There was no more cheering, as all fell quiet at my accusation. Feng stared at me, before indignantly rejecting my claim. So she couldn't even take responsibility for her own wrongdoings as she stood before her family and her people. I couldn't fight her in my current state, battered and broken, but she was too. This would be a battle of willpower, evidence, and words. Tian and Mei seemed in disbelief, too shocked to speak. How had they not noticed what was going on between their three daughters? Were Feng and Yuxi that good at hiding it, or were the monarchs both simply that ignorant or their own family matters?
I couldn't tell.
"That is a lie!" She yelled back at me, the facade of calm she had always worn crumbling before me. "He is lying! He doesn't even have evidence to back it up!" Inhaling, I watched as her cries died down, allowing me to speak.
"I have evidence. Plenty, in fact. If you all will allow me, I'd like to tell you all a story." Hushed whispers were audible to me due to my passive Kismet, but other than that, silence filled the area, and I was given space to profess my own side of the story.
"Around two years ago, I ended up on a farm on the outskirts of Huagong, which is where I met Hua. She was living as a simple farmer, and told me that, too. However, I noticed various things around her house, including pictures of family. And it occurred to me: why was an eleven year old living alone by herself? Well, the reason is clear to me now. She was driven from her own home out of fear of her own siblings."
Feng continued to glare at me, but I wasn't about to stop there. No, she was going to be condemned for her sins, even if I was punished for it, too. Accusing a member of royalty, even if I was in their favour, was a serious offence. And if they chose not to believe me, I'd likely be placed in jail, or even put to death, depending on how angry I made them. But it was a risk I was willing to take, just so Hua never had to fear them ever again.
"After we left to return here, we were attacked by a man named Jasper. The man was a fire sage, and a very talented one at that. And do you know what he said? He said he had been ordered to bring the princesses Hua's head– on a platter."
"And now, this all culminated here, today. After being unable to kill Hua not once, but twice, the princesses, and their knights, hatched a plot to end Hua's life, whilst playing it off as an accident, so they would not break any rules. And all of this, for what? The crown? So I ask you, people of Huagong. Are these your princesses? Are these two the type of people you really wish to entrust your future to?"
"Arrest that boy!" Feng roared, the guards marching from their positions standing beside each of the large doors to the rooms inside. However, instead of locking me down, they placed their hands on Feng and Yuxi's arms, forcing them to the floor and keeping them there. They would no doubt be punished– later. But that was none of my concern. Tian's face was contorted into a look of anger, but he said nothing, Mei remaining silent and poised, the true face of the royal family.
Due to the fact I was occupied with them, I didn't notice Elowen having struggled to his feet, his wounds mostly healed somehow, making his way over to Liam. The guards turned to them at the same speed I did, but it was already too late. Elowen slammed his hand into the ground, and the entire colosseum was filled with smoke, which clouded my vision and latched onto my throat as I let out a hacking cough, Hua holding my weakened body upright.
Through the smoke, I could hear his voice. Oddly enough, he spoke directly to me. For what reason, I couldn't comprehend.
"You're an interesting guy, Atlas Reyes. I'd like to think that the Master will be incredibly pleased with these developments… We'll meet again, boy, so I'll give you a little clue on where to find us. Adios, suckers!"
The smoke cleared, and the two had disappeared– leaving nothing behind but a small emblem.
–
The sea of people parted and a woman appeared on the ground floor of the stadium in the centre. Simply from looking at her, she exuded an aura of strength. I had far too many questions, far more than I had answers for, but my eyes were on the emblem Elowen had left behind. Using Hua as a crutch, I made my way over and picked up the emblem, staring at it. It was almost completely black, bar the golden eye in the centre, wide open and staring directly into my soul.
"That's the symbol of the New World Order."
The voice from behind me snapped me out of my stupor as I jolted, now strong enough to stand on my own. It was the woman from before. Her eyes were purple, hair a shade of light, wheat blonde. I assumed she was around thirty years of age from her facial features, but I could never be too sure.
"The– what??"
"New World Order. They're a radical cult that's been making themselves known more recently– oh, but don't say anything about that. Official secrets, you know." She said, a small smile on her face. Her words were kind and gentle, but due to the power she held, I couldn't help but feel nervous around her.
"If they've taken an interest in you…" She stroked her chin, "You'd be best off keeping your wits about you. That can't be good."
"Excuse me, but… who were you again?"
"Claire Ambrose, Headmistress of Yggdrasil Academy."
My eyes widened. That was the Academy I planned on attending– but it also made enough sense that she was watching, considering this was a rather large event. But the more pressing matter… Ambrose. Meryll's daughter. Claire. The letter… Throat tightening, I nodded along. It wasn't time for this yet.
"I couldn't help but be fascinated by your battles in the tournament, child. But I also couldn't help but notice it seemed like you were… holding back. Do you know how to utilise more than one element?"
