The central field of the arena — a perfect replica of the city streets — was already completely soaked by the rain.
Puddles reflected the golden lights of the stands.
The smell of wet earth mixed with the tension in the air.
Backstage, before the entrance corridor…
The warriors were gathered.
Men and women from different regions of the kingdom waited in silence while several guards walked among them, giving final instructions.
The atmosphere was not one of competition.
It was controlled warfare.
Two guards spoke to each other, unaware that everyone was listening.
Guard 1: — Those individuals invaded the arena… fought… and simply disappeared without leaving any trace.
Guard 2 shrugged.
— That won't interfere with anything. The tournament continues as normal.
Just remember one thing…
He looked directly at the participants.
— Killing your opponents is not allowed.
A heavy silence fell.
Everyone nodded.
No one dared speak.
No one wanted attention.
Guard 3 raised his hand.
— Open the gates.
The massive metal gate began to rise.
The sound echoed through the corridors.
The light from the arena flooded the area.
Guard 1: — Good luck… you'll need it.
The participants began to walk out.
Firm steps.
Controlled breathing.
Eyes filled with ambition.
Among them was Alexys.
He walked calmly, as if he were merely taking a stroll.
A young warrior beside him couldn't bear the silence.
— Hey… you're way too calm.
Didn't you see the fight that just happened?
Alexys kept walking.
Unhurried.
Expressionless.
— That fight?
He smiled slightly.
— It was incredible.
The boy nodded quickly.
— Exactly! That was insane!
Alexys looked forward.
His eyes carried something different.
Pride.
Absolute confidence.
— But I know… he can do far more than that.
The boy frowned.
— He who?
Alexys answered without even turning back:
— Who else would it be?
A brief pause.
— Kevin Dinark. My brother.
He quickened his pace, leaving the young warrior behind.
Confused.
Thoughtful.
Watching that figure disappear toward the battlefield.
My mission… has finally begun, Alexys thought.
Commentator: — Now that the participants are inside the arena, everything is ready to begin!
The warriors spread out, hiding and distancing themselves from one another — or so it seemed. Three men remained together.
Commentator: — And the battle officially begins in 3… 2… 1… Start!
The entire stadium shouted in unison.
For a moment, even the sound of the rain disappeared beneath the roar.
---
Below, in the attic, Luis and Kevin began the interrogation.
The messenger was bound by several chains emerging from the walls and floor.
Luis: — What message were you supposed to deliver to Arlok?
Messenger: — I cannot say.
Kevin: — What's your name?
Messenger: — My name is H.
Luis: — H?
H replied:
— Yes.
Kevin: — Your name doesn't matter. Say the message.
H: — I don't have permission. I'd rather die.
Luis approached calmly.
Luis: — You know, my friend here — (he pointed at Kevin) — has an ancient ability. From the Stone Age.
Do you know who else came from that era?
H: — Leonardo Dinark?
Luis: — Exactly. Now imagine a technique from that era being used on you right now. If you don't talk, he'll extract the information himself… and kill you.
H: — It doesn't matter. I won't speak.
Luis spat on the floor.
— I tried to help you. Kevin, do your job.
Luis stepped back twice and turned his back.
Kevin approached.
His eyes turned completely blue.
A green sword formed in his hand.
H began trembling with fear.
Luis: — Feel the power of Hagan-Kyōten… the evolution of the Dinarks.
For a moment, H froze while staring into Kevin's eyes — as if hypnotized.
In that instant, Kevin thrust the sword into his chest.
The green chains shattered.
The body fell lifeless to the ground.
No blood.
Nothing.
The sword dissolved in Kevin's hand.
— The Masked One is hiding beneath the royal palace. And another thing — this man, H, was actually assigned to kill Arlok, not deliver a message.
Luis: — Figures. I always thought it was strange for the general to have connections with the Masked One.
So… should we go after him?
Kevin sighed.
— From what I saw, the Masked One doesn't even know who we are.
A pause.
— …or at least, that's what it looks like.
The two walked calmly toward the attic exit, leaving the corpse behind in the darkness.
---
Elsewhere…
Richard fought — or rather, slaughtered — the last standing member of an army.
Ruby and Carmilla joined him shortly after.
Carmilla: — Master, everything is ready.
Richard: — Let's inform the boys we completed our objective. We're returning to Hestia.
Ruby: — Something is approaching.
The ground beneath them suddenly collapsed, forming a massive crater.
They leapt away by instinct.
From the hole emerged a man.
He looked at them and said:
— You… Richard Dinark. I finally found you.
Richard: — Found me? I've always been here, kid.
Carmilla stepped forward.
— Who are you?
The man slowly raised his sword.
He seemed to think.
Confused.
Lost within his own mind.
— Name…?
Silence.
— I don't have a name… or…
He held his head.
— Could it be… my name is… Destroyer?
A long pause.
His eyes trembled.
— I… remember nothing…
The only thing inside me… is the desire to kill you, Richard.
Richard gripped his swords.
