Once the last contestant had entered the field, the Queen herself rose, to address the crowd. "Welcome, everyone, to this year's tournament. We thank you for attending our humble games. The main event shall begin, shortly, so please, cheer for your champions!"<br/><br/>She waited several minutes for the cheers to finish, then turned to address the competitors. "The rules for the first round are simple. Sixteen will be chosen to advance to the next round; only those who remain on the platform can continue. At the sound of this bell," she said, gesturing to a large bell beside her, "The battle will begin."<br/><br/>With a gesture, all of the competitors began to rise into the air; Caiaphas could see the invisible, magical platform suspending them, but many of the others could not. One competitor moved closer to the edge, and started testing it. He nearly lost his balance, when he found the edge... then Caiaphas would watch part of the edge crumble away beneath him, as he fell the fifteen feet to the ground below.<br/><br/>Ding. "Begin."