"Listen Cane," Zedd addressed his friend as they walked towards the Altar of Offering. "The reason why I didn't help with the Queen was to prepare these two gifts."

"I'm not changing my mind Black Eyes," Cane replied. He had worn one of those stubborn faces only big guys could pull off. There were thick creases on his forehead. His eyes looked at the floor fixatedly as he walked. And his breathing got ragged every time he wanted to speak of his new resolution.

"I'm not trying to dissuade you," Zedd retorted. "It appears you've already made your decision."

"Yes," Cane answered. He looked like a huge kid brooding.

"I've had the chance to kill one of those Lantern Lures while you fought the Queen." Zedd took out a small bag from his belt then extracted a long bone from it. It bent in the shape of a crescent moon. Its pointy end looked threatening.

"This is a Lantern Lure's claw," he explained. "I can make any weapon you want from it."

"Back up a bit now would ya?" Cane replied, somewhat shocked. "Let's first talk about the little trick ye've just done. Ya just pulled that huge thing out ova coin purse."

"Oh that?" Zedd dangled the small purse in front of his black eyes. "That's a bottomless bag, my second gift to you."

"Bottomless bag?" Cane repeated. He extended his hand to inspect the small purse. It was made of brown leather, with a silver thread used to close it.

"How do you want your weapon?" Zedd asked after his friend finished inspecting the purse.

"Ya mean ye'll make the weapon now?" Cane asked.

"Yes, I've already prepared it for Trans.m.u.tation." Black Eyes smiled as he turned the claw left and right. "You've heard of it, I believe?"

"Tis what Ulmir's High Priest uses to give us the prize," Cane replied.

"Precisely," Zedd answered. "I'm impressed you know of it Cane. Not that I underestimated your knowledge, but this kind of magic is quite ancestral."

"Master told me about it," the big bear clarified.

"I wonder how your master never found out about your Fragment then," Zedd said pensively. "I guess it's a topic for another day. We've reached the Altar."

Both men stopped before a stone structure. In front of them a sculpture, twenty feet high and about nine feet wide was erected. It depicted a man standing atop a monster three times his size. He had a spear lodged into the monster's skull. Its mouth was open, showing sharp pointy teeth. If one looked closely, they could see the spear inside the monster's mouth.

The man in the sculpture wasn't clearly visible though. Years of erosion and encounters with giant monsters erased his facial features, stripped his mighty armor from the precious stones that embellished it long ago.

"Kinda looks like a big insect with a lion's head." Cane was inspecting the sculpture while Zedd was unstrapping the giant Queen.

"It's a Felicore, a merciless hunter beast," Black Eyes explained while he resumed unstrapping the Queen. "Ulmir hunted the Felicore, the most vicious hunter in this realm, to mark his supreme reign over these lands. Now help me with this one, will you?"

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Cane took his eyes off of the stone statue then walked towards Black Eyes. "Ya think she'll survive?" he asked as Cane carried Greta behind the sculpture. Zedd cast a spell to carry the Queen and place her in front of the sculpture.

"Positive," Zedd answered. "Once inside, Ulmir's priests will heal her wounds. She'll partic.i.p.ate in the Contest with us."

"Ya don't look happy about it," the big bear observed.

"I don't really mind. Whether she lives or dies depends on her, a bit on luck too."

"Yer working hard to convince me to stay in the team," Cane slowly put the injured woman down against the castle's outer wall.

"I didn't think you were capable of sarcasm. I'm pleasantly surprised Cane. Quitting is your decision. I'd rather not talk about it now." He was busy levitating the Queen towards the Altar.

"A war hammer," he announced as he turned around to look at Zedd's progress. The gigantic creature was floating above the statue, being slowly lowered on top of the Altar.

"Excellent choice," Black Eyes commented. "This claw is stronger than steel. You can keep that bottomless purse too. It'll come in handy."

After the Queen's body was deposited, both men noticed movement in the statue. The monster towered above the stone sculpture. Zedd got closer to the statue to observe it. The sculpted man moved his stone spear out of his prey's head then poked the Queen with it.

"What the h.e.l.l is that?" Zedd whispered.

"Looks like it's melting." Cane walked beside Black Eyes and observed.

"It's actually absorbing it. Something tells me that's how it measures its weight."

"Something tells me it's doing something else," Cane retorted. "And I don't like the look of it."

The monster's body started shrinking as the spear in the sculpture glowed brightly. After a while the wall against which Greta lied started rumbling. Both men turned to see a stone gate being slowly raised.

"It's almost time," Zedd announced as he took a last glance at the shrinking monster. He walked back to the Mobeel, recovered the claw next to it then turned to Cane. "There won't be any magic imbued in your weapon. At least you won't have to worry about friendly fire during the Contest."

"Magic's not allowed in the Contest," Cane said.

"Another reason why I shouldn't put anything on it, besides, you don't know how to put your own imprint on weapons yet." Zedd started reciting a spell in a language Cane couldn't comprehend. The curved claw slowly started straightening. After a while, Cane could see the sharp claw expand then shrink in rapid succession. Before the Queen's body was completely absorbed, Zedd was finished with his trans.m.u.tation.

