The towering gates of Zareth stood huge as the Red Spire Caravan arrived.
For six weeks, they were on their journey.
Now at last, they stood before the city that would decide their fates.
Cid adjusted the strap on his dagger and looked up at the huge towering gates.
Zareth was built in rings, each tier rising higher into the mountain it clung to. Armored soldiers patrolled its walls.
At its peak, visible even from the outer gates was the Royal Arena, a shining colosseum as big as a football stadium with the stage as big as a football pitch.
Yuri stood behind the group, hood up, having quietly tagged along as an observer. His presence wasn't official, but no one dared question it, not when he was still the King's son.
The city gates creaked open as a host of guards stepped aside.
A man in silver robes approached, eyes scanning the group.
Principal Valdros stepped forward, handing over a royal insignia scroll. 'Red Spire Academy. Tournament delegation.'
The silver-robed man nodded. "You've been expected. Lodging has been arranged in the Fourth Ring. Tournament orientation begins tomorrow at the Crown Theatre."
He gestured, "Follow me."
Fourth Ring, Guest Quarters.
Zareth's fourth ring was reserved for noble visitors and elite academies.
The Red Spire team entered their assigned quarters: a wide villa with five rooms, a courtyard for training, and a private bathhouse.
Elias dropped his bag onto a bench. "Finally, somewhere that doesn't smell like horse shit."
Cid said nothing, eyes still scanning the distant Royal Arena.
Yuri spoke from a corner. "Zareth will swallow you whole if you are not careful."
Myra scoffed. "Then I hope it chews slowly."
Ryn sat by the window, hugging his father's sword.
"This place reeks of pressure."
Valdros entered the courtyard and clapped his hands once.
"Rest for a few days, the tournament starts in two weeks."
"And don't get arrogant, you are not the only ones who trained Aura."
The Next Morning, Crown Theatre.
Already filled with students from the four major Power Academies of the Bolt Kingdom:
Red Spire, Blue Cross, Yellow Soldiers and Black Emirates.
Sixteen competitors gathered in line, each group behind their school's banner. The four chosen Red Spire students stood together in simple red uniforms.
A thunderous drum echoed across the theater.
A royal envoy stepped to the platform at the center.
"By decree of His Majesty King Edoras Kael, the Tournament shall begin in three days."
"Elite Classes One through Four from each academy will participate. Four warriors per school. All Aura users. All trained. All deadly."
He raised a hand toward the sky.
"Victory grants personal Glory. Royal Title. Power Zone access. And... potential candidacy for the Royal Guard."
"And defeat?"
The man smiled coldly.
"You lose everything but your life. If you're lucky."
The students murmured, tension crackling in the air.
"Your next few days before the tournament will be spent preparing. Finalizing weapons. Sparring. Scouting your opponents."
"Your team of four must survive all challenges. No substitutions."
The man bowed once.
"Welcome to Zareth. Welcome to the proving grounds."
That Night, Red Spire Quarters, Fourth Ring.
Cid sat outside on a bench. Elias came towards him tossing him a flask of water.
"We're really here," Elias muttered. "Fighting other Aura users. We might die."
"Yeah," Cid said, staring upward.
Elias snorted. "Why did you decide to join the tournament?"
"Because I need to get stronger in order to survive."
Silence.
Yuri came up behind them silently.
"Try not to embarrass me."
Elias grinned, tossing a stone in the air. "Not a chance."
Cid didn't smile. His tone was calm but alert."We need to scout the other teams."
Yuri raised an eyebrow, then handed him a folded parchment."This is everything I could gather."
Cid opened it.
Neatly written notes. Names. Power Attributes. Fighting styles. Rankings. Even rumors.
"Where did you get this?" Elias asked.
Yuri turned, walking away."Royal perks."
Cid looked at the first name 'Yamcha'.
"It says his father was the man who fought a Colossal to death, severely injuring it before he was killed..."
"Who do you think Yuri is?"
"I don't know, but if there's one thing i know about him. Don't get on his bad side."
A few days passed.
Zareth, Royal Arena.
The Holy Arena of Zareth roared to life as thousands of citizens flooded the stands, nobles and commoners alike.
This was no training match.
This was war under only one rule.
'Survive!'
At the heart of the arena stood 16 students, four from each of the Elite Classes (Class 1–4) from the Four Power Academies.
All had trained. All had awakened Aura. All were now soldiers in everything but name.
The announcer, a booming voice amplified, echoing through the crowd.
"Welcome to the Tournament of Proving!"
"These are the best of your kingdom's youth! Each a weapon in the making!"
"The winners will be given access to the Power Zone, titles of Lesser Barons and be considered for the Royal Guard Initiative!"
A murmur of awe swept through the stands.
Then the voice shifted, sharp and serious.
"And now... the first round matchups have been decided!"
Crystals floated to the center, spinning and aligning before projecting the brackets above the arena.
'Red Spire Academy - Team 1 VS Black Emirates - Team 4
Blue Cross Institute - 2 VS Yellow Soldiers - Team 3 '
Red Spire's Team 1 was listed first.
That meant they'd open the tournament.
A roar shook the stands.
"Team One, step forward!" the announcer bellowed.
Cid walked to the gate, Elias beside him. Behind them were Myra and Ryn.
From across the arena, the gate to Black Emirates opened.
Four students stepped out, clad in navy and black. Their expressions were blank, unreadable. Like predators who'd already fed.
The leader, a silver-haired boy with glowing eyes, pointed at Cid and made a slicing motion across his throat.
Elias muttered, "Friendly bunch."
Cid cracked his knuckles. "Let's return the love."
The two teams lined up before each other, ten meters apart.
The royal envoy stepped between them.
"Each match will be four-on-four. No replacements. No weapons that weren't registered. No killing unless unavoidable. Surrender is allowed."
He stepped back.
A golden bell rang out.
"Match One... Begin!"