He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
Then he noticed.
The little finger on his left hand was slowly disappearing.
Like dust being erased from reality.
He sighed.
— Carmilla. Ruby.
He looked back.
— Leave.
The elders are about to fight.
Ruby stepped forward immediately.
— Father, we'll help you!
Carmilla nodded.
— Yes, master. We'll fight beside you.
Richard shook his head.
— No.
Leave.
The enemy stomped the ground.
A yellow barrier of dust rose, separating Richard from them.
Ruby tried to cross.
Repelled.
Carmilla tried as well.
Nothing.
The barrier was absolute.
Richard spoke without turning around:
— Go. Help the others.
I'll hold this one here.
The man smiled.
— Perhaps that's the last thing you'll ever do…
It seems your host body can no longer withstand your power.
Richard froze for a moment.
How does he know that?
He looked at his hand.
Now two fingers had vanished.
Ruby trembled.
— You… are you going to die?
Richard took a deep breath.
— I'll be realistic…
I wasn't even supposed to still be here.
He smiled faintly.
— Don't waste time on me.
Ruby began to protest—
Carmilla grabbed her and pulled her away.
— You heard the master.
There's nothing more we can do… except help the others.
Ruby looked at her father.
Even while fighting, Richard found time to glance at them.
— Tell Luis…
that unfortunately I won't make it back to celebrate his birthday.
A small smile.
— But I'm very proud of him… for being my son.
Carmilla started walking.
Ruby cried… and ran after her.
The battlefield fell silent.
Richard turned back to the enemy.
— Now that I know I'm going to die… nothing stops me from killing you.
The man replied:
— You can't.
Richard inhaled deeply.
— I'll end this fight… with a single attack.
He vanished.
Before the enemy could react, Richard grabbed his arm and whispered:
— Dark Death.
He stepped back.
A black stain began consuming the man's body.
Darkness climbed like living poison.
The man smiled.
— Reversal.
The same stain appeared on Richard's body.
Richard laughed softly.
— So you reversed my technique…
Man: — I know this attack.
If I die… you come with me.
The sand barrier collapsed.
Richard looked at himself.
His left arm… had disappeared along with his sword.
— Whatever… I was going to die anyway.
He faced the man.
— Before that… tell me.
Why did you accept coming after me?
The man spat blood.
— Because… the masked man erased my mind.
The only thing left… was killing you so you wouldn't interfere with his plan.
Richard coughed blood.
— And why didn't you run?
— It wasn't possible…
If I tried… my brain would explode.
Silence.
Both fell to the ground.
The black stain covered almost their entire bodies.
Richard spoke with difficulty:
— Do you know the Masked One's objective?
The man laughed weakly.
— I don't even know my own name anymore… you think I know his plan?
Final silence.
Richard breathed heavily.
— Happy now?
Seems dying will finally give you freedom…
No response came.
Richard forced his head up.
The man was already dead.
He closed his eyes.
And sighed.
---
On the way back
Carmilla and Ruby walked side by side.
Ruby held a green stone emitting faint light.
— Kevin… Kevin… can you hear me?
Silence.
Static.
— Kevin? Luis? Are you there?
The stone glowed.
Kevin's cheerful voice answered:
— You wanted contact… and contact arrived!
What's new?
Ruby took a deep breath.
— Is Luis with you? I need to talk to him.
— Hold on.
Static.
Another voice appeared.
— Hey, Ruby. Everything okay?
Ruby began crying.
Luis instantly grew serious.
— What happened?
— Luis… our father…
Her voice broke.
— Our father died…
Absolute silence.
Luis replied calmly:
— I know.
He spoke to me before leaving.
Ruby cried harder.
— How…?
— Through the heart.
Kevin returned to the communication.
— Ruby, if you're with Carmilla, come back as fast as possible.
Luis and I are heading toward the Masked One's hideout.
Carmilla sighed.
— Kevin… since when do you give me orders?
But fine. We're coming.
Kevin laughed.
— Write this down: my birthday is in a few days. I want you as my present, Carmilla.
Carmilla: — Your uncle just died and you're joking?!
Kevin's voice turned serious.
— My uncle didn't leave.
This isn't goodbye…
it's just see you later.
The communication cut.
The stone lost its glow.
Carmilla kept walking.
— Come on, Ruby. We still have a long way to go.
---
The world keeps moving
Afternoon began to fall.
In the arena, warriors fought.
The audience cheered.
Shouts, bets, chants.
For them… it was only entertainment.
Beneath the royal palace…
Kevin and Luis walked through the sewers, alert to every shadow.
At the kingdom's borders…
Carmilla and Ruby crossed long roads toward home.
And far behind them…
A figure advanced slowly.
Wounded.
Without his left arm.
The fingers of his right hand disappearing.
Clothes torn.
Body covered by the black stain.
Blood ran down his skin.
Richard smiled.
— I won't die that easily…
He raised his gaze.
— Especially… on my son's birthday.
And kept walking.