Leon had a glint in his eyes, a fervor in his expression that even from a distance, was the most prominent aspect of his abrupt change of demeanor.

He didn't look charming, he looked downright alarming, and in his smirk, maliciousness lurked.

It reminded me too much of a certain someone else utterly infatuated with the Elf, spurring relentlessly forth with the same tenacity, the same drive… at some point, I wouldn't be all that surprised if I catch him actually producing tiny little sparks from his fingers as well.

That being said, Jay was still a whole 'nother hopeless romantic entirely. Leon couldn't even hold a candle to him… nevertheless, he was still a wick burning annoyingly bright and hot.

'Go to the town center'

Sounded like a threat. Was it a threat? Probably not. Am I gonna go ahead and think it was anyway? Probably yes.

We finally left the theatre shortly after, with Adalia struggling for balance and Sera keeping close. As we bizarre pair of three stumbled on through the narrow exit, I thought to myself rather foolishly that that was the end of that.

Foolish indeed. You wanna know what happened next? I'll tell you what happened next, and you'll be just as befuddled as I too as to what happened next.

Nothing happened next.

Both on the left, and to the right, there was nothing in sound and nothing in sight. All there was were the rustle of leaves swaying and the buzz of vents rumbling in the walls. You wanna find people, forget people… it's as if somebody just snapped their fingers, vanishing everyone everywhere just as I went to fetch Adalia, and now here I was witnessing the effects of that aftersnap.

In this part of town, at least as far as I could see, there was not a single being, fantasy or otherwise. Okay, that was just a little hyperbole… in truth, there were still one or two people here and there roaming the medieval roads, but there was no denying that the town had gotten significantly less crowded.

For a moment or two, the three of us were like a couple of deers in headlights, wondering why and wandering around for that why. We only made it until the end of the block, before suddenly someone stopped.

Adalia stopped.

"I… hear something…" She said, her voice a little raspy, then further continued, her face in a little wince. "It's… loud…"

I stopped too, I heard it too… although not quite to the same level as she. To me it was faint, like a whisper in a soundproof tunnel, so faint, so distant, I could hear it say -

"Hear ye, hear ye, heed all that choose to listen."

I was listening.

"To those that seek grandeur and fame aplenty, and to those yearning to fill the hollowness of life, I beseech you all, spare a moment, gather around, for an event like no other is about to commence."

I've walked through the paths of this plenty enough to know just where exactly that sound was coming from - and even if I didn't, considering what I was told before just mere moments ago… where the hell else would I be headed to?

Yeah, twisting and turning down a couple of deserted streets brought us right where the finger snap plopped everybody at. Town center was a large wide place. with lots of empty spaces… yet somehow right then, in the tiniest crack in the narrowest of alleys was crammed with people all squirming and writhing, peering between the slits and cracks of the rows and rows of heads at the front.

And since we've arrived late we've got the best view of it all if you don't count the million other people in the way of said view. That's why we have toes, everybody. Tiptoes, the answer to all life's problems. Disclaimer: Not really.

I lifted my head, craned my neck, and squinted my eyes to the center of where all these people were encompassing. At first, I wasn't sure exactly what I was seeing - two big white slabs side by side one another near the entrance of the bell tower, embellished with all sorts of fancy shiny ornaments and intricate swirly markings on all sides.

Even after a second and third glance at those flashy white squares, I still hadn't a clue what the fuss was all about. Adalia was no help, her half-opened rims of misty white stared just as clueless, and as for Sera, she doesn't even need saying… literally.

So we heeded the voice, who I discovered turned out to be the same announcer from the jousting arena, a little bit more.

"Here I call to the races of every man and woman alike, I call those who consider themselves worthy of valor unyielding, worthy of splendor dazzling, and perhaps also… worthy of love everlasting."

Love?

Suddenly the announcer gave out a signal, a single wave of his hand beckoning… then immediately after, behind him, opened slowly, compelling, the grand, giant double doors of the tower, and out from the entrance, emerged a sight that nearly sent my tiptoes stumbling back down.

It was Ash.

But somehow… not quite. Somehow… so different. I… I don't even know why it was.

Maybe her snowy-white hair… maybe that's it. So elegantly woven, braided, every falling curl accentuating every minute detail. Her face, perhaps… how her pale complexion seemed to glow almost ethereal, or maybe it was her eyes, how the greens in her gaze glittered more prominent than ever… or her lips, how strikingly red they suddenly were… or her ears, or maybe her cheeks.

Or everything. Everything was different. Even her attire. Gone was her metal suit of armor. Instead of bracers, she had on her arms these silky white translucent-like sleeves. In place of her chest plate and leggings, she was befitted with an elegant gown in the same hue of white, a pattern of blooming roses adorned into its every curl.

I fell. Physically and metaphorically. It was like the bones in my feet became sludge, and my mind went along with it. If beauty could kill, everybody present would have just dropped right then and there no question.

