Arrive at Althudiyu.

"So are outsiders allowed here? I didn't even think about that," you ask.

"They aren't forbidden. We don't get many, and people might not trust them, but outsiders are fine. The problem is more of those that are banished. You remember the story, right, Kyle?"

"Yeah. You underwent the Rite of the Sun twice."

"It's a sacred ceremony. Not only did I have it done younger than I was meant to, but after being reprimanded, I did it again. The man who did it for me was nearly punished as well, but I begged for it to only be me. Maybe that's why I was banished. If that's the case, it was worth it. He didn't do anything."

Two dark-skinned men garbed in airy, colourful silks stand up ahead with curved blades in their hands. They both have dark brown hair--nearly black--and have the same crimson eyes as Niki. The one on your right has an elaborate marking around his left eye. It may be a tattoo, but it also reminds you of the type of marking that Niki has on her breasts. You need to be careful here.

"Guards," Niki says. "Let me do the talking."

"I don't think that's a good--"

"Hail, brothers!"

The men look at her sceptically. One speaks up, the man with the eye tattoo. "What brings you here, sister? Have you brought with you a merchant?"

"She seems familiar somehow," the other murmurs.

"No, no. Nobody familiar," Niki says. "I'm just N--... Biki?"

You slap your forehead.

"Wait a minute," the marked man says. "I remember her too. You're Niki, daughter of the Vakilas. You were banished from this land!"

"That's right. You made a mockery of the Rite. How dare you show your face here again."

You cross your arms. "Let you do the talking, huh?" you say quietly.

"Sh-Shut up. I panicked, okay?"

"Listen." You stare at the men. "We need to get in here. Somebody's life is in danger. That's the only reason we travelled all this way. One way or another, we're going to save their lives."

They look at one another.

"Surely she would have come back for a reason," the man with the mark speaks to his companion. "They wouldn't have come for no reason at all."

The other looks to you. "What do you mean by somebody's life being in danger?"

A third guard makes his way towards the group and waves his hand. "Hey! Are those more contestants?"

"No! Leave this to us."

Suddenly, Niki looks down at her hands and begins counting her fingers, and then a huge grin stretches across Niki's face. She looks to you with a ferocity in her eyes, but also excitement. The idea of her coming up with a plan so suddenly sends a chill down your spine. Dramatically, she thrusts a finger in the direction of the man in the distance and shouts, "Yes we are!"

"Excuse me, but you shouldn't even be here talking to us right now," the marked man says. "You were banished. That's all there is to it."

"If there's one thing I remember loads about it's this. I fantasized about being a part of this one day, but I admit, I was always afraid of coming home. But I'm not alone. I have the confidence boost I needed. And you know what?"

"Oh no. Don't--"

"Kyle and I hereby challenge the Golden Sword, and there isn't a damned thing you can do about it. You care so much about our sacred traditions? It looks like you'll be letting us in now."

"Damn it!"

"What's going on?" you ask.

Niki's big smile turns to you. "Coming up soon is the annual event held here in this town. Normally, it's pretty small and quiet, but at this time, people from all around come to take part in the Golden Sword. It's a tournament to prove who the strongest is, and it also gives the economy a huge boost. This means all contestants are supported with free meals and rooms, but there's one important clause. Anyone can enter, no matter who they are."

"So even though you're banished..."

"I can enter. I'll just get booted out right after."

"Which will give us enough time to help them!"

The man covers his marked eye with a hand and grunts. "She's right. Of all times, she had to show up two days before the tournament begins."

"... Wait a minute. Why am I competing?" you ask. "That seems like an unnecessary risk to my own life if they were already going to let me in."

"Too late! You're fighting too. And if we match up, you better not take a dive. I'm going to take this opportunity to enjoy myself. But I promise that between matches, we'll stick to the mission. I wouldn't abandon my family, even for a chance at the Golden Sword. Don't worry, Kyle. Think about all the fights you've won already. You might actually have fun not needing to deal with bizarre circumstances like armies of vampires."

"So they're just straight forward one-on-one battles?"

"Uh. Well, they are one-on-one, yes. And they're mostly straight forward."

"Did they say vampires?" the one man whispers to the other. "Maybe this year will be the most exciting yet."

"Quiet," says the other. "She's supposed to be banished, remember? Even if she's allowed inside temporarily, she's still our enemy."

Things may have taken an unexpected twist, but you needed to get in somehow. Things are going decently well so far. Though now it's time to enter the town and prepare for this Golden Sword tournament. Most importantly, you and Niki need to find her family before word gets out that you're here, or this will all be for nothing. That's priority number one.