A/N:I didn't set any powerstone milestones yet since we haven't even crossed 15k words, but hitting 100 stones in a week, already feels worth celebrating! So here's a bonus chapter—enjoy!
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The preparations were swift.
Servants rushed about, setting the arena and polishing weapons until they gleamed.
Valen leaned closer to his mother, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Mom, what exactly is this challenge?"
His mother's lips curved into a faint worried smile. "It's called the Trident Bout. The participants fight in the water, unleashing their powers freely. Lethal strikes are forbidden... at least in most cases. But sometimes… it's a duel to the death."
Valen's brows arched. Now that was interesting. The series had skipped this entirely, and yet here it was, some hidden tradition of clans and outcasts, buried beneath the plotlines.
He glanced at the two duelists. The tridents they held gleamed dangerously under the torches, their triple blades sharp.
"Damn, those tridents seem way too sharp".
The duelists had stripped down to little more than undergarments, muscles taut as they stared each other down across the watery pit.
A man stepped forward, broad-shouldered and loud enough to command silence. "I, Henry, will oversee this duel!" he declared, his voice booming. "I swear to judge with honesty and fairness. Should I fail, may the god of the sea strike me Dead!"
Valen raised a brow. Well, that's dramatic.
Henry continued, "The rules are simple! The duel ends with one surrendering or fainting. Fatal strikes are forbidden! That is all! Now, Patriarch, I seek your permission to begin!"
The patriarch lifted a single hand, calm and steady. That was all the signal needed. Both duelists, and Henry himself, leapt into the water.
Seconds passed, then a few minutes... Nothing, just waves sloshing on the beach.
Valen slumped a little. Ten out of ten entertainment.
Then suddenly, the sea exploded.
Water shot upward, crashing like a small tsunami, and an ear-splitting blast rattled the air. Valen winced, barely able to stand the vibration. More shockwaves followed, waves pounding against the sides of the arena as though the ocean itself had joined the fight.
Minutes later, the water rippled violently before a figure staggered out. Blood dripped crimson, staining their blade.
Valen leaned forward. Who won?
Another shape emerged soon after, the referee, Henry, hauling a limp body with him.
Valen's eyes widened. The girl's leg was gone... ripped.
"Damn. That's ruthless."
It was Ava. Unconscious, pale, and missing her right leg.
Her family rushed toward her in panic, some weeping, others simply shaking their heads in bitter disappointment.
Meanwhile, William climbed back onto the platform, calm as ever. Henry passed Ava to the waiting medics before stepping beside him.
"Challenger William is the victor! He pierced his opponent's leg and tore it free. No malpractice, no broken rules!"
A cheer erupted, loudest from William's faction.
William raised his trident, then strode forward and knelt before the patriarch. "Grandfather!"
The patriarch gave a small nod, then spoke with authority. "Now that this duel is over, if any member still has unsettled matters, bring them forth! The festival begins tomorrow, and I want no disputes spoiling it. All grudges must be resolved today!"
For a while, silence hung heavy over the crowd. No one raised their hand.
Valen sighed inwardly, shoulders sagging. Aw, come on. Not even one more fight?
But then-
A small hand lifted into the air. The entire arena hushed instantly.
"I wish to issue a challenge," a voice declared.
The challenger stepped forward, bold in front of the patriarch.
"Oh?" The patriarch's tone held faint amusement. "And who do you challenge?"
The words that followed made the crowd erupt. "Valen Kael Veynar Draemont."
Bianca's voice rang clear, and the reaction was immediate. Murmurs and laughter rippled through the audience.
"Damn, that's one way to cripple him."
"Hah! Serenya won't be able to save him this time."
"I've always hated them anyway."
The noise rose into a storm of mockery and scorn, and Valen felt dozens of eyes turn toward him at once.
Great, he thought dryly.
Suddenly, Serenya's voice rang out, sharp with anger.
"Uncle! This isn't fair! He hasn't even sung yet!"
"Mom, it's alright," Valen said quickly, trying to calm her down. His voice was steady. There was no way he would ever beg in front of these people. Not him. And certainly not his mother.
Bianca smirked, stepping forward with a mocking bow.
"Worry not, Aunt. I won't use my Song. Consider it a handicap I'm graciously giving your son." Her grin widened, sharp and cruel.
Valen's teeth clenched. That smile… Oh, how I want to tear it right off that face.
The patriarch's voice boomed across the arena. "This is not a challenge to you, Serenya. It is to Valen. And Bianca has even offered him a handicap. Surely your son won't… back out."
All eyes turned to him.
Valen stepped forward without hesitation. "Why not? I never liked you fish-faces anyway, except my mother, of course."
The words dropped like a boulder into the sea.
Gasps erupted, followed by an uproar. Fury rolled through the crowd like a storm, their faces twisted with rage. To insult their entire race, here, in front of the patriarch, was unthinkable.
The patriarch's eyes narrowed, sharp and dangerous, though his expression remained contained. Slowly, he raised his hand. "We will see… if that mouth is all you have, fry.[1]"
Serenya reached for Valen's arm, trying to stop him, but he gave her a calm, reassuring smile. "It's alright, Mom. I'll win."
With steady steps, Valen walked to the center, standing across from Bianca.
The referee returned, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. "What do you wager?"
Bianca smirked, her chin tilting up proudly, "If I win, he'll become my servant when we go to Nevermore. He won't be allowed to refuse any order, well... within reason, of course."
The referee turned to Valen. "And you?"
Valen's eyes gleamed with mischief. He raised his voice so everyone could hear. "If I win, she runs naked, completely naked, at the festival."
The words struck like thunder.
Gasps and shouts burst out from all sides.
"How shameless!"
"Disgusting pervert!"
"Is that what his parents taught him?"
"He has no manners at all!"
Serenya let out a long, weary sigh, pressing a hand to her temple. She knew exactly where this came from. That prank from before had left too deep a mark on Valen. In truth, she wasn't even surprised.
Through all the uproar, Valen didn't so much as blink. His gaze stayed locked on Bianca, calm and unbothered.
Bianca, on the other hand, went scarlet with rage. Her jaw clenched so hard it looked like her teeth might snap.
Even the referee hesitated, caught off guard by the outrageous wager. He coughed into his hand, clearly uncomfortable. "Do… do both parties agree to these terms? Once agreed, the wagers must be fulfilled."
Valen nodded without hesitation. Bianca, after a long moment and teeth grinding loud enough to be heard, forced herself to nod as well.
Valen smirked. Well, that was easy.
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A/N: Bonus chapters are kinda tough right now since I'm already struggling to keep up with daily updates 😅. I've only written till ch 13, but I'm stacking more for early access. By next weekend, I should be able to drop some there, and then we'll kick off the milestone missions! Don't worry—we're still cooking
P.S. Thanks for the powerstones, homies! Now don't hold back—throw them all at me!!!💎💥
[1] A baby fish