Thankfully, I managed to recoup enough mentally to continue on tiptoes, this time with a stare as wide as saucers.

The crowd was quiet, enthralled as Ash continued to make her way forward, stopping only once briefly, to ascend up one of the slabs before her, and only then did I finally realize that those weren't just slabs, they were pedestals… like literal pedestals.

Propping her up high for every pair of eyes to properly have a better look for her. From where I was standing, not sure if it was just me, but she looked rather apprehensive, rather stiff… from the way she occasionally darted her eyes to her feet, and how she had her hands continuously folding atop one another.

Not very dignified… but nevertheless, it was just as enticing a sight in its own way, and clearly I wasn't alone in that thought, judging by the unblinking stares of everyone around.

The announcer nodded approvingly at her, and continued his speech.

"Here now, our gracious, most benevolent hosts and hostesses, offer you a reward like no other ever bequeathed before. A hefty sum in the thousands. A golden plaque with your name inscribed that will forever be displayed for every convention from here henceforth… and of course, without much further ado, the hand, and maybe perchance the heart… of the fairest maiden in all the lands."

He raised a hand to Ash, with motions theatrical. Pausing momentarily to achieve that dramatic effect.

I had a feeling, I had an inkling of a thought… the moment I saw her walking out those doors, I already knew… and I already, undoubtedly, felt a sense of really, really, urgent urgency.

This was Amanda's great idea?

This? Turning Ash into a literal trophy wife? I don't even -

Danger. Stranger Danger. You just let the dogs out, Amanda. You just gave her to the wolves - hungry wolves, and they looked just about to eat her whole.

How could you?

How -

"And should the Elf somehow have not piqued your interest, well…" The announcer loudly, brazenly chuckled - and once again - he waved his arm in gesture. "Perhaps this would prove too a tempting offer to many of you."

Out with a clack of heels, emerging from the same metal doors from whence came, was another breathtaking sight that really did a number on my toe bones.

This time Amanda herself was approaching the other pedestal, dressed just as beautifully, groomed just as gracefully as Ash was - with her sleek blonde locks tied into hair drills, and with her dress a stark contrast with Ash's, it being black and grey all over.

Continuing with the polar opposites - Amanda stood atop her pedestal, confident and bold, greeting the masses with a wave and smile that I'm confident stopped many hearts from beating just then.

What the heeeeeeeeeeeel…

"A beauty only rivaled by the other!" The announcer proclaimed. "One or the other, you may choose. One or the other, their hand, their heart, for the taking. This, my fellow friends, is the ultimate price on offer ripe for the pickings."

When I say the crowd erupted enough to almost shift the tectonic plates, believe me on that, okay? Because that's exactly how it went down after that statement there.

"Alas, ladies and gents, alas," He continued after the fervor gradually died away. "A reward such as this can only be matched by a challenge just as great. You may only gain once you've suffered, as is the unwritten rule of life… in order to win the ultimate glory shall you choose to, one must compete in a series of trials to prove they are worthy of receiving such gifts."

Trials? Is this really what's happening? Are you for real right now?

"Yes!" The announcer's voice boomed. "And that is not all - for this challenge is an all-out brawl. Should you choose to partake in the trials, you will all be pitted against one another, and you all will be judged accordingly based on your performance - this will go on until the number of contenders has whittled to three, then from three to two… until finally, there is only one. And he or she who should prove his or herself victorious may only then claim the ultimate prize. Gold, fame… a fair chance at love… and the crown title of Hero of Asteria."

Somewhere in the crowd there stood a figure prominent, distinct… and I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. Because at this point, I recognized that outline over there more than any other, and really, how I could not?

Nick was a fucking giant, after all.

A giant whose giant eyes were glimmering big with giant opportunity. Whose stare I'm sure was reflecting back a mix of colors golden and grey.

Oh no.

"Oh yes, my friends," The announcer beamed. "Soon after, to those still wanting, we will all converge inside the tower for a little song and dance as we prepare the stage for the first trial - and there, you may then proclaim to the judges who it is that you'll be fighting hand and heart for."

Leon.

In my mind, I saw him… and in there I saw his smile again, saw his stare again, and there were just as perturbing as when I saw them last.

So, imagine how I felt right then when I saw them both again amidst the crowd? There he was, somewhere a little left, jutting a little right - his long flowing locks woefully unmistakable.

Him. He had eyes for only her. The maiden in ethereal white. And just like with Nick, his entire stature was exuding resolve, unwavering, unbreaking resolve.

This was actually happening, wasn't it? I'm actually going to have to compete in this, aren't I? I'm actually going to have to go head to head with both of them, aren't I?

Amanda, you conniving sneaky son of a -

This is actually happening?!

"Yes, this is actually happening everyone!" Bellowed the announcer's voice, reaching its peak with the clamor of the crowd. "Let the tournament of champions begin!"