Ding!

Daniel’s lower pocket vibrated. He pulled out his mobile phone, surprised that it was still operational. The battery indicator displayed at near full battery was flashing green on his lockscreen. A random notification hovered over the menu bar. Frankly, that was very strange. It was very certain that there was no Wi-Fi or any form of telecommunication network signals to ever exist in the world Raal from the brief descriptions he was aware of.

“What’s that?” Zhengyu asked. He recovered his eyes and found him, which he had no clue what Daniel was doing.

“Technology,” Daniel vaguely said.

“Save the conversations for later,” Alyssa’s mother mentioned. “By the way, name’s Zarlise.”

“Likewise, but where are we going?”

Zarlise waited as the remaining behind Daniel and Zhengyu just got up, recovered from the blindness. She finally let out her patience, answering Daniel’s question. “Don’t forget your truck.”

Light flashed from the pickup’s headlights. “Way ahead of you,” Daniel responded as the engine revs.

He ran to the truck with everyone following behind. All the windows descended, and Alyssa sped past her father, opening the passenger door. She reclaimed the passenger seat. Zhengyu outside, shrugged and went to the truck bed. Xavier followed him along with Mother Elaine and Helda. Liam let Rebecca in first before jumping in. The luggage was also back upon realizing it was a waste of time bringing it out. While Zarlise, in front of the truck, glanced at the dark space momentarily and eventually clocked in at the empty seat right behind Alyssa.

Once everyone was stationed in the truck, Daniel pulled the gear stick, driving to the downward incline. He listened to Zarlise’s instructions and kept the speed low, so it wouldn’t tick off where beyond the path is potentially an endless dark space dived down.

“Was this some underground civilization? Because this looks ginormous.”Daniel observed.

Zarlise leaned right to the edge of the passenger seat, interrupting a bit of Rebecca’s seating space. She pointed at the walls along both sides. “Completed a thousand years ago. Every decade comes with a new story from the citizens of Kriegshan prepared to fight as a form of expression within our culture. Right in this arena.”

“But why underground?”

“Pretty complex history but I’ll tell you one of the reasons…Have Alyssa told you about Raal?”

Daniel nodded, “This world, right? Raal is here while Earth is where I’m from.”

Zarlise bobbed her head sagely and leaned back in her seat. “Yinhai resides many of the gods we prayed to. The Blacksmith god, or Tiemied, crafted the relics way before the construction of the arena. He created it as a gift to the people of Raal scattered across eight continents. Kriegshan has a wisdom of thought where what if we had a place where ancestral warrior blood flows through most of us could gather around and entertain. Hence, we got this and another one that was above the ground.”

“Any difference between the two?” Liam curiously asked.

“Underground is safer as that portal I summoned was a necessity to travel down here. That’s the key to the lock for access. While the former is not so good. Being above ground and the whole world is at war, that structure is not in our grasp.”

Daniel toggled to a much brighter light, gaining a few tens of feet ahead. “So, once we reach down to the main floor, I should expect most of the village to be here.”

“Yes, and any refugees within Kriegshan,” Zarlise replied. “As a matter of fact, have you thought about your future once this all subsides?”

Daniel sighed. This question. We can say whatever, so would that make the answer pointless as things could change? “No. However, I have one event to close once I’m back home.”

“I won’t ask anymore if it’s personal. Anyways back to the topic. Unfortunately, we are about to be at the end of the decade. So, a tournament must be in session soon, despite the ongoing conflict.”

Huh? Daniel stopped the pickup, turning to her. “How soon?” He questioned.

“Uhh, tomorrow,” Zarlise said.

Great…what else is new. Daniel felt reminiscent of something from his past began to leak up his mind. He rubbed his forehead hard. “That is not the news I was expecting. But I guess I don’t have a choice now, do I?”

“Nope. Everyone is joining except maybe those two ladies.”

Xavier and Zhengyu should know this too. He turned to Alyssa, anticipating her reaction. She slightly nodded and pointed at her. Looking at Liam, he told him to untwist the toggle that opens the back window panel.

“Why are we stopped?” Zhengyu asked.

“Sorry, but how am I supposed to be prepared for the upcoming tournament?”

Zhengyu and Xavier whispered after he asked the question.

“They’ll tell you once we reach down to the main surface. Just be prepared. You and Mother Elaine have done good, bring that to the table.” Xavier answered with a thumbs up.

Daniel breathed amid Xavier’s emitted confidence. Sometimes it made him feel as if it was naïve. Alyssa insisted the participants would welcome him. He gave her and Zarlise the benefit of the doubt and pivoted off the brakes, resuming on a decline.

Since they are going down at a low speed, two minutes felt like half an hour within a five-mph mark. Saw no end ahead, Daniel aced up the speed passing five, up to fifteen.

Zarlise began to verbally show her concern from her quicker breathing through her nose. “Hey, slow down. I don’t want us to fall through the dark deep end.”

“I’m taking the risk. The truck will do the same.”

She hovered both of her hands on Alyssa’s shoulder to comfort her progressing anxiety. Daniel noticed through the glare of his rear mirror.

