Page 28 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“Candace is about to start!” Brownie hurried us into our seats.
We were running a bit late because acertainDark Lady had shown up later than Brownie or myself. The announcer was already introducing the contestants when we arrived, and all of us piled into seats right beside the doors. I was in the aisle, followed by Henrietta, Brownie, Rufus, and Amy.
“I brought snacks!” Henrietta pulled out bags of candied nuts and started passing them around.
“This is amazing, Brownie!” The elf saintess laughed. “I can’t believe your cousin made it into the finals!”
The two combatants were already facing each other, ready to start. Cimor the Monk was holding a long staff at the ready. She was a preela, one of the long-limbed people from the Empire of Sands. She had black fur all down the back of her body, and tan skin in the front. Her long tapered ears each had a tuft at the end, and her thin wings were tucked away for the fight.
Candace, Brownie’s cousin, was a giantess who stood almost twice the height of the preela, with pale skin and long silver hair. She was large and in charge, and was holding a shadow dagger in each hand.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Brownie asked Rufus. The beastman was bristling a bit at the edges, but otherwise looked fine.
“It’s not so bad. Slake gave me the idea.”
“What idea?”
Rufus pulled out an empty poison bottle. “I can just debuff myself.”
The announcer’s voice rang clear over the crowd. “Now, it’s time for the battle you’ve all been waiting for! Contestants, on your honor—BEGIN!”
Brownie immediately jumped up to cheer for Candace. Rufus was smiling at his bard, and Lady Amy was on the edge of her seat, eyes gleaming. Henrietta was eating.
I sat back and pretended not to notice a very obvious distraction.
Someone was watching me.
As a boss-level monster, my claim to fame was my forty-three Perception. If I didn’t notice the eyes of one Duke Julian staring at me from across the arena, then it was time to hang up my Cast Crystal and go back to being a nameless NPC. I tried to ignore him by watching the battle.
Cimor deflected a thrown shadow dagger then ran up her staff to kick Candace in the face.
Silver eyes bore into me.
Candace stumbled but reached up in time to block the staff before it also hit her in the face.
I couldfeelhis unwavering gaze.
All right, if the battle couldn’t distract me from the handsome duke staring holes into me from across the arena, I had a notification tab full of updates.
The first was an oracle.
[Oracle:You are witness to the strings of Fate and her weave. The story unfolds, and the Chosen of each deity mark the way.
You have found 8/12 Chosen.
Impending Scenarios: 5/12 Chosen.
Arbiter of Shadow - The Guild Engagement
Steward of Life - The Burning Bridge
Harbinger of Dream-The Soul Quest
Paladin of Light - The Wedding Jitters
Heroine of Justice - The Great Chase
Timeline access restricted.
