Cyprian was already making his way to the colosseum. Where the tournament is going to be held, holding Scarlet Vow to his chest.

"I am ready my liege." Scarlet spoke to him as Cyprian went to register for the fight. Showing his pendant, then instructed to join the fighters in Block E. Majority of them were fully armored, they were bigger in size compared to Cyprian. Cyprian put the blade on his lap, then he clasped his hands together. Not of prayer or a call for hope, rather it was preparation for what he will have to do.

"Check out that guy's armor. It looks like it went through hell."

"That's a lot of damage on it. Is that armor even functioning?"

"Of course it functions ya dimwit. It must be an heirloom. Clean armor means nothing."

They called for Block E contestants to fight, Cyprian walked on ahead with his weapon in tow.

"Contestants. To qualify for this battle you must fight until only 10 of you remain standing. We have activated the simulated combat system. All injuries will be reflected. When the system detects you're dead, you will be teleported out of the fight." Cyprian heard the announcement as he drew Scarlet Vow.

"I am always by your side, my lord." Cyprian heard Scarlet's words as two contestants swung their axes at him. Cyprian parried them back, steering their blades off course. A shoulder charge to the one on the left, then a swing to decapitate the one on the right. That is one out, he still had to fight a hundred more. A battle royal like this was going to be chaotic as magic was going to be used all over. Cyprian heard something zip past him, stabbing Scarlet Vow to the ground. He knelt and held it tightly as a great explosion was occurring all over the arena. 25 were out, Cyprian pulled the blade to see a lance jousting at his direction. Two steps to the side, the lance missed him by an inch and that gave Cyprian enough time to strike the head.

Another one down, a pair of axes were swinging from behind him. Cyprian kept on the defensive, looking for an opening. Or specifically when the wielder was going to strike with both axes. The moment this contestant gets careless, it will take one parry and a piercing strike to the neck. The mistake was on the axe wielder's part, trying to strike Cyprian down with both axes. A parry first, Cyprian then moved behind to strike the axe wielder down.

While the others were busy fighting on their own, Cyprian just stood in wait. No use for him to search for trouble when they were all occupied with each other. Cyprian just waited as the contestants in his Block continued fighting. When one of them had won their duel they went after Cyprian. A woman that wielded a pair of sabers. They nodded to each other as they engaged. She vanished from sight with her first step. This meant that even in her armor she was fast, Cyprian had to keep looking around to figure out what to do with this one. Even trying to sense her mana was not an option, so Cyprian's going to take the next one. He could sense her blood lust, she was reeking of it. Cyprian moved to the side to dodge a strike, then going for the piercing strikes against her.

The strikes were enough to push her back, when she tried to attack with her other blade, Cyprian countered with the sheathe. Her skill was evident, she could still steer her blade to graze Cyprian's armor. Cyprian turned his back to her,using wind magic to blast him at her direction. This was a trick just to mess with her, Cyprian was actually readying himself to strike her from the left side. She was struck and sent out of the arena.

While the chaos was unsuing there was only 15 left. Cyprian went on ahead to just sheathe this weapon and wait for the others to fight their opponents.Even taking off the lower part of his jaw as Cyprian rolled a cigarette with his left hand. Lighting it as he awaited the chaos of the battle arena to end. The other 15 fought until 9 of them remained. Cyprian joined as first of the 10. It was a good fight. Not sticking out was definitely a good choice on his part.

Then later there were other contestants from the different blocks coming over to form their lines. Where Cyprian was finally able to see the Donnis family, the Royals of Marchen. The VIP seats yet Cyprian could not see who was the Water Priest or the Priestess of Water. This was annoying, he knew that it would not be as simple. But he did find Blake's mother. Where everyone else was wearing blue, Blake's mother was wearing black. However, there was something familiar about a woman that stood beside Blake's mother. The face was new but the soul? Something about the soul was different. Frighteningly similar to the soul of the Priestess of Water.

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King Donnis of Marchen began to speak but to Cyprian it felt like every word out of the man's mouth was pure arrogance and utter garbage. The very fiber of his existence was enough to fuel Cyprian's anger and hate. Clearly debating if he should rip the man's mouth off. Cyprian headed out after the whole speech. He could barely contain his anger, it was as if the Gods chose to make King Donnis the one to make Cyprian wish he turned deaf for a moment.

