The sun shone across the entire kingdom.
The streets were alive.
Open restaurants released the smell of freshly baked bread.
Shops lifted their wooden doors.
Street vendors crossed the crowds announcing fruits, fabrics, and tournament souvenirs.
The whole city breathed anticipation.
Day 10 had finally arrived.
Around the Blue Arena, horse-drawn wagons crossed the main gates, carrying equipment, food, and participants.
Wooden signs were nailed around the colossal structure:
"Early access allowed only for staff and official participants."
Armed guards watched every entrance and exit with absolute attention.
Nothing went unnoticed.
Inside the arena, hidden among crates and supplies, Kevin and Luis sat inside one of the wagons.
Both ate simple bread and drank grape juice like ordinary workers.
Kevin held a small crystalline stone that illuminated the dark interior with a pulsing greenish light.
He brought the stone closer to his face.
— Good morning, uncle… everything alright over there?
The stone shone brighter.
A voice answered.
— Everything's fine here, nephew. What's new on your side?
Kevin rested his elbow on his knee.
— A few unexpected things happened… but they're already resolved. We're inside the arena now, waiting for everything to start.
On the other side, Richard replied:
— Nice. We've already defeated two kings who supported our kingdom's ruler. Now we're going after the last one I know.
Kevin slightly frowned.
— Good to know… no information about that is circulating here. I don't know if everyone's just focused on the tournament… or if the high command doesn't want the population to know anything.
— Probably both — Richard answered.
— Remember the objective: capture the messenger and extract information. Our true target is still the Masked One.
Kevin nodded.
— Everything will work out. My cousin's here with me.
The stone glowed again.
— Can you hear me, Luis?
Luis stopped chewing for a moment and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
— I'm here, Dad.
A brief silence followed.
Richard's voice came back softer.
— Son… I want to wish you a happy birthday. I can't wait to return and celebrate with you… to give you your present.
Luis smiled faintly, though his eyes revealed something deeper.
— The greatest gift I received was having you back, Dad… come home as soon as you can.
From the other side, Richard answered:
— Your birthday will become the day that marks a new beginning for our kingdom.
Luis took a deep breath.
— Definitely.
The stone's light slowly faded.
The communication ended.
For a few seconds, only the distant sounds of the arena being prepared echoed around them.
Hammers striking.
Gates being raised.
Organizing shouts.
Kevin looked up toward the arena ceiling.
— Today changes everything.
Luis finished his drink and tossed the empty cup into a box.
— Or everything ends.
They fell silent.
Outside…
The first competitors began arriving.
---
Luis and Kevin stepped down from the wagon and walked through the interior of the arena.
The underground storage area was filled with dense darkness, almost alive. No natural light reached that place.
Even so, two lights cut through the gloom.
Luis's eyes shone with intense blue light.
Kevin's eyes glowed emerald green.
— The darkness down here is massive… — Luis commented.
Kevin walked calmly.
— I summoned several of my creatures to surround the arena. If anything happens… we'll know.
Luis nodded.
— Then we stay down here until the tournament begins and the audience enters. I don't want unnecessary fights.
Kevin slowly raised his hand.
A small concentration of green aura formed in his palm.
— I'll open a dimensional rift for Alexys to return… — he murmured. — But where should I open it?
— At the kingdom's border — Luis replied without hesitation. — Let him walk here.
Kevin closed his eyes.
The green energy pulsed once.
Silence.
Luis looked at him.
— Done?
Kevin opened his eyes.
— Alexys arrived.
At that exact moment—
Thunder tore through the sky.
Then another.
And another.
Six thunderclaps per minute echoed over the kingdom.
Rain began falling heavily, violently, as if the world itself had been holding its breath until that moment.
The sound of raindrops striking the arena roof reached them.
Luis crossed his arms.
— Well… now all that's left is to wait… and hope everyone is alright.
---
Elsewhere in the city.
Inside a simple house lit by oil lamps, several familiar faces gathered.
Ryane, Luna, Kira, Maria, Augusto, Sebastian, Julian, Adrian… and the two children.
Everyone sat around a round table.
Only the children seemed untouched by the tension.
Ryane leaned forward.
— No information from Kevin or Luis?
Kira shook her head.
— No. But we can't stop. Today is the day.
Luna tried to ease the mood.
— What could go wrong, guys? It's just a tournament.
Adrian slammed his fist onto the table.
The sound echoed through the room.
Everyone looked at him.
— Everything can go wrong.
He took a deep breath.
— I know Luis… and all of you are strong. But you're few. In recent days, the kingdom hired powerful warriors from several regions.
He drank water.
— At the time I didn't understand why… but after they tried to kill me and removed me from office… it became clear.
His gaze darkened.
— They're preparing a war.
Augusto frowned.
— A war against who?
Adrian answered immediately:
— Against anyone who opposes the Masked One.
