The sun flared high above the Colosseum, casting long shadows over the arena as the next match was announced.
"Stepping onto the field — Arvellen's Radiant Spear, Zenya Lune!"
A roar of approval echoed across the stone stands. Zenya moved gracefully across the battlefield, long silver hair catching the sunlight. Her golden cloak shimmered like molten metal as she took her stance. Calm. Controlled. Focused.
"Facing her, from the wild and fierce Draxil — Kaelis Rourne!"
Kaelis entered with a different energy. Sharp, untamed. His crimson coat billowed as he walked, the crowd watching the gleam of iron gauntlets strapped to his fists. His face was scarred, jawline clenched with intensity.
From Velmora's corner, Zarek whistled. "This is gonna be a fireworks show."
"Kaelis has a reputation," Jaxon said, narrowing his eyes. "Brutal and relentless. But Zenya's not just flashy. She's calculated."
The horn blew.
Kaelis rushed in first, fists already alight with dark flame. Zenya stepped back, calmly raising her hand.
A beam of pure light surged from her fingers, forcing Kaelis to veer off with a curse. He rolled, absorbed the momentum, and charged again.
His right punch came like a hammer. Zenya blocked with a radiant shield of sunlight.
The shockwave cracked the earth beneath them.
Kaelis smirked, pulling back to launch a flurry of attacks. Fire burst from his fists and feet. Zenya ducked, rolled, and summoned a ring of sunlight beneath her. She launched herself into the air, golden wings of energy flaring out from her back.
She raised her hands to the sky.
"Solar Flare."
A beam rained down. Blinding. Beautiful.
Kaelis raised his arms to block, gritting his teeth as the beam scorched across the field. He slid back several meters, boots carving into the dirt.
Kenneth leaned forward. "She's using full control of the battlefield. Forcing him to react."
Cassian nodded slowly. "Every move's a setup."
Kaelis spat blood and slammed his gauntlets together, drawing power from the ground itself. Black flames surged around him.
"Enough games!"
He leapt with terrifying speed, landing a heavy blow that shattered Zenya's shield and knocked her out of the sky. She hit the ground and rolled.
But she was already rising.
Her cloak rippled with solar energy. Her eyes gleamed brighter.
"Sunrise Bloom."
Golden chains of light erupted from her palms, lashing around Kaelis. He struggled, screamed, the flames from his body clashing with the radiant bindings.
"You burn wild," Zenya whispered, approaching. "But light guided by purpose burns brighter."
She raised her palm.
One final burst of concentrated sunlight blasted him in the chest, sending him crashing into the arena wall. His gauntlets shattered. Smoke rose from his body.
The silence was absolute.
Then came the roar.
"Winner: Zenya Lune of Arvellen!"
Even among Velmora's team, nods of approval were shared.
"She earned that one," Jaxon admitted.
Zarek grinned. "Alright, Arvellen has some teeth."
Kenneth, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes. Something felt… off.
Far from the arena, on a quiet path near the vendors outside the Colosseum, Kiro Vant stretched lazily, chewing on a skewer of grilled meat.
"Mmm, finally something edible," he muttered. "Don't know how they expect us to fight without fuel."
He strolled toward a shaded alleyway.
Then froze.
The shadows shifted. And from them, they emerged.
Figures in dark, noble garb. Eyes red as blood.
The Firstborn Prince stepped forward, smirking. "Kiro Vant, wasn't it? Such a shame. Wrong place, wrong time."
Kiro blinked. "Wait, who—"
Too late. A blur. A hand around his throat. He slammed into the wall, the skewer clattering to the ground.
The Prince whispered ancient words. Dark runes coiled through the air like serpents.
Kiro's body seized, eyes wide. His image flickered.
Then it happened.
The Prince's form twisted, bones reshaping, skin transforming. His face molded into Kiro's. His voice, his scent, everything.
The real Kiro gasped, too weak to scream.
"A perfect imitation," the Prince said in Kiro's voice, examining his hands. "Now, I think I'll enjoy being you."
He turned, tossing the dazed Kiro backward.
The vampires caught him with ease. One licked his lips.
"Finally, a real meal."
They descended.
Kiro's screams echoed only briefly before being snuffed out.
The Prince adjusted his stolen jacket and smiled. "Let the games begin."
He vanished into the shadows, walking straight toward the arena.
Back in the Colosseum, Kenneth shifted uncomfortably. A strange chill passed through him.
Malrik's words returned. Trust your instincts. The darkness is never far.
Kenneth clenched his fists. He had no idea how true those words were about to become.