As they rounded the corner, a kingdom Guard stepped into their path, reaching for Arlenna's twin swords. Her hands shot out, slapping the guard's down, eyes narrowing. "Don't you think a woman shouldn't need swords?" the Kingdom Guard sneered. "Especially not two." His gaze lingered on the scars along her cheek. "Surely you don't think anyone will take you seriously with a face like that?" Her grip on her swords faltered for the briefest moment, and her eyes flashed with hurt. Solace opened her mouth to respond, anger rising, but Thiago raised a hand slightly, a quiet signal for her to hold back. Across Arlenna's face, neck, arms, and torso, the scars formed a network of pale, fractured lines, like cracked clay or stone stressed and healed over again and again. They had settled into her skin, lighter than her natural tone, standing out vividly against her dark complexion, old scars that no longer hurt but never disappeared. On her face, the scarring was most striking. Fine, webbed fractures spread across her cheeks and forehead in irregular paths, stopping just short of her eyes and mouth, as if those places had been instinctively protected. The lines didn't distort her features. Instead, they framed them, lending her expression a hardened stillness, but her hair was cropped close to the scalp in tight, pale curls, like frost-white coils laid in soft waves, naturally softening the strength in her face. The scars were proof of repeated strain, pressure, endurance, rather than a single moment of injury.
Across her abdomen and ribs, the scarring spread wider, forming deeper cracks that traced the natural lines of her body. Survival under extreme conditions, where her core had endured the brunt of whatever force had shaped her. The way the scars wrapped and faded showed the slow work of healing over time. "We're going to put the weapons away," Thiago said smoothly, his tone firm enough that the guard didn't dare argue. They turned the corner out of the guard's immediate view. Solace's fists clenched, her steps quick and sharp as she paced back and forth. "I can't believe he said that... about you, Arlenna! Two swords, the scars... as if any of that mattered!" Her voice was a mix of outrage and disbelief. Arlenna couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at her friend's intensity. "Heh... you really care, don't you?" Thiago crouched slightly, producing his small pouch with a flick of his wrist. "Alright, let's not make a scene," he said smoothly. Arlenna handed him her twin swords without a word, trusting his skill. In a blink, the blades shrank down to pocket-size, edges glinting harmlessly before disappearing into Thiago's pouch. Solace paused mid-step, eyes narrowing, clearly still fuming but the laughter and calm between Arlenna and Thiago eased the tension slightly. She understood why Thiago had insisted on this, even if it frustrated her not to confront the guard.
Arlenna smirked at her, teasing. "See? Sometimes letting someone else handle idiots is the smarter move." Solace exhaled, her chest rising and falling as she finally allowed herself a small, reluctant smile. They passed the guard again on their way in, solace slowed, her jaw tightening. "Hey, you," she shot out, ready to bite. Thiago's voice rose over hers, smooth as a blade slipping back into its sheath. "We put our weapons away," he said, not missing a beat. His grin stayed relaxed as he angled forward, nudging their group back into motion before the guard could react to her tone. Arlenna chuckled, covering her mouth to hide her grin. "You're lucky he stopped you," she teased. "You'd have gotten us banned before we even saw a single fight." "I just—" Solace sighed, still clearly upset. "He didn't have to say all that. It's not right." Arlenna's expression softened. "I know," she said quietly. "But hearing you get worked up over it... it's kinda nice." Thiago shot her a sidelong glance. "Careful. If you encourage her, she'll start picking fights with every kingdom guard we pass." That earned a laugh from both women, the tension breaking at last. Together, they stepped through the massive gates and into the heart of the arena.
