The marketplace of Nieva was a living mosaic of color and sound. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, each draped in vibrant fabrics and brimming with goods that seemed to come from every corner of the continent. The scents of spiced meats, roasted nuts, and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mixing with the metallic tang of polished weapons and the earthy aroma of beast feed.
Ren wandered through the throng, his eyes wide as he took it all in. Nieva's marketplace was nothing like the quiet, modest stalls back in his town. Here, merchants barked loudly to draw in customers, and performers juggled flaming torches or played strange, enchanting melodies.
"Step right up! Rare Ruin Stones, fresh from the mines of Darrow's Depths!"
Shouted one vendor, holding up a glowing blue gem that pulsed faintly with energy.
Ren paused, momentarily tempted. But he shook his head, his fingers brushing the smooth stone already in his pocket.
"Looking for something special, lad?"
A grizzled old woman at a nearby stall called out, her eyes twinkling. Her table was cluttered with all sorts of oddities, carved wooden talismans, small vials of shimmering liquid, and an assortment of beast collars.
"Just browsing."
Ren said, though his gaze lingered on a peculiar silver pendant engraved with the shape of a soaring bird.
"That one's said to bring good fortune to Tamers, perfect for someone heading to the tournament, wouldn't you agree?"
"How'd you know I'm competing?"
The woman chuckled.
"You've got that look about you. Young, determined, maybe a little too hopeful for your own good."
"Thanks… I think?" Ren muttered, stepping away from the stall.
As he turned, a commotion erupted further down the street. A cloaked figure darted through the crowd, pursued by two guards. The figure's movements were fast and fluid, almost inhumanly so. For a moment, Ren thought he caught a glimpse of a faint purple glow beneath the hood before the figure vanished into an alley.
He frowned, curiosity sparking in his mind. Who – or what – was that?
Ren's thoughts lingered on the cloaked figure for a moment, but the bustle of the marketplace quickly pulled him back. He still had plenty to explore, and there was no point in chasing after a stranger when he had no clue what they were up to.
"Ren!"
The sudden call of his name caught him off guard. He turned toward the sound and spotted Mona weaving through the crowd, her excitement unmistakable. She was carrying a small cloth bag, and her smile widened as she closed the distance between them.
"Fancy meeting you here."
She said, stopping just short of bumping into him.
"Mona! It's good to see you again."
"Hehe... I'm actually thinking about whether you will participate in the tournament or not, cause you're not thinking about it back in your town."
She scratched her head with a small grin. That carefree attitude is still in there, maybe she's just that chill around people. She held up her bag, revealing an assortment of colorful fruits and a few bundles of dried herbs.
"I'm stocking up before the festival chaos really kicks in. What about you? Shopping for anything specific, or just taking in the sights?"
"Mostly just looking around. This place is way bigger than the markets back home. Feels like I could get lost if I'm not careful."
"True, but that's part of the fun," Mona said, her eyes sparkling. "Nieva's marketplace is like its own little world. You never know what – or who – you'll run into."
Ren was about to respond when he felt a tug at his sleeve. He turned to see a young boy, no older than seven, holding out a small basket of carved wooden animals.
"Would you like to buy one, sir? Just a silver coin each."
Ren crouched slightly to get a better look at the figurines. Each one was intricately carved, their details surprisingly lifelike for something so small.
Before he could respond, Mona knelt down beside him, picking up a tiny wolf figure.
"These are really well made," she said, handing the boy a coin without hesitation.
"Thank you, ma'am!"
The boy beamed and hurried off, his basket swinging at his side. Ren watched him go, then glanced at Mona.
"I was going to buy that, you know."
"First come first serve," she said, standing and tucking the figurine into her bag. "But it's nice to do something kind every once in a while."
"About the tournament..." he said instead. "It's a big opportunity, but… I feel like there's a lot riding on it."
Mona nodded, her expression softening.
"That's because there is. But don't let it get to you. You've got the skill, and you've got your beast. Trust yourself, and you'll be fine."
Her confidence was infectious, and Ren felt a bit of the tension in his chest ease.
"Thanks..."
"Anytime. Now, come on. I saw a stall selling roasted boar skewers, and I'm starving. My treat."
Ren followed Mona toward the food stall, their conversation drifting between the sights and the upcoming festival. The roasted boar skewers were every bit as flavorful as Mona had promised, and Ren found himself relaxing more with each bite.
