The roar of the crowd was deafening, waves of sound rolling through the grand arena as anticipation mounted for what was set to be the most dazzling match of the day. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the field, while banners bearing the crests of the royal family fluttered in the breeze. For Prince Alexius, each of those banners felt like a silent judge, watching, waiting, daring him to falter.
The arena official strode to the center of the field, his robes billowing dramatically in the wind, his voice amplified by a gleaming crystal held aloft.
"By royal decree," he began, his tone carrying the weight of a proclamation that would be etched into the annals of history, "the tournament of succession now enters its penultimate stage. Prince Aldric, by virtue of his unparalleled mastery and dominance, shall advance directly to the final match!"
The crowd roared in approval, chanting Aldric's name with fervor. The eldest prince, standing at the royal balcony, dipped his head slightly, acknowledging the adoration with the grace of someone who believed it was his birthright.
The official raised his hand for silence. "To determine who shall face him in this final battle, the youngest contender, Prince Alexius, will now face the unmatched might of Princess Selene in a duel of fire and steel!"
Alexius's pulse quickened. His body, battered from his bout with Tobias earlier that day, protested with every small movement. Across the field, Selene inclined her head gracefully, her enchanted staff catching the light as she stepped forward. The faint hum of magic radiated from her, an aura of undeniable power.
As Alexius made his way down to his starting position, his path brought him near Aldric. The eldest prince leaned casually against a stone pillar, his gleaming armor polished to perfection. He regarded Alexius with the faintest hint of amusement, his eyes cold as steel.
"Little brother," Aldric said, his voice low enough to be private but sharp enough to cut. "A commendable effort so far, truly. You've stumbled your way further than anyone expected. But don't delude yourself."
Alexius paused, his grip tightening on his twin swords. "I don't plan to stumble," he said evenly. "Not against Selene, and not against you."
Aldric smirked, pushing off the pillar to stand at his full, imposing height. "Bold words. But words won't save you. Even if you manage to scrape by against her, you'll find nothing but ruin waiting for you in the final."
Alexius held his gaze, the tension between them palpable. Without another word, he turned and continued toward the arena floor, Aldric's laughter following him like a shadow.
In the corner of the arena, Garret knelt beside Alexius, wrapping a fresh bandage around his shoulder. "You're pushing yourself too hard," he muttered, his concern barely veiled.
Kael stood nearby, his arms crossed. "But he's pushing in the right direction. He's got this."
Alexius managed a small smile, though the ache in his shoulder was a harsh reminder of the battle to come. "If I don't keep moving forward, everything I've done will mean nothing."
He turned his focus to Selene, who stood at the opposite end of the field, her staff held loosely but radiating latent power. She seemed calm, unshaken by the mounting pressure of the tournament. Alexius couldn't afford to underestimate her—not with the stakes this high.
The arena fell silent as the official raised his arm. Time seemed to stretch as the crowd collectively held its breath. Then, with a swift motion, the official dropped his hand.
"Begin!"
Selene moved first, raising her staff with fluid grace. A wave of fire erupted from the ground, roaring toward Alexius with a ferocity that sent a ripple of heat through the air. Alexius darted to the side, his smaller frame allowing him to narrowly evade the flames. He pressed forward, his twin swords glinting in the light as he prepared to close the distance.
But Selene was ready. With a flick of her wrist, an invisible barrier shimmered to life around her. Alexius's blades struck it with a crackling sound, sparks flying as the barrier absorbed the impact.
"You'll have to do better than that," Selene said, her tone light but edged with challenge. With another motion, she summoned a blast of wind that sent Alexius skidding backward, struggling to keep his footing.
Alexius steadied himself, his mind racing. Selene's spells were precise and unrelenting, and her barrier made a direct approach nearly impossible. He needed a new strategy.
He began to feint, testing her responses. A quick lunge here, a sidestep there—each movement was designed to draw out her next spell. Selene responded with precision, summoning a flurry of icicles that rained down from above. Alexius dodged, his agility saving him as shards of ice shattered around him.
In a daring move, he hurled one of his swords toward her, aiming for the edge of her barrier. The blade struck true, disrupting the shimmering field for a split second. It was all he needed. Alexius surged forward, his remaining sword slicing through the air and catching Selene's arm in a glancing blow.
The crowd erupted in surprise, the underdog drawing first blood against the undefeated mage.
Selene's eyes narrowed, her calm composure cracking. She slammed her staff into the ground, and the arena trembled as shockwaves rippled outward. The terrain shifted, jagged rocks jutting upward as the ground cracked beneath Alexius's feet.
Dark clouds swirled overhead, lightning crackling ominously. Selene raised her staff, her voice ringing out as she chanted an incantation. A massive orb of swirling fire and ice began to form above her, its raw power palpable.
The orb hurtled toward Alexius, a force of nature intent on obliterating everything in its path. He didn't hesitate. Sprinting forward, he used the unstable terrain to his advantage, leaping from one jagged rock to another. At the last second, he dove under the orb, the heat scorching the air as it passed overhead.
Rising to his feet, Alexius closed the distance, his twin swords flashing as he shattered Selene's barrier with a powerful strike. Before she could react, one sword was at her throat, the other poised to disarm her.
"Yield," he commanded, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
For a moment, Selene hesitated, her chest heaving from the effort of her spells. Then, with a small, resigned nod, she lowered her staff. The crowd exploded in applause, the noise reverberating through the arena.
As Alexius walked off the field, his body aching but his spirit alight with victory, he glanced toward the royal balcony. King Lucian's expression was unreadable, but there was a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Aldric, watching from the shadows, smirked. "Enjoy your triumph, little brother. Later Tonight, I'll remind you of your place."
Alexius ignored him, his focus already shifting to the final battle. He had defied the odds once again, but the true test was yet to come.