"Listen, I need you to stay here and protect Alianna. Just for a few days."
The panda's response was immediate and defiant. It crossed its arms, giving Ren a hard, unblinking stare. Clearly, it was not impressed with this arrangement.
"Come on, you're the only one I trust to look after her. You're strong and smart – and besides, I'll be back before you know it."
The panda nodded, but it pouted in protest, crossing its arms even tighter. Just when things were starting to feel right between them, he was leaving? It wasn't fair, and the panda made sure Ren knew it.
"Y-You know... you should take it with you."
Alianna said and the panda nodded quickly as if agreeing with her.
"I can't... I need someone to protect you, you're helpless after all."
Ren said that with an innocent smile.
But Alianna is not the one to back off from this fight, surely calling her "helpless" is going too far.
"I'm sure I'm not that helpless," she said that with a fake smile, but deep down she's really piss.
But her annoyance wasn't just over being called "helpless." She didn't like the idea of him going off to that tournament, risking his neck for some competition. What if he got hurt? Or got robbed by some bandits along the way? Or – worst of all – what if he met some other girl?
Not that she was his girlfriend or anything, of course. That would be asking too much.
"Well, I'd better get going."
Ren looked over them both in the moonlight, pausing as if memorizing the moment. Then, with a smile, he turned and walked into the night, leaving her and the panda in the quiet glow of the stars.
****
Somewhere outside the kingdom, in the deserted land of Nieva, a lone boy traveled on foot. Wrapped around him was a white dragon, its body coiled like an elegant scarf. Though the dragon appeared to be asleep, a soft, magical glow emanated from it, lighting the barren land around them.
"Thirty minutes left…" the boy murmured, his breath fogging in the cool night air.
Despite the chill, a warm aura enveloped him and his dragon, warding off the cold. In the midst of the vast, empty landscape, they glowed with an otherworldly brightness, moving steadily toward their destination.
****
Ren leaned back against the tree, his breath coming in slow puffs as he took in the quiet of the mountain air. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the faint hoot of an owl, a reminder that he was far from the familiar comforts of town.
He looked up at the stars, trying to focus on the thrill of the journey ahead rather than the conversation he'd just left behind. Alianna's voice still echoed in his mind, particularly her comment about him leaving the panda behind. Did she really think he'd need the extra protection, or was she worried about something else?
"I'll be back soon," he muttered to himself, as if reassuring her from a distance.
Ren closed his eyes for a moment, letting the night air cool his face, when he thought he saw a faint glow in the distance – almost like a wisp of light moving across the horizon. He blinked, squinting into the dark, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
Probably just his tired mind playing tricks. Still, a shiver crept down his spine, as if the mountains themselves were warning him to keep moving.
"I can make it to the kingdom before sunrise."
He muttered to himself. Travelling on foot is not that hard since the town is close to the kingdom, the only problem is that he has to be careful because the place is dark and he's in the mountains.
****
As Ren walked, the silence of the night wrapped around him, broken only by the faint crunch of his boots on the rocky path. The horizon ahead was just beginning to lighten, a hint of deep blue in the black sky. He could feel the kingdom drawing closer, and with it, the promise of the tournament.
After walking for another while, he finally saw the walls surrounding the kingdom and below it is the gate. There's no people here, probably because it's still too early, but the guards are here.
They are standing at each side of the gate, the metallic surface of their armor gleaming under the sunrise. One of the guards noticed Ren and they immediately approach him with purpose.
"State your purpose," the guard demanded, his voice a low rumble in the quiet dawn.
Ren quickly stood straight and held up his hands with a disarming smile.
"I'm here for the tournament, sir! I'm not a criminal!"
The guard glanced at him, skeptical, then nodded after a moment. "You're a bit early," he muttered, gesturing for Ren to follow him through the gate.
As they entered, Ren couldn't help but look around, taking in the waking kingdom. The market stalls stood empty, their bright fabrics still draped in shadows. A few early risers wandered the streets, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone.
The kingdom had a strange stillness, a sense of calm before the chaos of the festival and tournament.
"I wonder where Mona lives in this kingdom."
He asked, much more to himself.
As they approached a wide, cobblestone square, the guard gestured toward a tall stone tower looming next to the Colosseum.
"If you're here for the Tournament of Tamers, report to the overseer in that tower. They'll assign you a place to stay and go over the rules."
Ren nodded, glancing up at the tower, its silhouette stark against the lightening sky.
"Got it. Thanks, sir." he replied with a respectful nod.
As he made his way toward the tower, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Maybe it was just nerves – or maybe it was the tower itself, standing like a sentinel over the kingdom. Either way, a spark of excitement lit up in him.
****
Inside the tower, it was all bright. White walls, expensive lights, and even the table are all expensive. There's not much of people in here, probably because it's still early in the morning and they are all still asleep. But there's a woman behind the counter.
"Uhm... Miss, am I in the right tower?"
The woman behind the counter looked up slowly, her gaze a mix of sleepiness and barely concealed tiredness. She had sharp, knowing eyes and a pout that hinted at a long night – or perhaps a lot of long nights.
"Right tower, yes," she replied with a slight roll of her eyes, clearly unimpressed with Ren's formal tone. "You must be here for the tournament."
Ren straightened up, nodding with a polite smile.
"Yes, ma'am! I, uh… I didn't want to disturb you. I realize it's very early."
The woman gave him an exasperated look. She picked up a quill and began scribbling on a piece of parchment.
"Name?"
"Ren. Just Ren."
She dipped her quill, making a note.
"You'll be bunking on the third floor with the rest of the 'early risers.'"
Ren nodded fervently, determined to make a good impression.
"Thank you, miss! I'll be sure not to cause any trouble."
"Uh-huh."
Ren took the key, trying not to look too eager. He gave her a respectful bow before retreating toward the stairs, feeling both grateful and a bit rattled by her blunt attitude.
After a long walk in the hallway, Ren finally found his room. It was small but it's better than his hut, there's a door leading to the bathroom near the entrance door and a bed, far in the edge of the room.
Ren placed his pack on the bed, taking a moment to look around. The room was small, but the bed was soft enough, and it felt better than any night he'd spent on the floor of his hut. Setting his things aside, he reached into his pocket and drew out a smooth, cool stone – his bond stone.
He smiled, rolling it between his fingers.
"Alright, Zard. It's just us in here now."
The stone shimmered faintly, and in a soft flash, his scaly companion appeared, stretched out in miniature form on the bed. Zardlite blinked, his scales catching the morning light, and shook off the drowsiness like a dog ruffling its fur.
"Missed me already?"
Ren chuckled, gently patting Zardlite's head as he gave a soft chirp in response, nudging Ren's hand with what looked like a pleased grin.
Zardlite settled beside him, curling up comfortably and letting out a faint, contented huff. Ren lay down next to it and he stared at the ceiling with the same smile that he always had.
"I wonder what's this tournament hold for me."
The Tournament of Tamers – Nieva's grand event, held each year to honor the Goddess – would be no simple challenge. It drew tamers from across the continent, all hungry for fame and power, ready to face fierce competition within the Kingdom's grand Colosseum.
The tournament was divided into four blocks – D, C, B, and A. Each block would have its own challenge, where tamers would partake until only two from each block remained. Those eight would move on to the next stage: a two-on-two face-off, the pairs carefully chosen to test every skill a tamer could have. Finally, the last four would advance to the semifinals, leading to an intense battle royale where only one tamer would emerge victorious.
Thus will be crown the Champion and will receive a boon from the King.