Jasmin shouted, saying: "How much is left for us? I'm tired… and the sun has risen!"
Argus sharply replied: "It's not my fault that you wanted to rest in the middle of the road. And for your information… we have arrived. Perhaps because of your height, you haven't seen the Kingdom yet."
At that moment, Luce lifted her and jumped high into the air. Jasmin suddenly shrieked, alerting them as she pointed to the dazzling sight: "Look! The Kingdom… Uruk!"
Her eyes widened in astonishment. She saw a massive city backed by a vast shoreline. "It's so big…! I am truly excited to enter it!"
At the massive city gates, the guards asked them the reason for their arrival, and they replied: "We have come to register for the Great Competition."
The guards opened the gates: "Welcome to Uruk."
The moment the gates opened, Jasmin stopped walking, her eyes wide as she stared at the city that appeared before them from behind the gate. She took a deep breath and said in amazement: "This… is this Uruk?! I never imagined a city could be this beautiful. The walls look like they were made of green emerald, and the towers are covered in vines and flowers. Even the air here is different… fresh, as if the trees themselves are breathing with us. Look, the small rivers cut through the roads like veins supplying the city with life. It's more like a green paradise."
Erold smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of nostalgia and bitterness: "Beautiful, yes… but it is not as your eyes see it, Jasmin. Behind this beauty, Uruk hides much blood and endless conflicts."
Argus crossed his arms and looked at the city with a warrior's eye: "Nevertheless… you cannot deny its greatness. This is not just a city; it is a kingdom built to last a thousand years. Every stone here tells the history of an entire nation. Whoever possesses Uruk… possesses the world."
Luce quietly: "Come, let's go to the arena; we need to register for that fight." Erold answered hastily: "You are right."
As they headed toward the center of the city, Luce asked: "True… if we win, what will you ask for?" Erold replied: "You already know." Then Luce looked at Argus and asked: "What about you, Argus?" Argus sternly: "I will launch an investigation into that bastard, Kurash."
Luce laughed a little: "I would have done that myself… as for me, I think I will ask for a magical artifact. Let's hurry now before registration closes."
In the depths of a dark underground altar: Kurash sat, blood dripping from his hands onto the ground. Around him was a large door drawn in blood. He was breathing slowly. He raised his head upward, as if addressing something only he could see, and said in a hoarse voice tinged with madness: "Four hundred children… four hundred innocent souls I have sacrificed for your sake… isn't this enough?!"
The flames flickered as if answering him. But he let out a faint laugh, then rose and opened his arms as if offering himself as another sacrifice: "No… not yet. We will not begin the ritual now… we will make it coincide with the start of the tournament. Only then will the entire world tremble… and I will make the blood of the Lords and the King fuel for you."
He sat down again, his distorted smile still stuck on his face, as if he were anticipating the moment he would reveal his plans.
Erold asked one of the commoners: "Excuse me… where can I find the dueling arena?" The man pointed with his hand: "There… at that massive gathering."
They all looked, and the arena resembled a colossal fortress, its dark stone walls rising dozens of meters high, adorned with the vibrant flags of the Kingdom that fluttered in the wind as if challenging the entire world. The massive bronze doors opened slowly, and a brilliant glare erupted from them, reflecting a luster that captivated the eyes.
From afar, the sounds of the crowds thundered like a roaring storm shaking the earth beneath their feet, until it seemed as if one were stepping into the mouth of a great beast.
Erold in amazement: "How magnificent!" He turned to everyone, filled with enthusiasm. But Argus seriously said: "I don't care about winning now… I just want to enter." Erold sternly interrupted: "Control yourself… then he clenched his hands and said confidently: "I will win."
Suddenly, a man stood before the door and shouted: "Warriors! Whoever wants to register… step forward now!" Only about twenty people approached, which made Luce wonder: "I thought there would be more than this." One of the contestants answered him: "They know the strength of the Four Greats… so only those who are confident in themselves came."
Luce in surprise: "The Four Greats? Who are they?" The man smiled and said: "They are the four strongest people in the Kingdom. If they all gathered together… they could defeat the Prince himself." Luce shouted in surprise: "Impossible!"
But the man continued: "Do not underestimate them… I will introduce them to you: First is Lord Eric, who defeated the former Lord Nimour. His strength lies in fire, and he has terrifying control over its magic. Then Lady Eva, who possesses a rare talent in close-quarters combat and uses ice magic. As for Lord Cobra… he is the most mysterious among them. We don't know what his power is, but it is said he uses gravity magic. And finally… the strongest among them all: Lord Kress, the Master of the Sword, who uses two types of magic and the Night Matrix."