The sound hit them first, a wave of cheering so loud it vibrated through their chests. The stands were packed, banners of every color fluttering in the sun. Warriors clashed on the sand below, blades sparking, the air thick with dust and adrenaline. Solace's eyes widened, the earlier frustration melting into awe. "This is incredible…" she breathed. "I've never seen anything like it." Then the noise surged again. She flinched despite herself, shoulders tensing as the roar rolled over them, too sharp, too close. Her jaw tightened, awe giving way to something strained as she lifted a hand halfway, uncertain whether to cover her ears or just endure it. Arlenna smiled faintly, but when the crowd's roar swelled once more, she lifted a hand toward Thiago without looking at him. He sighed, half amused, and reached into his pouch. A small shimmer of light flickered between his fingers as he unshrunk a pair of padded, ear-covering muffs. Without a word, Arlenna slipped them over Solace's head just as the noise hit another peak. Solace blinked, startled, then laughed softly when the pressure eased and she realized what they were for. Thiago smirked. "You spoil her," he said under his breath. "Someone has to," Arlenna replied, eyes still on the arena. The trio walked near the stands, weaving between vendors and spectators. Fighters clashed below sparks flaring, shields splintering and for a while, it was everything Solace had hoped for. She leaned over the railing, her muffled laughter mixing with the roar of the crowd. "I can't believe we got seats this close," she said, voice slightly dulled by the ear muffs. "This is amazing!" Thiago grinned, leaning one elbow on the rail beside her. "Told you I'd find us a good spot. The view's great, the air smells like grilled meat and bad decisions perfect." Arlenna chuckled, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"I prefer resourceful," Thiago replied, flicking his wrist so his dagger swelled into a short sword, then shrank again. "Besides, I like seeing how different kingdoms fight. You can tell everything about a culture by how it swings a blade." Arlenna hummed, half-listening. Her gaze swept across the fighters below noticing footwork, the angles of strikes, the discipline in their movements. "They're good," she admitted. "Some of them, anyway." For a while, they just watched. The energy swept through them, and cheers broke out whenever a fight reached its peak. Thiago tilted his head, scanning the fighters. "Mmm, not bad form, a little sloppy on defense, though." He casually flipped a dagger in his hand, making it grow and shrink in rhythm with the crowd's cheers. "Bet I could take a few of them." Arlenna grinned, nudging him with her elbow. "You say that about everyone." He shrugged, smirking. "Doesn't make it any less true." Solace stayed settled against the railing, eyes shining. "Still... look at them go. The strength, the coordination, it's like the whole place moves with them." The crowd roared as one fighter was slammed into the sand. Trumpets blared, and the announcer's voice carried across the arena, praising the victor's honor and strength. The arena floor shimmered under the sun, its golden sand stained darker where blood had long dried. The crowd erupted again as another fighter dropped into the sand unconscious. Trumpets blared once more, and the announcer's voice thundered across the arena, proclaiming the victor for all to hear.
Arlenna glanced sideways at Thiago. "I expect my Titans when we get back to the car." He didn't look away from the arena, a grin tugging at his mouth. "How about Thistles instead?" Arlenna slowly turned to stare at him, Thiago glanced back, caught the look, and raised both hands. "Okay, okay." Arlenna folded her arms, eyes tracking the fighters as they reset. Her gaze stayed on the arena, but it wasn't locked on the strikes anymore. It drifted deeper, more analytical, like she was reading the space between the blows instead of the fight itself. Thiago glanced over, one brow lifting. "You see something they don't?" "No," she said quietly. The noise of the crowd didn't fade, but her voice carried through it all the same. "Strength like that doesn't come from nowhere, people earn it, I just hope they're remembered for more than a moment." Solace looked at her, the brightness in her expression softening, understanding settling in without needing words. "Only as long as they keep winning," Thiago added quietly. The next round ended quickly, a flash of steel, the crowd erupting as another fighter was driven into the sand. A name rang out as champion, banners lifting, the air thick with dust, sweat, and triumph, then the trumpets sounded again. This time, the note cut sharper, colder, slicing through the noise instead of riding it. A voice boomed from the announcer's platform. "In honor of our champion's strength," he declared, pride heavy in every word, "The next proving will commence."
