The arena was alive with energy as the announcer's voice thundered across the battleground, proclaiming the end of the initial rounds. My heart quickened its pace, a blend of nerves and excitement surging within me. With the announcement of the rules for the upcoming round—duels to the death—a wave of tension swept through the crowd. The stakes had soared to their peak, and the air crackled with anticipation, every fighter ready to prove their mettle or meet their fate. As the gravity of the situation sank in, a rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins, fueling my determination for what lay ahead.

I made my way through the sea of warriors, my gaze scanning the faces of those who had also survived the first round. The intensity in their eyes mirrored my own, a silent acknowledgment of the perilous path we were all on.

Then, amidst the chaos, I spotted Mervan. His face was alight with joy as he caught sight of me, his voice ringing out above the clamor of the crowd. "Su!"

A small smile tugged at my lips as I waved back, a surge of warmth spreading through me at the sight of his happiness. Despite the grim circumstances, seeing Mervan filled me with a sense of reassurance. He was my anchor in this storm, a reminder of the light that still existed in this dark world.

As I approached him, Mervan rushed forward, throwing his arms around me in a tight hug. "You were so cool out there!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and admiration.

I chuckled softly, returning his embrace. "Thanks, Mervan. I couldn't have done it without you cheering me on."

Mervan pulled back, his eyes wide with concern. "But... are you going to be okay? There are some warriors out there who look really strong."

Before I could respond, a woman's voice pierced the air with a desperate plea. "Please stop!"

Turning towards the source of the commotion, I spotted a man harassing a woman, his demeanor oozing with arrogance. "How dare you reject my advances! Me, Rokie the Unstoppable!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with malice.

Without hesitation, I strode forward, my steps purposeful as I intervened. "Knock it off," I commanded, my tone firm as I caught hold of his hand. "You're scaring her."

Rokie's eyes narrowed, a sneer twisting his lips as he regarded me with contempt. "And who are you to tell me what to do, huh? If you want to stay alive until the next round, you'd better mind your own business."

I tightened my grip on his hand, a low growl escaping my throat. "Let her go," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "Or you'll regret it."

For a moment, Rokie's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance igniting in his gaze. "You're making a big mistake, kid," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "This isn't over."

But as the weight of my stare bore down on him, his resolve wavered. With a frustrated grunt, he relented, pulling away from the woman and disappearing into the crowd.

As he retreated, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, my muscles tense with the effort to control my anger. Turning back to Mervan, I offered him a reassuring smile, though my mind churned with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead.

The woman approached me cautiously, her eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of curiosity. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice trembling with relief. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't intervened."

"It's alright," I replied, offering her a small smile. "Anyone would have done the same."

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, her expression thoughtful. In Mehmoura, where sinners roamed freely, someone like me—without the typical air of malice—must have seemed out of place. With a polite nod, she excused herself and melted back into the crowd.

Turning to Mervan, I furrowed my brow in concern. "Where's Eldran?" I asked, scanning the bustling arena for any sign of him.

"He dropped me off here before he said he had some matters to attend to," Mervan replied, uncertainty evident in his voice.

I sighed, feeling a pang of frustration. Eldran's mysterious disappearances had become increasingly frequent since we arrived in Mehmoura, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than he let on.

Before I could dwell on it further, the announcer's booming voice cut through the din, drawing my attention back to the arena. The announcer stepped into the center, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. His voice echoed with authority and excitement.

"Warriors and spectators of Mehmoura!" he began, his voice carrying across the arena. "The initial rounds have tested the mettle of our competitors, but now, the stakes rise higher! The second round will consist of duels to the death, where only the strongest will survive and advance. There is no honor here, only survival. Each warrior must prove their worth, their strength, and their ferocity. Fight with everything you have, for only eight shall move on. Let the duels commence!"

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As we made our way back to the arena, I couldn't shake the sense of anticipation that hung in the air. The atmosphere crackled with tension as warriors from all corners of the Exiled Lands converged in one place. Among them, I sensed two individuals who stood out, their power almost reminiscent of Eldran himself. One was the hooded figure that i saw during the first rounds, their aura cloaked in mystery. The other wore a leather mask that obscured his face, his presence radiating an unmistakable sense of menace.

The announcer divided the duels into groups, each consisting of two matches. Group one, which included my match, was announced first:

"Herah versus Rokie," the announcer called out, his voice echoing across the arena. "And Su versus Ash."

As the names were announced, I locked eyes with my opponent, Ash. His gaze was steely, his demeanor confident. I could feel the tension between us, a silent challenge hanging in the air.