"War hammers rely on brute force. But what happens when some strong fella with a s.h.i.+eld parries you? I've made some adjustments." Zedd held the weapon high for Cane to see. "Meet Lucerne, a hammer and an axe at the same time. Plus," Zedd handed the Lucerne to Cane then continued. "It can also be used to stab opponent. I kept the sharp end of the claw intact for this purpose."

The big bear inspected the weapon curiously. "Bone seems strange at the bottom," he told Black Eyes.

"For a solid grip," he answered. "You can store it in the Bottomless Bag I gave you."

Zedd took Usurper out then inspected it. After the fight against Drake, the sword had sustained heavy damage. Despite the rare metal he used in forging his weapon, it still couldn't withstand all the pressure he put it into. He needed a master smith to look into it, lest he'd lose it forever.

"What's wrong with yer sword?" Cane asked.

"I mistreated it. Put it under a lot of stress. Perhaps I'd find a master smith inside the castle," he said jokingly. He coated his weapon with a transparent aura.

"Whatcha doing there?" the big bear asked.

"I'm coating it with a protective spell. It contains my aura imprint," he answered. "I won't use it during the Contest but I won't let any incompetent fool touch it. Only a master smith could break it."

"They'll take our weapons?"

"Then how would you fight dummy? They take them to give you a choice when your time comes to fight. Take your weapon or choose one from their armory."

"Black Eyes," Cane said as he looked down. "Thank you for the gifts, but-"

"For the last time Cane," Zedd interrupted. "I'm not trying to dissuade you. You've made your choice and I respect that. Use what I've given you during the Contest. It might even save your life."

"What d'ya mean?" the big bear raised his eyebrows.

"This realm hides a secret. I don't know what it is but I know Rimbaldi's looking for it. When the Empire notices that their soldiers didn't make it for the Contest, they'll accelerate their plan."

"What plan?" the big bear asked.

"I thought you were out," Zedd answered, amused.

Noticing his friend's questioning eyes, Zedd went on. "You've heard of the Gates of Mercy I presume."

"They say it leads to some ancient tomb or something."

"It's partly true. But beneath the ancient tomb, there's a portal that leads to another world. My sources say it leads to Dhobor's Lost Domain. The Empire wants to get its hands on it."

"And ya don't wan'em to find it," Cane commented.

"They don't know what they're doing," Zedd said, gritting his teeth.

"Why'd you kill the imperials then?" the big bear asked.

"That's something I can't tell you about just yet," Black Eyes answered. "Believe me friend, you can't deal with two revelations at once."

"What d'ya mean? Everyone knows the Empire's up to something," Cane said defiantly.

"That's not what I was implying friend." Zedd approached the opening door. "The Queen's almost completely absorbed. A barrier's blocking us from accessing the door. I guess it has something with the offering. In any case, we'll have to get in soon. What did your master tell you about Trans.m.u.tation?"

"Not much," Cane answered. "Why d'ya ask?"

"I have a secret of my own," Zedd replied. "I'm about to reveal it to the world today."

Zedd turned to look at the big bear. His black eyes had vanished, replaced by blue, normal human eyes. His auburn hair slowly changed into dark blond. Where his nose had a sharp edge, he now had a round one. His face had become square while it was oval before.

"Da f.u.c.k?" the big bear was out of words. Those two were the only ones he could utter.

"Trans.m.u.tation can also be applied on humans," Zedd explained. "But it's very difficult, almost impossible."

"But ya can do it as easy as ya lifted that giant Queen in the air."

"Hard to explain, but yes, I can do it easily. I'm limited to two forms. I can't change into anything else."

"Why'd you change now?"

"Avourel knows this face. Seeing it will shake him to the core."

"And that's yer plan to distract the Emperor?"

"We should go in," Zedd urged. "Greta won't make it if we stay here longer. The Queen's been completely absorbed. And it seems we've been granted access."

"Ye'll tell me more about this when we get inside," Cane said as he followed his friend inside.

"You're out, remember?"

"Whatever," Cane answered.

"One more thing," Zedd said as they walked through the stone corridors. He was carrying Greta on his shoulder this time. "Don't call me by my name once we reach the Priest."

"I can't understand ya most times Black Eyes. What should I call ya?"

"Stalwart," Zedd answered. "Myles Stalwart."

Their footsteps echoed through the tunnel as they walked. In the distance, Cane could see a light, signaling their destination was close. As soon as both men emerged outside the dark corridor, a man fully clothed in blue welcomed them.

He wore a robe similar to the ones monks used in Yanoku. His face was hiding beneath a large hood. His long sleeves covered his hands. The bottom of the robe swept the floor as the priest walked towards them. "Welcome to Ulmir's Castle. You are the fifteenth team to arrive."

"Fifteen?" Cane asked. "So few?"

"There was an incident in the Faery Plains on the first day of the Hunt. High Priest Utar is investigating it as we speak," the Priest answered. His face was completely hidden by the hood. It felt like a shadow was speaking to them.