Erold's heart trembled when he heard that, so he gripped his sword and whispered: "The Night Matrix… Arthur." Arthur angrily: "That bastard! How dare he? Shall we make him taste torment, or kill him?" Erold in his mind: "Calm down. I haven't thought about killing him, Arthur… but we can't do anything now. I think the Matrix chose him."
They reached the registration desk, and the official asked: "Who is the first one who wants to register?" Erold stepped forward: "I am registering my name." The official asked him: "What is your name?" He replied: "My name is Erold." Then he asked him for his title, so he was silent for a moment, then said: "Yursha."
Everyone looked at that name in amazement, and Luce said: "Where did you read this name?" Erold smiled innocently at Luce, so surprise covered Luce's face, who whispered in shock: "That is a Jinn name, you idiot! And you are just a human!" As for Jasmin, she was looking at Erold and smiling happily because he admitted to this name. Erold replied, smiling: "The first thing that came to my mind."
Then Argus stepped forward and said: "My name is Argus Clip." Someone shouted from behind them: "Don't stop the registration!" He ran until he stood behind Luce. Luce said to him: "Step forward if you want to register before me." Argus pulled Erold and Jasmin in, while she stuck to them following every move, and Argus said: "Follow us, Luce!" Luce: "Fine, fine!" Then Luce shouted at the person coming: "Come on… register! You've delayed me!"
Argus, Erold, and Jasmin entered and were amazed by the vastness of the place. Argus said in wonder: "Waaah! It's like being in a giant's stomach!" Surprised, Erold and Jasmin said at the same time: "Have you been in a giant's stomach before?" Argus: "No, I just imagined the scene." Jasmin held her head: "Why did I expect so much from you?"
A girl interrupted them: "Please come with me this way." She took them to a room next to the arena and said: "This is the waiting room; it overlooks the arena."
They looked at the audience in amazement. Jasmin wondered: "Oh my God… I have never seen this number of people in my life!" The girl asked them: "Do you know how the duel will be? You will stand before the Four Greats, and each of them chooses whom they fight before the main battle. If one of you wins—which is expected to be impossible mostly—they head to meet the Prince directly."
Jasmin jumped and said in surprise: "What is the number of people present here?" The girl answered: "The population of the Kingdom is about 160,000 people, but here I think there are about 52,000. The place is a bit noisy, but don't worry… the sound can be isolated with sound magic if you want to use it in your duel." Erold: "No need for that…"
At that time, there was a person in the alleys. A man entered, looking left and right, and said: "I have brought the money, Shadiss." He handed it to him, then left. Then another mercenary came from behind Shadiss and said: "Have you gone mad, Shadiss? Did you accept it, really?" Shadiss: "He paid an amount no one dreams of." The mercenary asked him: "And what is the price? Do you intend to die?" Shadiss: "I was asked to kill Prince Gilgamesh. He is not an easy person… but don't worry, I will do what is required. He might not be truly that strong… when was the last time we saw him fight?" The mercenary sighed and said: "It is true that you are the best mercenary in the Kingdom, but I fear that you won't remain so any longer."
Inside the battle arena: The girl entered and said: "Come on, the time has come." Erold said to Jasmin: "Watch from here." Jasmin nodded: "Win, Erold!" He smiled and said: "Don't worry… come on, let's go, Argus." Argus: "Where is Luce?" They found him fighting with one of the competitors, so they approached him. Argus: "Oh… calm down, Luce! What happened to you?" Luce replied, smiling with a terrifying calmness: "This gentleman… insulted me. He said there is no place for someone with a face as soft as yours here!" Erold laughed, trying to suppress his giggles, and Argus said: "Calm down, man!"
The competitor said to Argus: "You are not far from him… all of you have soft faces except this man." He pointed to Erold. Argus got angry and said: "Let me kill this foul-mouthed person!" Argus tried to hit him, but a voice filled the place: "As for now… we welcome the contestants!"
The doors behind them opened, revealing the majestic scene: a massive circular amphitheater surrounding a gilded sandy arena, accommodating tens of thousands of spectators. The audience was an endless human wave, chanting the names of the Four Greats, while banners were raised and drums were beaten as if they were tolling a war alert. In the middle of the sky, a sudden booming voice sounded: "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the greatest duel Uruk has witnessed every five years!"
