The arena was alive with roaring cheers, murmurs, and gasps as Danial and Tristan clashed in a fierce display of fire and wind. Their swords collided, sending out sparks and elemental energy in every direction. Tristan’s winds howled like a storm, pushing against Danial’s flames, which danced with wild defiance. Every step, every swing, every dodge—they wove an intricate dance of skill and power.Danial slashed his flaming sword sideways, the blaze trailing like a comet, but Tristan ducked under it with nimble precision. In a flash, he countered, summoning a wind blade that hurtled toward Danial. With a sharp flick of his sword, Danial conjured a fiery barrier, consuming the gale in a burst of heat.The audience was enthralled.“Look at the control Tristan has over his wind! It’s seamless!”“But Danial’s fire is overwhelming—it’s raw power in its purest form!”The battle raged on, but keen observers began to notice a shift. Though the clash seemed even at first, Danial was slowly bein
Amidst the gazes piercing him from every direction, Danial remained standing on the stage, his posture deceptively calm. But inside, his thoughts were spiraling into chaos.“What… is this? Why are they looking at me like I’m some golden goose?!” He scanned the VIP section nervously, noticing the predatory gleams in their eyes. The dignitaries, the elite warriors, the gods themselves—every one of them seemed to be calculating, evaluating, or outright planning something that undoubtedly involved him.Even Ellie Fang’s playful smirk sent chills down his spine. “What does she want? To make me her kunai target practice?! No way.”Then his gaze fell on Rowan, who was grinning like he’d already won a jackpot. “Why is Rowan looking so smug?”Finally, he caught sight of Anarak, whose unreadable expression unsettled him the most. “Why is that guy looking at me like I’m an experiment he’s dying to conduct?!”Danial gulped, his hands gripping his sword tightly. “I should’ve just kept it simple. W
Crystal dragged Danial through the corridors, her grip firm yet oddly gentle, as if she was leading him somewhere secret and important. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty hallways, and Danial’s mind raced with questions. When they started ascending a spiral staircase, his curiosity finally got the better of him.“Crystal, at least tell me—where are we going?” Danial asked, his voice filled with confusion.Crystal glanced back at him, her lips curling into a rare, almost playful smile. “We’re going to my favorite place.”Danial blinked. Her favorite place? He decided not to press further, though he couldn’t help but feel taken aback. This wasn’t the “Ice Queen of the Capital” he’d heard about—the aloof and intimidating girl known for freezing people in their tracks with a single glare. Right now, she seemed... normal, even warm.They climbed higher until they reached a simple wooden door. Crystal pushed it open with a soft creak and stepped aside, gesturing for him to ent
Danial and Crystal lingered on the rooftop, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and purple. The faint hum of the city reached them, blending with the tranquil ambiance of the evening. Both were silent, savoring the fleeting moment of peace before the chaos that awaited them in the arena.Crystal broke the silence first, brushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled faintly. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”Danial nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Yeah. It’s moments like these that make you forget the craziness of this world… even if just for a little while.”Crystal’s smile widened. “You’re right. But we should get going. The arena’s waiting.”Danial returned the nod, and together, they made their way downstairs. The air in the corridors felt cooler, the distant hum of activity from the arena growing louder with every step.As they turned a corner, Crystal suddenly paused. Her expression shifted as her eyes landed on a familiar figur
Danial and Crystal stood firm as Taoist Hao's disciples surrounded them. Taoist Hao, with his ever-present arrogant smile, stepped forward. "I hope you are enjoying yourself, Danial," he said, his tone both polite and condescending.Danial frowned slightly but forced a neutral expression. "I am, Taoist Hao. I wonder, though, what brings you here?"Taoist Hao adjusted his robes as though his presence alone demanded reverence. "Of course, I am here to witness the tournament," he began, pausing dramatically before adding, "but I have another motive."Raising his chin, he continued with exaggerated self-importance. "I have observed your abilities and potential. You are a remarkable talent, one worthy of greater cultivation. Thus, I seek to recruit you into the Temple of Lumina. If you join us, I will personally ensure that you reach the Master level of cultivation within ten years."The tone of his voice, laden with arrogance, grated on Danial's nerves. Taoist Hao didn’t even wait for Dan
Taoist Hao’s expression darkened as Marvin’s calm yet cutting words echoed through the corridor. "Marvin, why are you protecting Danial? This is a matter of pride and reputation!" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.Marvin’s demeanor remained steady, his voice calm yet sharp enough to cut through the tension. "Is that so, Hao? Forgive my old-fashioned ways, but attacking someone with a far lower cultivation level than yours? Do you call that pride? I call it arrogance."Taoist Hao’s face tightened, his frustration evident. "That is because he attacked one of my disciples! I was merely returning the favor."Marvin’s faint smile faded as his gaze bore into Taoist Hao. "Fair, you say? Your disciple charged at Danial first, unprovoked. As far as I can see, Danial defended himself. That seems fair to me." His tone grew heavier as he added, "Watch your limits, Hao."Hao gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his irritation. "Why are you so invested in this boy? Don’t you have othe
