but fear not, for I have faith that our contestants possess the strength and courage to overcome these challenges."

Helena’s gaze surveyed through the crowd, her eyes meeting the gaze of the contestants momentarily. "Once inside this Portal, you will encounter trials and tribulations, both physical and mental. Only by working together, utilizing each other’s strength, can you hope to emerge victorious. The journey will not test only your mettle, but your bond as a team." She elaborated audibly, and most of the attention returned to the water portal behind her.

The six contestants exchanged glances, some nodding and others displaying a hint of concern.

"However," Helena suddenly added, earning her another round of silence. "The reward for your bravery shall be unmatched. Each gemstone possesses immense powers, capable of transforming their wielder into a force to be reckoned with. These gemstones will grant their users enhanced abilities, making them an unstoppable force... if you know what I mean."

Hearing this, excitement now sparkled in the eyes of the contestants, their hearts pounding with anticipation as they exchanged glances once more.

"Only for test references, each contestant shall wield a sword with one of our very own gemstones, it will serve as a form of encouragement so you can prepare for the event in the next two days to come. Where are the swords, Hugo?" Helena turned to the organizer who was in charge of giving out the swords. When he got the message, he stepped forward to hand out swords to the six contestants, and when he got to Maurice, an unnoticeable smirk curved his lips, and he handed him the blade which he had smeared with poison. Since the poison had dried up with the blade, nothing unusual was detected, and Maurice received his sword, holding it by the hilt.

"What’s going to happen here will be a little demonstration of power. Prince Alistair," calling his name, Alistair stepped forward, and in his hand was a sword which he twirled. "Alistair’s sword has an absorbing technique, when you strike, his blade will absorb the energy. Who wants to go first?"

As usual, Bryn stepped forward, feeling most confident with himself, and he received a gemstone from Herbert.

Glancing at his blade, there was a hollow oval shape carved into the hilt of his sword, and when he placed the gemstone that fit in perfectly, his eyes widened when the sword began to emanate with a powerful yellow lighting.

With an excitement he’s never experienced before, he targeted Alistair and made a swift slash in the air, forming an impressive arc, but when the light struck Alistair’s blade, it was instantly absorbed by the power of his gemstone.

"Incredible!" Bryn mused, and as usual, everyone else was willing to give it a try. Maurice was the last, and for some reason, he was hesitant to test his blade on Alistair, yet he couldn’t tell why he was wary of his own blade.

When all eyes were fixed on him, he gulped nervously and moved his feet to where Herbert stood. Gazing at the multiple gemstones, he randomly picked one from the little sack.