The village plaza was abuzz with potential participants and spectators, the energy charged with excitement for the impending competition. However, among the crowd, Celeste's voice pierced through the air, making her concerns known to all.
"Isn't this a little too much of a crowd for a village that wants to hide its existence from the world?" Celeste voiced her worry, ensuring her words reached every ear. She came with the members of the Shadow Stalkers pack, who were eager to join the Alpha Prime's ranks. "Only three will be accepted, and yet you're entertaining a lot of participants. Are you trying to put our village in harm's way?"
Maximus, who was overseeing the sign-up process, was well aware of Celeste's true intentions. Their past encounter in the Celestial Root had revealed her si
