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The feeling of emptiness that settled over the arena after the twins left was icy, almost solid. The sand was now even redder, more stained.
The timer on the instructor's wrist cut through them like a dull, serrated knife, and with every passing millisecond, the wound grew larger, deeper.
That knife called time would keep cutting and tearing until the next ones stepped into that arena, picked it up, and began cutting themselves until only one remained standing on the cold sand of the arena.
00:00:24:12
So in the end... they really did fight... two brothers beating each other until one couldn't react anymore. - Lira said, with a sadness her eyes couldn't fully hide. - After that, what will happen to Luan's mind...? Will he be able to forgive himself?
...It doesn't matter anymore. They made that decision themselves. They'd better be able to live with it. - Kilay
Silence followed Kilay's words. If anyone there, even for a brief moment, agreed with him, it wasn't something that was said out loud.
What matters now is that... there are only four of us left. So? Who wants to be the next to go down there? - Kilay
The four remaining members of Group Twelve exchanged silent glances. No words, just looks asking which neck the knife would be placed on.
In the elite stands:
What did you think of the dance fate offered you through these youths, Kássia? - Matteo F. Mouro
I admit I was more interested in the girl. I don't know... I saw something in her during that fight that made me believe she had more potential than she showed. But that's fine. My House will take the boy if he passes the final stage. - Kássia D. Apolodoro
If he's strong, he'll pass without any trouble. - Matteo
Still, for some reason, these youths give me a faint, almost nonexistent sense of familiarity... but I've never seen them before. - Matteo
"A disgusting sense of familiarity, with the bitter taste of weakness." - Matteo
This isn't your first time watching or participating in one of the selection stages. Maybe they remind you of someone who caught your attention in past exams. - Igor Xen Don Crates said, not taking his eyes off his notes.
You're probably right. My mind is likely just playing tricks on me with old memories. - Matteo
As for me, I'm getting impatient waiting for the next fight, so I'll take the chance to step out for a smoke. - Vastos S. Agiades said, standing up with a cigar in hand, ready to light it.
Careful not to die from smoking that thing. It might get stuck in your throat, old man. - Matteo
I've been smoking this since your mother was in diapers, you worm brat. And even so, you might still die before me. - Vastos
Putting Matteo's provocations aside, I agree you should take better care of your health, my friend. - Igor
I apologize for my behavior, sir. I couldn't help myself. - Matteo
No need to worry, my friend. - Vastos said, biting open the tip of his cigar with a grin many would call threatening, though it was his way of showing warrior respect to Igor.
Krivak, you're my representative. Take my place until I return. Go ahead and sit in my chair. You've been standing all this time, get some rest. - Vastos
But... sir, that would be... - Leonardo Krivak
It's an order, Krivak. When I get back, tell me if you saw anything promising. - Vastos
Yes, sir. - Leonardo Krivak
Leonardo sat in the seat of the leader of the House of Leonidas. He was to Igor's left and Matteo's right.
His legs felt relief from no longer standing, but his face remained completely serious, showing no expression. He didn't even dare open his mouth while sitting between the leaders.
Leonardo, you don't need to feel tense. The moment you sat in that chair, you took on the same weight your leader carries. So behave accordingly, as a sign of respect to him. - Kássia
Thank you very much, Lady Kássia. That's what I'll do. - Leonardo took a deep breath, covering his body with a thin layer of his Righteous Wrath in its dark yellow stage. He always felt more comfortable when he could feel it, even slightly.
The two of us here are representatives. You can just call me Kássia. After all, we're equals. - Kássia
Spoken like someone who'd steal her leader's position for herself. - Matteo
I'm not you, Matteo. - Kássia
Matteo! Kássia! - Igor
Let's all try to get along, at least until Vastos returns to his seat. - Igor
Yes... sir. - Matteo
As you wish, Lord Igor. - Kássia
Good. I want you to set a proper example for Vastos's representative. - Igor
"Lord Vastos... what have you dragged me into this time..." - Leonardo
On the other side of the stands, at the divide between elite rookies and the mediocre:
Hey, leaders of Groups Thirty-Three, Fifty, and Nine—
The leaders of the called groups reacted, searching for the voice.