Rumble!

“Faster!” Mother Elaine yelled through the back panel, prompting Daniel to nudge down on the gas. His eyes are too focused on any potential caveats ahead, ready to dodge them as they come.

Another rumbling noise erupted and all his rear visuals through the mirror vividly revealed the path collapsing to the dark space one by one. Alyssa had to calm her mother down as her hands tremored over her shoulder, and she held it firmly.

“Slow down!” Zarlise yelled repeatedly.

Almost there. Daniel was certain they were about to reach their destination. The path widened as he sped further downwards. Behind the truck, the path detached at a higher pace.

Bump!

“I guess I got no choice, going with the wild option,” Xavier asserted. He unsheathed his crimson katana, immediately raising its qi. The heat reached into the truck and all the windows must be pulled down. The fire sparked out of the blade’s tip, engulfing the entire right arm. He walked right towards behind the tailgate and Mother Elaine nudged out of the way.

Whoosh!

A slash of whiff exerted from his move, bringing the truck at a much higher speed where Daniel can’t take his eyes off the wheel and ahead. The speedometer hiked up to highway speeds and that broke Zarlise, losing her mind.

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Along the bumpy ride, the assist from Xavier reduced the eta, and the path ended with an upward ramp. “Hang on!” Daniel yelled, thumping on the gas pedal. The engine roared and the truck sped hard, taking advantage of the leap. Left hand out of the window, Daniel busted out his qi as a supplemental boost. The flat surface appeared ahead of the windshield.

“Give out more!” Daniel shouted to Xavier.

To the relief of Zarlise, the truck hovered over the flat surface, and both Xavier and Daniel stopped exerting their qi once it reached the perfect angle for it to descend. Once the conditions are satisfied, headlights and everything off. He swiftly turned the steering wheel at idle, letting it drop, and he gripped the grab handle above the door.

Bam!

Each seatbelt held everyone firmly to their seats, leaving others on the truck bed in a tantrum. This one was a hard landing compared to when it landed on the roof of a brick building. However, that time had assistance to manage its weight distribution. Now wasn’t the case as the predicament was unpredictable, so it felt safer to stay on the truck until it reached the surface at the end of the path.

The drop was hard to where he could hear the suspension counteracted with all the wheels as it landed. Luckily, the back wasn’t chaotic as it logically would play out. Xavier managed to play with the surroundings on time and others around him got the sense of it. Gravity from the pressure of qi altered its weight, allowing it to stay on safely.

Daniel pressed the "ON” button again and the vehicle vroomed at the spot. Good as new. Daniel was surprised that the truck took a beating very well. Suddenly, sounds of feet walking echoing throughout the space were directed towards his way.

“They’re here,” Zarlise muttered, opening her door. Zhengyu in the back jumped out as well, following beside her meeting with the person hidden under the darkness. They stood in front of the truck before the person revealed itself. Daniel turned on the low-beam headlights, revealing a group of three individuals, dressed in a similar outfit to Zarlise. The lady in the center, assumingly the leading, was slender and very attractive. Despite being in a similar outfit, hers has some different characteristics in comparison. Hers was more mimicked like a suited coat and the armor served as her inner layer, substituting a shirt. A peek around her waist and she has a belt like his occupied by arsenals. Melee-oriented weapons are encased alongside it.

All that were still in or on the truck, listened carefully to the conversation. Daniel’s window fully opened, and he leaned his hand out, bracing his tilting head, and watched the interaction.

“Thora?” Zarlise called. “You made it alive!”

“What took you so long? The whole family was waiting for you two!” Thora replied while subsequently glaring towards the truck, blocking her eyes due to the headlights. “The heck is this?”

“That’s a vehicle. Alyssa and Xavier are in there with guests.” Zhengyu replied.

Thora stood silent, quickly looking away from the truck, and returning to Zhengyu and Zarlise’s view. “Everyone else is here. You’re the last of the batch. That’s why the path went down. And we need to get you ready.”

“About that…” Zarlise pointed to the truck at Daniel who was paying close attention. He turned off the headlights, allowing them to stare freely.

“Is that your guest?” The guy questioned. He silently analyzed Daniel as he didn’t flinch upon the staredown.

Daniel gained insight into the guy standing next to Thora. His short hair was all slicked back, revealing the tattooed marks on his upper forehead. Enlightened by the only natural ray spotlight, he saw a wordmark on his head. He seems very well-managed and very dutiful in his job. Naturally, he articulated to the right after having an idea of the guy. Hmm, now who is this lass standing next to Thora. Red-cloaked hair with a tint of orange along her hairline established the flamboyant vibe from the first look. However, she and the guy don’t fit the expressive side as of right now. Quieter. Possibly even more than Daniel himself.

His eyes itched from observing them without a blink. Zarlise looked at him, gesturing to come down. “Yes, come on introduce yourself.”