"Your friend needs help," the Priest went on. "Follow me, I'll show you to your quarters. She'll receive treatment in there too."

Both men followed the Priest as he guided them through narrow, windowless corridors. There was nothing exceptional about them, except for the magic lanterns that illuminated them. They looked like glowing colorful crystals. Their light spread through the tunnel walls, painting the gray walls blue, violet and green.

The priest led them to a large open square then stopped. Everywhere they looked, they saw tunnels leading to the place. Myles counted thirty two. They felt the heat of the place. There was no trace of wind in the arena. The silence that inhabited the place was unnerving. If felt like an abandoned historical monument. Only a chirping sound could be heard somewhere in the high towers that surrounded the Courtyard.

"This is the courtyard where the Contest will be held," Myles said.

"Yes," the Priest confirmed. "You haven't introduced yourselves."

"I'm Cane Moss," the big bear answered.

"I'm Myles Stalwart," Zedd spoke. "This one here's called Greta Sweeney."

"The Contest will start soon. I'll show you to your quarters after you've taken a good look at the square."

"What fer?" Cane asked. "We'll be fighting here every day."

"You'll fight in the Courtyard yes, but it won't look like this. You'll know soon enough."

"We can go now," Myles said. "Greta needs treatment."

"She'll receive the best treatment there is," the priest retorted. "Follow me now."

The man in the hood walked through more narrow corridors. Myles and Cane had to quicken their pace to follow him. After climbing serpentine stairs that made Cane's head turn, the priest finally stopped. He was standing in front of a st.u.r.dy oaken door. The door was pushed open, revealing a s.p.a.cious room with four cylindrical gla.s.s containers placed in each corner.

"Put her in one of these vats," the priest told Stalwart.

Cane was about to object when he saw Myles obeying. He approached the container and the gla.s.s opened. The cylinder was split in two, allowing Myles to put the unconscious Greta inside. Once placed, the gla.s.s door closed then a transparent liquid started filling the cylinder.

"What's happening?" Cane asked.

"The liquid will heal her," the priest answered. "It'll put her to sleep then create another body in her image."

"The same happens to all contestants," Myles added.

"Indeed. Your clone will fight in the Courtyard to the death. Once you sleep, your body will be reconstructed in a room near the arena. Your soul will be transferred to it and you'll fight using your avatar. If you die during the contest, you'll be transferred to the guest room where you'll watch the rest of the fights."

"Will High Priest Utar be there?" Myles asked.

"Certainly," the Priest replied. "High Priest Utar supervises the fights and decides on the outcome if the battle comes to a stalemate."

"What about Lord Ulmir?" Cane asked.

"The Lord rarely shows up during the Great Hunt," the Priest answered. "He oversees it from above, but never shows himself during the Contest. Now that we've had a situation in the Faery Plains, I fear our Master has his hands full."

'You lie!' Myles thought.

"I understand," Cane said. He looked disheartened.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to. Will you please hand over your weapons and the woman's?"

"Why?" Cane asked.

"We'll store them for you. You'll be free to use whatever weapon you'd like in the Contest. Should you require your own, it will be immediately provided."

"Why can't we come pick them up with our avatars ourselves?" Myles asked.

"You can't leave this place unless you lose a fight," the priest explained. "No one is to enter the room either unless one of you loses. Our Lord's commands."

"Of course," both men simultaneously replied. One's intent was genuine, while the other was mocking. Cane handed his new Lucerne while Myles handed Usurper. The weapon was dangerously dented. I required extra care or it would break at any moment.

The Priest collected Greta's weapons then made for the door. "Enjoy your stay, and may Ulmir guide your way."

The priest left then closed the door behind him. Cane heard the door getting locked from the other side. "Looks like we ain't going nowhere." He turned to look at Myles. "G.o.ds yer new face shocks me. Is this what ya looked like before?"

"Yes," Myles answered.

"Who were you?"

"n.o.body in particular," he answered. The only thing that hadn't changed in him was the shape of his mischievous smile. "But I'm somebody the Emperor knows very well."

"What makes ya sure he'll come looking?"

"Because showing this face is just part of a bigger plan." Myles moved towards one of the gla.s.s containers.

"This thing will read through your body." He was talking about the vat, trying to switch the subject. "It a.n.a.lyzes it down to the bone structure. The body you'll use will be the same as the one you have now. But it won't have the effects of the Fragment. Those avatars can't use magic."

"That's why magic isn't allowed in the Contest?" Cane asked.

"Yes, you'll have to rely on your skills and usual strength."

"That's what I signed up fer!" Cane said, he clenched his fists together, hard.

"Then get in the container." The gla.s.s cylinder closed as soon as Myles got inside.

"Good luck!" Cane said as he got inside the vat too.

"Ha!" Myles exclaimed. A transparent liquid was released and the man with a plan closed his eyes. He was smiling when the liquid completely covered him. His body felt lighter. His consciousness started drifting away as he was put to slumber.