Chapter 7: Victory Without Triumph
878 Words
The roar of the crowd shook the Royal Arena.
Every clash of steel drew louder cheers.
Every successful block earned applause.
What had begun as a friendly contest had become a spectacle worthy of legends.
Yet Master Kael wasn’t watching the fight.
He was watching the audience.
His sharp eyes moved from noble to noble.
From merchant to merchant.
Searching.
Waiting.
Someone was here.
He could feel it.
⸻
On the battlefield, Bashan and Cassian refused to give each other an inch.
Cassian swung his greatsword in a wide arc.
Bashan ducked beneath it and countered with a swift strike toward Cassian’s shoulder.
Clang!
Cassian blocked it effortlessly.
“You’ve improved.”
Bashan smirked.
“You don’t know how I fought before.”
Cassian laughed.
“Fair point.”
The two separated before charging once more.
⸻
Elsewhere, Brakus remained the immovable center of the Vanguard’s formation.
The giant warrior of Drakhar attacked again and again, each blow powerful enough to c***k stone.
Brakus absorbed every strike with his shield.
The spectators could scarcely believe it.
Finally, the giant lowered his axe and smiled.
“I’ve never met anyone who could stop me.”
Brakus smiled back.
“I’ve never tried.”
With a powerful shove, Brakus forced the giant backward for the first time.
The crowd erupted.
⸻
Near the western side of the arena, Liora and the crimson-haired spearwoman fought with breathtaking precision.
Neither relied on brute strength.
Every attack was answered by another.
Every feint met with a counter.
The spearwoman suddenly smiled.
“You’re better than I expected.”
Liora spun her spear gracefully.
“I could say the same.”
Then, without warning, both women lowered their weapons.
At the exact same moment.
They laughed.
Neither had found an opening.
Neither had made a mistake.
It was the closest thing to a draw either had ever experienced.
⸻
High above, Nyx finally cornered the silent archer.
He aimed another arrow.
She disappeared.
He turned.
Nothing.
Then…
A dagger gently touched the back of his shoulder.
“You would’ve been eliminated.”
The archer slowly smiled.
“I suppose I would.”
Nyx withdrew her dagger.
“You shoot well.”
“You move better.”
For the first time during the match…
Both warriors acknowledged each other with a respectful nod.
⸻
Meanwhile…
Taren reached Drakhar’s banner once again.
“No interruptions this time.”
He reached toward it.
Almost.
Almost—
A hand grabbed the banner first.
Cassian.
“When did you get here?”
Taren groaned.
“I liked you better when you were busy.”
Cassian laughed.
“I had a feeling this was your plan.”
The two exchanged playful blows before Taren suddenly stepped back.
“You know…”
“I wasn’t actually after the banner.”
Cassian frowned.
“What?”
At that exact moment…
Azul quietly removed Drakhar’s banner from behind Cassian.
The crowd gasped.
Cassian turned around.
“…Clever.”
Azul smiled apologetically.
“My teammate creates distractions.”
“It seems he does.”
Master Kael raised his hand.
“The match is over!”
A deafening cheer swept through the arena.
The Royal Vanguard had won.
⸻
After the applause finally settled, Cassian walked toward Azul.
For a brief moment…
Everyone expected another challenge.
Instead…
Cassian extended his hand.
“You earned it.”
Azul accepted the handshake.
“So did you.”
Cassian then looked at Bashan.
“I still want a proper duel someday.”
Bashan grinned.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
King Joseph rose to address the crowd.
“Today was never about proving which kingdom is stronger.”
“It was about proving that strength can exist without hatred.”
The audience applauded.
Representatives from every kingdom stood in agreement.
For the first time since the summit began…
It truly felt as though peace might be possible.
⸻
But beneath the arena…
Deep within forgotten tunnels that predated the palace itself…
A hooded figure knelt before the crimson crystal hidden beneath the council chamber.
The crystal pulsed brighter than before.
The stranger whispered ancient words in a language long forgotten.
Suddenly…
Thin crimson veins spread through the stone floor.
Like roots beneath the earth.
Slowly…
Silently…
Making their way toward the arena above.
⸻
At that very moment, Nyx froze.
Her eyes widened.
She looked down at the ground beneath her feet.
“What is it?” Liora asked.
Nyx didn’t answer immediately.
Then she spoke in a trembling voice.
“…Something is underneath us.”
The smile disappeared from Master Kael’s face.
He felt it too.
A faint vibration.
So weak that no ordinary person would notice.
Yet it was there.
Growing stronger.
Far away, in the hidden sanctuary of the Crimson Order, the hooded leader stood before a massive hourglass filled with crimson sand.
One grain fell.
Then another.
He smiled.
“The first move is complete.”
He turned toward the darkness behind him.
“Prepare the next phase.”
A deep voice echoed from the shadows.
“The kingdoms suspect nothing.”
The leader nodded.
“They’re looking for enemies at the gates…”
“…while we’ve already entered through the foundations.”
And beneath the Palace of Azul…
Something ancient stirred.
- Writer