Slowly but surely, I nodded. Nobody else was with me but Hua, and she already knew. It didn't matter if Claire knew– right?
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, since I presume you are keeping it a secret for a good reason. If you don't mind me asking, could you show me?"
Somehow, I was quite quickly dragged back home by my parents, Claire following along silently, Isabella at my heels, talkative as always. Hua had left to attend to family business and greet the crowd– not only was she now the heir to the throne, but she also had to deal with the matter of her siblings– so I was alone. We moved in silence, my mother's arm wrapped around my shoulder.
I would no doubt be getting an earful… later. That was for me to deal with then. I was the me of now. Leading us out to the back garden, my father gave me a pat on the back, before sitting beside my mother on the steps, who held Lucynda and Evelyn.
"Show her what you're made of, son." He said, to which I nodded. I was still fatigued from my use of Chronosphere, but with Isabella transferring soul from her core to mine, I felt a little more invigorated than I had moments before.
–
The fight began and I charged in, fire blazing in my fists. Genesis and Requiem were propped up against the wall of the house, as I didn't wish to use them whilst Claire also remained unarmed.
I was met immediately by… wind– the same affinities as her mother, I presumed. Yet, unlike the wind I had faced fighting against Feng, hers was much more precise, using as much power as possible for the least energy. Three crescent-shaped blades sailed my way at speeds, which I barely managed to block by raising a wall of earth.
Flame spells exploded around me as I was forced to block my vision from the light. How could I counter them with the skills I had? What elements were best? I didn't know. What could I do to win?
The grass grew into vines, which curled around her legs, preventing her from moving. I had no doubt that she was lowering her output to fight me, yet she was still so strong. Was this was all the greats were like? If so, my current self had no chance of winning. Xiao could have ended my life countless times over if he chose, and Claire was likely the same. What did I have to do to stand on their level? How strong did I need to get?
Slamming my leg into the ground, the earth shattered and flew upwards in bits. Claire had summoned multiple miniature cyclones which tore across the garden erratically, in wards I was unable to predict. But that didn't matter. I had lived my life climbing the ranks, facing off against opponents far stronger than I was. But that was life. In order to become stronger, in order to change myself, I couldn't just fight those weaker than me. Yet I came out on top every time, not because I was strong. I wasn't. But because I had a brain.
Rotating the air around my body in the opposite direction of the cyclones, I was able to pass by them with ease without getting hurt. The earth rose up before shattering, creating clouds of dust which were blown around by Claire's cyclones, covering me from view.
Lightning jolted in my fists as I stood behind her. So, this was my limit. But I had done well– I thought, at least, before throwing my punch.
The dust cleared. Claire's hand had wrapped around my fist, the electricity dying out as the battle drew to a close. She seemed pleasantly amused, watching me as I pushed myself into a standing position.
"I am greatly surprised, Atlas. You would do well to join my Academy. With your skill level, you would fit right in."
'Isabella, could you go grab the letter from my room? I'd like to give it to her.' Without looking at my bond, I heard her make her way off, so I continued with the conversation.
"I appreciate the offer, Headmistress. However, despite my strength, I can't help but feel like I would be looked down upon by my peers due to my age. I wouldn't be able to make friends," I explained.
"I've decided I want to go out and see the world," I said quietly, so that only she could hear me. I hadn't told my family, not just yet. "Not yet, I mean. I'd like to spend time with them. But I've been growing at such a rate that simply training at home isn't enough any more. I'd like to go and get some real-world experience of myself. So I have a favour to ask of you."
Her eyebrow raised, a small smirk rising to her face. "Why, that's interesting. Not even the strongest sages dare to strike deals with me, yet here, a twelve year old boy is? Go on."
"Whilst I am gone, I want you to protect and care for my family. Then, when I return at 17, I will attend your Academy."
"Deal."
"Before you leave," I said, noticing Isabella making her way over to me, letter in her mouth, "I have something for you. I was told to give this to you…" Thinking about it for a moment, it probably wasn't best to tell her about Meryll's death. Not here, not now. Not like this. "...by an old woman on the street."
Handing her the letter, I watched her smile at me. "Five years… I do hope they pass quite quickly. I'm excited to see your growth, child." Then, she turned on her heel, and made her way off into the distance.
I would continue to fight, but my spar with Claire had made one thing clear. I wasn't even close to good enough at magic just yet. I was nowhere near standing at the peak. Being able to use more than one element was nothing if I couldn't put the time in to master and learn to use them in tandem. And with the threat, now, of the New World Order knowing who I was and even going so far as to take an interest in me… strength was needed more than ever– especially since I knew nothing of their motives other than the fact they were dangerous.
I wouldn't let my family suffer because of me and my weakness. I was going to hold on tightly to them, just like Meryll had instructed me, never losing sight of what I wanted to protect. And so I'd get stronger, no matter what it took.