Y'all really lucked out that two people didn't turn in/dropped this round. We need 7 people for task four, then we'll have 5 people for task five (semi-final), and 3 people for task six (final).

That said, please don't take this to mean you can just drop to make it easier on your competitors. They want the competition. Let's keep this one, please.

***

The dusk has not yet fallen, but for those gathered before the council table, it might as well have been midnight. Darkness simmered at the corners of the room and would have swallowed it whole had not been for the few flickering candles ablaze upon the battered stands in the centerpiece. Forseti and Fostus were late getting back from the dungeons to give their reports. Crestienne left mere moments ago--her chair pushed out and the mug of coffee in her spot still steaming.

Only the King and his most trusted servant, Parzifal, remained.

They sat across from one another but neither man met the other's eye. The King was solemn: his silence was his truth, and his truth was bitter and cold and held firm against the roof of his mouth. There were only a few days left for the competitors. Only a few more challenges were left in the depths of that wretched place.

"If I may-"

The door slammed open. Crestienne returned with the terror brothers in tow. In her hands was a bloodied knife, still dripping. As the blood hit the floor it sizzled and burnt. The putrid smell was enough to make Parzifal gag.

"It's done," she said. It was confirmation that the second to last task had been set in motion.

The brothers took their seats as loudly as possible, almost as if they were in competition with one another. Crestienne took her seat again after smacking Fostus against the head for sitting his feet against the table.

"So, my lord," Forseti started.

"When's the date?" Faustus finished.

The King hung his head. He sighed. Then, he looked upon them all. "Three days from now, upon the full moon. She'll rise again for a brief moment. That is our time. That is when our champion--whoever it shall be, will find us."

"They'll find us? Or she will?"

Parizfal begun to speak, "What'll--"

Crestienne interrupted him, coughing loudly into her shirt. Then, she smiled at her King. "Our champion shall rise."

***

For this last task, you are weary. You are exhausted. But you are nowhere near done.

In yet another room, yet another unknown portion of this dark dungeon, sits a task perhaps as large or larger than previous ones. Another serpent is in these walls--this one tall, dark, and red. One would assume it to be a fire dragon but it is only upon, well, only when you're hit with it do you know that this is going to be a blood dragon! Yep. Acidic blood, half fire and half acid, mainly bloody annoying.

This dragon hides not a chest, oddly enough, but rather the thief that stole from it. In the (living or dead) person's hands you'll find that scroll. The dragon will not go down without a fight.

Ballot Challenges and Challengers:

Samgar...and Odette. Everyone else balloted y'all again, or balloted people who sacrificed their lives in order to avoid this challenge I guess.

For your challenge this time, you will be participating in a Song Task! Your song:

"I'm Blue - medieval style" by Modern Music of the Dark Ages.
Please interpret this however you want, but I'm going to play this song when reading your entry and I'd like to see some inspiration from this beautiful piece.

OR

"Giorno's Theme (Medieval Style)" by Steeldruid

I'm giving y'all two since there are two of you. If you both want to use the same one that's fine but it won't be as fun I guess.

Please give me a paragraph (short or long) explaining how this song was relevant to your entry. If not, I'm going to have to really see this song in your entry or I'll count it as you just really hated it and take the point off. But anything you got that shows you did it, then I'll count it as long as I can tell what's up.

Word Count: 3500 MAX

Ballots: You'll receive one ballot. This is your last ballot. Since the next task is the semi-finals, I'll let you know this ballot will remove 750 words from the next entry's capabilities.

Due Date: Sunday, April 30th at 8 PM CDT.
6PM PDT, 7PM MDT, 8PM CDT, 9PM EDT.

Use your time wisely. Every late entry from here on out loses 1.5 point per hour it's late. Next task it's going to be 3 points per hour. You may still ask for an extension, but it will need to be an important situation for this to be granted.