As they finished, Mona gestured toward a towering structure visible above the roofs of the marketplace – the Colosseum. Its massive stone arches loomed over the city, a testament to Nieva's grandeur.
"Hey Ren, how about we head there next? I can give you a little preview of the Colosseum before the tournament starts."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"You've got a connection or something?"
She smirked, tossing the last bit of her skewer into a nearby bin.
"You could say that. My brother's a journalist, and he's been covering the festival for years. He's lazy as anything, but he's got access to parts of the Colosseum most people don't. I'm sure he'd be happy to show us around – well, after I bribe him."
"A journalist, huh? I didn't know you had siblings."
"Just one." Mona replied with a shrug. "He's older than me, but you'd never guess it from how much he complains. Anyway, what do you say? It'll save you from wandering around the city aimlessly."
Ren considered it for a moment. The Colosseum was going to be the heart of the tournament, and getting a closer look wouldn't hurt. Plus, meeting Mona's brother sounded like an interesting detour.
"Alright, lead the way."
Mona grinned, clearly pleased.
"You won't regret it. Come on, it's this way."
As they made their way through the crowded streets, Ren couldn't help but notice the energy in the air. The festival was only just beginning, but the excitement was already palpable. Performers gathered in small circles, drawing cheers from onlookers, and merchants hawked everything from exotic beasts to strange, magical artifacts.
When they finally reached the Colosseum, its sheer size took Ren's breath away. Up close, the stone walls seemed even more imposing, carved with intricate patterns depicting famous battles and legendary beasts.
Mona led him to a side entrance, where a bored-looking guard waved them through after a brief exchange. Inside, the halls were surprisingly quiet, the distant murmur of preparations echoing through the stone corridors.
They found Mona's brother lounging on a wooden bench near one of the observation decks. He was a lanky man in his early twenties, with disheveled hair and ink stains on his fingers. A half-eaten meat pie rested precariously on his lap.
"Mona," he drawled without looking up from his notepad. "What do you want now?"
"Nice to see you too, Cyrus. I've got a friend here who's competing in the tournament. Thought you might be able to give him a tour."
"Why won't you do that?"
Cyrus is still staring at his notepad. He seems to be writing something and doesn't want to be disturbed.
"Sir, nice to meet you! I'm Ren."
Cyrus finally glanced up, his gaze landing on Ren. He raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know Mona had formal friends. Maybe too formal."
Cyrus sighed, folding his notepad closed with a faint sigh of exaggerated exasperation.
"Alright, what exactly do you need from me? An autograph? A front-page feature?"
"Actually," Mona interrupted, crossing her arms. "I thought you might actually do something useful for once and help Ren figure out where he's supposed to be for the tournament. You know, those fancy papers you journalists are always scribbling on might actually help him."
Cyrus tilted his head, feigning thought.
"Hmm. Sounds like a lot of work. But..." He lazily pushed himself off the bench, brushing crumbs from his lap. "I suppose I could point you in the right direction. Consider it an act of charity."
Ren glanced at Mona, unsure whether to laugh or feel insulted. She just rolled her eyes.
"Ignore him," she said with a grin. "He's always like this."
Cyrus gestured for them to follow, leading them down a corridor lined with banners bearing the Kingdom of Nieva's sigil. The faint hum of activity grew louder as they walked, the halls coming alive with the buzz of tournament preparations.
Cyrus stopped in front of a tall wooden counter where a clerk sat shuffling through stacks of parchment. The clerk looked up, adjusting her glasses as she spotted the trio.
"Name?" she asked briskly.
"Ren, Ren from Ashvale."
The clerk flipped through a thick ledger, her finger trailing across the lines of names.
"Ah, here you are. Ren of Ashvale. You'll need to sign here to confirm your placement in the bracket."
She slid a piece of parchment across the counter, along with an ink pen.
Ren scanned the document quickly. It was a formal agreement to abide by the tournament's rules, with a section at the bottom indicating his assigned block. He dipped the pen in the ink and signed his name, his heart thudding in his chest as the reality of his participation settled in.
"Block C," the clerk said, jotting something down in her own records. "You'll start in the east arena. Challenges will begin in thirty minutes."
"Block C, huh?" Cyrus mused, leaning against the counter. "Not the worst spot. You'll get a good crowd there, and the eastern arena's got the best acoustics."