Since the group announcement, Scarlet remains silent.
She watches the other fights with a closed expression, waiting for her turn.
She is part of Group 6, giving her a bit more time to breathe and focus.
In the arena, several groups have already fought.
Some candidates are qualified, others eliminated, but every match has been spectacular.
She finally understands why this tournament is famous throughout all of Atlas.
The eliminated fighters remain in the stands to observe.
So far, despite the intensity, there have been no serious injuries.
Then, at last, the announcement echoes:
— Group 6, prepare yourselves!
Scarlet stands up.
A man approaches her — one of the fighters from her group.
— Be careful, little girl. You might get hurt. This tournament can turn violent.
— Don't worry about me, she replies simply.
The first match begins.
Scarlet watches closely: techniques, stances, breathing patterns.
After a fairly clean duel, a winner is declared.
It's her turn.
In the stands, whispers rise:
— Scarlet?
— I remember her, she's the girl who won the amateur tournament!
— That was a few months ago…
— What is she doing here, in the Twilight Tournament?
— She doesn't stand a chance…
Questions fly. Some are curious. Others skeptical.
But when the fight begins… everyone understands that this duel has nothing in common with the previous ones.
══ ✦ ══
Her opponent speaks:
— Scarlet… I don't know you, but I'm sorry for what I'm about to do!
No response.
— Don't take it personally, alright? I don't want to hurt a young girl!
Still nothing.
Just those red eyes, partially hidden behind dark strands of hair.
— Hey, are you going to answer at some point? Or are you just going to—
He doesn't get to finish.
Scarlet slowly lifts her head.
Her eyes lock onto his — cold, sharp, crushing.
He steps back.
— What the—?!
He charges at her, sword in hand — a real sword, issued for Phase 3.
A weapon capable of killing if mishandled.
Scarlet dodges with a sharp movement.
She leans close to his ear and whispers:
— Watch your language when you speak to me.
Her blade cuts through the air.
She shatters her opponent's sword as if it were glass, then stops abruptly, the tip resting just inches from his face.
A breath.
In the stands, stunned silence.
Scarlet turns her back and leaves the arena before her victory is even announced.
She is qualified.
══ ✦ ══
Next comes the duel between the two winners of the group.
The fight begins.
— You don't hold back, do you? her opponent says. Guess I'll have to do the same!
He tries to laugh… but in front of Scarlet, nothing works.
The duel mirrors the previous one.
She dominates completely.
She pushes him back, neutralizes him, crushes him.
Without emotion.
Without mercy.
She brings him to the edge of unconsciousness, so close to the point of no return that the referees rush in to intervene.
In the stands, those who knew her before are frozen.
— Is that really… Scarlet?
— She used to smile…
— Why did she change like this?
— She doesn't look like the same person…
Doubt spreads.
Even her name no longer seems to match the person fighting before them.
Scarlet moves forward.
Alone.
Cold.
Unrecognizable.
She qualifies for the semi-finals.
══ ✦ ══
After several hours of fights from the other groups, the semi-finals begin.
A single duel.
The loser is eliminated.
Scarlet enters the arena.
Her opponent smiles at her.
— Nice to meet you. And congratulations on making it this far.
No response.
— Can't talk? Didn't your parents teach you any manners?
That sentence shatters what little calm she had left.
Her eyes rise.
The red within them flares like a stoked ember.
She draws her blade.
Steps forward.
And before the man can even understand what's happening, she slices off his arm.
A geyser of blood splashes across the ground.
Some spectators turn away, horrified.
Scarlet grabs him by the hair and forces him to look at her.
— Never talk about my parents again… or I'll kill you. Understood?
The referees intervene immediately.
The fight is stopped.
A few seconds later, the announcement falls:
— Candidate Scarlet: disqualified for deliberate endangerment.
She remains motionless.
Then walks away, her gaze empty.
Humiliated.
Broken.
Lost.
Her plans crumble to dust.
She leaves the arena and wanders alone through the streets.
Her hands are still stained with her opponent's blood.
A light rain begins to fall, but she doesn't even notice.
She collapses, unable to hold back her tears.
And that night…
For the first time in a long while… She dreams.
A dream that will change her destiny.