The night before the grand final, within the serene halls of the Sacred Dragon Palace, the young prodigy Ethan sat in conversation with his companion Locke.
"Ethan," Locke said, his voice filled with curiosity. "Tomorrow, you're facing Nathan, right?"
Ethan nodded, his expression calm yet determined. "Yes. It's been five years since our last duel. I've heard he's reached the peak of the Eighth Tier. It'll be an exciting match."
Locke hesitated before asking, "Ethan, why does that boy Nathan has with him—Noah—look so much like me?"
A shadow of unease crossed Ethan's face. "There are things you don't need to know yet, Locke. Just focus on enjoying your days. In time, everything will become clear."
Locke lowered his gaze, pondering Ethan's cryptic words. Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Rising, Ethan opened it to reveal a young woman with a lively smile.
"Lina," Ethan said, surprised to see her. Lina, his betrothed, stood before him, her energy as infectious as ever.
"What? Not happy to see me?" Lina teased, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
"Of course not. What brings you here?" Ethan asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Who said I'm here for you?" she quipped, stepping aside to reveal a young boy hiding behind her. "I'm here for Locke. Look, I even brought Noah along."
Ethan's smile faltered, though he quickly recovered. "I see," he said, stepping back to let Locke know. "Lina's here for you, Locke."
Locke's face lit up, and he bounded toward her. Lina took his hand with one of hers while holding Noah's with the other. "These two are my responsibility now," she said, playfully wagging her finger at Ethan. "You should rest up for tomorrow. Nathan's no pushover."
Ethan nodded solemnly. "He's a formidable opponent, one I've long prepared for."
"Good. Now, I'll leave you to it." She turned, her laughter echoing as she led the boys away, tossing a playful glance over her shoulder.
Lina strolled through the palace gardens with Locke and Noah, their laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves.
"Lina," Locke asked as they passed a stone fountain, "Who do you think will win tomorrow?"
Before Lina could answer, Noah jumped in. "Nathan will win, of course! His blade skills are unmatched!"
Lina chuckled. "Don't be so sure. Both Ethan and Nathan were trained by Master Phantom. They're equally brilliant, and their progress has been astounding. Ethan mastered Phantom's signature swordsmanship, while Nathan's Absolute Blade Art is a force to be reckoned with. Even Master Phantom once admitted he might struggle against it."
The boys exchanged wide-eyed glances, marveling at their elders' prowess. In the Four Realms, warriors honed their bodies and cultivated internal energy, or Qi, to grow stronger. The realms of cultivation were divided into Sealed, True, and Sovereign Domains, each with nine stages. Only a handful ever reached the Sovereign Domain, and the top three Sovereign warriors were said to rival entire clans in power.
"So, who will win?" the boys asked in unison.
Lina smiled enigmatically. "We'll just have to wait and see. They're both in the Second Stage of the Sovereign Domain, and with their unique techniques, the outcome is impossible to predict."
Noah tilted his head, then asked suddenly, "Lina, who do you like more, Ethan or Nathan?"
Caught off guard, Lina blushed. "Why are you asking that?"
"Because they both like you," Noah said matter-of-factly.
"You're too nosy!" Lina chided, lightly tapping his head. "Both of them are special to me. They've always been kind, and the time we spent training together under Master Phantom was the happiest of my life. I couldn't possibly choose between them, and I doubt they'd want to hurt each other over me."
Noah pouted, rubbing his head, while Locke laughed. They continued exploring the gardens, their curiosity piqued by an unusual cave entrance.
"What's this?" Noah asked, peering into the darkness.
Locke shook his head. "I've never seen it before."
"There's something inside," Lina observed. Before she could stop him, Noah reached in, yelping as he withdrew his hand, now bleeding.
The cave glowed, etching a mysterious symbol onto the ground. The earth trembled, and a hidden door opened beneath their feet.
Lina quickly healed Noah's wound with a soft glow of Qi. "It's just basic healing," she explained when Noah stared in awe. "Master Phantom's wife taught me. I often treated Ethan and Nathan after their sparring sessions." Her expression softened as she reminisced. "Those were good times."
"What is this place?" Locke asked, pointing at the door.
"A hidden chamber," Lina mused. "But I've never heard Ethan mention it."
"Let's explore!" Noah said excitedly. Despite some hesitation, Lina led the boys inside. As they descended, Noah's family crest glowed faintly, intensifying as they moved deeper. The door slammed shut behind them, startling the boys.
"Don't worry," Lina reassured them. "I'll protect you."
In the depths, they found a colossal humanoid creature chained to the walls. Its body bore massive scars, and its back was pierced by two enormous hooks. A dark egg emerged from the creature's mouth, encased in a glowing aura. To Lina's astonishment, Noah's crest pulsed in response, and a shadowy dragon spiraled out, wrapping itself around the egg before retreating into Locke's chest, leaving behind a glowing dragon mark.
The next day, the tournament grounds buzzed with anticipation. On the stage, Ethan stood with his sword raised, pointing it at Nathan. The crowd held its breath, waiting for Nathan's response. Finally, Nathan spoke, his voice steady.
"Take care of her, Ethan. Don't let her shed tears. Be the man she deserves."