The cycle of life—a book I wish to write.

Whatever happens in life, a purpose it brings to light.

Why do things happen in a certain way?

I’ve never truly understood, not even to this day.

Thinking about the world, I’ve realized one thing:

It never stops; it just keeps moving,

Keeps going on, just like that.

An enemy may rise, one not to halt time for a bit, but forever—that’s it.

The one to control each life and one’s death.

When did that enemy come, or did it exist before?

Does it exist now, is it even human, or something more?

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers as Elio collapsed, marking the Royal Army's second victory with none yet for the Nubia Kingdom.

Renjiro Akihiko, the Vanguards' leader, stood in stunned silence. "He really... WON," he muttered, astonished.

Atom, on the other hand, couldn't contain his excitement, cheering loudly. "This is entertaining! That was so cool!"

Ru, always more analytical, nodded thoughtfully. "I figured it out a little too late. I need to sharpen my ability. Still, that was amazing."

Meanwhile, Akhet, realizing he would one day face Jack again—perhaps in an even more intense battle—locked his gaze through his mask onto Jack. "Jack Sterling," he murmured to himself, "you’re the first enemy I didn’t kill. My instinct tells me we will meet again."

Just as Akhet was about to depart, he froze. Jack’s voice echoed across the battlefield, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Elio!" Jack shouted, extending a hand toward his fallen opponent. His voice was calm, but the weight of his words was undeniable. "I’m sorry, but... I did read your memories."

Elio, lying on the ground, clenched his jaw, anger flashing in his eyes. Without looking at Jack, he muttered, "Yeah, whatever."

But Jack didn’t retreat. His voice grew louder, more resolute. "Stones exist, yes, but what is set in stone can still be changed. Remember, death was created before life, and darkness ruled before the light ever reached us. You were too focused on things already written in ink, too busy caring to realize you still hold the pen." Jack’s eyes blazed with intensity as he spoke. "What’s done cannot be undone, but what remains unwritten is yours to control. Your blindness to your path could lead you to ruin. Look up. Smile. See what you’ve become. Your mother’s wish wasn’t for you to fail—it was for you to succeed. Make her proud, even if she’s gone."

As Jack finished, the clouds above began to part, and the sun’s rays pierced through, illuminating his outstretched hand. Elio, overwhelmed by Jack’s words, felt the weight in his chest lighten. The tears welled up inside him, but he fought them back. With a deep breath, he stood up slowly, grasping Jack's hand.

"We shall meet again," Elio said, his voice steady but filled with determination. "And next time, it will be a fair game you are my rival. Until then... I will smile and become a better version of myself."

Day one of the strength competition had reached its halfway mark. It was halftime, and with the next battle scheduled for an hour later, the crowd began to spill out of the colosseum, eager to grab food and relax. Among them, Jack made his way back to the Royal Army’s balcony, his thoughts still lingering on the last battle.

Elio soon arrived by his side, where Kairo was already waiting. His expression was a mix of frustration and concern, emotions he was desperately trying to hide but couldn’t. Kairo’s voice was low, almost echoing through the quiet seating area of the balcony. "You could have won, Elio. No one remembers the man who came second." His words carried the weight of his own unspoken thoughts—the pressure of expectations and unachieved glory.

Elio, however, smiled, undeterred by the sting of Kairo's remark. "From this battle, I’ve learned something important," he replied calmly. "It’s not about who you’ve beaten, but about how far you’ve come. Looking back at your success is a luxury... for some."

Drexel, standing nearby, felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Those words struck a chord deep within him. His eyes widened, sensing something different about Elio. "It’s nothing big," he thought to himself, "but he’s changed. He’s just... more alive than before. Is this what his mother always wanted for him?"

Breaking the tension, Captain Naya Imani grinned, cheering everyone up with her lighthearted tone. "It’s break time, everyone! Let’s get some food before the next fight. After all, that one’s a guaranteed victory." She gave a playful smile, nudging the team to relax a little.

Kairo, however, still deep in thought, remained focused on the battlefield ahead. Arms crossed, he glanced over at the empty arena, his voice steady but filled with confidence. "The next one... is going to be ours."

“2 up, let’s gooo!” shouted Ramon, jumping onto Jack in excitement.

Yune, arms crossed, for the first time cracked a smile at Jack. "I wasn’t expecting you to use that technique—and at such a massive scale."

