[I've fulfilled my end of the deal,] Ryan said.
[So, what's the best strategy for tackling this 'king of the mud'?]
Yoko laughed. [There is no strategy; that's why it's fun. Simply try and knock each other off and stay alive.]
Yoko paused. [However, I would recommend teaming up with a few more people, usually, in king of the mud, only one person would be the winner, but since three people can win in this, you might be able to get people to trust you.]
[Thanks, Yoko,] Ryan said, shaking his head.
"Alright, everyone. Your time has come. The helicopter is hovering a few feet off the ground, so go jump out, and may the best man win!" Gwen shouted.
Ryan was the first one with his headphones off as he bolted for the helicopter door.
Jumping out, Ryan landed near the base of the mud-soaked hill with a thud and started his climb toward the top.
"Angel!" a voice behind him called. Ryan turned to see James, the blonde-haired model he had met inside the hot springs.
"Do you want to form a team with us, Angel?" James asked, pointing to Mark, the joyous bearded man who looked more like a lumberjack than a dragon.
"Sure, follow me," Ryan said. "And it's Ryan."
As they trekked up the hill, Ryan saw a giant hologram appear above the mud-caked mountain.
<1 Participant Eliminated 10 Eliminations Remaining>
pαndα noνɐ1,сoМ As the message appeared, a contestant who was knocked off the hill screamed in disappointment.
"This is bullshit!" he yelled, "I'm not eliminated!" Then, as he tried to step back on the hill, a tranquilizer dart suddenly hit the back of the man's neck, and he fell unconscious.
Ryan chuckled. 'Well, guess that explains how we're going to be eliminated.'
Arriving at the mountain's peak, the trio watched the carnage below.
When nine members remained, it was calm enough for them to make their first move.
"That guy," Ryan said, pointing to a lone man on the right side of the hill.
The three sloshed through the mud, making their way toward the poor man who didn't know he was targeted for elimination.
"H-Hey what are you guys doing?" the man asked, seeing Ryan, Mark, and James approach him.
"Y-You're not allowed to form teams in king of the mud."
James chuckled. "And when did Lady Gwen say that, hm?"
No words came out of his mouth other than an "OOF" as Mark's tackle knocked the wind out of him.
Ryan watched as the burly man slammed the poor boy to the ground, both getting covered in mud.
James then went over and picked up the boy, tossing him over the edge as though he was worth less than the mud they stood on.
"On to the next one, Angel!" James grinned, turning away.
As both James and Mark turned their back on Ryan, a plan started to form, ensuring he could end the game faster by making sure he could eliminate his greatest competition.
===
Inside one of the many Dawn Pavilions (50 Days until the wedding)...
While Ryan was battling in the mud, another scene was taking place that, if everything went according to plan, would provide just as many changes as securing the Red Dragon Empire.
Since her sister had gone missing, Aurora had been worried, but when she received a message from Duchess Vanroth of the Kheaweth Empire about her sister, she had been downright horrified.
The message had stated that her sister was safe and Sienna and her were on the same side against a 'common enemy.'
Although the message sounded friendly enough, she didn't take any chances and decided to postpone the meeting until now so she could get some defenses in place for safety's sake.
Sienna sat opposite Aurora, leisurely sipping some tea while waiting for Aurora to talk.
Sienna had been given detailed instructions by Ryan on what to say and what not to say.
"Where is my sister?" Aurora asked, breaking the silence.
"Your sister is with my Master," Sienna responded immediately.
"You call the Grand Empress Master now?" Aurora chuckled, disturbed at how much the Grand Empress seemed to have control over her empire.
Sienna burst into laughter. "Is that what you think?"
Aurora raised her eyebrow, asking, "What do you mean?"
"I told you in my letter, didn't I? We have a common enemy, the Grand Empress."
Narrowing her eyes, Aurora didn't immediately respond. Instead, she started frantically going through information on her heavenly screen that was invisible to Sienna.
"I don't seem to see you have any other connections. Who is this Master you speak of?" Aurora asked, after finding her notes on the Duchess lacking any other ties besides the Empire.
"They wish to remain anonymous for now," Sienna said, carefully using they and not he.
Aurora shook her head. "What exactly do you want then?"
"I have come here on behalf of my Master to invite you to an alliance."
"An alliance, huh?" Aurora mused. "Why should I trust anything you say?"
As if waiting for that question, Sienna smiled and produced a folded envelope, handing it to Aurora.
Taking it warily, Aurora scanned the document for any foreign chemicals. Seeing nothing, she slowly opened it and began reading the message inside.
As she read, her eyes started getting wider and wider.
Her hands started to shake, and her breathing began to speed up.
"H-He's..." her breath caught as she looked up at Sienna.
"Yes," Sienna smiled, nodding. "We've found him."
"Your son is alive."
===
After Aurora calmed down, she became much more friendly with Sienna.
Although Aurora wanted to take Sienna to a torture room to find out where her son was being held, she restrained herself.
Not only was there a heavenly contract stopping her, but also the letter itself.
The letter had read: "Aunt Asmaya is safe, and so am I. Sienna's Master is taking good care of us."
Aurora would have thrown it away if not for the line "all the way" at the bottom of the page.
"By the way, I'm still looking forward to receiving the family sword - Love, your precious Velox."
She had told no one of her idea of giving Velox the Dawn family's sword, and although someone from the human empire could have figured it out, this was the most hope she had received since that imposter walked into the Dawn Pavilion almost a month ago.
"What exactly is your Master proposing?" Aurora said, finally recovering after reading the letter.
"My Master is proposing taking a stand against the Grand Empress at the wedding, although not to the death."
"My Master is hoping that you will provide sufficient forces and the heavenly invasion pass you have in your possession. If something breaks out, we can count on your forces to either defend or attack against a heavenly invasion."
Aurora pretended to mull it over. In reality, she would have given anything to have her son back, as not only was he her hope at becoming free of the heavenly contract, Velox was her light and joy.
"If your Master returns my son and sister to me safely, I think an alliance is more than appropriate," Aurora nodded.
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