The day had come. The Aren, the ancient ritual that would decide Sophia's fate, was beginning under an overcast sky that foreshadowed storms to come. The air in Tenebrous was thick with tension, with long shadows dancing between the buildings of the Demon Kingdom's capital. All eyes were on the great arena, a dark and vast coliseum that stood as a monument to the Demon King's power and glory.
Sophia walked through the underground corridors of the coliseum, feeling the weight of her silver armor on her shoulders. Her mind replayed Belthar's lessons, every move, every spell, as her steps took her towards the blinding light emanating from the center of the arena. Around her, other young demonesses, her rivals, walked with the same mix of nervousness and determination. Among them, Sophia recognized the figures that had become her main adversaries: Elara "The Flower of Death", Calantha "The Dancer of Shadow", Xanthe "The Singer of the Night", and Lysandra "The Sorceress of the Moon".
As Sophia emerged into the arena, the roar of the crowd enveloped her. Demons from all over the kingdom had come to witness the start of the Arena. The coliseum was decorated with banners representing each candidate, fluttering in the dark wind that blew through the arena.
In the center, upon a raised throne, stood Kael "The Night King". His presence dominated the space, and his red eyes shone with unfathomable power. Beside him, the current queens watched in silence, each with an expression that mixed interest and disdain.
A demonic herald stepped forward, his voice echoing like thunder in the arena.
—Welcome to the Arena! —he exclaimed, making a broad gesture towards the candidates. —. Today, the most worthy of the Demon Realm's young ladies will prove their worth in the first round of trials! Let the Awakening of the Aren begin!
A chill ran through Sophia as the arena began to transform. The ground vibrated, and suddenly, the earth cracked open, releasing columns of fire that circled around the candidates. The first test would be a demonstration of their individual skills: surviving in a hostile environment while facing creatures summoned from the depths of the realm.
The columns of fire intensified, and from them emerged nightmarish monsters, formed of shadows and flames. Sophia remembered Belthar's words: "Do not give in to doubt, do not give in to fear." She took a defensive stance, her hands already channeling the magic of silver and light.
Elara was the first to attack. With a fluid movement of her hand, she summoned black flowers that spread across the arena, their poisonous petals cutting through the air like blades. Sophia dove to the side, dodging the onslaught of the flowers while conjuring a shield of light that repelled the attack.
Calantha, meanwhile, disappeared into the shadows, her laughter echoing from all directions. Sophia spun in place, searching for any sign of her opponent, but the shadows were impenetrable. She felt Calantha's presence moving around her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Sophia closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on the inner light that Belthar had taught her to control. With a shout, she released a blast of light that dispersed the shadows, revealing Calantha just in time to avoid her deadly attack.
The audience watched in tense silence, every move of the candidates followed with anticipation. Sophia knew she couldn't afford to falter, not now that the tryouts had begun in earnest.
The arena transformed again, this time raising obsidian pillars from the ground, creating a labyrinth in which the candidates had to move quickly. The monsters had not disappeared; on the contrary, they multiplied, filling every corner with their impending threat.
**Xanthe**, with her music magic, began to sing a melody that seemed to slow down time around her, the monsters moving slowly, unable to reach her. But Sophia, sensing the effects of the song, counterattacked by conjuring a silver wall that resonated with a pure note, breaking Xanthe's melody and returning the arena to its normal rhythm.
Lysandra made her final move, raising her staff towards the sky, calling upon the power of the moon. A beam of moonlight gathered in her hand, and she launched it towards Sophia, who barely had time to raise a shield of light to block it. The impact was so strong that Sophia was pushed back, but she held her ground, her shield vibrating under the pressure of the attack.
The first round of the Arena was not only a test of physical and magical strength, but also of cunning and strategy. Sophia knew this, and so, rather than facing all of her rivals at once, she began to use the terrain to her advantage. She moved quickly between the obsidian pillars, forcing her opponents to divide their attention while she looked for the best moment to strike.
The minutes stretched into what seemed like hours, each second fraught with tension and danger. Sophia, her mind and body trained to the limit, finally found an opening. She focused all her power into a single point, unleashing a blast of light and silver that impacted the center of the arena, scattering the monsters and forcing the other candidates to retreat.
When the dust settled, silence filled the arena. Sophia, panting but still standing, looked around. She had survived the first round, but just barely. The other candidates had also shown their skills, and none had been completely defeated.
The herald reappeared, his voice echoing ominously.
—The first round is over. Those still standing have proven their worth... for now.
Sophia felt the Demon King's gaze upon her, his presence more overwhelming than ever. She knew this was only the beginning, and that the true tests were yet to come. But in that moment, as the audience erupted in cheers and cheers, she knew she had taken the first step on her path to the throne, a path that would be dark, treacherous, and full of shadows.
Sophia allowed herself a moment to breathe deeply. The first test had been passed, but the Aren was far from over. Intrigues, alliances, and hidden dangers still lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.