Chapter 45: The Neutral Ground
The flight back to the palace was a quiet, albeit humiliating, affair. Aurelion soared through the clouds, his massive wings cutting through the air with rhythmic thuds that vibrated in the chests of the two kings he held in his claws. After miles of silence, the Dragon King's voice rumbled, echoing through the sky like distant thunder.
"The trial will not happen in Leonora," Aurelion stated, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Your palace is already half-rubble, Leonidas, and the mana density in the Lion Kingdom is too unstable after your little spat. We will hold the **Trial of the Four Elements** on the Isle of Ash—a neutral island just off your coast."
He looked down at the sprawling ocean they were crossing. "It is surrounded by the deep sea, far from the borders of the Echo Forest. If the Queen of Echoes tries to reach out to her 'key,' we will feel her coming from miles away. It is the only way to ensure this remains a trial of the soul, not a slaughterhouse for her shadows."
Neither King argued. They were still dangling like laundry, and for once, the Dragon King's logic was sound.
---
When they finally touched down in the palace courtyard, the sight was grim. Leonidas stepped out of Aurelion's grip and immediately surveyed his shattered home. His eyes narrowed, glowing with a predatory, golden light as he stared at King Usagi with pure killing intent. The air around the Lion King began to heat up, the stone beneath his boots cracking from the sheer pressure of his rage.
Usagi, however, simply dusted off his fur and adjusted his ears, shrugging non-chalantly as if dropping a ceiling on a fellow monarch was a minor social faux pas. "It adds character, Leon. Very 'open-concept' now."
Leonidas snarled, his hand twitching toward the hilt of his blade, but he was interrupted by the frantic arrival of **Lyra**. The Court Mage bowed low, her voice trembling as she delivered her report.
"My King! The damage is... extensive, but Minister Bunsway of the Rabbit-kin has already stepped forward. He has offered a formal compensation package—rare mana-crystals from the Echo Forest and the employment of the Ironfoot Dwarven Clan to oversee the reconstruction."
The killing intent in Leonidas's eyes flickered and died. A slow, mischievous smile began to spread across his face—a look that was far more terrifying than his anger. He looked at the Bunny King, calculating the astronomical wealth he was about to siphon from the Echo Forest treasury. If the Bunnies wanted to play hero, he was more than happy to let them pay for the privilege.
Aurelion noticed the Lion King's shift in mood but ignored the petty politics. He turned his gaze toward the other gathered Beast Kings and Queens who had emerged from the shadows of the ruined hall.
"The Isle of Ash," Aurelion repeated, addressing the group. "Three days from now. That is where the Fool will face his judgment."
**Zenobia, the Hyena Queen**, stepped forward, her voice a sharp cackle of irritation. "Three days? We have stayed far too long in this sun-scorched kingdom for this nonsense! My people require their Queen, and the Wolf King has borders to patrol. We cannot—"
Aurelion didn't speak. He simply turned his golden, slitted eyes toward her. The casual, heavy stare of the Dragon King felt like a physical weight pressing Zenobia into the dirt. The protest died in her throat instantly. **Fenris, the Wolf King**, who had been about to back her up, suddenly found a very interesting spot on the floor to inspect.
"The Isle of Ash," Zenobia managed to squeak out, bowing her head in submission.
**The Bear King**, who had been leaning against a pillar eating a honeycomb he'd found in the kitchens, simply nodded. Like the Bunny King, he was a creature of instinct and carefree whims; if the Dragon said go to an island, he would go to an island.
It was anonymously decided. The trial would be a private affair to maintain the dignity of the kingdoms. Only the Kings, the Queens, the Dragon, and their escorts—strictly limited to a dozen per sovereign—would be permitted on the neutral ground. The specific nature of the trials would be revealed only once they touched the volcanic sands of the Isle.
---
As the heavy atmosphere of the royal meeting began to disperse, Mirae walked over to Saferu, who was still standing by the edge of the courtyard, watching the gears of high politics turn.
"Well," Mirae said, bumping her shoulder against his. "Three days. That's three days of being a free man before they try to drown or burn you."
Saferu looked at her, a wry smile on his face. "You make it sound so inviting."
"Hey, if you're going to face the Four Elements, you need a full stomach," she grinned, her eyes sparkling with a sudden memory. "We should head back to the Pearl Restaurant. I can't stop thinking about that dish they served... the one with the coconut milk and the tiny, red death-peppers."
"The **Bicol Express**?" Saferu laughed.
"Yes! That!" Mirae shivered, sticking her tongue out as if she could still feel the burn. "It seriously challenged my tongue, but I need to conquer it before we leave. If I can survive that spice, you can survive a little trial, right?"
Saferu looked at her, then back at the looming shadow of the Dragon King. For the first time, the "invisible wall" he'd built around himself felt a little thinner. "Alright. One last feast before the island. Let's see if your bunny tongue can handle the heat this time."
---