Could I have a moment of your attention?
They all looked, but no one answered.
I'll take your silence as a yes.
My name is Julian Levron. - Julian Levron
The others continued staring in complete silence.
Please, don't be shy. Be polite and introduce yourselves.
My name is Vikk Leendran, leader of Group Fifty. - Vikk Leendran
I'm Gauco, leader of Group Thirty-Three. - Gauco
Bleyvar Eddor, leader of Group Nine. - Bleyvar
Well, now that we've all introduced ourselves, I have a proposal for you, leaders and members of your respective groups. - Julian
Julian looked at them, as if calculating his next words and moves.
Don't you feel uncomfortable? With this situation where we're forced to eliminate five members of our own team?
Where are you going with all this talk, leader of Group One? Elite brat? - Bleyvar
I don't understand any of this either. - Vikk
Those are the rules. I can't imagine another way. In the end, we just follow what was set for this stage. Everything has a reason. - Gauco
"Mediocre, even in thought." - Julian
I've thought of a way to speed up this selection process without carrying the burden of eliminating our own teammates, all while still following the rules. - Julian said, his presence standing out from the rest.
Interested?
The group leaders looked at their members, as if letting them decide whether to listen.
In the end, they agreed to hear him out, at least to know what he would say.
Great. Then there's no turning back.
According to the rules, this stage is meant to be a selection battle. Five lose, five win. But there's no clear rule saying members of other teams can't eliminate five members from another team. That being said, why don't our groups fight each other until each side has only five members left? - Julian finished speaking as he pulled a baseball bat from his back.
As Julian finished, the others carefully considered what they had just heard.
Meanwhile, members of Julian's team who had weapons drew them.
Julian spun the bat and slammed it against the stands' floor. When it bounced back up, nearly to shoulder height, he caught it mid-spin.
One. - Julian repeated the motion.
Two.
Three.
There's no turning back. - He repeated the motion one last time, then hurled the bat toward Vikk.
Vikk dodged, the left side of his face nearly struck. When he looked up, Julian was already on top of him, throwing a punch that looked ready to shatter his teeth.
The bat ricocheted off the wall to Vikk's left, then struck a pillar near his teammates.
Vikk dodged again.
As soon as his eyes tracked it, the bat spun back into Julian's right hand after hitting the pillar.
And just like that, a fight broke out between the teams, right there in the stands, until only five remained on each side.
Back to the elite stands:
Looks like they've already decided who's going into the arena. - Kássia
I hope this team entertains me with their last two fights. - Matteo
"Wait... I know that boy. He came to Kirden with me in one of the Order's vehicles." - Leonardo
They were all ready to watch the fight, but as the battle in the arena began, the leaders noticed another fight, an unauthorized one, breaking out in the stands.
Igor gestured with two fingers, calling his representative.
I'll go stop that right now. - Leonardo
Sit down. Now. - Igor
At this moment, you are sitting in a leader's chair and representing that leader directly. So behave like it. - Igor said, his tone sharper, carrying restrained anger.
Yes... sir... forgive me. - Leonardo sat again.
Good. - Igor
Sindy, you and the second representative of the House of Cleopatra, deal with that disrespect immediately. - Igor pointed toward the chaos.
Yes, sir. - Sindy
Sindy and the second representative ran toward the scene.
Bold youths... getting more and more reckless every year. - Matteo said, amused.
What a lack of respect. - Kássia
"I'd better stay quiet this time." - Leonardo
Igor was now serious. No pen, no notes. His Righteous Wrath in its blue stage leaked subtly from his body, as if barely contained.
Meanwhile, the new fight in the arena began.