Tying the sheathed katana back to his waist, Daniel opened the door, exiting the truck. Closing it, revealing his massive physique. He strolled up to the group. “My name is- “

Oh. He heard a gust blowing to his behind. Things couldn’t have gotten worse when he read a qi from behind, lifting his left bicep. Flexing his arms, he lounged at the upcoming individual, blocking the sword attack. One of their friends? Daniel thought, mentally pointing out the exact same clothes as the face-tattooed guy.

“Daniel!” Zhengyu yelled.

“Ah. So, this is how you greet the polite guests entering their sacred culture…” Daniel muttered. “You’re friends with that guy, lad?”

He pushed the guy off guard with his arm and thrust-kicked the guy’s side, directing to the face-tattooed guy next to Thora.

The guy flew headfirst in the direction, striking the abdomen before he could react. Both bolted back into the dark, leaving Thora and the red-haired girl, who didn’t budge.

“Darn it, Thora! This is not who we are.” Zarlise ranted in a low tone.

“Maybe if you hadn’t walked away all those years ago, I agree. You have lost the path,” Thora scolded, with such a negative tone along the fiery eyes demonstrated to Zarlise. Her mood expressions switched when she looked at Daniel for the second time while he walked up next to Zhengyu.

“Was this a test?” Daniel casually asked. He fixed his overcoat and tied up the lower button, leaving the upper hanged.

“Very bold to assume. But you’re unique. I’ll give you that. You were introducing yourself earlier, what’s your calling?”

“Daniel or Mr. Vaillant.” Daniel greeted himself.

“Alright, Mr. Vaillant you have proved to at least be qualified to attend the Kriegshan’s Decennial Fighting Tournament…Tell me, who trained you?”

Behind me. Daniel revolved his head halfway and had everyone exiting the pickup. The remaining six caused Thora’s hands to raise, not expecting the gathering. She immediately recognized Alyssa, happily greeting her. And Xavier. A little bit awkward. He looked away from her, standing behind Daniel with his back leaning on the hood of the truck.

Daniel pointed at him with his thumb. “I don’t know what’s up with you two but it’s him.”

“Oh lord,” Thora sighed. “For how long?”

“Around a month at most…but not just me though,” Daniel ensured. He went behind Mother Elaine. “Mother Elaine, she came at the same time I was, and she has some experience.”

Thora then pointed out the remaining newcomers to the group. Daniel described it very briefly and straightforwardly and mentioned that Helda and Rebecca are the only duo who has no such qi or power for as all he knew, happening to be guests along the journey.

Thora’s eye glowed blue, much purer than Daniel’s as he leaned towards the brighter sky variant. Like a scanner, Thora articulated from the end to the other end of the truck. Is she reading our qi? Daniel curiously wondered before visually seeing blue light emitted from her eyes directed towards him. It hovered over his body for a moment, and a swift gaze at Mother Elaine before it dissipated.

“Well, the news is that every one of you, including you two, have enough qi to be qualified for the tournament. I will leave those two to their decision while everyone else would have to participate. Sound fair?”

Everybody nodded minus Xavier who responded with a deep sigh. Thora shook her head, grunting dissonantly. Daniel stared at him, unsure what was his problem. He brushed it off wanting some thinking alone.

“Alright…we don’t have much time just standing here. Let’s prepare, follow me,” Thora said with high boldness, twirling her body in the direction of pitch black, strolling inwards. The red-haired lass went along the same pace.

Daniel went back to his truck with most decided to walk. Alyssa and Liam were the only ones who came inside with him.

“Turn on the lighting!” Thora exclaimed across the entire space.

Whoosh!

Candles flickered up high from left to right, revealing the towered columns shaping the open hallway straight ahead. Thora led the way and Daniel waited for others to move before he trailed.

The visibility at the farthest ends kept increasing the more they walked almost as if it was infinite with no way out. I knew it was some kind of underground society. Daniel doubled down when Zarlise didn’t answer specifically prior. As they reached the first intersection, ahead was a roundabout with a water fountain at the center, monitored by a prominent statue erected on a mount surrounded by vast greenery.

“How much time it took to make this?” Daniel questioned.

“Mm, I don’t know. I would assume a long time as they had to build an entire city underground, replacing the previous arena.” Alyssa theorized.

“You are new here?”

Alyssa nodded. “Yea, I only got the word of the mouth. If everything comes to logic, the entire underground will have to expand to a much significant scale.”

That was a very interesting interpretation. I wondered how far technology has come despite there being no cars or any locomotives revealed so far. “I hope so. That would be more fantastical.”

“Reminds me of your underground place before we came Raal,” Liam added, agreeing to the potential fanaticism. “If there are maps around here, I won’t mind taking a tour once the tournament is over.”

Great idea. “You know what, maybe three of us together,” Daniel approved.

“I don’t see the Temperman coming from that.” Alyssa stared.

“Disappointed?”

Alyssa shook her head. “Not yet. Don’t make me forget.”

I don’t think you will. Daniel smirked.

He focused back ahead, only to find the rest had gone to the first exit which was at two ‘clock. Entering through the exit arrived at what would be the main street with the direction sign on both sides. The entire sign was written in a language that looked familiar. Innenstadt.

“What does that say?” Liam asked.

“Downtown,” Daniel replied.