The massive gate began to groan open, ancient mechanisms whirring to life as the wall of sound from beyond grew deafening. Light poured through the widening gap—not natural sunlight, but the harsh, artificial illumination of a thousand magical sources.
"Remember," Captain Daichi called over the growing noise, "we represent more than ourselves. Every step we take in there honors those who can't fight."
The gate finished opening with a thunderous CLANG, and they stepped forward into the arena proper.
The Colosseum of Judgment was a marvel that defied comprehension. The arena floor stretched nearly a mile in diameter, composed of gleaming black stone that seemed to absorb and reflect light simultaneously. Rising around it in impossibly steep tiers were seats filled with hundreds of thousands of spectators—citizens of the six kingdoms, nobles, merchants, warriors, and beings whose nature the champions couldn't immediately identify.
Above them, floating platforms held additional VIP sections, each one representing a different kingdom. The platforms themselves were architectural marvels—the Magic Kingdom's section sparkled with constantly shifting illusions, the Technology Kingdom's buzzed with holographic displays, the Light Kingdom's radiated golden warmth, while the Thorne Kingdom's appeared carved from a single massive stone.
But it was the highest platform that drew every eye. Suspended at the very apex of the colosseum, shrouded in shadows that seemed to devour light itself, sat the Council's Judgment Seat. Even from this distance, the champions could feel the weight of unseen gazes pressing down upon them.
"By the gods," Theron muttered, his veteran composure finally showing cracks. "I've fought in front of armies before, but this..."
The crowd's roar was not welcoming. It was the sound of predators who had come to watch prey struggle. Boos, jeers, and mocking laughter rained down upon the champions as they made their way to the center of the arena.
As the champions reached the arena's center, six distinct groups emerged from tunnels around the colosseum's perimeter. Each group moved with the confidence of those who had never known defeat, their magical auras creating visible distortions in the air around them.
The Magic Kingdom team approached first—ten figures in flowing robes that shifted between colors, each one radiating a different school of magical energy. At their head walked a tall woman whose very presence seemed to bend reality, making the air shimmer with possibility.
From the opposite direction came the Technology Kingdom warriors, their gear a seamless fusion of magic and machinery. Energy weapons hummed at their sides, and their armor displayed constantly updating tactical information. Their leader's cybernetic enhancements glowed with soft blue light.
The Light Kingdom representatives moved in perfect formation, their golden armor brilliant enough to force some spectators to shield their eyes. Divine energy surrounded them like halos, and their leader's presence felt like standing too close to the sun.
The Thorne Kingdom team needed no introduction—their massive forms and battle-scarred appearances spoke of countless victories through pure strength. Their leader carried a war hammer that seemed to warp space around its head.
Most intriguing was the Animal Kingdom team, accompanied by creatures both familiar and alien. Dire wolves padded beside their mages, while overhead circled beasts that defied classification. Their leader seemed more feral than human, his eyes holding a predator's intelligence.
But it was the final team that caused the most stir among the spectators. The Sound Kingdom representatives moved in absolute silence, their footsteps making no noise despite the hard stone floor. Their leader...
Saber's eyes widened in recognition and disbelief. "Impossible," he whispered.
At the head of the Sound Kingdom team walked a figure Saber knew all too well—Resonance Kaine, his former captain of the royal guard. The man who had supposedly died defending the kingdom when Saber was young.
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and then Add to home screen.