"Do I have to?" The girl asked in defiance, her red feline ears twitching with her irritation.

"Yes! You do." The hamsternick insisted as she pulled Ardent into the sparring court. All around, her knights stood to spectate on all sides of the enormous arena, along with citizens of the realm. The wrap-around dais acted as a stage for onlookers. The dais was lit with quartz that glowed in areas, casting soft light for the crowd.

Above, the squared structure had an open ceiling, but where the spectators stood, a stone roof danced around the perimeter, providing shade. Small stone pillars dotted the arena, marking the edge of the sparring floor, which dipped inward to an open expanse by a small stairwell that lapped around the pit.

"Oh," Ardent said in observation, noticing the many faces in the crowd. "You're all here." Her voice held accusation at her knight's antics.

"Stop complaining." Seraphina scolded the queen, which only resulted in a scoff from Ardent.

Footsteps echoed off the stone and quartz as Sir Sekke stepped into the court. "Your first opponent will be Sir Sekke Lamorak." Ham declared. "Draw thine weapon Milady." She insisted.

"Fine." Ardent mumbled. She withdrew Illuminara from its sheath and closed her eyes. She focused and instantly her blade flashed with light and soft pale flames danced down its length.

Ardent grasped her sword with both hands and then took her stance, ready for whatever her knight would throw at her.

"There it is." Rain said with a smile. " The ardent look of determination."

Ham nodded as she took her spot next to Rain on the dais.

"Think it will work?" Amaterasu asked, sneaking up from behind a stone pillar.

Rain's eyes grew wide. "You're in your human form!" She squealed. He chuckled, his black fox ears pricking. "Surprise." He teased.

"Who knows." Answered Ham, her focus on the two dueling comrades. "Distraction can be one of nature's best medicine."

"Here I come!" Ardent's shout grabbed their attention. She charged forward, her footsteps fast, the sound of metal colliding with metal rang out through the hall as their swords met.

Ardent leapt backwards in disappointment. "You're holding back." She scolded.

Sekke became amused. There's our leader. Always acting like a mother to everyone. He was holding back, intentionally and the plan was working.

"Oh come on, if I don't hold back, I'll hurt you." He teased, giving a faint smile.

Her scarlet eyebrow started to twitch in irritation along with her ears. "First rule of combat. Never underestimate your opponent." She growled.

Deep inside he was laughing. He had hit a nerve, but how far could they push her?

"Again." She demanded. "This time you charge at me. Use your full strength!"

He obeyed and more metallic sounds echoed in the air as they clashed weapons, again and again. He took care to read her every move. She blocked as he attacked and he did the same when she returned her force.

He thought of the knights' plan, he couldn't keep it up, not for long. He had to tease her more. He waited as she charged at him. This was it. He dropped his cobalt sword to the ground.

She managed to stop herself before making contact with his blue armor.

"What the heck are you doing?" She cried as she stumble backwards to the ground, in shock that she almost hurt him.

He walked away unscathed. She could definitely tell he was trolling her now.

As he made his way to the spectators, he scanned the onlookers and spotted Pai just entering the arena with Àskériàn on the right side of the room. He gave a signal with a nod of his head.

Two birds with one stone, test Àskériàn, and fix the queen. "Time for phase two." He said leaving the angered girl on the sparring floor.