Within the reinforced depths of the Colosseum, hidden behind layers of steel walls and ancient barriers designed to restrain monsters capable of leveling entire districts, Vale stood in silence. His gladiator armor gleamed beneath the pale lantern light, every black plate polished until it reflected faint streaks of gold from the torches lining the chamber.
The familiar weight settled comfortably across his shoulders. Unlike the formal suit he had worn at the gala, this armor felt natural. It felt like an extension of himself.
For several moments he simply stood there, staring at the massive raven before him.
Illu stared back.
The creature occupied nearly the entire chamber. Its enormous frame seemed larger than ever, countless onyx feathers shifting softly like living blades beneath the dim light.
Ten unblinking ivory eyes watched him from a monstrous skull while dark tentacles occasionally slipped between the edges of its partially opened beak.
There was nothing restrained about the raven anymore. The oppressive presence that filled the room no longer belonged to a prisoner. It belonged to something waiting to be unleashed.
Vale took a slow breath and activated the communication device attached to his wrist.
A faint crackle echoed through the chamber.
"Korin. Shade. Do you copy?"
Several seconds passed before Korin's voice emerged from the device.
"Loud and clear."
The giant sounded surprisingly calm.
"I've found a suitable target. I'll lure it toward Irea in approximately ten minutes. Once it reaches the outer territory, every available Royal Guard member will be forced to respond."
Vale nodded despite knowing Korin couldn't see him.
"Good. Stay safe."
A brief laugh answered him.
"You too."
The connection shifted.
Vale glanced toward the second indicator.
"Shade. You remember your role?"
Unlike Korin, no voice responded. Instead, words slowly appeared across the screen.
''Yes. I will delay Ares as long as possible.''
Vale's expression softened.
Of every part of the plan, that was the one he disliked most. Even after Shade's recent growth, challenging Ares bordered on insanity. Yet the shadow had volunteered without hesitation, as though the risk carried no meaning.
"Best of luck."
A second response appeared almost immediately.
''You too.''
The connection ended, leaving the chamber quiet once more.
For several moments Vale remained beside Illu. The raven lowered its massive skull and nudged closer. Vale stepped forward, resting a hand against the cold surface of its beak. A deep rumbling sound emerged from the creature's throat, something that wasn't quite a growl and wasn't quite a purr.
"You'll be free after this."
He spoke more softly than intended.
The words carried a surprising amount of weight.
Illu blinked. One of the creature's tentacles gently wrapped around Vale's forearm before retreating beneath its feathers.
Before either could linger on the moment, the heavy chamber door swung open. The metallic groan echoed throughout the room, drawing Vale's attention toward the entrance.
Three familiar figures stepped inside.
Siegfried, Ivor and Lucias.
The sight of them together immediately drew a grin from him.
"What brings all of you down here?"
Lucias rolled his eyes and crossed the distance before Vale could react, smacking the back of his head with just enough force to be annoying.
"We came to wish you luck, idiot."
Vale rubbed the back of his neck while Lucias folded his arms.
"After today you won't be coming back here. This might be the last time the Boss and I see you."
The Colosseum had never been home, yet somehow it had become familiar. It was where he had built some friendships, where people knew his name, where he had spent months fighting, learning, and surviving. Now he was preparing to leave it behind.
"...Right."
His voice quieted.
"Sorry."
Illu released a strange clicking noise that sounded suspiciously like laughter.
Lucias immediately pointed at the raven.
"Even the bird thinks you're an idiot."
That earned a chuckle from everyone present.
Eventually Siegfried stepped forward. The arena master's expression was unusually serious as he stopped beside Vale, lantern light reflecting faintly from his bronze hair.
"So," he said, glancing over the armor, "how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Boss."
Siegfried frowned.
"Call me Siegfried."
Vale blinked.
"Alright, Sir Siegfried."
The older man groaned.
"Drop the 'sir.'"
His hand landed heavily on Vale's shoulder.
"You've worked for me for months, and you're practically family through Drago at this point."
Vale stared at him.
"Being close to Drago is that important?"
Siegfried laughed.
"Considering we've known each other since childhood, I'd say so."
Vale's eyes grew.
"Wait."
His gaze shifted between Siegfried and the memory of Drago's ancient face.
"Does that mean you're the same age?"
