Reza finally emerged from the hallway where Sabine was still preparing for the fight with Lucius. Fortunately, he hadn’t encountered the man this morning. It would have been impossible for him to resist punching Lucius before the fight. Walking out of the area, Reza stumbled upon a small group of priests who seemed to be guarding the area where he had just been with Sabine. The older priest bowed before him. “Yes, may I help you, Lord Reza?”

Reza was taken aback by the fact that the man knew his name. However, it was likely that every priest within the church was now aware of him, as he could very well be their leader in a few weeks. “I was wondering if one of you might escort me to the main box. I have no idea where to even begin.” Reza asked. He knew it was probably a good idea, as he would more than likely get it, but beyond that, he didn’t want to trespass into an area he wasn’t supposed to and risk being questioned or something.

“Of course, I can take you there myself,” the older priest replied. He bid farewell to the others and escorted Reza through multiple hallways and stairs until they reached the main box of the arena. The crowd's roars indicated that most of the spectators had already entered the theater, but the private box for Sorana had only a few people who had arrived.

“Here you are,” the priest said, leading him to the front of the box and presenting Reza with a seat. No one was seated there yet, but he noticed more and more people starting to arrive and take their places.

_______________

Lukas slowly ascended the stairs towards Sorana’s private box, his arm wrapped around Cassia’s. She happily matched his pace while Marie and Tavia trailed behind. Lukas had overheard at least one comment about his slow pace, though he kept his measured pace. Despite the benefits of his healing sessions the night before, the soreness persisted from this morning. Master Vorcan had subjected him to the same rigorous training, but now, with Severin draining him while he attempted to keep up, Lukas had managed to reduce his mistakes from the previous day. However, the exhaustion persisted.

Finally, the stairs ended, and Lukas found his seat, resting his weary legs. They barely reached the private landing in front of the box when a servant approached. “Good morning, Sir. May I have your name?”

The man bowed deeply before refocusing on the group. “Lukas Sulli,” Lukas replied. Reza caught his eye, standing at the railing of the booth, gazing down at the sand. “I believe we are likely seated over there.”

Lukas indicated Reza, and the servant nodded. “I believe you are correct. If you would follow me.”

He led them to their seats, the first two rows, with Reza already occupying one of the front-row seats.

“If you need anything, I’d be delighted to help,” he said, glancing at each person.

“Marie?” Lukas turned the question to her. Marie looked at Tavia before responding.

“A bottle of mulled wine or cider would be great. The air feels chilly,” she said, a slight shiver escaping her lips. Tavia quickly grabbed her hand and handed her a shawl for Marie to wear.

“Thank you,” she said, wrapping the shawl around her shoulders.

“Something warm would be perfect,” Tavia added.

“Yes, six glasses. We should order one for Lord Sulli. He’ll likely arrive soon,” Lukas instructed the servant.

The man nodded. “I’ll check what we have, but I believe a fresh pitcher of cider has just come in. I’ll be back momentarily,” he said, bowing again and gliding away.

“That sounds wonderful. I agree the weather is changing. Hopefully, the weather improves before Sabine’s duel begins.” Cassia glanced over to her brother, who sat at Lukas’s right. “Marius, what’s wrong with you? Are you getting enough rest? There’s no way you’re fully healed from the attack; you need to take it easy.”

There was genuine concern in her voice for her brother. Lukas glanced over at him, and he seemed more reserved than usual. However, upon deeper reflection, he noticed that he appeared better than ever, sitting up strong and radiating energy in his eyes. Lukas cursed as he realized Severin hadn’t been summoned. Hopefully, Reza hadn’t noticed.

Lukas quickly rectified his mistake. He could feel Severin at the back of the box, leaning against the wall. Lukas knew that if he looked back, the wraith would be leaning against the wall with his cards in hand, making each float as he pulled them from the deck before him.

“I’m fine, just nervous for Sabine.” Reza kept his eyes fixed on the fighting below. Cassia remained silent but gave Reza another concerned look.

Lukas finally noticed that people were engaged in two separate fights in the sandy arena below. “I had no idea there were other fights today,” he remarked.

He should have known. One duel between Sabine and Lucious was hardly entertaining for the money people paid for their seats. These fighters appeared to be the typical arena combatants, moving gracefully around each other, their weapons clashing against shields and swords as they searched for an opening.

Suddenly, a sword struck a fighter in the stomach and began to glow crimson. He slammed his hands to the ground, his anger palpable from a distance.

“Oh, how thrilling. Will they all be like that?” Cassia exclaimed.

“Is this your first time?” Lukas asked. He had only attended a few fights before, none of which were on this grand scale. However, the village had a small theater where traveling groups showcased their talents.

“Yes, Mother never spent money on trivial entertainment,” Cassia replied, smiling at Lukas before returning to the fight. Two fighters in blue were attempting to defeat the last yellow-scarfed man. Unfortunately, they failed, and the yellow-scarfed man swiftly dispatched both with graceful sword slashes.

