In the capital city of Daelon, The morning was filled with shouts and joy.
Stalls were opening, people were walking down the streets in hurry, glitters, decoration of the excalibur and stickers hanging above houses.
The festival was lively and loud even during morning.
But, as the people were walking and running, Two fancy looking carriage entered the city and by the looks of it, it was a noble's carriage for sure. People parted sideways giving space for it to move.
''Haah..''
Hina yawned, while Hinata, Elina and Iris were still asleep I'm the carriage's soft seat.
"why did we even depart in evening!''
She complained
''Because we are invited in the Festival's party''
Free replied Nonchalantly, still half asleep.
''The festival is already lively even in the morning''
Sylvia said, staring outside the window in curiosity as it was her first time in the Hero's festival.
''Yeah....''
Free replied, as the carriage drive to the palace.
2 hour later....
The palace was massive, chandeliers hand above, servants and knights walked left and right, still preparing for that party that was tonight.
Free and the his family were greeted by a maid the moment they entered the palace.
''Baron Hoshi, please follow me''
The maid gently said, Free stride to the room the Royal family prepared.
"This is your room, please make yourself home"
the maid respectfully said before leaving.
''Woah! this room is massive!!''
Hina yelled jumping on the bed with Hinata and Elina. Free sylvia and Lina sat down in the couch while Iris was on the other room.
''The hero's festival main event will start in the afternoon''
Lina said, while placing the luggage on the ground, While Free, had his hands relaxed on the couch, because Sylvia was gripping his hand tightly last night.
''And we have six hours of rest'' she finished
''Good''
he muttered, ready to fall asleep again.
''Big brother! This bed is soooo soft and comfy, i want it at home too!!!"
Hinata shouted while jumping on the bed with Elina happily,
''Yes yes''
Free replied, he had more things to do other than arguing with Hinata.
Meanwhile on the other room, Iris and her parents were sitting opposite to each other.
''Iris''
Utto said.
''Yes father''
Iris answered.
''Did you cause any trouble there?"
He asked, and Iris thought for a a brief moment.
''No...''
she confidently replied, but Free would've totally disagreed if he was here.
Utto laughed loudly before proudly clasping his hand.
'' That's my daughter! Always respectful and obedient''
he praised her loudly, proud of his daughter, who unknowingly caused trouble at Hayan.
''Okay dear, enough with the chit chat''
Hilda said firmly , her eyes on Iris and with a serious voice she said.
''Iris ''
''Yes mother?''
''this afternoon, you'll be the one representing the Reys family''
she said, her voice was quiet, yet it was loud and heavy.
''Y-yes''
Iris nodded with unease, the room was in quiet, a big responsibility given to a child.
Knock, knock!.
''Yes''
''I-i didn't mean to disturb your family meeting but may i have a private talk with Iris...."
".....if she is free?''
Sylvia's voice came from outside, and Iris jumped out of her seat hearing her voice.
''big sis Sylvia!"
Iris said, exiting the room without waiting for permission.
"I'm coming!''
''I'm sorry if i interrupted you''
Sylvia apologized, before closing the door, leaving only Hilda and Utto.
''Do you think she can really represent our family''
Utto asked, his voice was apprehensive.
''Yes, she can"
Hilda replied with confidence.
Because she is our daughter''
She declared, not even a hint of doubts and concern, only pride and confidence.
''I trust in your decision then, honey''
Utto quietly said still uneasy, and a faint smile appeared on Hilda's face.
As the day kept on going more and more nobles, minister and ambassador arrived at the palace, then proceeded to the arena. And by the time afternoon came the stadium was already buzzing with loud cheers and bets.
People all around the country only came to the capital with one purpose, witness the battle and find a new champion.
''EVERYONE! WELCOME! TO THIS DECADE'S HERO'S FESTIVAL!"
The host declared, his voice powered by magic.
"TODAY STARTS THE BEGINNING OF THE HERO'S FESTIVAL, OUR FIGHTER AND WARRIORS WILL SHOW THEIR COURAGE, STRENGTH AND MOST OF ALL! THEIR PRIDE IN THE ARENA!!!!!"
The Host yelled his heart out and the crowd cheered louder than before, excitement spreading around the Tournament arena.
On the other hand on the VIP lookout.
The king, the prince and many important figures of the kingdom sat, along with Free being one as the lowest rank noble, sat in their respective seat.
Iris was behind the king Fied and Free was beside the prince as a special VIP for saving Princess Elize.
'It's suffocating sitting between powerful people'
he thought.
''NOW, STARTING OUR FIRST PROGRAM OF TODAY!! THE HERO'S SWORD EEEEEEXCALIBUR SHOWCASE!!"
As soon as the host announced, a group of sorcerers entered inside the stadium and started to chant a teleportation spell, and multiple symbols starts to appear above the sky.
Fwoosh!.
Dust spiraled in the stadium, the crowd roared in excitement, the nobles and other guest stared at the dust in anticipation.
As the dust cleared, a sword, not just any sword a oversized swordd, with star symbols embedded on it's sheath was impaled in a rock, the holy sword, Excalibur, the sword nobody has been able to drawn since the Fire era.
