Chapter 46: The Roar Beneath the Sky
Dawn bathed Morningstar Citadel in gold and frost. From the top of the imperial tower to the humble gardens, a growing murmur signaled the inevitable: the Grand Sequence Tournament had arrived.
The dragon bells rang seven times. The air was thick with Qi and promises. The pavilions, once havens of calm and ritual, became a river of expectant bodies: disciples, aspirants, elders, outsiders, and even spiritual beasts searched for a good spot among the jade and stone stands.
I. The Parade of Sequences
Under Samael's gaze, the first seven sequences marched into the center of the ancestral coliseum. Violeta, Eris, Lyra, Cedric, Xylia, Elowen, and Kael wore their ceremonial robes, each surrounded by the aura of their element. Their names echoed through the plaza, wrapped in acclamations. Those ranked 8 to 20, still untitled, waited in the shadow of the gates, rivalry shining in their eyes.
All around them, the ranks of disciples vibrated with excitement and fear. Saira, daughter of the Starry Ice Empire, watched everything coldly from the foreigners' box. Aylin, the newly revealed prodigy, gripped her spear, silently vowing that no one would outshine her today.
II. Opening Ritual
Samael stepped alone into the heart of the arena. Absolute silence. He raised the imperial sword and plunged it into the ground, releasing a wave of Qi that made the ancestral seals embedded in the walls sing.
"Today, the Morningstar generation defies destiny and the world. In this coliseum, only willpower, self-improvement, and brotherhood will decide tomorrow."
The Star Tree, visible from the arena, seemed to respond: a flurry of petals and light fell upon the combatants, both blessing and challenge.
III. The First Roar
The system, invisible to all but Samael, vibrated:
[Tournament activated. First round: elimination duels. Fortune and destiny favor the bold.]
The names of the first matchups shone in the air: —Kael vs. Yun (the earth dragon) —Aylin vs. Saira —Lyra vs. a prodigy from a secondary branch —Eris vs. a foreigner from the west —Cedric vs. Xylia (a strategy and thunder match: a rarity applauded by all)
The ancestral drums thundered, and the contenders took their places beneath the rising sun.
IV. Before the Battle
In one corner of the arena, Kael bowed to Yun. "Show me the pride of the earth, brother."
Yun smiled, nervous and proud. "Only if you teach me to cut the sky."
On another platform, Aylin and Saira exchanged glances. "I didn't come to flirt," Saira warned, cold. Aylin smiled, her spear spinning like wind and root. "I came to defeat myself."
Cedric and Xylia slapped palms before separating. "A duel of brains, lightning, and traps," Cedric said. "I hope you won't cry when you lose," Xylia replied with electric mischief.
Meanwhile, Lyra faced her secondary branch rival, the rumor of abyssal mist swirling in her veins.
V. The Roar Begins
Samael raised his hand. A flash of Qi crossed the sky. "Let the tournament begin!"
The air filled with shouts, drums, and a roar that seemed to rise from the earth and the heart of the clan. Sword against earth. Spear against ice. Mist against blood. Lightning against formation. Every blow, turn, and flash was both a promise and a threat.
At the top, Samael watched, the system murmuring:
[The clan lives. Destiny trembles. Let the Morningstar legend be etched into the world today.]
And beneath the ancient sky, the roar of the Morningstar clan announced that glory—and history—had only just begun.