The city square of Veylon had been transformed. Massive stone stands ringed the open field, banners fluttering with symbols of each district. The Tournament of Oaths had begun, and the air buzzed with anticipation. Citizens whispered about the Black Celestial boy, the mage who betrayed her guild, and the mercenary whose vow burned with guilt.
Ren stood at the edge of the arena, Black Celestial burning faintly along his arm. Beside him, Aria's staff gleamed faintly, chains of fire coiling like serpents. Kael's longsword shimmered crimson, ready.
"Looks… bigger than I thought," Kael muttered. "And we're not even the first match."
Aria adjusted her grip on her staff. "Don't underestimate them. This isn't just a tournament. Every duel is a test of loyalty, strength, and cunning. And betrayal is allowed… encouraged, even."
Ren's gaze swept across the arena. Opponents lined up some warriors, some mages, some with Celestials corrupted by false oaths. Their eyes gleamed with challenge, hunger, and hidden agendas.
The bell rang. The tournament began.
First Match:
Ren's opponent was a young swordsman from the southern district, Celestial of Iron Oaths glowing on his arm. The duel started fast sparks flew as steel met steel. Ren's Black Celestial pulsed in reaction to every feint and strike.
The swords clashed again and again, black fire meeting silver sparks. Ren moved instinctively, faster than human. Every trick the opponent tried a hidden dagger, an illusionary strike fed Ren's power, sharpening his reflexes.
Aria cheered from the sidelines, chains of fire coiling around the arena to block any interference. Kael shouted, guiding him through the strategy: "Focus on rhythm! Don't let him control the pace!"
Ren nodded, black fire flaring. With a surge, he disarmed the swordsman, sending sparks across the arena, and pressed forward with a final, decisive strike victory for the Black Celestial.
The crowd erupted, whispers of fear and awe blending into cheers.
Second Match:
Ren faced a pair of duelists who relied on teamwork. One wielded wind blades, the other illusions. Ren had to rely on trust in his allies more than raw strength.
"Cover the left flank!" he shouted.
Kael surged forward, Crimson Vow igniting, blocking a wind blade that would have split Ren in two. Aria's chains wrapped around the illusions, revealing their real positions.
Ren moved like a shadow, black fire trailing his strikes, cutting through the opponents with precision. But one of them feigned a betrayal a feint that almost caught him off-guard.
"Trust your instincts!" Aria yelled, fire lashing.
Ren felt the pulse of betrayal, fed on it, and reacted instinctively. His blade struck true, ending the fight in a blur of shadow and fire.
Third Match:
This duel tested bonds. Ren was paired with Aria against a pair of siblings who wielded linked Celestials. The siblings could feed off each other's strength if one was harmed.
"Stay close," Ren instructed. "If one goes down, the other will be unstoppable."
The siblings attacked with synchronized strikes. Ren's Black Celestial flared as betrayal buzzed in the air one sibling feinted, tempting Aria to protect him, but she resisted, trusting Ren's judgment.
Kael watched from the sidelines. "Good… she's learning."
Together, Ren and Aria coordinated black fire from Ren, ember chains from Aria, blocking and countering each strike. The siblings tried every trick, but the duo's trust, even if fragile, allowed them to prevail.
The crowd murmured. The Black Celestial boy was not just strong he inspired loyalty.
By the end of the day, Ren had faced multiple opponents, each testing his skills, instincts, and ability to trust. But whispers of betrayal lingered. A masked figure watched from the stands, noting every move, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Ren wiped blood from his arm, eyes scanning the horizon. The tournament was far from over the semifinals promised the greatest betrayal yet, and the Black Celestial would need every ounce of power and trust to survive.
Aria leaned close. "Tomorrow… it gets worse."
Kael grinned, igniting his sword. "Bring it. I love a good fight."
Ren's Black Celestial pulsed, alive and hungry. He was ready or as ready as one could be in a world built on lies and betrayal.