Chapter 55: Max Luminaris
The afternoon sun beat down on the coliseum, the stone seating now crowded with spectators eagerly awaiting the day’s main matches. Grim had retreated to a quiet alcove in one of the less-traveled corridors, mentally preparing for his upcoming fight. According to the tournament schedule, he would face a swordsman from the eastern provinces. Someone with a reputation for unorthodox techniques but no particular accolades of note.
"There you are," a familiar voice called out. "I’ve been looking everywhere."
Grim glanced up to see Chen Xing approaching, a long bundle wrapped in oiled cloth tucked under his arm and an all black sword. Despite the time that had passed Chen Xing was still a pretty boy.
"I wasn’t hiding," Grim replied. "Just avoiding unnecessary attention."
Chen Xing snorted. "After yesterday’s performance? That ship has sailed, little brother."
He set the wrapped bundle down on the stone bench beside Grim and began carefully unwinding the cloth. "You’ll need this for your match today."
As the wrapping fell away, Grim’s breath caught. Lying on the cloth was a sword unlike any typical Imperial weapon. Its blade was slender yet strong. The hilt was wrapped in black leather, with a guard that curved to cover the weilders hand.
"Is that—"
"Your grandfather’s sword?" Chen Xing finished for him. "No. That one remains where he was laid to rest, as was his wish. This is its sister blade, forged by the same swordsmith, using the same techniques. Cassius had it made years ago, intending it for you when you were ready."
Grim reached out, his fingers hovering just above the sword. "He never mentioned it."
"He was saving it for your eighteenth birthday," Chen Xing said quietly. "He didn’t live to see that day, but he made me promise I would get it to you when the time was right."