Leaving the colosseum, Cyprian went over to take a break. Taking the money he had earned from the bettings. Fighters get a 25% on the bettings. Seems as if the people who bet on him were winning big. Whatever it was, Cyprian needed to head out and figure out a new plan. Going back to the inn, Cyprian had already figured out a few things. The Priestess of Water's soul may be part of the key and if memory serves. The Hydra and the Beast that purifies the waters will serve her as per their previous contract and pacts.

Cyprian took a shower, then he readied himself for anything else. Not wearing his armor out but Cyprian had to keep the Jade Pendant on to prove he was a contestant in the Battle Tournament. So he put his armor aside but wore a different helmet. The one with a detachable jaw piece to let him eat. Cyprian was going to make the story that it was part of a religious culture. Most people wouldn't ask any further if it was part of a religious ethic.

Cyprian sat down while he smoked a cigarette by the balcony. His thoughts were in the ocean ahead of him. Vast, endless and beautiful. Perhaps it would have been better if man did not go deeper into the great blue. For some creatures are better left undisturbed, though knowing the greed of human beings. There will always be a choice but most humans fall into that depravity.

"Hello, Excuse me? Cyprian?" Cyprian opened the door to see the Priestess of Waters. She stepped in and took a seat. Cyprian shut the balcony and the curtains.

"I needed to see you, to confirm something." The Priestess said as she showed a ring to him, Cyprian knew what it was.

"The Wedding Ring between Ayane Sterling and Richter Harling." Cyprian said where it confirmed who she was.

"Richter." She called, holding his hand. Placing it over her cheek as their eyes met.

"So Ayane. It's you but a different face. A descendant?" She nodded.

"I know you must have some reason for being here. But..."

"I came here to just deal with King Donnis, and then get my friend's mother back. He attacked my family. Only reason why I didn't destroy anything is because I know how dangerous the barrier is to you. If it was someone else, I wouldn't care. But since it is you, then I would have to think twice." Cyprian said as he took a seat by the bed.

"Well you did give birth to three children but why are you here?"

"I... I'm powerless, Cyprian. Iriskil and Raizel are being held captive and King Donnis has turned them both berserk and into weapons." Cyprian grit his teeth at hearing it.

"The Hydra has a lot of warring potential. Makes sense to how he was able to take over two countries. Then have Raizel use its purification magic to help the people into submission. He made you sign a blood oath didn't he?" The Priestess of Water nodded.

"So you can't disobey him. And I'm guessing you want me to kill you?" Tears fell from her eyes, her beauty was wrinkled away by the sadness that was formed over it.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry." She kept apologising, rubbing her eyes as she watched Cyprian kneel before her. His face changing to Richter Harling, kneeling before her.

"I'm just going to hurt you again? I'm s.." Cyprian held her hand, the fingers of his left hand wiped her tears away.

"My dear beloved. I'd rather let you die, than live miserably being used as a weapon. Water is formless, shapeless and you've always used yours to protect others." Cyprian said to her, kissing her hand. Holding it close to his face.

"I love you, Richter." She said as Cyprian drew Scarlet Vow, raising it above his head.

"I love you, Ayane." Cyprian cut the Priestess of Water down before him, the blood splashing over his clothes. It was painless, she fell in an instant with a smile.. The barrier shattered as Cyprian held the hand of Ayane, kneeling before it.

Clasping his hands together, Cyprian was a wreck. The slash was easy, the kill was easy but the aftermath. He was reliving another trauma, but the pain for his heart was worth it. Because Ayane deserved better.

"Dear Gods. Please... Please, I beg of you. Put her to rest. Stop dragging her back on earth and break her heart again. Please... Let her rest. So she doesn't wake up screaming in the middle of the night or be tortured by what she has done. Lucius, if there is a god behind this. You give me his name and I will rip him and bring him to you for your judgement." Cyprian prayed but his last sentence was beyond anger. Alarms were blaring all over.

"Warning! Warning! The Protective Barrier of Oranto has been destroyed!"

Cyprian ditched his outfit and returned back as Kael. This time he put on his Avatar of Destruction's clothes. The black tailcoat with silver embroidery over the collar. To represent the destruction itself ,Kael must prepare to leave behind the path of destruction in his footsteps. Which he was ready, now all he needed to do. Was wait for the storms.

Scarlet Vow stood beside him, along with Black Symphony while Kael grabbed Radiant Sonata in its blade form.

"Tell the others to be ready. We'll begin soon."