Silence filled the table.
— Among those hired — Adrian continued — there are individuals capable of destroying entire continents.
Augusto crossed his arms.
— Following that logic… it's a continental threat. Even so… I think Luis wins. He's the First Sentinel.
Luna looked out the window.
— The tournament starts at thirteen hundred… let's hope Alexys is ready.
Ryane watched the rain.
— With this sudden storm… I'd say he already arrived.
Julian rested his elbow on the table.
— Maybe the real problem isn't the tournament… but what comes after it.
Sebastian agreed.
— We need to be ready for anything. The city's monster levels have drastically decreased.
He narrowed his eyes.
— That's never a good sign.
Lightning illuminated the wet streets.
The city breathed tension.
---
At the Royal Palace.
The Masked One watched the rain through an enormous window.
Seated in a wheelchair.
Motionless.
Juan appeared behind him.
— Your illness is only getting worse, my friend.
The Masked One released a weak laugh.
— My legs no longer work… soon even my voice won't.
A violent cough interrupted him.
He brought a hand to his mouth.
Blood slipped through his fingers.
Fragments of flesh fell onto the marble floor.
Even so…
he smiled.
---
Kingdom Border.
The storm punished the streets.
Residents hid inside their homes.
No one dared remain outside.
Except one man.
Tall.
Strong build.
Dark clothes torn and worn from battle.
His eyes carried pure determination.
People watched through windows as he walked beneath the heavy rain.
He lifted his face toward the sky.
Thunder answered.
The man began to laugh.
— The rain only announces to the world… that I have arrived.
---
Lightning illuminated the sky.
The Celestial Arena was completely packed.
The stands vibrated with thousands of people talking, laughing, and pointing toward the field below. Children balanced sweets in their hands, vendors crossed corridors shouting offers of hot popcorn, caramelized fruit, and cold drinks.
The enormous main gates continued opening, allowing a constant flow of spectators.
At the highest point, the king observed everything from his improvised golden throne. Royal guards and General Arlok stood beside him, motionless like statues of war.
Above the arena, a gigantic crystalline dome shimmered, repelling the violent rain outside. Drops ran across its surface like silver rivers.
Inside the announcer's booth, the commentator leaned forward.
His voice echoed across the arena.
— Welcome, everyone, to this grand event!
— Here, warriors from every region of the kingdom gather to earn their official place in the royal army!
Applause and whistles erupted.
— As you can see, this arena was built as a replica of our city streets! Fifty participants will fight… and only ten will qualify!
The crowd roared louder.
A green blur crossed the field.
A greenish dog ran at extreme speed between the arena structures, knocking down props and raising dust.
Behind it ran a well-dressed man clutching a backpack.
People pointed.
— Hey! Is that part of the show?!
— That wasn't scheduled!
— Where are the guards?!
The murmur turned into unrest.
Suddenly—
Kevin fell from the sky.
His impact cracked the arena floor, releasing a wave of wind that made banners flutter and spectators recoil.
For one full second…
Absolute silence.
Then chaos exploded.
— WHAT WAS THAT?!
— He jumped from up there?! That's like fifty meters!
— Is he a participant?!
— SOMEONE'S ATTACKING?!
Children cried. People stood. Guards drew weapons.
The commentator swallowed hard.
— I-It seems we're experiencing… technical difficulties! Guards will handle the situation! Please remain calm!
No one remained calm.
Chaos grew.
Kevin slowly stood at the center of the field.
His green eyes glowed intensely.
The green dog stopped beside him, growling.
The elegant man stopped running.
They faced each other.
The air itself seemed to bend.
Kevin spoke first:
— You must be the messenger.
The man smirked.
— I'm not just any messenger. My lord knew you would intercept me… even if I'm a ninja.
He took a combat stance.
— That's why I came prepared to fight.
Kevin stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
— Let's go.
The crowd entered frenzy.
Some believed it was part of the tournament.
Others tried to flee.
Guards ran everywhere.
Rain struck the crystal dome like thousands of invisible needles.
The arena field became an empty world around them.
No one intervened.
This was no longer a show.
It was an execution waiting to happen.
The messenger slowly rotated his neck.
— Come. Attack.
Kevin said nothing.
Only observed.
Analyzing.
Calculating.
Memorizing.
The man smiled.
— Interesting… you won't attack first.
Kevin answered:
— Whoever attacks first reveals too much information.
Silence.
Wind crossed the field.
Then—
The messenger vanished.
Not running.
Not jumping.
Simply gone.
Instinct.
Kevin tilted his body.
A blade passed centimeters from his neck.
A metallic sound echoed as an instant wall of green aura formed.
The ground exploded beneath them.
They separated.
No wounds.
No advantage.
The audience saw only impact.
The commentator trembled.
— T-They already started fighting?!