In the second group, the announcer continued:

"Keliotor versus Kilian," he declared, his voice commanding attention. "And Sheherazad versus Voltran."

The air crackled with anticipation as the duels were set to begin, each warrior ready to prove their strength in the ultimate test of skill and courage. As for me, I remained silent, my focus honed on the battles that lay ahead.

"Spectators of Mehmoura!" the announcer's voice boomed, commanding the attention of all present. "Behold, as two titans step into the arena, their fate to be decided by steel and skill! In one corner, we have Ash, a master of the blade, his confidence a beacon in the darkness of this perilous battleground!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, acknowledging Ash's formidable reputation with thunderous applause.

"And in the other corner," the announcer continued, his voice rising with anticipation, "we have Su, a challenger with the heart of a lion and the determination to match! Will he emerge victorious, or will Ash's prowess prove too great to overcome?"

The crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch as they awaited our clash, the arena crackling with energy and excitement. The ground beneath our feet, a canvas stained with the blood of countless battles, bore witness to the impending duel, a testament to the unforgiving nature of Mehmoura's tournaments.

"Let the battle begin!" the announcer declared, his words igniting the flames of competition that burned within each fighter's heart. And with that proclamation, Ash and i squared off, ready to test our mettle in the crucible of combat.

The signal to begin echoed through the arena, and Ash wasted no time. He lunged forward with a speed that took me by surprise, his sword aiming for my chest. I barely managed to sidestep his initial attack, feeling the rush of air as the blade missed me by inches.

"You're quick," Ash taunted, circling me. "But let's see how long you can keep up."

I countered with a swift kick to his midsection, but Ash blocked it with the flat of his blade, his eyes narrowing. We exchanged a series of rapid blows, each of us testing the other's defenses. His movements were fluid, his strikes powerful, but I could sense his impatience. He wanted to end this quickly.

Using his overconfidence to my advantage, I feinted a punch to his face. As he moved to block it, I shifted my weight and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his ribs. The impact sent him staggering back, a grunt of pain escaping his lips.

Ash recovered quickly, his expression now tinged with anger. "You think that was impressive?" he sneered, gripping his sword tighter. "Bring it on!"

He launched himself at me again, this time with more aggression. His sword slashed through the air in a deadly arc. I dodged his strikes, using my agility to stay just out of reach. The crowd's cheers blurred into the background as I focused solely on my opponent, my mind and body in perfect sync.

With a swift sidestep, I avoided a particularly vicious slash and delivered a knee to his stomach. Ash doubled over, and I seized the opportunity. Grabbing his sword arm, I twisted it behind his back and swept his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, a cloud of dust rising around us.

Before he could react, I placed my foot on his chest, pinning him down. "Yield," I commanded, my voice steady.

Ash struggled beneath my grip, his pride preventing him from giving up so easily. But as he looked up at me, the realization of his defeat dawned in his eyes. Slowly, he nodded, the fight draining out of him.

The crowd erupted into applause as the announcer declared my victory. "And the winner is Su! An impressive display of skill and strength!" the announcer boomed.

I stepped back, offering Ash a hand to help him up. He hesitated for a moment before accepting it, his grip firm.

"Good fight," I said, extending my hand towards Ash.

Ash clasped my hand firmly, his gaze unwavering. "You did well too," he acknowledged, a hint of respect in his voice. "You better win the remaining matches."

I met his gaze with determination. "I'll do my best," I assured him, a steely resolve burning within me.

As the cheers of the crowd began to fade, I couldn't shake the lingering sense of disappointment in the air. They craved bloodshed, but I couldn't bring myself to steal someone's future. Yet, amidst their discontent, I held firm to my decision. Victory was mine, but it was a victory won without sacrificing my principles.

With Mervan at my side and Eldran's wisdom guiding me, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead. The path to freedom was fraught with peril, but I refused to compromise the values my father left me along the way. In the unforgiving arena of Mehmoura, where survival often came at a steep price, I remained resolved to navigate the trials ahead with honor and integrity.

As the crowd's murmurs of dissatisfaction lingered, the announcer's voice once again thundered across the arena, cutting through the tension like a blade through the air.

"And now, for the next duel!" he declared, his words commanding the attention of all who stood witness. "Prepare yourselves as Rokie the Unstoppable faces off against Herah, a clash of titans that promises to ignite the flames of battle once more!"

With that proclamation, the anticipation in the arena surged anew, the crowd eagerly awaiting the clash of these formidable warriors. And as the fighters prepared to enter the fray, I watched from the sidelines, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with even greater challenges. But no matter what trials awaited me, I vowed to keep my promise to Eldran and win the tournament, no matter what.