On the pillar, above the din of the arena, there was silence.
Sylphia stood at the edge of the pillar, looking toward the center of the capital. A light breeze ruffled her silver hair.
Arthur stood a few steps behind her.
— The tournament is just a cover. — he said quietly. — Isn't it?
Sylphia didn't turn around.
— From the very beginning.
— So when?
A brief moment of silence.
— When the final gong sounds. — she replied calmly. — Or… when the situation spirals out of control.
Arthur looked at the arena.
— And Valdor?
Sylphia narrowed her eyes.
— He's the wild card. If his power fully awakens… he could destroy everything. Even our plans.
— So?
— We'll watch.
Arthur nodded.
— And if we have to?
Sylphia turned toward him.
— Then we'll destroy the capital along with him.
Silence fell.
And then they both looked down.
At the arena.
***
— Now!
Arwen moved without hesitation.
She spotted a gap in Nebuko's defenses — a brief, barely perceptible pause between attacks.
— Mayuri! Cover me!
Mayuri raised her hands, creating successive layers of barriers.
Arwen darted across the battlefield, dodging blades of black energy. Her movements were swift and precise.
She was getting closer.
Closer and closer.
She smiled.
— Got you—
Suddenly.
Destro appeared in front of her.
Without a word, he plunged his massive sword into the ground.
Arwen couldn't stop in time.
She struck the blade.
The impact sent her flying into the air.
— Bad decision. — Destro said.
He grabbed her by the leg.
And threw her.
Once.
She hit the stone.
A second time.
Even harder.
A third time.
The arena shook with every impact.
— ARWEN! — Mayuri screamed.
But she couldn't get close.
Nebuko stood in front of her, smiling.
— Watch closely.
Destro threw Arwen once more.
The girl's body was limp.
Her face was bloodied.
Mayuri stood motionless.
She was trembling.
— Stop… — she whispered.
Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
— Please… stop…
Nebuko laughed softly.
— Too weak.
Destro grinned widely.
Kael and Noah lay motionless.
They didn't have the strength to get up.
Valdor continued to fight Arok.
No one could help her.
Mayuri clenched her fists.
Her body trembled more and more.
— What should I do…?
Then…
She heard a voice.
Quiet.
Familiar.
— You are the daughter of the god of shadows…
Her eyes widened.
— Remember… your father and I are always with you…
The tears stopped flowing.
— Now stand up… and show them… who you are.
Mayuri slowly raised her head.
— The daughter… of the god of shadows…
Darkness began to gather around her.
At first like a shadow.
Then like a wave.
Finally, it engulfed her completely.
Her body vanished into the darkness.
Only her eyes remained.
Purple.
Glowing
Unnatural.
Nebuko furrowed her brow.
— What is that…?
Mayuri had vanished.
Just like that.
Destro lifted Arwen one last time and hurled her toward the arena wall.
At that very moment—
Mayuri appeared.
She caught Arwen just before she hit the wall.
As if she had always been there.
Gently.
Carefully.
She laid her on the ground.
Arwen was covered in blood.
She was breathing heavily.
Mayuri didn't say a word.
She stood up slowly.
Nebuko took a step back.
— This… looks familiar…
Destro pulled the sword out of the ground.
— Watch out.
He looked straight at Mayuri.
— It's coming.
Mayuri's violet eyes glowed even brighter.
The darkness around her began to stir.