Chereads / Between Worlds: The Mystery of the Door / Chapter 9 - The Duel in the Elven Arena

Chapter 9 - The Duel in the Elven Arena

The music echoed in the corners of the majestic hall as the celebration dance continued. Alex and Lyria, immersed in the joy of the party, shared laughs and dances, trying to put aside the shadow of the duel that loomed over them.

In the midst of the festivity, Elren, Lyria's brother, appears with a look full of enthusiasm. "Alex, I am eager to witness that duel tomorrow! It's not every day we have a human challenging one of our own. It will be a spectacle!" he exclaims, expressing his anticipation while enjoying the party with his sister and the hero who saved her.

As the night progressed, the celebration came to an end. The elves, exhausted but filled with gratitude, retired to rest, leaving behind them the echo of laughter and melodies. Lyria, with a thankful smile, accompanies her brother and Alex out of the hall.

In the tranquility of his room, Alex delves into reflection. The excitement of the party fades, giving way to more serious thoughts. As he removes his gala clothes, his mind focuses on two crucial issues: the imminent duel and the search for the informant.

He sits on the edge of the bed, mentally reviewing every interaction and every face he has encountered since his arrival in Aeloria. "Who could be the informant? And who, at this seemingly peaceful party, could have slipped away into the shadow suspiciously?" he wonders, seeking answers in the seemingly insignificant details.

The light of dawn is just beginning to filter in when Lyria gently knocks on the door of Alex's room. "Wake up, Alex. You need to prepare for the day ahead," she whispers urgently.

Opening the door, Lyria reveals a worried expression. "After what happened at the party and with tomorrow's duel, I thought it would be prudent to make sure you are properly equipped. Come, we will go get you new gear," she suggests, indicating that he hurry to dress for the day.

In the bustling morning of Aeloria, Lyria and Alex embark on a quest to acquire gear worthy of a warrior. Among the city's alleyways, they find shops specializing in weapons and armor, where they carefully examine each available option.

Lyria suggests several elegant weapons. However, none of them capture Alex's attention like his beloved kusarigama.

In a corner of the shop, Alex notices many upgraded versions of swords, spears, and daggers but hesitates to change his fighting style. It is then that Lyria points out a unique sword on display. Intrigued, Alex approaches and discovers a sword he has never seen before, awakening his interest.

Although tempted by the new weapon, Alex decides to stick with his kusarigama but raises the possibility of upgrading it. At that moment, the shop owner, Vallen, introduces himself and offers to repair and enhance Alex's kusarigama, highlighting that this modification will take time and will not be available for the next duel.

The news of the duel has spread throughout Aeloria, and everyone eagerly awaits the fight, considering the strength of the noble elves. Amidst this anticipation, Alex feels nervous but decides to accept Vallen's offer to enhance his kusarigama. Vallen, noticing the demon hound's fang that Alex carries, suggests using it in the enhancement of his kusarigama. Intrigued, Alex accepts the proposal.

Alex decides to take the sword that caught his attention for the imminent duel while his kusarigama is being prepared. He also buys a set of black light armor to prepare for the battle. Lyria, though surprised by the change of weapon, respects Alex's decision.

Then, they head to the arena, where the king, interested in the duel's rules, joins them. They want to ensure that everything is in order before the upcoming confrontation. Meanwhile, Vallen begins the process of enhancing Alex's kusarigama, using the alpha demon hound's fang to increase the weapon's lethality. Alex eagerly awaits the chance to use his upgraded weapon after the duel.

The morning progresses quickly as they head towards the arena, accompanied by the murmur of people about the awaited duel. The king, along with Lyria and Alex, approaches the location where the confrontation will take place. Along the way, Lyria tells Alex how excited she is to witness the duel and assures him that she fully trusts his abilities.