“Well, I suppose this will be quite exciting,” Lukas said. He had never met Lucious but had a fondness for Sabine, so he hoped she would emerge victorious.

The servant returned with the cider, and Lukas quickly took a sip. It was delicious—hot enough to warm his body without scorching his tongue, allowing him to savor the taste.

“That’s excellent! Who made this?” Tavia asked, turning to Lukas. He glanced back at her. She was peering over to the servant, her finger raised as if about to summon him.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Tavia, you can inquire after the contest. Your financial concerns can wait until then,” Reza ordered, maintaining his gaze forward. He had anticipated her plan. As siblings, Rezak knew his sister’s mind. Was this how Tavia always approached valuable things? How much did she consider when she saw something of interest? She saw opportunities in everything. Even as they had traveled to the contest today, she mentioned a few buildings she saw that had piqued her interest as potential acquisitions; she had already seen them.

“Fine, I suppose I can figure out the source of the ciders after the fight ends,” she said calculatingly, glancing again at the servants in the back of the room.

However, the conversation was interrupted as the Orator and his wraith emerged from their box. His voice boomed, and then he silenced the crowd.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the preliminaries have finally concluded, and it is time for the grand event of the day to commence.” He paused, holding his breath long enough for the crowd to lean in closer.

Lukas realized his mistake and pushed himself back into his chair.

“Today, we have an extraordinary treat for you. Only one sibling will emerge victorious from the arena. In honor of Sorana, I am delighted to introduce Sabine and Lucius Rewan.”

The crowd erupted in a frenzy of screams, cheers, jeers, and claps. Lukas watched as, from both sides of the arena, two gates opened. Sabine, clad in her uniform, exited the northern gate. She held her bow at the ready, poised for the fight to commence. She took about ten feet onto the sand before halting and standing, her bow still in one hand.

Lukas turned his attention to the southern gate. Lucius emerged. He was dressed in only a pair of baggy pants that seemed to be tailored for a much larger man. What made him even more peculiar was that he dragged a sword as long as himself, which appeared wider than Lukas’s hands. He also carried a shield twice the width of his body. Both items seemed out of place, and he set them down at his sides when he stopped approximately fifty feet from Sabine.

“What on earth is Lucius going to do with those? He can barely manage to carry them!” Lukas exclaimed, glancing at the others seated around him. Everyone shrugged or shook their heads until Reza finally spoke.

“You’ll soon discover why Lucius is one of the most terrifying men in the city.” He glanced over at Lukas, a mix of fear and excitement evident on Reza’s face. “It’s better for you to witness it firsthand. I can’t adequately describe his power to do it justice.”

Lukas refocused his attention on the arena where Sabine and Lucius engaged in a fierce battle.

The Orator resumed his speech. "Under the authority of Sorana, I bless this contest and the participants in it." He held his head low, waiting for the crowd to fall silent after the second he remained. No one in the booth spoke as the silence stretched on.

The Orator raised his head. “Ladies and gentlemen, magic is now fully permitted, with no restrictions. Three strikes that hit the opponent will cause them to glow, and they will be eliminated from the contest. Blood may be shed, and someone may die. There will be no mercy. The opponent must surrender or glow to end the duel.”

Lukas kept his body rigid, but he wanted to let his mouth drop open. He had never imagined the church would allow bloodshed. These were some of the brightest warriors of a city likely at war, and it seemed absurd to allow such a rule change.

“It makes no sense to allow this to happen. What were they thinking?” Reza muttered, his words laced with pure spite. Lukas glanced over and saw Reza halfway out of his seat when Lord Sulli suddenly laid his hand on Marius’s shoulder. Reza sat back down in his chair just behind Reza.

“The church holds the authority; you must adhere to its rules, as Sabine and Lucius will do today. If you aspire to demonstrate your potential as their leader and a prominent figure within the city, I advise against making a fool of yourself.” He whispered, his voice audible to Lukas, allowing him to hear everything.

Reza relaxed and reclined in his seat, though he only sat at the edge of the chair, gazing down at the sand below. I’m unsure if I’ve ever witnessed such a rapid transformation from a few words.

Lukas would need to continue observing his uncle and studying how he skillfully diffused the situation. Learning this skill should be a priority for anyone. The composed demeanor and unwavering confidence displayed by Lord Sulli were qualities Lukas recognized he needed to acquire, just as much as honing his fighting skills to prepare him to guide the family into the future. This was merely another item on an already expanding list of his education.

The crowd fell silent once again as the Orator raised his left arm, sweeping it down dramatically before shouting, “You may begin.”

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as Sabine moved to her left, keeping to the outskirts of the arena in the shadow of the wall. Her wraith remained where she had begun the duel, its bow at the ready. Sabine drew back a fraction of the bowstring and released it, sending a ghostly arrow flying towards Lucius. He swiftly moved, his massive shield sliding in front of him as he crouched behind it. The arrow struck the shield, sending Lucius and the shield backward several feet.

