Prepare for the end.

Much of the day has already passed. You find yourself growing anxious as the festival comes to a close, as Elok Daven doesn't seem to do anything without purpose. Around you are only a few of your companions, as the rest are scattered all over, whether that be sparring or competing in smaller games, finding food, or something else entirely. Peony, Fang, and Lalarin are those present, and you stand among them with a stick in your hand that once held a haunch of seasoned meat, though you've recently taken the final bite. As time has passed, people have slowly been gathering in front of the large wooden stage. They gravitate naturally to the charismatic bard who hasn't yet spoke up there, but seems as if she's preparing to announce the Sports Festival's finale.

RF has changed back into her heroine attire, so it's been difficult to not draw attention. Though, that does stem from you as well.

"How're you holding up?" you ask the rabbit.

She turns her head. "What do you mean?" she asks.

"You know, after everything that happened in that final game. You won, but it was probably a little--"

"--Amazing," Fang interrupts. "Definitely the best."

Lalarin laughs nervously. "Aha, well thank you. I did my best." Her eyes turn away again to hide the colour in her cheeks.

Then Peony wraps herself tightly around your arm. "I'm just happy to be here!"

You smile. "I'm glad."

"I think she's getting ready to speak." Fang points up towards the stage.

The cat is correct. Standing in the center of the stage, Juaela has mounted her magical microphone on a stand and her lute rests in her hands. With a beautiful strum of her fingers along the strings, the mumbling of the crowd comes to a gradual hush, and all eyes are on her. She continues to pluck a whimsical and cheerful melody. Then after a moment, with everybody gathered, she speaks. "Thank you everybody for coming to the first ever Sports Festival here in the Empire, hosted by... Well, that is why I am here before you now. It is long overdue, but I believe you may all be eager to meet the one man who has put everything here together. Am I correct?"

Her answer from the audience is an excited applause.

"Then I want you to stay excited and continue to cheer for our handsome, intelligent, mighty true Master of Ceremonies," she continues. "I am honoured to have hosted things so far. My lord truly blessed me with such an opportunity."

As you glance about, you hope the others are doing well. Some of them you haven't seen since the conclusion of the last competition. They did all need to change, of course, as well as mentally recover for more reasons than one, though with tensions suddenly spiking, you feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and you can't help but worry for the safety of everybody here.

"Are you all right?" Peony asks.

"No," you say back quietly. "I feel sick."

It's almost as if she can sense your intentions, as she releases your arm slowly, though stays close by while you reach subtly down to the pommel of your sword. Awakened Lauo sits restlessly in its home.

The bard's fingers cease their movements. "Without further delay, allow me to welcome the world's most powerful Demon King... Elok Daven!" she shouts with pride before taking quick steps away from the stage's center and off to the side. Her words come as a shock to everybody watching. They knew there were people like you present, though to hear those words about the host, and about a name unknown to most, the audience seems confused and concerned.

Suddenly, after a spark and a flash, there's an explosion of crackling energy directly in front of the microphone. Blue currents singe the wood and scorch the grass, and the shockwave causes those nearest to stumble backwards and cover their faces. A figure stands with his arms out-stretched. His piercing gaze brings a chill down your spine--vibrant pale blue, almost appearing as if they glow. It isn't Elok, or rather, he looks different than before. Much of his facial structure is the same, yet not all, and beyond his long, slicked-back golden hair and fingered adorned in rings, you swear it's a different man. Even his elven ears are now much shorter without as much of a point. His shoulder are more broad, and though it's difficult to tell from here, he seems taller as well. Though the expression on his face removes all doubt in your heart about his identity.

Still it's strange. You can make out two faint lines down his face, over his eyes, in a manner that reminds you vaguely of Alice's flesh. Though he does dress very similar. While it's a fancy blue suit and matching tie just as you've seen him in before, his garb is far more decorated with fancy trim and golden stitching, and around his neck, flowing behind him in the autumn breeze, is a far darker cloak almost like a shadow looming behind him.

"Welcome, everybody," he says in the same voice you recognize. As the item in front of him amplifies his voice, its low, smooth depth rumbles out over the audience with a completely different charisma than the previous announcer. These words bring a deathly silence to everybody listening. "As she said, I am Elok Daven, and the entire Sports Festival was put together by both me and my assistant, so I do hope you've enjoyed it so far."

He sounds different though. The voice is the same, but he doesn't speak like an elf anymore. I've been around enough to notice. What's going on? I can't put my finger on it, but he almost seems to be more... human than before.

Elok continues. "My own team was those garbed in gold. Team A." He chuckles. "And yes, we certainly didn't win, but it was all for fun. All I wished was for all of you to be properly entertained after all. Apologies to Meti, Breiah, ALICE 8, Anastasia, Ariusia, Malakae, and The Edge. You all did your very best. However, I stand here before you to inform you of this festival's true nature. The reason it was put together to begin with."

Your eyes dart around. Vex and William are nowhere to be seen either. None of the commonfolk that have come to watch know anything about what's really going on. As you stare at the man on stage, your heart beats quicker and your mouth dries.

"Games are fun, and I do enjoy showing off what me and my allies are capable of putting together," he explains. "But I'm afraid the primary reason is far more sinister. You see, I've come to introduce myself to the world at last. No longer will I live in the shadows. My plan is completed, so remember this, people of Tivera. There may be Demon Kings to the east or west, north or south, but you're looking at the man you should truly fear. Demon King Elok Daven, enemy of the Empire!" With a wide grin, he flexes his arms with a crackle of energy much like before. He throws his fists to the side, and lightning-like magic erupts forth, tearing up the wooden boards on either side, and causing those in the front row to scream and flee. Then his boots leave the ground as he begins to float a few feet above the stage. That's when a second figure joins him--Breiah, now standing proudly nearby, once again garbed in her lab coat and pencil skirt.

"Could he do this before?" you say as your eyes widen. "There's something so different about him, yet..."

Fang draws a dagger in one hand and readies a clawed grip with her other. "There are a lot of people here too!"

Extending her bo staff, RF leaps in front of you and crouches into a combat stance. "Would he really attack everybody so openly?"

You draw your sword and stand in front of Peony protectively. "This is more than an attack."

"Summon Sword!" Elok Daven shouts. His voice is booming. From his hand, a glowing blue sword manifests outward, and he swiftly follows it up with, "Flare Bolt!" Now with a whip of his weapon through the air, a spark of fire roars down the flat of the blade, and then like a beam of energy, he fires his bolt of fiery magic straight into the audience. People continue to scream and panic, especially now that the angel is **** flies before them raining down destruction. "Elok Daven. Remember the name. Because there will come a day where I'll be the only one anybody ever calls Demon King. Beware, people of Tivera. Beware the true terror... of Earth!"