The rising sun moved over Ardent like molten gold, glinting off banners and Lumestone-tiled rooftops as the Foldam carriage rolled toward Arden Arena, the noble duelling grounds. The arena—an open, circular coliseum of pale stone—lay just beyond the capital's inner district, its gates already open.
Marius Foldam stepped out into an antechamber designated for the duellists, followed by his father David and his mother Seraphine. As soon as they surveyed the room, they halted.
Mira and her companions were already there.
She stood next to a seat, tying a ponytail with steady hands. Caelus was across from her, sitting sluggishly as he snacked on an apple, with Elise stood next to him while she took in the layout of the room.
"You're early." Marius scoffed
Mira didn't reply.
"Oh yeah, Caelus," Elise whispered, "I wanted to ask why you told Mira's parents about Willowstead and my hometown."
"Well," Caelus started as he finished his apple, "some nobles like giving back in situations like this. So I'm hoping that they send gifts, supplies—anything that's useful really. They seem like the type to do that."
Before she could reply, Lord Fabian and Lady Ursa Ardent arrived through the opposite entrance, their presence instantly drawing focus, with Aelius and several more royal guards following after them.
The Foldams exchanged stiff bows.
"May this duel be fair and good competition between our two houses." David spoke with a gruff voice, the slightly wizened man extending his hand toward Fabian
"May it be fair and great." Fabian replied, firmly shaking the other man's hand
"Try not to scar the poor girl, dear" Seraphine spoke with a small chuckle
"I will try, mother." Marius assured, a smirk falling upon his face
Caelus stretched his shoulders as he stood up. "Alright. Time for us to get to the stands." He turned to Mira, "Good luck."
"You don't need to say it." She allowed herself a small, almost absent smile. "But… thank you."
Elise squeezed her hand. "You've got this, Mira."
They left her and ascended a stone stairway to the audience stands, making their way to a space reserved for House Ardent. Caelus took a seat beside Aelius, arms crossed, eyes already fixed on the arena.
One by one, nobles began to arrive. Then common citizens. Then more. And more.
Elise leaned forward, startled. "Why… why is everyone coming in? This many people? For a duel between nobles?"
Ursa chuckled softly. "In Ardentia, a noble duel is a cultural tradition. We consider it both sport and ceremony. The people come to witness honour upheld."
Fabian nodded. "And the daughter of the former royal house hasn't duelled publicly in years. So, of course the word spreads fast."
By the time Mira and Marius stepped into the ring, the arena was nearly full. Sunlight poured in from above, painting long shadows across the sand.
A noble in formal robes—Lord Cassian Vortel, who served as the designated witness and representative of a third, more neutral house—raised a hand.
"By the accords of Ardentian noble custom, the duel between Lady Mirabelle Ardent and Lord Marius Foldam shall commence. Combat ceases upon incapacitation or verbal surrender. Begin when ready."
Marius stepped forward first, blade drawn in a flourish. Pale-blue sparks danced across the steel.
"Try to keep up, dear Mira." he said, a mocking tone filling his voice
Lightning rippled around him as he launched forward. His sword struck with sharp precision—his noble training honed to near-peak form. The crowd was filled with excitement, cheering as arcs of thunder cracked against Mira's guard.
She didn't counter. Didn't swing. Didn't even frown.
She blocked with her sheathed sword. Simply evading and observing.
A near impenetrable wall of defense, calm and unreadable.
"You call this fighting?" Marius spat, lunging again, "Or have you gotten weak living with deserters and criminals?"
No response.
Marius snarled and unleashed a burst of lightning that shattered the sand beneath her feet. She leapt back, her slender blade finally sliding free from its sheath at last.
Mira exhaled.
"Échauffement." she murmured.
Her sword ignited, red flame swirling along the steel in controlled ribbons. She dashed forward, a streak of fire slicing through Marius' lightning.
His eyes widened. "W-wait—!"
"Étincelle!"
A sharp, rising flame strike, accompanied by an even greater flame. He blocked too late; sparks exploded as he slid backward, boots carving trenches in the sand as he raised his sword in meaningless hope of a counterattack.
"Wow!" Elise whispered in awe, "She wasn't defending… she was studying him."
Caelus smirked. "That's how our wonderchild fights! Like a true predator in her element, waiting for the best chance to pounce on her prey!!"
Marius tried to regain his footing, but Mira had already started moving.
"Éclat!"
She vanished in a burst of flame—reappearing beside him with a swift, flaming downward diagonal slash that knocked his blade from his hand. The arena gasped as his weapon clattered to the sand.
He stumbled, breath heaving.
Mira stepped forward, calm and composed, her blade pointed directly at his throat.
"Yield."
Marius trembled, the reality of the situation fully dawning on him. "I—"
"Yield, Marius Foldam." she repeated, her voice steady. "You have continued making one mistake after another: You underestimated me. You forgot my training. You forgot that I am a former Holy Knight of Magnaria. The moniker of 'Flame Maiden' is one that commands respect!"
Silence soon fell around the entire arena.
"I… yield." his voice cracked, a look of pure despair filling his face.
Lord Cassian raised both arms. "The duel is concluded! The victor is Lady Mirabelle Ardent!!"
A wave of cheering erupted from the stands—Ardentian citizens roaring in approval.
Mira swiftly and gracefully sheathed her blade, turning to face Caelus, Elise and her family up in the stands with a smile on her face.
"As per the agreed terms set between House Ardent and House Foldam," Cassian continued, pulling out a sheet of paper from his coat to read from it, "Sir Caelus Aran, better known as Star Child, and Lady Elise Ashfield shall receive provisional exemption from all charges not directly tied to the governing authority of the Republic of Ardentia. No citizen or noble may detain or prosecute them under standard law during their stay—unless they provoke military operations or harm state personnel."
The crowd paused, before breaking into a storm of whispers spreading like wildfire.
"Star Child…?"
"The Star Child?"
"He's really here?"
"Didn't he destroy half of Vindholm's embassy?"
"Wasn't that an exaggeration—no, wait, maybe it was true."
"I thought he was captured in Eldralis?"
Caelus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Dammit all. This is exactly what I needed..."
Elise grinned nervously. "Well… at least they're excited?"
The arena buzzes louder and louder—Ardent had learnt that the living legend, Star Child, has walked into their city.