The messenger laughed softly.
— You see well.
Kevin replied:
— You hide killing intent well.
The man tilted his head.
— Then let's raise the difficulty.
He formed a hand seal.
Fog was born.
Dense.
Heavy.
In seconds, the entire arena vanished inside a white ocean.
Screams rose from the stands.
— We can't see anything!
— What happened?!
Inside the fog…
Only breathing.
Kevin closed his eyes.
Green aura spread along the ground like invisible roots.
Feeling vibrations.
Air pressure.
Energy flow.
There.
He turned and struck.
His fist crossed the fog—
Empty.
Behind him:
— Missed.
The blade descended.
Kevin turned at the last instant.
The cut tore his clothes and opened a light wound on his shoulder.
Blood fell.
The messenger smiled.
— Finally.
Kevin looked at the blood.
His eyes changed.
The air grew heavy.
The fog trembled.
Red walls began forming slowly around them.
Like giant ribs closing a living cage.
The audience saw flashes of red.
— WHAT IS THAT?!
— A BARRIER?!
Kevin lifted his gaze.
Now there was killing intent.
— You just made a mistake.
The messenger tightened his sword.
— Which one?
Kevin stepped forward.
The ground cracked.
— Injuring me.
Silence.
Then—
Both disappeared simultaneously.
Explosions echoed inside the fog.
Impacts.
Shockwaves.
The dome trembled violently.
They weren't fighting to impress.
They were fighting to survive.
Every strike was calculation.
The messenger thought:
He's learning my patterns…
Kevin thought:
He still hasn't revealed his real technique…
Both smiled.
The messenger unleashed brutal punches.
All stopped midair.
A thin green barrier blocked everything.
Kevin stepped back.
Green fire fell from the sky.
Living flames consumed the field.
The man jumped trying to escape—
And hit a green wall sealing the space.
Trapped.
Only the two of them.
The messenger laughed, breathless.
— My lord was right…
…I can't kill you.
The fire reached his body.
Clothes burned away.
Creatures emerged from Kevin's aura.
Green dogs charged.
The crowd exploded.
— FINISH HIM!!
— THIS IS THE REAL SHOW!
— HE'S A MONSTER!
— MORE! MORE!!
Guards trembled at the entrance.
No one dared enter.
In the royal area—
The king watched, irritated.
— That's Kevin Dinark? I thought he was dead.
General Arlok replied:
— Don't be foolish. The master said he would return.
And if Kevin is here… Luis is too.
The king narrowed his eyes.
— Give the signal.
Arlok raised his hand.
Inside the red prison, the messenger saw the gesture.
Even wounded.
Even bleeding.
He smiled.
— Let's finish this now.
Kevin advanced.
A sword forged from green aura appeared in his hand.
Ready to finish it.
The man watched him approach.
Then dropped a small sphere.
Explosion.
Air collapsed.
Kevin and the messenger were instantly pulled away.
Dust vanished.
Only the red walls remained.
Empty.
Silence.
The entire arena froze.
— Who died…?
— Did someone win?!
— Did they evaporate?!
Chaos returned.
The commentator spoke nervously:
— T-This fight was not part of the schedule! Guards will inspect the field and the tournament will continue normally!
Adrenaline faded.
Heavy breathing.
Confused conversations.
— Now… explaining the tournament rules!
— Forty participants will fight inside the city replica. Only five will win!
— The objective is to eliminate the greatest number of opponents within twenty-two hours!
The crowd cheered again.
---
The crystal dome shattered.
Rain invaded the arena.
Kevin fell from the sky.
Wet.
Shoulder wounded.
Behind him, carried by the arm—the unconscious messenger.
Glass and water rained down.
Before touching the ground—
A dimensional rift opened.
Both disappeared.
The crowd erupted.
— HE BROKE THE DOME?!
— WHO IS THAT GUY?!
— THAT WASN'T EVEN OFFICIAL!
— IMAGINE THE TOURNAMENT!!
The rift closed.
Rain continued falling.
Everything looked normal again.
But no one forgot.
Guards exchanged uneasy looks.
— Who… is that man?
Another swallowed.
— Too much aura… for a single body.
They left the field.
The commentator smiled again.
— Ladies and gentlemen… welcome the Sentinels of the Kingdom!
Ryane, Luna, Kira, and Maria entered, waving.
The arena roared.
Behind them came Sebastian… and Julian.
Now all attention belonged to them.
Applause never stopped.
---
In the dark attic of the arena…
A dimensional rift opened silently.
Kevin stepped out, dragging the messenger.
Luis was already waiting.
— I think you could've captured this guy without making such a spectacle.
Kevin sighed.
— Sorry…
…I wanted to show off a little.
He dropped the man onto the floor.
Luis crossed his arms.
— Let's wait for him to wake up.
We need answers.
The rift closed.