Kael and Zarek stood in the center of the banquet hall, the circle formed by the gathered nobles closing in around them. The tension in the air was palpable, every eye fixed on the two young demons as they prepared to clash.
Zarek of the Warborn Clan had issued the challenge, his fierce, wild eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle. Kael, the newly awakened prince, had accepted without hesitation, determined to prove himself before the court.
The hall, once filled with the clinking of crystal goblets and the hum of quiet conversation, was now silent. Even the Demon Kings, seated on their thrones at the far end, watched with interest, their expressions unreadable.
This was not just a duel; it was a test, a moment that would define Kael's place in the Myriad Demon Empire. If he loses, gaining respect later would be a far harder challenge.
Zarek's grin was feral, his muscles tensing as he prepared to strike. "Let's see if Her Majesty's son can live up to his name," he growled, his voice carrying through the hall.
Some has found his words insulting to the Empress, but they didn't voice it out. Warborn Clan was also brash with their words but their loyalty unshaken.
Kael didn't respond, his face a mask of calm. He could feel the weight of everyone's gazes on him, but he pushed them aside, focusing only on the duel ahead.
"Let's start, Zarek," the Prince said coldly.
His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, the cool metal grounding him as he tapped into the Sword Qi that he had awakened during his training with Commander Selena. This was his chance to show that he was more than just a title.
"Let's go!" Zarek moved first, a blur of speed and power as he charged at Kael.
His fists, glowing with dark energy, aimed straight for Kael's chest. The force behind his attack was immense, the air itself seeming to ripple as he closed the distance in an instant.
Kael's eyes narrowed as he sidestepped the attack, his movements precise and controlled. Zarek's fist missed him by inches, slamming into the floor with a thunderous crash that sent cracks threading across the obsidian surface.
The onlookers flinched, but Kael remained calm, his mind focused on the battle.
Zarek wasted no time, immediately launching another barrage of punches, each one infused with the raw power of his aura.
Kael parried the strikes with his sword, the blade meeting Zarek's fists with a sharp ring of metal. Sparks flew with each clash, the force of the blows reverberating through the hall.
But Kael was not just defending. He was watching, analyzing Zarek's movements, waiting for the right moment. Zarek's attacks were powerful, but they were also reckless, driven by a desire to overwhelm.
Kael knew he couldn't match Zarek's strength blow for blow, but he didn't need to. All he needed was an opening.
And then he saw it—a slight hesitation in Zarek's pattern, a moment of vulnerability. Kael's grip on his sword tightened as he channeled his Sword Qi, the dark energy pulsing through the blade. With a swift, fluid motion, Kael struck, his sword slicing through the air with lethal precision.
The blade connected, cutting through Zarek's defenses with ease. The Sword Qi exploded outward, a burst of dark energy that seared through Zarek's side, leaving a deep, pulsing wound. Zarek staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and pain.
The hall was silent, the onlookers stunned by what they had just witnessed. Kael had struck with the speed and precision of a seasoned warrior, his Sword Qi cutting through Zarek's aura like a knife through butter. The young prince had turned the tide of the duel in a single, decisive move.
Zarek gritted his teeth, the pain evident in his expression, but he wasn't ready to give up. With a roar, he pushed through the pain and charged at Kael again, his attacks more desperate, more erratic.
But Kael was ready. He moved with the grace and fluidity of water, his sword meeting Zarek's fists with a series of sharp, ringing clashes.
"If it continues like this Zarek will lose," someone murmured in the crowd.
"Yes..."
"Young Prince isn't as inexperienced as one would've thought."
"Exactly..."
At the same time, in the far end of the Hall the Kings exchanged glances, they too were surprised.
As the duel wore on, it became clear that Kael was in control. Zarek's attacks were growing weaker, his movements slower, while Kael remained calm and focused, his every move calculated. The Sword Qi continued to pulse through his blade, each strike leaving Zarek with fewer defenses.
Finally, with one last, powerful strike, Kael ended the duel. His sword moved like lightning, cutting through Zarek's defenses and knocking him to the ground.
Zarek lay there, breathing heavily, his body spent and his aura shattered. He had been defeated.
The crowd erupted into murmurs, the nobles exchanging glances of approval and disbelief. Kael had done it.
He had defeated one of the most feared warriors of the Warborn Clan, proving his strength and earning the respect of the court.
As Kael lowered his sword, a figure stepped forward from the crowd. It was Vista, the daughter of Demon King Lucerne.
Her presence was cold and commanding, her silver hair flowing like a river of ice. She stopped in front of Kael, her emerald eyes studying him closely.
"You are strong, Prince Kael," she said, her voice flat and emotionless, "Just like my father thought."
Kael nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing the significance of her words. According to what Selena told him about younger generation talents, Vista was not one to offer compliments lightly.
Her approval, though cold and distant, was a testament to the strength he had shown, especially her father's comment, bearing even greater importance.
"Thank you," Kael replied, his voice steady.
Vista's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned and walked away. But as she passed him, she paused, her voice dropping to a whisper, "You are worthy of standing beside me."
Kael watched her leave, her words echoing in his mind. He didn't know what she meant. This cryptic message...
Just then, the sound of trumpets filled the hall, signaling the arrival of the Empress. The massive doors at the end of the hall swung open, and Empress Vespera Velrath entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.
"Long live the Empress!" the courtiers and nobles shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
Kael joined in the greeting, then met his mother's gaze. She smiled at him, a rare expression of pride and approval.
"Prince Kael," she called, her voice resonating with authority. "Come, sit beside Us."
The room fell into a hushed silence as Kael made his way to the Empress's side. He could feel the eyes of the other nobles on him, their thoughts hidden behind carefully crafted expressions.
But he paid them no mind. This was his place, a seat beside the Empress, and he intended to prove that he deserved it.
As he sat beside her, the Empress leaned closer, her voice low but firm. "You have done well, my son. The court is watching, and they will not forget what they have seen today."
She wanted to show him more care but was bound by the official rules, preventing her from being the mother she wanted. Her demeanor was cold and firm, a completely different image compared to the one Kael saw in the Baths or at his sleeping chambers.
Kael nodded, understanding the weight of her words. The banquet continued around them, the hall filled with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and music, but Kael's mind remained focused.