The Sky Arena hovered above the Crownspire like a god's halo.
A disc of floating stone wrapped in chains of fire, it was the most sacred arena in all of Veyra. Only royalty, divine challengers, and condemned champions were allowed to fight upon it.
And today… all three would bleed.
---
Aedric stood at the center, black cloak snapping in the wind, Vyrmath across his back.
Around the edges of the arena, thousands of nobles watched from airships and sky balconies. Magical projections broadcast his face across the realm.
"The Flameborn. The Accused. The Prince Who Defied Judgment."
He waited, silent, as the Herald's voice boomed across the sky:
> "By decree of the High Dominion, by will of the Twelve, and by demand of the people, Crown Prince Aedric Valtoris shall undergo the Trial of Blood!"
> "Three challengers. One blade. Only truth survives blood."
---
Behind Aedric, Selene Aurin stood on the priestess platform, her face hidden behind her ceremonial veil.
Her fingers trembled.
Because she knew who the first challenger would be.
And he didn't.
---
⚔️ First Challenger: Sir Tarren of the Silver Flame
The gates opened.
A knight stepped forward — tall, armored in radiant silver etched with runes, wielding a halberd made from star-iron.
A veteran of the divine wars. A legend.
Aedric nodded once.
No hate. No rage.
Just focus.
The battle began.
---
Tarren moved like a storm.
Every strike he unleashed summoned bursts of lightfire — spells crafted by monks to kill undead gods. His halberd cracked the floor. The force of his swings shattered air.
But Aedric was faster.
Vyrmath met steel — and drank from it.
Every parry left cracks in the halberd. Every clash melted banners.
Then — with a single step, Aedric blurred.
Behind the knight.
Slash.
Tarren staggered.
Dropped his weapon.
Collapsed.
Alive. But broken.
> One down.
---
🩸 Second Challenger: The Betrayer
The Herald's voice changed. Tense. Confused.
> "Second challenger… by special decree… is…"
The crowd leaned forward.
Aedric frowned.
And then… he saw him.
Caelen Valtoris.
His half-brother.
Smiling.
Robe gone — replaced by black-silver armor pulsing with divine sigils.
He held a blade that hummed with radiant law.
A Godforged Executioner's Sword.
---
The crowd gasped.
Even the High Inquisitor leaned forward.
Selene's lips parted in horror.
Caelen stepped onto the platform.
"The people must know the truth," he said. "Let them see what you've become."
Aedric didn't speak.
But his flame coiled around him.
---
⚔️ The Battle of Blood
They moved like storms colliding.
Aedric, a comet of cursed fire and ancient rage.
Caelen, a flawless mirror of calculated precision.
Blades clashed. Lightning shattered the sky. The arena cracked beneath their feet.
Spells ignited the air.
For ten minutes, they were gods at war.
Then — Caelen changed tactics.
He began to speak.
---
"You think you've risen," he said, circling Aedric. "But you're nothing but a vessel."
"Everything you are was stolen from a flame that wasn't yours."
"You're a copy, Aedric. A cursed reflection of a better man."
Aedric's grip tightened.
Caelen smiled.
> "And you were never meant to survive."
---
Then he whispered a word.
One Aedric hadn't heard in years.
> "Selene."
And behind him — on the priestess platform — Selene raised her hand.
Her fingers shimmered with light.
A divine seal glowed.
A binding rune.
---
Aedric turned.
Eyes wide.
> No…
The spell struck him in the back.
A chain of gold light wrapped around his heart — sealing his flame for one second.
Just one.
Enough.
Caelen struck.
---
His blade pierced Aedric's chest.
Blood exploded into the air.
The crowd screamed.
The flame vanished.
---
Aedric fell to his knees.
Breathing ragged.
Caelen knelt beside him, whispering:
> "You should have stayed dead, brother."
---
🩸 The Sky Falls
But then…
The blade melted.
Caelen gasped.
Vyrmath, still clutched in Aedric's hand, pulsed once — and drank the divine power.
Flame returned.
Black. Ancient. Hungrier.
Aedric stood.
The wound sealed.
His eyes now burned without color.
Just light.
He looked at Selene — her face twisted in regret.
He said nothing.
Just walked away.
Leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
---
🌓 Later that Night
Selene sat alone in her chambers, hands stained with binding magic.
Tears silent.
She hadn't meant to…
She didn't—
> You betrayed him. Again.
And this time… he didn't even speak.
He simply turned away.
---
Meanwhile, deep beneath the Citadel, the Warden stirred.
Laughed.
And whispered through the shadows:
> "Now he understands."
> "To become the fire…"
> "…you must burn everything you love."
---