Upon arriving at the arena, they are greeted by a growing murmur of the crowd that has gathered to witness the confrontation. The king meets with the event organizers, reviewing the rules and ensuring that everything is in order. Lyria, concerned for Alex, offers him words of encouragement and reminds him that many in Aeloria are eager to see his skills in action.

Meanwhile, Vallen diligently works on enhancing Alex's kusarigama, incorporating the alpha demon hound's fang. Although the process takes time, Vallen promises that the result will be a formidable weapon, worthy of the hero who protected Princess Lyria.

The arena vibrates with anticipation of the duel to come. The noble elves, along with the general population, eagerly wait to witness the confrontation between Lord Arion and Alex. The news has spread quickly, and expectations are high.

The king, satisfied that everything is in order, retires to a designated spot to watch the duel along with Lyria. The crowd falls silent as Lord Arion and Alex enter the arena from opposite sides, each prepared to defend their honor.

The duel is about to begin, and Alex's fate in Aeloria hangs by a thread in this test of skills and bravery. The tension in the air is palpable as the crowd awaits the first move in this confrontation that will define the course of events in the elven kingdom.

In the center of the majestic Elven Arena, the tension cuts like a sharp blade as Lord Arion, with his gleaming sword, and Alex, wielding the sword acquired in the shop, face off in an epic duel.

The audience's eyes are fixed on the battlefield, expectant of the imminent clash between Elven nobility and the human who has defied expectations.

Lord Arion advances confidently, his sword tracing elegant arcs in the air. The arena rumbles with each sure step, and his smug expression reveals confidence in his abilities. Meanwhile, Alex, aware of the gravity of the situation, maintains an apparent calm, ready to challenge the expectations weighing on him.

The clash of swords resonates, a metallic symphony that fills the arena. Lord Arion, confident in his prowess, attempts to disarm Alex with calculated strikes and precise movements. However, the human responds with surprising agility, dodging and counterattacking skillfully.

The crowd watches in awe as both contenders unleash a deadly dance of skill and strategy. Each slash and block is met with cheers and sighs, creating an atmosphere charged with emotion. While Lord Arion prides himself on his noble lineage, Alex shows that bravery and skill can overcome even the highest birth.

The battle reaches its climax when Lord Arion, believing victory to be assured, makes a bold and swift attack. However, Alex, with unpredictable moves, manages to counter spectacularly. The tense battle in the Elven Arena reaches its pinnacle, and it seemed that Alex was about to prevail over Lord Arion. However, in an unexpected twist, Lord Arion, on the brink of defeat, seems to take a discreet potion. This mysterious elixir boosts his strength to unknown levels, altering the course of the fight that initially favored Alex.

Lord Arion's muscles swell with supernatural strength, and his attacks, previously restrained, are now driven by unparalleled ferocity. The audience, puzzled, watches as Alex's seemingly certain victory fades before his opponent's explosion of power.

In a cruel twist of fate, Lord Arion, now imbued with excessive pride, mocks Alex, proclaiming his innate superiority as an Elven noble. The audience, surprised and divided, sees how the fight that promised to be a victory for the human hero transforms into his defeat.

The king, from his position in the royal stands, watches the situation seriously. Alex's defeat not only unleashes Lord Arion's arrogance but also raises questions about the fairness of the fight.

As the dust of the arena settles, Lord Arion, with a triumphant smile, approaches the king, requesting his reward for the victory in the duel. With pride and confidence, Lord Arion requests Lyria's hand in marriage, considering it his right after defeating the human hero.

The king, calmly assessing the situation, reminds Lord Arion that if he desires such a reward, he must face an even greater challenge. Elren, the king's son and commander of the elite warriors, offers himself as an opponent. The proposal not only puzzles Lord Arion but also adds a new dimension to the confrontation.

Enraged at the prospect of fighting someone as formidable as Elren, Lord Arion seeks an alternative. With malice, he suggests that Alex, defeated and humiliated, prostrate himself before him as a form of satisfaction. The crowd watches in silence, eager to see how events will unfold and what the Elven king's response will be.