The Twilight Tournament.
The greatest tournament of Atlas.
The most prestigious… and the most dangerous.
Every year, only a handful of elites manage to pass every stage.
The Universal Government, the Atlas Army, and other organizations recruit their future prodigies here.
Today, a new wave of candidates steps forward.
***
Scarlet had registered a few weeks earlier.
A simple signature on a form, a few technical tests, and a letter arrived in her mailbox:
"You have been accepted into the Twilight Tournament."
She hadn't hesitated for a single second.
Not to become a soldier.
Not for glory.
But because this tournament was the perfect place to prove her worth…
and take revenge.
══ ✦ ══
Twilight Tournament Rules
Phase 1 — Selection of 100 candidates
From thousands of applicants, only the best are chosen based on skill and martial records.
Phase 2 — Free Combat (Atlas Forest)
The 100 candidates are randomly deployed throughout the forest.
They may fight, flee, or cooperate freely.
Only 40 survivors deemed fit for combat advance.
Phase 3 — Group Battles (10 groups of 4)
Official weapons are provided.
Only one winner per group advances.
Phase 4 — Semi-finals
10 winners enter an internal tournament.
Phase 5 — Final Four
Ultimate battle.
Final podium.
Rules:
— Wooden weapons are used in Phase 2.
— Real weapons are distributed starting in Phase 3.
— Injuries are permitted as long as the opponent's life is not targeted.
— Any attempt at murder results in immediate disqualification.
Scarlet read the rules once.
Then again.
And finally… she signed.
She knew the risks.
She accepted them.
══ ✦ ══
A massive hall gathered the 100 selected fighters.
Some were trembling.
Others took deep breaths to calm their nerves.
And in a dark corner…
An unknown girl drew attention.
An impossible presence to ignore.
Torn black jeans.
A red T-shirt slipping off one shoulder.
An eyebrow piercing.
Dark hair, red strands falling over a partially hidden face.
And above all…
Red eyes.
Cold.
Empty.
Filled with hatred.
Whispers spread through the room:
— Who is that goth girl?
— She doesn't even look like she's here to fight…
— She's creepy as hell.
The girl didn't respond.
She didn't even lift her head.
She remained motionless, leaning against the wall, as if nothing around her mattered.
An announcement echoed:
— CANDIDATES! Phase 2 will begin in ten minutes!
The candidates stirred.
The goth girl didn't move an inch.
══ ✦ ══
The Forest of Atlas.
The 100 candidates were teleported to different zones.
Then the siren blared:
BEEP—! Free combat begins!
The forest instantly erupted:
screams, duels, wooden blades clashing, branches snapping.
But high up in a tree…
On a wide branch…
That girl was sleeping.
As if nothing mattered.
She hadn't drawn her weapon.
She hadn't fought anyone.
She had simply laid down…
and fallen into a deep sleep.
While all of Atlas fought to survive.
An hour passed.
Maybe two.
Maybe three.
Then the siren sounded again, signaling the end of the phase.
She jolted awake.
— FUCK— …oh, right. The tournament. Is it over already?
A yawn.
She jumped down from the branch as if the height meant nothing, hands in her pockets, looking perfectly rested.
— When was the last time I slept this well…?
══ ✦ ══
The 40 qualified candidates were gathered together.
Some were still shaking from exhaustion.
Others were covered in bandages.
Then someone noticed her.
— Wait… you?
— How are you still alive?!
— We didn't even see you fight!
— Where the hell were you hiding all this time?!
She slowly raised her eyes toward them.
A single glance.
Glacial.
Everyone immediately fell silent and looked away.
The announcement followed:
— CONGRATULATIONS! Phase 3 will begin once the groups are displayed!
— Good luck to all remaining candidates!
The screens lit up.
Group names appeared one by one.
— Group 1…
— Group 2…
— Group 3…
Then someone finally noticed something strange.
— Wait… what's that name?
— Scarlet?
— Who's that? We've never heard of her.
— Must be a rookie. She won't last long.
In the dark corner…
Scarlet, at the back of the hall, slowly lifted her head.
Her red eyes seemed to glow.