''EXCALIBUR IS HERE!!!!"
the host roared at the top of his lungs.
"WOOOOOOOAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
the crowd roared in excitement.
'Someone! Anyone! If you can hear me, Please take me out!! '
The voice inside Free's head started again and was also getting louder with each passing second.
''This voice....''
Free muttered silently.
''NOW THEN!!! LET'S BEGIN THE EVENT!!!"
The host yelled in excitement, and from the gate of the stadium a muscular, tall and scarred man stride to Excalibur, ignoring the sorcerers who were injured during the spell casting.
'I'll be the one'
he thought standing infront of the sword, as his hand reached for it's hilt, thunder struck him, throwing him meters away from it. Unworthy.
''OUR FIRST CONTESTANT!...."
...
...
...
"FAILED!!''
''BOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The crowd roared.
One by one, contestants tried to pull the sword out of the crystal, but each one failed, some got thrown away and some were injured, but none even got to touch the hilt.
Meanwhile on the guest seat, provide for nobles and other important figures relatives or friend.
Sylvia's eye wasn't on the contestants getting thrown or getting struck by lightning, it was on somone else.
Free.....
He was tilting and hitting his head from time to time, and Sylvia was worried seeing him act like that.
'Free... '
She thought.
''NOW, TIME FOR OUR LAST CONTESTANT! OUR PRIDE AND ONE THE MARTYR DISCIPLES"
" THE FIRST AND ELDEST PRINCE OF DAELON KINGDOM! ALFRED DE DAELONNNNN!!!!"
The host announced, and a wave of cheers from the audience came. Alfred, the disciple of general martyr house.
''Annoying peasants''
Iris mumbled, annoyed by the crowds cheers.
Back to the stadium, Alfred walked slowly toward Excalibur, with his mind blank and his steps heavy.
'I'll not fail this time '
he thought, his hand reaching for the sword, thunder emerged striking his armor, the crowd gasped, but did he got thrown? No. Alfred didn't flinch nor moved.
His hand grabbed the hilt of the sword tightly and the crowd was now silent, the king stand up from his throne, staring at his son trying his best to take out excalibur.
It could either be a historic moment or not, the sword will decide.
''Come on!! Accept me!!"
He yelled, trying to pull the sword out but he was overpowered by it.
Woosh! Thud!.
His injured body was thrown to the wall of the stadium, breaking the concrete wall. He was the hardest to get thrown to the wall.
''Tch, just a little''
The host clinged his tounge in disappointment.
''NOW THEN LET'S CONTINUE TO THE NEX-!!''
Before the host could continued, a voice echoed to the stadium, loud and clear.
''ENOUGH!!"
Free yelled, the host stopped mid-sentence.
The voice was now too loud, and his ten rings were violently shaking on his hand.
'I'll go insane if this continues'
He thought, then standedup from his seat and walk forwardto the edge of the room overlooking the arena, and jump off.
''Free!!"
Sylvia screamed in horror, standing up first and pushing all the mistress and nobles in her way trying to reach to Free.
But Free on the other hand, used his rings to fly to the sword.
The crowd watched in confusion, was this guy trying tto be dramatic? Nobody knew the answer.
Whole Free now was standing infront of the sword Excalibur.
''you're too loud''
He growled, reaching his hand to the sword, the crowd was silent, and Sylvia was in the Vip room, staring down at him, relived spread her face seeing Free not injured.
His hand touched the sword's hilt and thunder struck him.
Everyone stared in shock then slowly their shock turned into surprise as the thunder wasn't hurting him.
Free gritted his teeth trying to pull the sword out of the rock.
Slowly, nine colours started to come out of Excalibur and was getting absorbed by the nine rings on his arm.
Hina, Hinata and Elina were cheering while Lina's mouth was wide open, Sylphia and Rai were speechless just like the crowd.
'You heard me, Messiah!'
The voice rung again
'Yeah..'
Free answered, as the sword slowly came out of the rock
'Then accept me and pull me out of this long awaited misery'
the Excalibur said.
Free started to pull the sword slowly, everyone's breath paused, it was an historic moment infront of them, the sword impaled in rock for 7 centuries is finally about to be drawn out again.
Free's breath hitched, yet he stood his ground, as his feets dugged into the concrete ground of the arena.
'Now, give me a name....Messiah!'
Excalibur requested.
"If that's what you want, then I'll do so, don't complain"
Free answered, as the sword was near it's tip.
No answer came, yet Free could feel it, the sword was accepting.
'Then I name you...'
...
...
...
'Sei... '
Free thought,and finally the sword came out of the rock.
The glowing attributes bursting out of Excalibur, finally ended and merged with the nine rings, the light glowed in nine different colours.
Except one of them.
Everyone stared at Free, even Alfred was silent, jealousy and a hint of hate crossed his mind.
''This-...."
"TH–This IS HISTORY!!!!!!!"
The host screamed his heart out in tears and admiration, and the crowd cheered the loudest they ever did.
And Sylvia on top of the lookout room was in tears, Free was now the new hero of the Kingdom.
''Free..."
she muttered, her love for him just increased.
''Damn, Free really pulled that rust out''
Iris frowned in jealousy, because everyone would be.
To be continued....