As the sun beamed down on the training grounds, Helios couldn't help but feel intrigued by the endless clashing of warriors all around him. The air was alive with shouts, steel meeting steel, and the pounding of fists against flesh. "163! 074! You're up next!" a man barked, calling out the numbers. Helios turned his head just in time to see Bow stride toward the center of the pit. His opponent was already waiting, a towering brute of a man, muscles bulging like coiled ropes. "What kind of match-up is this?" one of the spectators muttered. "That little guy's about to get crushed. Poor fool." Bow glanced up at the giant, completely unfazed. "Let's just get this over with," he said flatly. The overseer slammed two wooden blocks together, the crack echoing across the arena, signal to begin. Bow bounced lightly on his feet, slowly circling, his eyes locked on his opponent. The muscle-bound man sneered and lashed out with a heavy kick, aiming to end the fight in one strike. But Bow was faster. He snapped his own leg forward, his shin colliding directly with his opponent's. The crack was sickening. The brute's shin bent backwards with a sharp snap. "ARGH!" the man howled, collapsing to one knee in agony. Bow didn't hesitate. He slipped to the side, driving a vicious roundhouse into the man's other knee. The joint caved in with a pop, dislocating on impact. The crowd gasped as the warrior writhed, unable to stand. Without a word, Bow stepped in and delivered one final kick, straight across the man's face. The giant's body crumpled to the dirt, unconscious. The pit fell into stunned silence. The crowd was still buzzing from Bow's fight when the overseer raised his voice again. "107! 215! You are up next!" the man yelled. Helios rose from his seat, his father's sword resting on his shoulder as he walked calmly toward the pit. Across from him stepped a tall man, his entire face wrapped in bandages. In each hand gleamed a curved sword, sharp and ready. The two warriors squared off. CLACK! The overseer slammed the wooden blocks together, signaling the start. The bandaged man rushed in first, his dual blades flashing. Helios met the strikes head-on, his father's sword ringing out as he deflected each blow. The two circled and clashed, sparks flying with every collision, the crowd leaning in closer with every strike. The bandaged man pressed harder, swinging wildly to overwhelm him, but Helios stood firm. With one decisive swing, he caught the man's right blade and snapped it clean in half. The sudden break drew gasps from the stands. Before his opponent could react, Helios twisted his wrist and struck again, knocking the second sword straight from the man's grip. The weapon clattered across the dirt. The bandaged man stumbled back, weaponless. Helios stepped forward, raising his father's blade toward him before lowering it, showing he had no need to strike further. The overseer pointed at Helios. "Victory, Number 107!" The pit erupted in noise, half the crowd roaring in approval, others whispering about the calm swordsman who dismantled a dual-sword fighter with nothing but raw strength and precision. The crowd's noise still rang in Helios's ears as he left the pit. Some cheered his name, while others jeered, calling him lucky for snapping a blade instead of facing its full edge. Helios ignored them all, his expression calm, sword still steady in his grip. The overseer bellowed again, voice echoing across the colosseum:
"Next! Numbers 089 and 312! Step forward!" Two new fighters descended into the pit, and the audience shifted its focus, eager for more blood. Helios leaned against the stone wall, watching silently, studying every stance, every strike. He wasn't just a participant, he was learning. Fights passed, one after another. Some ended in seconds, others dragged into brutal exchanges. Helios remained patient, his father's sword resting across his knees. Bow returned to the bench beside him, a grin tugging at his lips as if he hadn't just dismantled a man minutes ago. "You didn't waste time with yours," Bow said. Helios gave a small shrug. "Neither did you." The overseer called more names, wood blocks clacking again and again. Blood stained the dirt. The air smelled of sweat and iron. The crowd never tired of it. Helios stayed still, waiting, watching, the weight of his next opponent unknown. The Colosseum representative, a tall man in ornate armor with a calculating look, approached them. "You two have potential," the man said, his voice carrying across the arena. "I'm impressed by your efficiency and coordination. That display in the pit… it caught my attention." Bow smirked, "Thanks. We're just getting started." Helios nodded, standing tall despite his exhaustion. The representative gestured for them to follow him to a quieter area of the Colosseum. "If you join my circuit," he began, "you'll fight in sanctioned matches here, and the top fighters get more than just glory. There's money, sponsorships, and access to exclusive training facilities. Top-tier fighters can make a living without worrying about food or shelter." Helios tilted his head. "How much money are we talking about?" "For starters," the man replied, "each match will net you a base of 500 gold coins. Win streaks and special exhibition matches can push that to 2,000 gold or more per fight. And for the right champions, there are bonuses, contracts, and even political connections with the city-state's elite." Bow's eyes glimmered. "So it's not just about fighting… it's a real career?" "Exactly," the representative said. "But there's one condition, you must compete, train, and prove yourself. Complacency gets you dropped from the circuit. If you're serious, you'll be getting coached, tracked, and placed against increasingly difficult opponents. Only the strongest make it to the spotlight." Helios exchanged a glance with Bow. The thrill of battle was always appealing, but this… this was structured, profitable, and offered opportunities they'd never have on their own. "We'll consider it," Helios said finally, "but I need to make sure Bow's on board too." Bow cracked a grin. "Are you kidding? I'm in. This sounds like exactly the kind of chaos I want to get into." The representative nodded, clearly satisfied. "Good. I'll have someone handle your registration and accommodations. Be ready, the next exhibition match is in three days." Helios clenched his fists, feeling a spark of excitement. This was new territory, a place to test themselves against real warriors, and maybe get recognized beyond just a few towns and forests. Bow nudged him. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little adventure, Helios." Helios smiled, letting the weight of the decision settle. "Yeah… and I have a feeling things are about to get interesting." After speaking with the Colosseum representative, Helios and Bow decided to find an inn to rest before the next exhibition match. The streets of Tharvos were alive with chatter, clanging swords, and the smell of roasted meat from the bustling taverns. "Finally, some time to relax," Bow said, stretching as they entered a cozy inn. Helios followed, scanning the room for a table. As Helios turned a corner, his shoulder bumped into someone walking the opposite direction. "Oh, sorry!" Helios exclaimed, but before he could step back, the man's drink slipped from his hands and spilled all over his tunic. The man spun around, eyes blazing. "What the hell are you doing? Watch where you're going!" Helios froze for a second, meeting the man's gaze. He was tall, with sharp features, a confident posture, and two sheathed swords resting against his back. The glare in his eyes made it clear he wasn't just upset, he was furious. "I, uh, I didn't mean to," Helios stammered. "I can see that," the man snapped, "but careless bumps like that cost more than just your pride. You better watch yourself, newbie." Bow, trying to lighten the mood, chuckled awkwardly. "Hey, it was an accident, man. No need to flip out." The man gave Bow a sharp look but didn't say anything to him. Instead, he grabbed his drink and stalked off toward another table, muttering under his breath. Helios watched him leave, a mixture of curiosity and caution rising in his chest. Bow nudged Helios. "Who is that guy? He seems… intense." Helios shook his head. "Not sure, but I have a feeling we're going to see him again." The two sat down, but Helios couldn't stop thinking about the sword on the man's back and the sheer confidence he carried. Something told him this wasn't just another fighter, they were going to collide sooner or later.