Crowd chattering continued for a while after the battle finally ended.

Then Thamoryn spoke in an amplified voice that lowered the noise. "We will now proceed with the third-place match between Starry Maidens and Fractured Stars."

From the Starry Maidens' stand, a young woman with auburn hair stood. Her name was Clarent, and she moved quietly towards Thamoryn

But from the Fractured Stars section, there was only silence.

The entire team had already left their stands after Ambrose's defeat, and the few remaining members who had stayed behind in the crowd made no move to volunteer.

They sat with crossed arms and stony expressions. One could tell their pride was wounded.

Thamoryn waited a moment longer, with her gaze now looking over at the rest of the members Fractured Stars in the crowd section. "Will Fractured Stars send a representative?"

Still, no one moved.

The silence stretched uncomfortably, and murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

Thamoryn's expression didn't change, but there was a faint hint of disapproval in her tone when she spoke again. "Very well. By forfeit, third place is awarded to Starry Maidens."

The crowd clapped politely, though the energy felt different than the usual.

It was clear to everyone that Fractured Stars had refused to participate out of pride. They had come for first place and nothing else, and now that it was out of reach, they had no interest in competing for scraps.

Claret bowed respectfully to the crowd and returned to her section.

Thamoryn stepped back, and then, from the elevated seating reserved for nobility and officials, Lord Oberon rose.

He descended the steps slowly, and when reached the center of the field, he turned to face the crowd.

His voice was also amplified by magic so that they could all hear him.

"Today," he began, "we have witnessed exceptional displays of magic, strength, and strategy. Every guild that participated in this tournament has shown skill worthy of recognition, and you should all be proud."

The crowd clapped, and Oberon let the applause settle before continuing.

"However," he said, "there can only be one winner of The Grand Guild Games. And after careful consideration of all three days of competition, the cooking contest, the rabbit hunt, and today's tournament of power, I am pleased to announce the overall victor of the Grand Guild Games."

He paused, letting the anticipation build.

"Ravens Grave."

The crowd erupted in excitement and cheering noise.

The members of Ravens Grave, seated together in crowd section, went wild. Piers threw his arms up and shouted, Bernard laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his seat.

Aiden had a smile on his face, with both arms folded while nodding in approvalothers

The team that also represented the guild were just as elated. Elena clasped her hands together with a bright smile.

Even Kayden, still simmering from his loss to Elian, allowed himself a little satisfied smile.

Oberon raised his hand, and the crowd noise lowered significantly.

"Ravens Grave claimed first place in the cooking contest on day one," Oberon continued, "placed second in today's tournament, and narrowly missed victory on day two. Their consistency have earned them this honor, along with the prize of one hundred thousand gold coins."

Another wave of cheers and applause followed, and Katherine stood from her seat, with her hand raised in acknowledgment.

The other captains of course wished their own guilds won but still acknowledged Ravens Grave.

Cassian however, stood from the midst and slowly walked away from the section made for captains, taking his leave away from the field entirely.

The other captains turned slightly to stare at him leave, except Katherine however who did not notice at all.

Oberon's gaze swept over the crowd one final time. "Let this be a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together. The strength of Dragonhold lies not in one individual, but in all of us."

With that, he turned and ascended the steps once more, leaving the arena to the sounds of celebration.

The Grand Guild Games had come to an end.

That night, Ravens Grave main room was filled with laughter and chatter as the members celebrated their victory.

Katherine stood near the center of the room, clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, Ravens Grave!" she called out. "Get yourselves cleaned up and ready. We're going to the finest tavern in this city, and I'm buying the first round!"

The guild erupted into cheers, and within the hour, they were all dressed and heading out into the streets.

The tavern Katherine had chosen was called The Golden Hearth, and it lived up to its reputation.

The interior was warm and inviting. They even had enchanted lanterns.

There was this smell of roasted meat that filled the air, and by the corner was a bard playing lively music.

The guild claimed a large section of tables near the back, and soon drinks were flowing and food was being passed around.

Aiden sat between Laela and Arianna, both of them pressed close to him on either side. Bernard and Oliver sat close by

Across from them sat Piers, Elena, Kayden and Innis, while Katherine sat at the head of the table with a tankard of ale in hand.

The rest of the other guild members filled the other seats

With his face already flushed from drinking, Piers raised his cup, "I just want to say," he began. "that I love this guild. I really do. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Then he glanced briefly at the Captain who hadn't noticed immediately, "with anyone else."

"Hear, hear!" Fred shouted, raising his own cup.

The others joined in, clinking their cups together in a toast.

Elena smiled softly and murmured, "We've come a long way together."

She wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, but Katherine heard her and replied, "And we'll go even further."

The conversation continued, filled with stories and laughter and the occasional teasing remark.

Laela leaned her head against Aiden's shoulder, and Arianna rested her hand on his thigh under the table.

In that moment, everything felt perfect.

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