"Hurry Up! We are going to miss it and I want to see Jimmy in the opening ceremonies. I still can't believe he went there!"

"I know right? Out of all the people, who would have thought little Jimmy would be so interested in forging?! But we are going to miss it because this idiot chose a damned bird as his communicator! I mean why a bird?!"

"It's a messenger pigeon and I like them! So will you just shut up already and let me work? I've almost got it."

A group of individuals sat in the middle of a house, all of them piled onto a couch as they impatiently watched one of their group working away. He was gently caressing the chest of a pigeon that was perched on a stick.

The entire group was facing this strange pigeon, as it was placed in the room where a television would usually be.

Eventually, after some cooing and coddling from the man, the pigeon let out a gentle coo of its own before its eyes started to glow. It turned its head, facing its eye towards them before an image shimmered into the air as its eye acted as a projector.

"See? He was just having a little stage fright. Now move over, the opening ceremony hasn't started."

The bird lover shuffled through the projection, disturbing it slightly before slumping himself onto the couch and grabbing a handful of snacks for himself. All across the country, similar situations were being carried out.

Those who couldn't, or just didn't want to, travel to the newly built arena - mostly because they still couldn't believe it was built in such a short amount of time - instead got the pleasure of watching it from the comfort of their own homes.

Some watched in groups, others alone and a few towns even set up large public displays to watch as a community.

However they were watching, all eyes were glued on their screens as the opening ceremonies of the surprising tournament began.

Explosions rocked the air above the tournament arena and the crowds erupted into screams as soon as they started, however it was screams of joy and excitement. With every explosion came a beautiful array of colours that sparkled in the air, creating wondrous patterns.

With a click of his fingers, the technician conjured another small flame and cast it forwards to set off another round of fireworks. Across the edge of the area, a few others were shooting their own abilities into the air to mix with the fire works and create an even more wondrous display.

In the middle of the arena, countless individuals stood in messy bundles. They had been loosely sorted into ten larger groups, with a banner in the middle of their huddles to represent their chosen competition, while more smaller groups littered the side.

The fireworks continued, even when a dreadful shadow passed over the arena and a horrifying roar thundered through the air, competing with the deafening booms of the fireworks.

On leathery wings, a terrifying creature burst through the clouds above, soaring through the fireworks. It weaved and swerved around them, the colourful explosions rocking the air beside it as it looked like it was being targeted by anti-air gunfire.

The dreadful Wyvern flapped its wings, coming to a halt high above the arena, to the point that many had to strain their necks to look up at it. It let out another deafening roar, before the entire sky was dyed azure from the column of flames that erupted from its mouth.

It spewed the flames, challenging the fireworks and showing its supreme power.

A humanoid figure stood atop the beasts head, showing that despite the Wyvern's posturing and domination, there was still something more powerful than it and that it bowed to.

The figure leapt from the beasts back, plunging into a dive as he plummeted through the air.

New fireworks were launched towards the figure, whistling as they streaked through the air before exploding. However when these fireworks exploded, they didn't just create pretty pictures of sparkling light.

Instead they formed into images of hideous creatures, images that stuck around and started to move as if they were alive. The crackling firework creatures lunged through the air, charging towards the figure.

Yet he continued to fall, meeting the creatures with only the power of his fist. With one punch, the first monster he met exploded into a sparkling array of colours just like a firework ought to.

One after the other, with a single swing of his mighty fist the dark figure vanquished the firework figures. Many of the citizens of Ravenkeep recognised these monsters, especially those who had been here since its inception.

An army of Hemogoblins, a gargantuan serpent, a monstrosity composed of different creatures which had blood dripping from its mouth, among other monsters from their past.

Yet the most recognisable of all, to everyone in the country, was a mad man who flew towards the descending figure and carried himself on glowing wings of light. It was this image that exploded into the largest and most elaborate fireworks display when he met the unstoppable fist of the descending figure.

As soon as he reached the heightest point of the arena, where no more firework monsters attacked him and where most of the audience could make out his appearance, Corvus flipped in the air.

His smokey cloak spread out like wings as he immediately slowed his descent, gracefully drifting down until he landed on the special observation platform that had been created exclusively for him.

A lonely throne sat waiting on this platform, yet Corvus didn't immediately sit. Instead he turned and faced the audience, who was letting out a chorus of cheers at the choreographed display.

With a single raise of his hand, the audience immediately silenced, then a second later his voice boomed across the stadium, reaching even the furthest corners easily so that no one had to strain to hear him.

"Welcome my people, not just those who join me here today but those who are watching at home. Welcome to the first annual Ravenkeep games!

These people stand before you, ready to show off their skills and earn your praise. They are ready to do so in competitions that they themselves chose, that you the people chose. That is because even if you see me as some vile conqueror or a heartless tyrant, I want to make it clear that I care about my people and their opinions.

Today is not just a day of competition and vanity. It is about cooperation, unity and cooperation.

I implore those who stand before me today, to do your utmost best. For the skills you show here today are not just important to the competition, but to your future.

I value skills and talent, of all sorts, so that is what I wish to see. And for those who did not attend this years competition, or didn't see the opportunity to display the talents they possess. Fear not, this is far from the only opportunity.

However, that is more than enough talk. You didn't come here to see me, you came here to see these people. My people, your people. Our People! So let the ceremonies, BEGIN!"

Corvus threw his hands into the air as more fireworks and abilities exploded into the air, and the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.

The gathered competitors below started to shuffle around, as they began to set up for the first competition.

While they were moving, Corvus glanced over the competitors, amusing himself with the various expressions on their faces. Some were utterly wracked with nerves, some shiverred in fear of the crowds, while others puffed out their chest in pride.

A few of them were deep in concentration, focusing on preparing themselves for the challenges ahead to earn the fame they deserved. But there were more than a few that chose to shun fame and hide their faces.

Cloaks and masks were worn by those who didn't wish to reveal their identities, for one reason or another. He knew Heteromorphs weren't all confident in their appearances, but such things shouldn't be allowed to affect their performance.

Even if that wasn't their reason, As someone who was hiding his handsome face under the darkness of a hood, he could hardly chastise people for anonymity.

However as he was looking over the competitors, his eyes were drawn to a particular hooded figure in the forging group. He wore a ragged cloak that looked like it had been dragged through the streets in rush hour, but he stood tall and proud without a hint of fear.

Corvus couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of that individual.

'Couldn't help yourself, could you? Alright, let's see how well you do. Don't expect any favouritsm though. I just hope you don't have a frog in the well moment and take any loses as a learning experience.'

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Corvus sat down in the lonely throne and got himself comfortable, so he could slouch without having to worry about slipping out. It was a truly comfortable throne, with pillows made of some beast feathers that felt like he was sitting on a cloud.

It was absolutely amazing! Which is why it was such a shame he wasn't going to be spending time in it.

Corvus' body dissolved into nothingness, making sure to leave the clothes he had been wearing and which already had threads attached to them. The clothes remained full, as if there was still something inside of them, even when the man in question slipped out like a ghost. Literally.

Corvus drifted through the air in his soul form, eventually turning solid once he was far enough away from the arena and summoning himself some new clothes. As much as he wanted to watch the competitions, he had a meeting to attend.