“Wait, you knew?” Kamil asked, surprised.

Yune nodded, “Yes, but I didn’t expect this.”

Kasib, always ready to take a shot at jack, tossed Jack an apple. “Eat up. You look like a hungry horse.”

“Well done, young man. You did well,” praised Henu, with Menes nodding in agreement beside him.

Khonsu, buzzing with excitement, clenched his fists. “The next one is mine! I will win!”

The air tingled as Khonsu’s excitement manifested as crackling electricity. No, seriously, I mean it. "Hey Khonsu, turn that down! You’re releasing your power!" shouted Ramon, as everyone around felt the electric charge in the air, goosebumps rippling across their skin.

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

As Jack and the group walked out of the colosseum, the sharp, bright sunlight revealed the outer training field, now transformed into a bustling festival. The once-quiet grounds were filled with life, packed with people celebrating. There were puppet performances, makeshift restaurants, and an A to Z market where everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves to the fullest. The sight made Jack’s excitement bubble over, and his stomach let out a low growl in response to the mouthwatering scents wafting through the air.

Ramon, unable to hold back his enthusiasm, shouted, "Let's dig in!" Without hesitation, the group broke into a run, heading straight for the food stalls.

"Wait!" Menes called out, his voice carrying authority, making the group pause. Henu nodded beside him, signaling the importance of what was to come.

"Commander Menes, you’re ruining all the fun," Ramon joked, trying to lighten the mood.

But Henu’s tone was serious. "This is important. Listen up," he began. "Today, while the fights were going on, I’m sure many of us advanced dark energy users sensed it. Leaders or members of other organizations are likely here as well. I mean it."

Kasib’s expression grew worried. "Are we going to do something about it? There are a lot of people's lives at risk here," he asked, concern clear in his voice.

Menes shook his head. "No, don’t engage. This happens every time. They’re here to observe, to measure the strengths and weaknesses of our army and soldiers. They aren’t foolish. They know this is our territory, and if they dare cause any harm, it will be the end for them. They won’t bother us, but we must stay on guard."

Jack, always curious, questioned, "What if they come to us?"

Henu’s gaze hardened as he replied. "Unless they attack, do not fight. It’s dangerous, especially after what happened to Royal Nebu and Khafra. They might target you, so be cautious."

"Yes, Commander," Jack acknowledged, his tone respectful but filled with resolve.

With that, the group dispersed, Kamil, Kasib, and Ramon joining Jack as they made their way towards the food stalls, while Khonsu, Memnon, Noya, and Yune moved on to fulfill their duties as Royal Guards, showcasing their strength to the people of Thebes.

As they walked, Ramon spotted a familiar sign and pointed excitedly. "Hey, let’s go to that one! I heard Chef Tarek Khalifa is there."

Kamil shook his head with a teasing smile. "No, Ramon, you eat his food every day. We need to try something new, get a new experience."

Kasib chimed in with a shrug. "I’m fine with an apple as long as it’s fresh."

Kamil pointed towards a different stall in the crowd. "Let's go to that one. Chef Mimi’s place."

Ramon sighed, conceding. "Fine, I guess."

As they made their way to the restaurant, Jack turned to Kamil with a thoughtful expression. "Why do we show our weaknesses to the other organizations? I don’t understand."

Kamil smiled gently, understanding Jack’s confusion. "We do it for the people, Jack. These people around us, here in Thebes, they are the ones we protect. We are their shields, their swords. We need to show them that the Royal Army is strong enough to defend them. And as for our weaknesses, if you never show them, you’ll never understand them or be able to fix them. In a battle of life and death, one’s weakness can be one’s downfall. The goal to fix our weaknesses keeps us training. The smiles of these people keep us strong and fighting."

Jack paused, letting Kamil’s words sink in. He took in the view around him—the thousands of people walking past, shoulder to shoulder, living their lives under the protection of the Royal Army. A sense of purpose welled up within him. "I should at least protect them... the people of Thebes," he thought, feeling a newfound resolve to become even stronger.

As the group settled into their seats and ordered a few soups and fruits, everyone was in high spirits, enjoying the brief respite from the intensity of the competition. In his excitement, Ramon accidentally knocked over his bowl, spilling soup onto Jack's brown coat. "Oh no, Jack, I'm so sorry!" Ramon apologized profusely, grabbing the coat to clean it up. Jack sighed but smiled reassuringly, taking the coat and heading toward the water well at the corner of the field where fewer people were gathered.