The gates creaked open again. Another line of fighters was ushered into the arena, their ankles and wrists bound in heavy chains that clinked with every step. Some moved stiffly, others hesitated, blinking against the light. The announcer's voice carried smoothly over the sand, praising their "youth" and "potential." The crowd erupted in cheers, and Arlenna frowned. She leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as she took in the scene below."That's… strange," she said softly. "Those chains aren't part of any formal bout." Thiago's grin never came back. He followed her gaze, jaw tightening. "Yeah, and look at their footing. Most of them aren't trained." Solace stared down at the arena, unease creeping in where excitement had been. One of the fighters stumbled, catching himself too late as a handler shoved him forward. The blade placed in his hands looked dull, unbalanced. "That's not how you introduce young contenders," Arlenna murmured. "They're calling this a proving round, but—" She paused, confusion sharpening into something colder. "no one proves anything like this." Thiago folded his arms. "They're selling it as an opportunity," he said. "But the math doesn't line up." "What do you mean?" Solace asked quietly, Thiago hesitated. "A real junior bracket has menders, rules, they pull them before it gets ugly." His eyes tracked a smaller figure being pushed toward the center of the sand. "This doesn't." Solace's jaw tightened, the fighter couldn't have been older than twelve. His grip shook as the weapon was pressed into his hands. When he tripped, the crowd laughed. Solace's fingers curled slowly at her sides. "This isn't strength," she muttered. "It's a slaughter." Below them, the announcer kept talking, above them, the cheers rolled on. Somewhere between the three, the truth didn't fit the story being told. Solace turned to Arlenna, eyes sharp. "We can't just watch this." Thiago exhaled through his nose. "Solace—"
"No, seriously," she snapped, voice rising. "They're starving, bleeding, and everyone's laughing?" Thiago straightened. "You don't pick fights with a kingdom, Solace, not here, not like this." Arlenna hesitated, torn. "He's right, if we start something, we'll have the entire arena on us." "I don't care," Solace said. Her voice shook, but not from fear. "This isn't strength, it's cruel." For a moment, none of them spoke. The crowd roared again as another figure was shoved forward, collapsing into the sand. Kingdom Guards laughed, steel flashing as blades were drawn. Thiago rubbed his forehead. "We're supposed to be laying low," he said quietly. "We stole an airship, the last thing we need is every kingdom guard in High Aurelion deciding to remember our faces." Solace didn't look away from the arena. "You've got bread," she said suddenly. Thiago blinked. "What?" "The good kind," she added. "The one you shrunk down because you said it 'travelled better.'" He stared at her for half a second, then sighed. Reaching into his pouch, he unshrunk a small loaf into his palm, the smell warm and unmistakable. Solace took it without a word. She broke off a piece, eyes still fixed on the sand below. "We're not starting a war," she said quietly. "But we're not doing nothing either." Solace was already moving. She stepped onto the ledge, her crocs thudding softly against the railing. The sunlight hit her face, turning the anger in her eyes almost blinding. "Solace," Arlenna called sharply, reaching out. "Don't—" Too late. Solace jumped.
She dropped into the arena, landing hard enough to send up a burst of sand. The crowd gasped then erupted into noise again, thinking it was part of the entertainment. Solace ignored them all. She knelt beside the fallen boy, barely conscious, ribs showing through torn skin, and gently lifted his head. While she offered bread to others around them, her focus remained on him, sensing how much worse he looked. "You don't have to fight," she whispered, pressing a piece of bread into his hand. "Not anymore." Above her, Thiago groaned, running a hand through his hair. "She really did it." Arlenna's lips curved, half in exasperation, half in pride. "Of course she did." "Guess we're doing this, then," Thiago muttered, hopping onto the railing. Arlenna smirked and followed, hand already reaching toward the pouch at his side. "You know the drill bum." Thiago sighed and unshrunk her blades. Before Solace could even stand, a massive blade swung toward her back. Time seemed to slow, Thiago, still on the railings, flicked his wrist. His staff shimmered and expanded impossibly long, stretching outward with precise, unyielding force. Striking the flat of the soldier's blade a heartbeat before it could reach her. Steel rang, the sword ripped free from the kingdom guards grip, and spun end over end across the sand.