The match began with the announcer’s enthusiastic cry. The boy, mustering every ounce of courage, charged toward the cloaked figure with a loud yell. His staff spun with surprising speed as he aimed a decisive strike at his opponent.What happened next stunned the entire stadium.The cloaked figure didn’t move—didn’t even flinch. As the boy’s staff came within inches of his chest, the air around the cloaked figure rippled unnaturally. A black, smoky aura surged outward, halting the staff mid-strike. The boy’s expression twisted in shock as he struggled to push forward, but it was as if an invisible wall held him back.Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of awe and unease.Then, with a flick of his wrist, the cloaked figure sent the boy flying backward. The impact was brutal, and the boy tumbled across the stage before coming to a painful halt. Groans of sympathy echoed through the crowd.The cloaked figure took a single step forward, and the temperature in the arena see
The mocking expression on Santigo’s face deepened as he stepped closer to Kuro, the arrogance in his posture almost tangible. Kuro, fists clenched, met his gaze with barely restrained fury."I see you’re faring well," Santigo drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "After all, you seem to think these… people can offer you more than what the Hale family could provide."Kuro's jaw tightened, his frustration evident. "You have no right to dictate who I choose as my friends or where I belong."Santigo smirked, his expression growing even more condescending. "Ah, perhaps. Maybe when you were still a part of the Hale family—when you basked in the patriarch’s favor The Golden child,—I wouldn’t have dared to tell you anything," he said mockingly. He stomped his foot onto the ground, a sharp thud that seemed to echo louder than it should. "But now? Now you’re nothing more than a bug on the street, Kuro. And a single stomp from me is enough to crush you."Before Kuro could respond, Crystal st
Santigo leaned back in his chair, the flickering light casting long shadows across the room. His smile stretched wider, full of mockery and malice, as his gaze shifted lazily between Danial, Pavan, and Crystal. "Took you long enough," he drawled, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "I was almost about to start another session with Kuro, but you arrived on time. Tsk tsk, what a pity."Danial’s eyes darted to Kuro, his chest tightening at the sight of his friend slumped over, bruised and barely conscious. Rage bubbled beneath his calm exterior, his fists clenching so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He knew what "session" meant—and judging by Kuro’s state, it was far worse than he’d imagined.Gritting his teeth, Danial stepped forward, his fists clenching at his sides. “What do you want from us, Santigo?” His voice was low but edged with anger. “We’ve never crossed paths. We have nothing to do with you. So why drag Kuro into this?”Santigo waved his hand dismissively as if bru
The trio made their way through the desolate industrial district, their steps echoing faintly against the cracked asphalt and rusted pipes that sprawled across the ground. The Lapanzo Foundry loomed in the distance—a massive husk of steel and concrete, its faded name barely visible on the old factory’s rust-eaten board. Broken windows and gaping holes in the walls stared back at them like the hollow eyes of a corpse, and the air was heavy with a metallic tang mixed with an unexplainable decay that clung to their senses.There were no birds, no stray dogs, not even insects. The silence was unnatural, almost suffocating. Each breath they took felt too loud as if the factory itself might hear them.Pavan looked around, his face pale and his voice just above a whisper. "Yeah, this is the place where I’m going to die."Danial shot him a sideways glare. "No one is going to die." His voice was steady, but his jaw was clenched.Ahead, the board with “Lapanzo” scrawled in faded letters jutted
Danial sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers interlocked and his face stoic, though his mind churned with conflicting thoughts. Pavan, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, threw his arms up in frustration. "Danial!" Pavan snapped, his voice rising. "Are you even listening to me? How can you sit there so calmly when Kuro’s life is on the line? And Crystal—she’s a target too!" Danial finally looked up, his eyes sharp and cold. "Calm? Do I look calm to you, Pavan? I’m just not panicking like you are. If we lose focus now, Kuro’s as good as dead. And if Crystal gets caught in this... it’ll be worse." Pavan stopped pacing, running a hand through his hair. "Then tell me, what’s the plan? What are we doing? Because I can’t just stand here waiting for them to kill Kuro." Danial leaned back, exhaling deeply. "We can’t afford to act recklessly. Whoever this is, they’re not some common thug. They know Kuro’s strength, and they still managed to take him down. That tells me this is pers
