As King ric prepared to leave, the high luminary entered the hall with her entourage, her presence calm yetmanding. She approached him, her expression serene but her words sharp.


    The High-luminary had long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down her back, shimmering with a soft glow that seemed to emit a gentle radiance. Her eyes were hidden behind a soft light veil. Her skin was fair and smooth, with a faint luminescence that made her appearance literally glow


    She wore a regal gown made of light, white fabrics that flowed around her like wisps of mist. The gown was adorned with patterns that resembled constetions, shimmering subtly as she moved. Around her neck, she wore a pendant with a radiant crystal that seemed to have a pulse of its own, it hummed with an inner light, a gift from the Goddess herself.


    "King ric," she said, her voice steady and measured, "I always knew you had a penchant for questionable choices, but I did not expect you to exploit Elias with this challenge."


    The High-luminary''s presence was both calming and awe-inspiring and she radiated a sense of peace and purity that drew most people to her. She moved with grace and poise, and her voice was gentle yetmanding.


    ric opened his mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, continuing in the sameposed tone. "I met Lord Varric on my way here. He exined the details of the challenge''s stakes to me. I must admit, I am deeply disappointed." Her eyes met ric''s, conveying a quiet yet firm disapproval.


    King ricughed, a harsh sound, "You misunderstand, High Luminary," he said, a sly smile ying on his lips. "It was Elias Ashdown himself who proposed the challenge. He was the one who took advantage of me and the other family heads, not the other way around."


    The high luminary''s eyes widened ever so slightly, a subtle sign of her surprise, though her calm demeanor remained unchanged. She studied ric, her expression unreadable, before speaking in her usual measured tone. "Is that so?"


    ric''s smile widened, sensing her unease. "How was your trip, Luminary? I heard you faced some difficulties with wild beasts and demons."


    There was a brief pause as the high luminaryposed herself, her gaze unwavering. "Yes," she replied, her voice steady. "We encountered a few challenges, but my priests, acolytes, and brave soldiers ensured our safety. Their dedication and courage were exemry." She met ric''s eyes, her calm mask firmly in ce, giving nothing away.


    King ric pped his hands together, a mocking grin on his face. "Well, the fun is over now," he dered, turning to leave. "I''ll be on my way."


    The high luminary''s gaze shifted to the arena below, where Elias Ashdown was basking in the glory of his recent victory. "So that''s him?" she murmured, a hint of curiosity in her voice. She turned to Priest Mathias, who stood at her side.


    Priest Mathias nodded. "Yes, High Luminary. That is Elias Ashdown."


    She tilted her head slightly, studying the young man. "He looks younger than I expected," she remarked, her voice thoughtful.


    "I must say, despite his age and looks, he is quite thepetent one," Priest Mathis chipped in


    As if sensing her gaze, Elias nced up. His eyes met the high luminary''s, and he shed a brilliant, confident smile. She noted his perceptiveness, a small, almost imperceptible smile of her own forming.


    "He''s perceptive," shemented, turning to Priest Mathias. "Ensure that Elias is brought to the temple as soon as possible. He will need to receive his blessings."


    Priest Mathias bowed slightly. "Of course, High Luminary. I will see to it immediately." The high luminary watched Elias a moment longer, contemting the unexpected turn of events.


    Suddenly, the air was shattered by two sessive explosions, the sound reverberating from the direction of the first district. A split secondter, another explosion boomed from the second district, followed by two more from the fourth and fifth districts.


    The ground shook, and panic rippled through the crowd. The guards and soldiers, eyes wide with rm, sprang into action, rushing towards the source of the chaos. The orderly atmosphere of the arena dissolved into a franticmotion as everyone scrambled to escape, fearing more explosions might follow.


    King ric, visibly tense, barked orders to his guards. "Secure the area! Find out what''s happening!" He looked around, trying to assess the situation, while the high luminary remained eerily calm, her eyes scanning the crowd.


    "High Luminary, we must get you to safety," Priest Mathias urged, stepping closer to her.


    She nodded, her expression unreadable. "Yes, but first, ensure the civilians are protected and the injured are attended to." She nced at the arena floor, where Elias Ashdown stood, momentarily stunned by the chaos. "And bring Elias to me," she added. "Make sure he is safe and unharmed."


    As the crowd continued to surge towards the exits, the guards struggled to maintain order, guiding people away from the arena. The air was thick with fear and uncertainty


    "Explosions?" Elias muttered to himself as he looked around the arena


    The once-excited murmurs turned to panicked screams as chaos erupted in the arena. The spectacle had taken a horrifying turn, and the crowd''s collective fear became palpable. People scrambled from their seats, desperate to escape the threat of the explosion.


    Bodies pressed against each other, the air thick with the scent of sweat and fear. The frantic pushing and shoving intensified, with some resorting to climbing over others to reach the exits. The weaker and slower were shoved aside or trampled underfoot, their cries for help drowned out by the deafening roar of the panicked crowd.


    Blood sttered the ground as the crush of bodies forced people against the sharp edges of seats and barriers. Limbs were twisted and broken in the desperate struggle to escape. The suffocating press of people made it hard to breathe, and some fell to the ground, never to rise again.


    In the midst of the chaos, a young woman fell, her scream cut short as the crowd surged forward, trampling over her. A man tried to help only to be shoved aside, his face smashing into a railing, leaving a bloody smear.


    Elias'' eyes traced around the crowd, unsure of what step to take next, amidst the crowd he spotted a familiar frame wearing a cloak. The figure''s movements were strange, different from the rest of the fearing crowd. Instead of heading for the exit, he walked in the opposite direction.


    "[Perception]"


    Elias locked on in on the figure who was headed upward, toward the direction of the King''s canopy. As the figure elerated, the hood of his cape was pushed back, until it finally fell backpletely.


    Elias'' eyes widened as the figure''s face was revealed to him, that face, that hair…that scar. It was;


    "Carius.."