“What on earth was that?” Lukas exclaimed, and the crowd echoed his astonishment. Sabine hadn’t displayed this ability during her initial fight.

Reza spoke, his eyes fixed on the unfolding battle. “She hid the true power of her wraith. It shoots with unnatural accuracy while granting her extraordinary precision with ranged weapons. This is far from over; that was merely the first volley, and Lucius has yet to even begin his assault.”

Lukas glanced back as Lucius rose to his feet and began to convulse. His skin started to bulge, and another arrow pierced through his shield, but this time,

Lucius remained steadfast as he gradually transformed. His arms elongated, surpassing his knees, and his chest expanded, transforming his entire body into a monstrous figure towering over nine feet tall. His hair cascaded past his waist, and he no longer resembled a human but a hybrid of a human and an animal. Once oversized in his hands, the sword and shield now appeared insignificant.

Another arrow struck his chest, marking Sabine’s first successful hit during the early stages of the duel. Lucius radiated a blinding white light for a fleeting moment, captivating the crowd with a mix of excitement and horror as they witnessed his monstrous form.

Considering his size, Lucius’s speed appeared unnatural. The shield collided with Sabine, causing her to emit a white glow. She swiftly rolled away, attempting to create some distance between them. Sabine drew an arrow and swiftly released two volleys at Lucius as he tried to close the gap. Her two arrows struck the shield, cutting inches into it, but Lucius remained unaffected as another arrow from the wraith narrowly missed his left bicep.

Sabine retreated, showering arrows in her escape as she and the wraith continued to shoot a steady stream of arrows at the concealed Lucius behind his shield. He rose and dashed through her wraith, disregarding it as he drew closer, slashing down with a thunderous roar. Sabine moved to the side and then used the blade to lift herself into the air, shooting over his shield. Her arrow pierced his shoulder, and Lukas could discern blood flowing from the wound even from this distance.

Two hits. Sabine required only one more strike to conclude the duel. The contest had progressed so swiftly. They continued in a lull, Sabine retreating and Lucius trying to find a way through her arrows.

Lucius slowed his approach and moved with caution, his enormous sword slashing every opportunity he had to land a blow on her. This continued for minutes; Sabine and her wraith relentlessly shot arrows at Lucius as she retreated, but he deftly evaded each one. Lukas glanced over to Reza. He was on the edge of his seat, his right hand clasped tightly on the booth wall, his knuckles turning white.

“Let’s go, Sabine!” Cassia shouted from his other side. He glanced over at her and smiled at her. Like their group, the crowd seemed to be in favor of Sabine. They cheered every time an arrow narrowly missed. At the same time, jeering Lucius every time he missed.

As the minutes ticked down, each sibling seemed to lose energy gradually, the initial frantic moments having cooled down. Sabine shot another arrow and grabbed another from the ground as she ran past. Each time, Lucius moved out of the way or raised his shield to block the arrow. His shield was well over a dozen arrows stuck into it from Sabine.

“Now, what’s going to happen here?” Lukas whispered.

Lucius stopped in the arena, his chest rising as he breathed heavily. He continued to dodge side to side or use his shield as Sabine continued her relentless assault.

Sabine stopped and pulled her bow back to shoot. The string snapped as it reached her chin, and she threw the broken bow to the side.

Lucius swiftly approached Sabine, slashing at her with his sword. She retreated, but a red line crossed her stomach, and she momentarily glowed white.

Undeterred, Sabine sprinted away, trying to create distance between her and her brother.

Lucius pursued her, but Sabine swiftly drew her crossbows and fired two bolts at his face. He ducked beneath them, allowing her to retreat. She quickly reloaded one crossbow and positioned herself, aiming at him.

Lucius waited before rushing at her, his sword raised. Sabine held her ground, both crossbows at the ready, poised to shoot. He drew within the blade’s length of her when she unleashed both bolts. He raised his shield, deflecting the bolt and swinging his massive sword at Sabine. A bolt from Sabine’s Wraith struck his shoulder in response, causing him to roar in pain. The sword slipped from his grasp as he glowed crimson, ending the duel.

“That was indeed clever,” Lukas remarked. Sabine had outwitted him, forcing him to make a mistake.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices hoarse from excitement. Lukas joined in the applause, clapping and screaming alongside the others. He turned to Cassia first, who was also in the booth, screaming with the rest. He glanced to see if Reza had regained his composure, but he was nowhere to be found.

Lukas tried to find the man, but he was gone.

“Look down there,” Marie exclaimed, pointing towards the sand.

Lukas turned to see what she was indicating. It didn’t take long to realize that Reza had already made his way to the arena. He was assisting Sabine to her feet and raising her arm up.