Siegfried froze for exactly one second before bursting into laughter.
"That information remains classified."
Vale focused his eyes.
That reaction alone answered the question.
Still smiling, Siegfried gave his shoulder one final pat before his expression returned to business.
"The match has been arranged. Everything is positioned exactly where it needs to be."
He gestured toward Illu.
"If anything goes wrong, head for the ocean. Most Royal Guards won't follow you there."
The arena master's expression darkened slightly.
"The Goliath of the Reef is asleep, and Illu is already a Category Four. You'll have a better chance surviving there than anywhere else."
Vale listened carefully before bowing his head.
"Thank you."
For a brief moment, nobody spoke. They simply stood together beneath the lantern light, surrounded by steel, stone, and the immense presence of the raven.
Tomorrow, their lives would move in different directions. Tonight, however, they were still together.
Siegfried smiled.
"The pleasure was mine." Then he turned. And left. Not looking back. As if even a single glance would make it harder.
Ivor stepped forward next. His expression remained unchanged. As always. Calm. Detached. Yet Vale could still see it. The concern. Buried deep beneath the surface.
"I am here on Sir Drago's behalf."
Vale straightened.
"He wishes you good fortune." A small pause followed.
Then a genuine smile broke through Vale's face.
"Thank you."
Ivor nodded once.
"You've grown considerably."
Vale gave a short laugh.
"I couldn't have done it without you."
The butler raised a brow.
"I merely performed my duties."
"That doesn't mean I shouldn't thank you."
Something shifted in Ivor's expression.
"You are correct."
Then it faded.
Vale exhaled. Slow. He reached for his mask. Lifted it. The golden sun engraving caught the lantern light. A quiet gleam. Then it settled over his face. Everything changed at once. The shift was immediate.
"Alright." His voice came out distorted. "Time to do this."
He turned toward the gate. Steel waited ahead. Silent. Vast. Ivor spoke one last time. "Young Vale." Vale stopped. Still. The butler looked away slightly.
"Survive."
Vale chuckled under the mask.
"Of course."
His hand tightened on his blade.
"I'm Drago's chosen heir."
"Why would I die from something like this?"
Ivor's mouth curved faintly.
"Good answer."
The gate loomed. Immense. Waiting. Vale looked to Illu. The raven stared back. Unblinking. "You ready?" A slow nod. The creature's six eyes flashed white. Vale inhaled. Then stepped forward.
Steel groaned. Chains strained. Light seeped through widening gaps.
And then,
The roar hit.
Tens of thousands of voices. One impact. One wave. The Colosseum came alive.
Cheering. Screaming. Hunger.
Vale stepped into the light. He raised a hand. Casual. Almost mocking. The crowd answered instantly.
They thought they understood what this was. Another fight. Another execution. Another performance.
They were wrong.
The announcer's voice cracked through the speakers. "Attention." A pause. "Attention all Royal Guard personnel!" Another break. "A Category Three beast has appeared outside Irea's gates!"
The arena shifted. Not into fear. Into excitement. Movement. Noise. Rising bodies. Pointing hands. Shouts.
Perfect.
Vale didn't move. Not yet. Everything was already in motion.
His gaze drifted upward.
Wolf.
Still seated. Still calm. Those cold blue eyes locked directly onto him.
That same feeling followed again.
It had been only three days.
Vale's jaw tightened beneath the mask.
"I'll deal with you another time."
Then,
A scream.
The crowd went still.
Every head turned.
The opposite gate detonated.
Steel shattered outward.
Illu emerged.
A nightmare made real. The colossal raven tore into daylight. Onyx feathers shifting like blades in motion. Tentacles twisting within its beak. Ten white eyes burning cold and ancient.
The noise died instantly.
Replaced by fear.
Illu stepped forward.
Vale smiled.
The raven lowered itself.
"Let the show begin."
He moved. Fingers gripping feathered armor.
Illu did not resist.
Then,
The wings unfolded.
The arena darkened beneath its span.
And Illu screamed.
The colossal raven flapped his wings once.
Wind exploded outward. Stone cracked. Steel screamed. The upper barrier tore open like thin metal as illu tore through it.
Light poured in.
And Illu rose.
Vale held on. Wind tearing. Gravity failing beneath him. The world dropping away.
Siegfried watched with a faint smile.
The jailbreak had begun.