**Chapter 8: Routine and Revolt – The Weight of Defeat**
The second day of punishment for the **Guardians of Dawn** began before the sun even rose. While the **Shadows of Ambition** slept, the defeated were already up, carrying out their tasks under heavy gazes and murmurs of dissatisfaction.
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### **The Guardians of Dawn's Routine**
#### **1. Cleaning the Bathrooms (Again)**
**Drew** and **Grayrock** scrubbed the soaked floors, with the elephant grumbling:
— *I never thought my heroic power would be used to clean other people's toilets.*
**Grayrock**, impassive, replied:
— *Stones don't have noses. You suffer more than I do.*
**Kroft** (from the Shadows) walked past them, pretending to sneeze:
— *Wow, even the smell is worthy of "heroes".*
**Drew** clenched his fists, but **Grayrock** held him back:
— *Don't fall for the provocation. They want to see us break.*
#### **2. Preparing the Rivals' Breakfast**
**Belor** and **Katherine** were working at the fire, frying eggs and bread.
— *At least this reminds me to take care of my pack* — **Belor** said, trying to see the positive side.
**Katherine** sighed, looking at **Drake**, who was watching her from afar:
— *Some of them don't even deserve our food...*
**Drake** smiled, approaching:
— *You're right. We deserve feasts... but this will do.*
#### **3. Washing Clothes in the River**
**Calley** and **Ingemar** were beating clothes on the rocks, with the goat cursing:
— *I should be jumping challenges, not washing Leerstrom's dirty underwear!*
**Ingemar** lifted a soaked tunic:
— *At least water is my element. Want me to create a wave to speed up the process?*
**Calley** gave a mischievous smile:
— *Only if the wave takes Leerstrom with it.*
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### **The Shadows of Ambition – Fun at Other People's Expense**
While the Guardians worked, the **Shadows** enjoyed every moment.
#### **Gossip and Teasing**
- **Leerstrom** pretended to "accidentally" knock over a bucket of dirty water near **Strong**:
— *Oops! I guess you guys have the experience to clean this up, don't you?*
**Strong** growled, but **Goldwine** held him back:
— *He wants you to attack. Don't give him the pleasure.*
- **Glenda**, sitting on a rock, watched **Hardy** carry firewood:
— *Do you want help, "great leader"?*
**Hardy** ignored her, but she continued:
— *You could be on our side, you know? Just... forget this honor nonsense.*
He finally answered, without looking:
— *Honor is not forgotten. She is who we are.*
- **Katun** and **Towerfall** were betting on who could make **Calley** scream first:
**Katun**: *Hey, little goat, do you know why your team lost? Because you jump more than you think.*
**Calley** exploded: — *I WILL—*
**Ingemar** pulled her back: — *She took the bait. Pay the gold to Katun.*
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### **The Time Bomb**
As **Hardy** unloaded firewood, **Goldwine** approached:
— *You read Malbeth's scroll, didn't you?*
He hesitated, but nodded.
— *And do you know who the traitor is?* — she whispered.
**Hardy** closed his eyes:
— *Not yet... but when I find out, that person will answer to me.*
On the other side of the camp, **Malbeth** (already eliminated) watched everything through a magic mirror, smiling.
**END OF CHAPTER 8**
*(Next: The Traitor is Revealed – And Blood Will Be Spilled!)*