At the well, Jack began to rinse off the greasy stain. As he focused on cleaning his coat, he suddenly felt a familiar, ominous presence. His senses sharpened, and he used his dark energy to scan the surroundings. From behind one of the pillars near the well, he detected someone hiding. "I know you're there," Jack said, his voice low and serious. "Come out."

A figure stepped forward, draped in the shroud commonly worn by elders. "Long time no see," the man said, his voice carrying a chilling familiarity. "I'm surprised at how much you've improved. The last time we fought, I defeated you. You were the first man to ever live after crossing paths with me."

Jack narrowed his eyes, recognizing the voice and the aura. "I see, you sound like Akhet," Jack responded, quickly slipping his coat back on, readying himself for a potential fight.

"Your senses have sharpened," Akhet replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"What do you want, exactly? If you try anything, I assure you, it won’t be easy to escape,*" Jack threatened, his voice cold and unyielding.

Akhet raised his hands slightly, a gesture of mock surrender. "I won’t use the innocent as a shield. It’s a move done by the cowardly, and you should know this much about me," he replied with a hint of chivalry in his voice. "I’m only here to let you know that the next time we cross paths in battle, I will kill you."

Jack’s fists clenched, anger bubbling to the surface. "I can’t forgive you for what you did to Ayman’s family and the old man Marcus. I will take revenge for them," Jack declared, his voice trembling with rage.

Before anything else could be said, Ramon, Kamil, and Kasib came rushing towards Jack, sensing something was wrong. "Hey Jack, is everything okay? You took too long to come back," Ramon called out.

In an instant, Akhet was gone. Using his ability to slow down time, he had simply walked away, leaving no trace behind. Jack stood there, pointing towards the pillar where Akhet had just been.

Kamil, noticing Jack's strange posture, asked, "What are you pointing at?"

Jack lowered his hand, his expression dark. "Akhet of the Anubis was here," he said quietly.

Kasib’s eyes widened. "Did he do anything?"

"No," Jack replied, shaking his head. "He was just here to say one thing—our paths will meet again, and it will be in battle."

Ramon tried to reassure him. "Don’t worry, it’s fine. If he didn’t attempt anything serious, I don't think it’s something we should concern ourselves with right now."

"Right," Jack muttered, though his mind was still racing. He turned and walked off with the group, but the encounter left a heavy weight on his shoulders. The promise of a future battle with Akhet loomed large in his thoughts, a reminder that peace was always fleeting in this world.

As they hurried back to their balcony in the colosseum, the third and final battle of the day was just about to begin. Menes, with a stern expression, scolded them for being late. "You shouldn't be so lax when there are battles to be fought!" he snapped, but his tone softened as they quickly settled into their seats, eyes fixed on the battlefield below.

Down on the field stood Khonsu and Kairo, both exuding an aura of power and confidence. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, their excitement palpable as they awaited the clash between these two formidable fighters. "I wonder who will take this one," Jack mused aloud, his eyes narrowing as he studied the two opponents.

Henu, ever the optimist, chuckled. "Well, the strongest will surely go ahead. It's a battle that seems quite one-sided. As of right now, the reputation of the Nubia Kingdom rests in the hands of Kairo, their child prodigy."

Kairo stood with a calm yet intense focus, his gaze locked on Khonsu. The weight of his kingdom's expectations rested heavily on his shoulders, but he wore it with ease, as if the pressure only fuelled his resolve. Khonsu, on the other hand, was electrified with energy—literally and figuratively. Sparks danced around his form, betraying the excitement that coursed through him. The air between them crackled with the tension of an impending storm.

Far above the crowd, hidden among the higher floors and the pillars, stood Alphonse. He watched the fight from a distance, not wanting to be part of the throngs of spectators. His gaze was sharp, unblinking, as he focused on Khonsu. Though his face was impassive, his thoughts were anything but. "Khonsu, you better win," he thought, his mind echoing the silent command. This battle was more than just a spectacle—it was a statement of strength, and Alphonse wanted to see Khonsu emerge victorious.

Back in the Royal Army balcony, Jack couldn’t help but feel the gravity of the fight below. Kairo, the prodigy of the Nubia Kingdom, carried the weight of his people’s hope.