In the blink of an eye, several days have passed.

Today was the 7th day of the week, freeday. Tomorrow would be the day of the grand event. On the next Starday, the grand event that would set not just the city's fate, but most likely the entire kingdom's would finally kick-off.

From what he was told over the days, Aiden had a rough understanding of this almost month-long event that would take place in a place that had vast similarities to the Pocket World, where he and Lily trained during their childhood.

They called that battle the Battlegrounds, as it was nothing more than a vast, endless plane of millennials of carnage and bloodshed. An entire world, connected to this reality through the assistance of the Academy, was a place where this event was taking place since the beginning.

Countless cycles of this barbaric slaughter-fest have already gone by, hundreds of thousands of souls breathed their last in those vast planes. Littered with remnants of past battles, this apocalyptic landscape should also be filled with trophies and forgotten treasures left behind by those that were sent there before.

In any way.. This.. 'event', that would eventually settle who would be the best to sit at the helm and control the vast resources and power of what comes with the title of 'City Lord' was nicked as the 'War Games'.

The opposing parties would send their armies to this plane, where there would be one goal only: Survive till the end.

After the month-long intercourse, the party with the most men left standing would be crowned as the victor and given the famed title and the seat for the ultimate leadership.

Inside the Battleground, there were no rules. You can use whatever means you feel necessary, your only goal would be to ensure your own army's ultimate survival, but most importantly your own.

Once you were sent in, there was no way out. With the world's law altered, making the creation of a [Gateway] or any type of Dimensional Traversal an impossible task from the plane. The only way out would be from the outside, back from Eora through the assistance of the Academy's complex rituals.

One could ask: 'How are the people inside are supposed to eat and drink if the world is supposedly devoid of any life?'

The answer to that great question is actually not that simple. Whilst there should be some sparse wildlife artificially implanted, just for this very same reason, together with some vegetation, but to be honest that would hardly be enough for multiple armies, and hundreds upon hundreds of people.

In reality, besides this, 'natural' method of hunting, there is one extra lifeline, that the people stuck in that sub-world can rely on, and that is the daily supply drops.

Every day around noon, a package of provisions and items donated by the people of Higrove would be sent into a randomly selected region of the map. The supplies would be sent in through a gate, opened high above the sky, making sure that each group could see it.

This is done to ensure that the armies wouldn't just converge towards the central plains constantly, but would be forced to traverse the dangers and the many different biomes that were created.

Yes, dangers, plural. This world, this small world between alternate realities, dimensions is rumored to house many unique challenges. The 'participants', the followers, and mercenaries of the opposing four leaders don't only have to face each other, but also the entities and threats are thrown there.

Horrors, Nightmarish entities, monsters, and even, if the rumors could be believed: demons lie in wait beneath the surface to prey upon the unsuspecting, unlucky sods that invade their eternal cells.

Whilst it was mostly explored once in the past, there are many unknown secrets tucked away in this world..

—-

The day was closing towards early lunchtime by the time the team got back to the mansion.

Looking at his friends and family from the back, Aiden couldn't help but smile. Though their time together was still relatively short, he couldn't help but feel how lucky he truly was. Born as a being, a member of a race that was already lost and forgotten to this world, he couldn't help but feel lucky that he met such wonderful people.

Being found and taken in by Granny and Lily, he found himself a new family when he had no one and nowhere to turn to. They have shown him the familial love that as it turned out later, was stolen from him not once, but twice already.

Later on, with Number 3, his Master joining them, he even had a parental, mother-like figure in his life once again. Sadly, to his and Lily's great dismay and growing concern, she still hasn't emerged from the cocoon, her forbidden, taboo evolution was still going on. Her life signs are stable, and her shell being guarded in the safety of Haven, Aiden's own, growing world, she still hasn't shown any signs of change after all this time.

Even though he was told before that this evolution could take days, weeks, even years it was still quite hard to spend day after day, not knowing what was truly going on with one of the most important people in your life.

Going on, over the last couple of days, the slight misunderstandings and mishaps amongst the girls were seemingly resolved, or maybe just tucked beneath the surface. Regardless, the 'Girl Squad' have grown quite close to each other in these past days through the many ventures, hardest, and most challenging quests they have taken on.

From exploring new, unexplored regions of the underground dungeons to settling disputes, vanquishing thugs, or just hunting for specific monster and animal parts.. The team has bonded through blood, sweat, and tears.

Galina, the once goblin, now the only servant that shed its origins has become somewhat of a sister to Lily. Though initially quite shy and wary, she has grown accustomed to her new circle of friends.

Scarlet, Naybeah, and even Sara, who, although had times when she had to stay back in the Guild due to her many duties, and couldn't join their escapades were also fully-fledged members of Aiden's growing team.

Looking over to the giant blonde amazon, Aiden still couldn't know how to handle her feelings towards him. Though he liked the girl, it was far from being anything more than a pure friendship. Even though he now had his previous life's memories, or maybe even because of that, he couldn't open up his heart completely. There was a wall, a barrier, that protected his heart from getting hurt.

No matter how hard they tried, how strong they pushed, neither girl could truly overcome this obstacle. Still, regardless of the seemingly gargantuan task, neither one of the girls would give up. In fact, this shared struggle, their shared interest, desire to be with the man that has already taken their hearts, have just served as an additional layer to pull them closer.

Scarlet, and surprisingly even Galina have joined this crusade and have finally admitted if nothing else to the other girls, that they too wanted to chase after their hearts..historical

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AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading , you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

Links:

/shaele