Santigo paced around Kuro, his leather boots thudding against the cold, damp concrete floor. The dim overhead light flickered sporadically, casting ominous shadows across the room. The sharp edges of Santigo's features seemed exaggerated in the erratic glow, giving him an almost predatory appearance."Ah, cousin," Santigo drawled, his tone mockingly sweet as he circled Kuro. You look so pitifully tied up like this. I must say, it suits you—a star brought down to earth, groveling in the dirt."Kuro's wrists were bound tightly behind his back, and his legs were shackled to the chair he was forced to sit on. His clothes were torn, and his breath was ragged, but his eyes burned with a fiery defiance that refused to be extinguished.Santigo crouched down to meet Kuro’s glare, his grotesque grin widening. "Tell me, cousin," he whispered, his voice laced with venom, "how does it feel to have the tables turned for once? To be... insignificant?"Kuro’s chest heaved, his breath shallow but stead
Pavan’s hands shook uncontrollably as he processed the words he had just heard. His friend’s life was hanging by a thread, and the weight of the situation bore down heavily on him. His normally composed demeanor was in tatters, replaced by fear and anxiety.Danial, though visibly calmer, felt a storm brewing within. His sharp mind worked through the possibilities, piecing together how this could have happened. Kuro is strong, far stronger than most people realize. For someone to have captured him, this isn’t just about strength—it’s planning, manipulation… or something far worse.Pavan’s voice broke through Danial’s thoughts. “D-Danial, we can’t handle this on our own. We need to go to the authorities, to someone who can—”Danial interrupted, his tone firm but low. “We can’t.” His eyes locked onto Pavan’s. “You heard him. If we go to the authorities, Kuro’s life is the first thing he’ll take.”Pavan clenched his fists, frustration, and helplessness written all over his face. “But… wha
The emissaries from Emsgate couldn’t hide their broad smiles as Tanya descended the arena steps. Their demeanor was almost triumphant, as though Tanya’s victory over Viktor was a personal affront to Somerland. Tanya, however, walked with a quiet pride, ignoring the subtle gloating. Behind her, the terrain of the arena shifted and morphed back to its original flat state, the transformation accompanied by a low rumble.Viktor, meanwhile, trudged down the steps on the opposite side, his head hung low. The sting of defeat gnawed at him, and the weight of representing Somerland felt heavier with each step. In his heart, he felt as though he had disgraced his homeland.Waiting for him near the entrance was his master, a tall man with graying hair. The master’s sharp eyes softened as Viktor approached, clearly burdened. Placing a hand on Viktor’s shoulder, he spoke firmly yet kindly:“Viktor, just because you lost does not mean you failed to prove your worth. Your worth is measured by how ha
Elyisa put her hand into the ballot and took out two folded paper slips. She unfolded the slips with an air of authority. “Tanya from Emsgate and Viktor from Somerland,” she announced, her voice echoing throughout the stadium. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience as she reached into the twist and terrain ballot. Unfurling the next slip, she declared, “They will be fighting in a mountainous area. They will have to complete the fight in under four minutes, or both participants will be disqualified.”The crowd erupted in a cacophony of cheers and startled whispers.“Four minutes? Is that even enough time for a proper fight in such rugged terrain?” one spectator exclaimed.“And they’ll both be disqualified if no winner emerges? That’s brutal,” another muttered, shaking their head.The tension was palpable as Tanya, seated among the participants, felt a pang of nervousness grip her chest. Her hands balled into fists on her lap as she stared at the giant screen displaying her name
As the first rays of sunlight graced the sprawling Capital, a vibrant energy filled the air. The second day of the Tournament of Sovereign Might had arrived, and the anticipation was palpable. Crowds thronged the streets, surging toward the massive stadium like waves, eager to secure their seats. Yesterday's attendance had been monumental, but today, it seemed to have doubled. Vendors called out, selling snacks and memorabilia, while children tugged at their parents, buzzing with excitement. The tournament fever had gripped the Capital, and all eyes were on the arena.Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Spectators filled the stands, the din of their chatter building into a crescendo. The VIP sections gleamed with luxury, reserved for the most influential figures in society: the Greatest Families. Clad in their signature styles, representatives from these families arrived in a display of opulence and prestige, each taking their place in the exclusive area.In the Kirk fami
Maria’s fingers gripped the arms of the chair tightly as she stared at her grandfather. Her usual composure wavered, replaced by a mix of shock and unease. It was rare for her to confront Quintan like this, but the stakes had grown too high. She needed clarity, not half-truths or vague reassurances.Quintan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the polished wood of the desk, his expression unreadable as he studied her. Finally, he leaned forward, his gray eyes sharp and piercing.“What questions do you want to ask, Maria?” he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of weariness.Maria didn’t hesitate. She had been holding this in since the mission’s disastrous conclusion. “Grandfather, I want to know what’s going on with the Demonic Cult. Why are we conducting reconnaissance missions on them instead of mobilizing the Gods of War? They would annihilate the cult without a second thought. Why hold back? What is the status of Rowan and Lysandra? And what about Nina?" Her fis