The kingdom guard cursed and lunged after it, momentum dragging him away as the weapon skidded out of reach, leaving her back untouched. Thiago didn't pause, the staff shrank rapidly in his hands, then enlarged again this time angled upward. With a twisting motion, he sent himself tumbling through the air, aiming to land beside Solace. Arrows whistled through the chaos, one after another, streaking toward both him and Solace. Thiago acted instinctively, with a sharp flick, his staff shrank down to pocket size, disappearing almost instantly into his grip. His other hand dove into his pouch, producing a sword small enough to rest across his palm, shimmering harmlessly at first. In mid-fall, he enlarged it to full size, silver edge gleaming, and slashed through the projectiles in a flash, sending sparks scattering across the sand. Arlenna was already moving,Solace still hadn't turned, her eyes focused on the boy at her feet. Arlenna launched herself from the railing, twisting in midair, blades flashing to intercept the remaining arrows. Each projectile exploded in sparks against her steel, her landing graceful but ready, just feet from Solace. As soon as he snatched his weapon from the sand, she was on him, the same guard Thiago had just disarmed. Without breaking momentum, she drove a forward kick into his ribs, the impact ripping the blade from his grasp again and sending him off his feet. He hit hard, his back crashing into the sand with a breath-stealing impact and this time, he didn't move.
Across the arena, the King's soldiers froze for a split second, and even the crowd seemed to quiet in stunned awe. The injustice of the arena, the chains, the suffering, the mockery had been made visible, undeniable. Thiago landed beside Arlenna, and they exchanged a sharp glance, their eyes locking on the King's imposing figure. Solace rose, shoulders squared, every ounce of her weight and power radiating outward as she turned to face him fully. Together, the three of them stood in the arena a single, unbreakable force, a storm ready to challenge the kingdom itself. The crowd roared, but it barely registered beneath the clash of metal and the violent rush of energy tearing through the arena. Solace pointed straight at the King. "This is wrong," she said, her voice cutting through the noise. "I'm sick of hearing how things need to change, I'm sick of speeches, sick of promises, because when it's time to step up, nobody does." She stepped forward. "So guess what?" Solace's eyes burned. "Things are going to change." She sprang upward, vaulting into motion and in the same heartbeat, Thiago moved. Thiago's hand dipped to his pouch. He grabbed a length of chain free, and it grew in his grasp, unfurling and thickening as he swung. The chain whipped across the arena with brutal precision, wrapping around two Kingdom guards stationed beside the King before yanking tight. It ripped them off their feet and dragged them down in a violent tangle of clattering gear and tangled limbs, slamming them hard into the sand of the arena. Solace's crocs struck stone.
She landed before the King's dais, the impact cracking the marble beneath her feet, fractures racing outward as the platform shuddered. Two Kingdom guards lunged for her at once, blades drawn. Solace barely looked at them, she caught the first by the collar and spiked her density in a sharp, controlled surge. His charge reversed violently, with a pivot and a snap of her arm, she launched him forward like a fired shot. He tore through the second guard mid-lunge, the impact detonating in a crash of armor and steel as both were hurled across the stone and left groaning. The king of High Auraleon, King Astrell was already moving. Fury burned through his composure as he lunged from the dais, driving forward with the tip of his blade, light screaming along its edge as he aimed straight for her heart. Solace lunged to meet him head-on. Steel and fist collided at the edge of the platform as her density surged again, her forward momentum slamming into his strike. The impact tore through the dais, marble exploded. The platform split apart beneath them, stone shearing and collapsing as the force of their clash shattered its supports. The world dropped away in a roar of breaking marble and dust as both were thrown backward. They crashed down into the arena sand below, rolling apart through clouds of dust and shattered stone. Solace came up first, crocs digging into the sand. Across from her, King Astrell rose more slowly, cloak torn, blade still glowing in his grip. Above them, the arena had gone dead silent. The fight was no longer ceremonial. "You dare raise your hand against royalty?" he barked, "I dare," Solace said, and vanished.