The morning after Aetheron's moment of reflection came far too quickly. The sun rose, casting golden rays over the town of Erindale, yet the brightness felt distant, as though the day was out of reach. Even with the warmth of the sun on his face, Aetheron could not shake the cold grip of anticipation that had tightened around his chest.
The tournament had been a topic of whispered excitement since the day it was announced. But now, it was everywhere—the posters, the open air markets filled with merchants selling combat gear, and even the town's nobility, all eager to witness the spectacle. News spread faster than wildfire, and soon the people from every corner of the kingdom would converge upon Erindale's outskirts to witness the battles of the strongest. Those who entered would fight for their place in history.
But Aetheron wasn't interested in being remembered. He wasn't interested in the power or the riches or the fame. No, what called to him was something deeper—something that could not be ignored.
The tournament wasn't just a test of strength. It was an opportunity.
It would draw out those with abilities. Those who hid in plain sight, just like him. It was the perfect stage to reveal the truth, to confront what he had kept hidden for so long.
He stood before the mirror in his small room at the inn, running a hand through his dark hair. His face appeared calm, almost indifferent, but deep inside, a storm raged. The time to act had arrived. His future, the future of everything he had been hiding, would be shaped here.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and without waiting for a response, the door creaked open. A woman stepped into the room, her sharp eyes scanning him from head to toe.
Her name was Aria, and she was the closest thing Aetheron had to a friend—though "friend" was a term he didn't use lightly. Aria was a warrior, a fighter who had been living in the shadows as long as he had, a traveler from the eastern lands who'd come to Erindale in search of something—or someone. They had crossed paths many times before, often in the dark alleys of the town, but their connection had always been one of necessity rather than friendship. But over the years, they had formed a bond based on mutual respect, both of them understanding the cost of keeping secrets.
"Are you ready for the tournament?" she asked, her voice steady, though there was a hint of curiosity in her gaze.
Aetheron nodded slowly, turning to face her fully.
"Ready? I'm not sure anyone can truly be ready for something like this," he replied, his voice almost a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.
"You don't look ready," Aria remarked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. Her eyes narrowed. "You're hiding something, Aetheron. I can see it in your eyes. Don't think you can walk into that arena without being noticed. People like you—they're always noticed."
Her words stung, but he didn't flinch. He had learned to mask his emotions long ago. Still, she wasn't wrong. The arena would be a different world. It would test everything—the skills, the strength, the stamina of every combatant. And with his power, his hidden Devourer ability, he would need to control it more than ever before.
"I've been hiding all my life, Aria," he said softly, eyes darkening as he spoke. "It's time I stopped running."
Her eyes softened, but she didn't push him further. Instead, she stepped into the room, drawing a small scroll from her satchel. "I didn't come here to lecture you, but to offer you a way in. The tournament organizers are still taking entries, but the gatekeepers are tough. I've made some... arrangements."
Aetheron raised an eyebrow. He knew her well enough to recognize that the "arrangements" weren't entirely above board.
"Why would you help me?" he asked, his voice cold with suspicion.
Aria smiled faintly, the edges of her mouth curving up in a way that made her seem both mysterious and dangerous. "Because, Aetheron, you're not the only one with something to hide. I've seen what you can do. But I also know that power like yours is rare. If you want to survive, you'll need more than just a pretty face and a few tricks up your sleeve."
Aetheron remained silent for a long moment. He didn't trust anyone fully, not even Aria, but there was no denying that she had a point. The tournament wasn't just a test of strength—it was a contest of abilities, of bloodlines and secrets. There was no place for the weak, no room for mistakes. If he wanted to stand a chance, he would have to become something more than what he had ever allowed himself to be.
He took the scroll from her and examined it closely. The invitation was official, embossed with the seal of the Crimson Arena, the most prestigious tournament venue in the land.
"I'll go," Aetheron said, his decision final. "But not for fame. Not for glory. I'm going for something else."
Aria nodded as if she had expected this answer all along. "Good. Because if you're not careful, you'll end up with more than just enemies in that arena. And if you reveal yourself—if you use that power in front of the wrong people—there will be no going back."
"I'm ready for that," he said, his voice firm, even as his heart raced in his chest. "I've been running from this for too long."
She didn't respond, but the look in her eyes was all the answer he needed. She was gone as quickly as she had arrived, disappearing into the street as silently as a shadow.
Aetheron stood in the room for a long time, staring at the invitation in his hands. The Devourer ability, the power he had feared his entire life, would be put to the test. He knew the risks, knew the dangers that awaited him. But he couldn't keep hiding from himself.
It was time to step into the light. To show the world who—what—he truly was.
The tournament was only the beginning. And soon, Aetheron would make his mark, not as a mere contender, but as something far greater.
He would devour them all.