The road to Onira was long and winding, the rolling hills and scattered forests offering a brief reprieve from the tensions that lingered over our group. I travelled north with Augustus, Silvana, and a handful of our best recruits, leaving the rest of Nova under Leon and Sora’s capable command back in Danustica. It was a calculated risk, but one we had to take if we were to make our mark in the Southern Empire’s tournament.
As we approached Onira, the city’s walls loomed high, a testament to its importance and wealth. The markets were teeming with life, a cacophony of voices and colours as merchants hawked their wares. Brightly coloured banners advertising exotic goods and services fluttered in the breeze, adding to the overwhelming sensory experience. The aroma of fresh-baked bread, spiced meats, and ripe fruits filled the air, mingling with the less pleasant stench of overcrowded streets and beasts of burden. Even the inns, usually a refuge for weary travellers, were packed to capacity. The tournament had drawn spectators and participants from all corners of Calradia, and the city was bursting at the seams. With no rooms to spare, we set up camp outside the city, joining countless others who had been turned away. Our modest camp was a simple arrangement of canvas tents and bedrolls, but it served its purpose well enough.
The cool evening air carried the mingling scents of roasted meats and spiced wines from nearby campfires. The occasional burst of laughter or cheer from neighbouring camps reminded us of the festive atmosphere surrounding the tournament. As we sat around our modest fire, its warmth and light a small barrier against the encroaching darkness, Augustus laid out the details of the tournament. There would be four competitions, each demanding different skills and strategies.
“The first is an archery competition,” Augustus began, his voice steady as he addressed us. He held a carved stick, which he used to draw a rough diagram in the dirt. “Silvana, you’ll represent us in this round. Your precision and composure make you our best choice. Fruin,” he added, turning to one of the younger recruits, “you’ll join her. Your training under Silvana has been exemplary, and this is a chance to prove your worth.”
Fruin’s face lit up with pride, though he tried to mask it with a nod. Silvana, ever composed, simply inclined her head, her confidence evident in her calm demeanour. “I’ll ensure we make an impression,” she said, her tone steady and determined.
“Next is the solo melee competition,” Augustus continued. He paused, looking directly at me. “Nathanos, this one’s yours.”
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. “You’re not participating?” I asked, incredulous. Augustus was a formidable warrior, his stance and footwork distinct from all of the warriors I’d encountered in the past, which was enough to unnerve most opponents.
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He shook his head. “The solo melee competition carries the highest reward, and we have other competitions to participate in. Besides, I have full confidence in you. There’s no one in this world who can defeat you in a one-on-one fight.”
The weight of his trust settled on my shoulders. My mind flashed to the countless hours of training, the sweat and pain that had shaped me into the fighter I am today. This was more than just a competition; it was a test of everything I had become under Nova’s banner.
He explained the format: an elimination round where all participants would fight simultaneously until only sixteen remained. “The arena will be chaos,” Augustus warned, his voice taking on a sharper edge. “Blades flying, shields crashing. It won’t be about skill alone but strategy. You’ll need to stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
Following that, four more rounds of solo combat would determine the winner. The hefty participation fee meant we could only afford to enter a handful of competitors. Augustus planned to send four of our best fighters into the elimination round alongside me, their sole purpose to protect me until we reached the final sixteen.
“Protect you,” Augustus emphasized, his gaze piercing. “Once the elimination round ends, you won’t need anyone else. Focus on winning, Nathanos. We’re counting on you.”
I nodded, the enormity of the task sinking in. His unwavering belief in me was both a comfort and a burden. Around the fire, the others exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. Silvana placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You’ll do fine,” she said softly, her confidence in me mirroring Augustus’s.
I nodded, the enormity of the task sinking in. Winning the melee competition wasn’t just about the prize money but about Nova’s reputation. If I faltered, it wouldn’t just be my failure—it would be ours.
“The third competition is a team fight,” Augustus continued. “Four fighters per team. I’ll lead our group, accompanied by three recruits. This is as much about showcasing our group’s cohesion as it is about winning.”
Silvana smirked. “Any chance you’ll let me take part in that one too?”
Augustus chuckled. “You’ll have your hands full with the archery round. Leave this one to me.”
The final competition was a cavalry battle, the participation fee and rewards even steeper than the solo melee. Unfortunately, our best rider, Leon, was still in Danustica. Augustus had ruled out our chances in this round early on. “We’ll skip it,” he said. “We’re here to win, not to waste resources.”
Despite the thorough planning, the tension was palpable. The tournament wasn’t just a gathering of skilled fighters; it was a convergence of power and ambition. Mercenary groups like the Legions of the Betrayed and Skolderbroda were among the participants, their reputations preceding them. The competition would be fierce.
As the discussion wound down, the camp grew quieter, save for the occasional crackle of the fire. I leaned back, gazing at the star-filled sky. The weight of Augustus’s words lingered in my mind.
“No one can defeat you in a one-on-one fight.”
He believed in me, as did the rest of Nova. I couldn’t afford to let them down. Tomorrow, the arena would become our proving ground,
and I would ensure that we emerged victorious.