Chapter 158 Changes made
Coban's POV
7 MONTHS LATER
The room is quiet in that rare way it only gets when the children are content and the adults are pretending they're not constantly listening for trouble.
Trixie is stretched out on the couch, one leg tucked under her, the other extended so Atlas can use her shin to pull himself upright. Cassian is closer to Caden, sitting on the rug with a wooden block clutched in both hands. He is studying it like it personally offended him.
The fire is low. Afternoon light filters through the tall windows.
At the table Caden, Kevan, and Mark and I sit. Data slates are spread out in front of us. Maps, timings and structural layout of the arena.
"This year we simplify it." I say, as I tap the slate with my knuckle.
"You're going to have to define what simplify means coming from you." Kevan says as he arches a brow.
"No combat phase. No brackets. No secondary rounds." Caden says as his eyes are still on the information on the table.
Mark finally looks up from the screen he's been scrolling through. "You're serious." he said as he stared at Caden and I.
"Dead serious. Obstacle course only. Two runs. Best time recorded and counts." I said.
Kevan leans back in his chair. He crossed his arms over his chest. "That's going to piss people off." he said as he shook his head.
"Good. Then they'll train harder." I said flatly.
Caden slides one of the layouts towards the center of the table. The arena blueprints fill the screen. The course is massive. We enclosed it and reinforced everything this year. It has two identical tracks running side-by-side. Separated by a thick barrier wall.
"They don't race each other. They raise the course. Side-by-side is for efficiency. Not for competition." Caden says calmly as he keeps glancing over at our boys.
"Cuts the total tournament time in half." Mark nods slowly.
"And removes variables. No opponent interference. No personal grudges deciding outcomes. Just speed, endurance and control." Cadence says as he glanced back over at Atlas.
Atlas suddenly slaps his hands against the side of the couch. Grunting in triumph. The fire pops louder than it should and then settles again.
I don't comment on it. Neither does anyone else.
Kevan scrolls through the projected numbers. "Fastest time wins. Spot on the royal army. And a cash prize." he said as he nods his head in approval.
"And a house in the kingdom." I added.
"Your dangling a lot of incentives." Mark whistles lowly.
"Because I want the best. I don't want the loudest. Nor do I want the most aggressive. I want the ones who can think while their bodies are screaming at them to stop." I say as my eyes flicker amongst them.
Cassian lets out a small sound. It wasn't a cry nor a laugh. More like a breath pushed out in concentration. The tension in the room eases, just a fraction. Kevan shifts in his chair. His shoulders relaxing as if he hadn't realized they were tight.
Caden notices. His jaw tightens for a half a second, then smooths out.
Kevan clears his throat. "Does the course order stay the same?" he asked with one brow raised.
"Yes. Balance beams are first. Narrower than last year. Height is increased." I say as I look over at Mark. "That will weed out the ones who rely on brute force." Mark winces.
"Exactly. Then the rings. Upper body strength. Grip endurance. No shortcuts." I explained.
"Spacing between rings will vary mid run. They won't know the pattern until they are in it." Caden added.
"That's cruel" Kevan grins. "It's honest" Caden replies.
"Fire section stays, but we control the bursts better. Less spectacle. More precision. Heat waves, timing windows. If they panic, they will lose seconds." I go on explaining the changes.
"Ice and water" Mark asks.
"Temperature drops fast. Shock response matters, so does breath control." Caden jumped in and explained the rest.
Cassian drops the block. It hits the rug with a dull THUD. For a moment the entire room feels like it's still. Like everything is waiting.
Then Atlas lets out an annoyed sound. He wobbles and plops down on his diapered bottom. The moment breaks, air flows again.
Kevan exhales. "Last is the climb." He shakes his head as he noticed things haven't been right.
"Unstable holds. Controlled rock slide simulations. Nothing lethal. Plenty painful." Caden says.
Mark nods slowly. "No hand to hand at all?" He asks again like he's testing it.
"No. This year is about control. Discipline. And endurance." I confirm.
Trixie looks over from the couch. She watches us with that knowing look she gets when she already understands the weight of a decision before it's spoken out loud.
"You're changing the tone of the tournament?" she says quietly.
"Yes" I answer without hesitation.
Kevan studies me for a long moment. "You're building something."
"I'm protecting something." I corrected him quickly.
Atlas crawls towards my chair. Gripping the leg and pulling himself up. My power comes low in my chest in response. I reached out and steady him with one hand. Caden watches Cassian, who has gone very still again. His eyes tracking the movement of everyone in the room.
Mark breaks the silence with a snort. "Well packs are going to lose their minds."
I smile slowly. "Let them."
This year, only the ones who can endure without losing themselves get to stand with us.