Chapter 32: HEROES’ CHALLENGE
The scent of freshly spilled blood permeated the air as Reed made his way through the Tournament Grounds. The architecture had transformed overnight—the governance platforms replaced by sixteen combat arenas, each enclosed in transparent barriers that contained the violence within while allowing spectators an unobstructed view of the carnage.
"This is more what I expected," Reed muttered as he observed a Hero from the Fire Domain dismember his opponent, the severed limbs cauterizing instantly as they fell. The crowd roared its approval, nobles and commoners alike unified in their bloodlust.
Shia walked silently beside him, her face a mask of concentration. She had barely spoken since the previous night when Reed had approached her with an unexpected request.
"You want me to what?" she had asked, disbelief evident in her voice as Reed presented her with the mysterious vial given to him by the water-domain girl.
"Drink it," Reed had replied, studying her reaction carefully. "The Tournament rules have changed. Today’s challenge focuses on Heroes, not Lords. You’ll be fighting in my stead."
"I’m not your Hero," Shia had protested. "I’m your shadow, your assassin. I was never meant for the spotlight of the arena."
"Perhaps that’s precisely why you should take it."
Now, as they approached the registration area, Reed could sense her nervousness beneath her stoic exterior. Shia had spent her life in shadows, striking from darkness and disappearing before her targets realized they were dead. The open combat of the arena was foreign to her nature.
"Lords and Ladies," announced the same disembodied voice from the previous day, "present your Heroes for the Second Contest."
The gathering of nobles converged on the central platform where the Master of Ceremonies stood. Validus looked even more severe than before, his ceremonial robes stained with what appeared to be fresh blood—a traditional blessing from the Archons for the day of combat.
"Each Hero will represent their Lord in single combat," Validus proclaimed. "Victory advances your Lord to the next round. Defeat means elimination." His eyes lingered meaningfully on Reed. "Death is not required for victory, but it is... encouraged."