Everyone turned in amazement; the sound was penetrating the air with strange clarity, as if it reached every ear individually. They discovered that the man standing on the high platform was nothing but a magical commentator, raising his hand glowing with a blue flicker, using sound magic. One of the audience said in surprise: "High-quality sound magic… unlike the past years!" The commentator smiled confidently and said: "Today… the fate of the kingdoms might change!" As for the Four Greats… they sat on four high chairs, as if the future held other surprises for them, while everyone awaited the start of the event.
Erold smiled and whispered: "I knew who this was… Kress." He was a tall man with broad shoulders, his dark, sleek hair reaching the middle of his back, and his features were as sharp as polished copper. His eyes glowed with focus, as if they were reading everything around him. He stood confidently on the platform, carrying his large sword, and the black cloak billowed around him with the breeze, bestowing upon him an aura of majesty and status that made everyone feel strength and control.
As for the one beside him, it was Cobra: a man of medium height with taut muscles, his eyes extremely mysterious as if they were hiding secrets that could not be understood. His skin was bronze, and his hair was tied behind his head tightly. His stance was steady and majestic, watching every move with eyes that missed no detail, surrounded by an aura of mystery and control; every movement he made suggested the hidden power of the gravity magic he possessed.
Beside him was Eva: a middle-aged woman, her features stern, her hair short and silver, and her face reflecting firmness and absolute seriousness. Her blue eyes glowed with a quick reaction to any threat. No striking magical aura appeared on her, but she stood in a straight line, as if every movement was calculated in advance.
Finally, Eric: a powerfully built youth, tall, with dark brown hair tending toward red, and his face bore the marks of past battles. His eyes were burning with enthusiasm and courage, and he was flooded with a feeling of fiery energy. He uses fire magic, and his stance is always ready for attack; his body pulses with energy, and his majestic smile reminds everyone that he is an opponent not to be underestimated, but he is less intimidating than Kress and Cobra.
The commentator raised his voice: "Line up, please, to choose the Greats' opponents!" Erold turned, and his eyes met Kress's eyes directly. Erold was staring at him with provoking looks, intentionally dragging him to choose him, which angered him. Kress pointed to Erold and said: "You, boy… I choose you."
The contestant standing beside Erold asked in a voice filled with fear: "What did you do to him?! He is the only one everyone avoids here… You have thrown yourself into perdition!" Erold looked at Kress coldly, then answered in a confident voice that everyone heard: "I accept the duel."
Eva flared with anger and said in distress: "I wanted to choose him…" Then she turned to Argus, who was talking to Luce and laughing, and said in a provoking tone: "You there, you with the pretty face." Argus pointed to himself and said: "Who? Me?" Eva firmly: "Yes." Before she could finish her sentence, Argus interrupted her quickly and steadily: "Yes, I accept." Luce laughed and said mockingly: "Why did you answer so quickly? Slow down; she won't propose marriage to you or anything like that… it's a fight!" Argus replied with serious features: "Stop messing around, Luce! Come on, let's take the situation seriously."
Cobra said in his secret self while eyeing Luce with scrutinizing looks: I cannot choose anyone now… the competition must remain intense, for we cannot risk eliminating the strong from the beginning.
Kress shouted in a booming voice: "Then, we shall begin first!" Erold replied coldly and steadily: "I have no problem."
The audience's shouting rose and cheers grew louder with intensity; Lord Kress will fight today for the first time in a long time! Suddenly, the commentator's voice boomed throughout the arena to cut through the noise of the crowds, shouting: "Ladies and Gentlemen! The time for the duel has arrived! All other contestants must evacuate the arena immediately!"
The contestants withdrew one after another from the golden sandy arena, leaving behind a vast void in the center, broken only by the presence of Erold and Kress. Kress approached with steady steps suggesting quiet confidence, and his looks were as sharp as a blade, while a faint smile formed on his lips reflecting his enthusiasm for the confrontation; he said in a low but audible tone: "Then, our time has come, boy… let's see what you're hiding in your sleeve!" Erold nodded, examining his opponent, feeling a strong aura surrounding him: "I know you are strong… but let's begin."
They stood facing each other, and the air around them was charged with tension. The audience went silent for a moment, and everyone watched cautiously, expecting power not to be underestimated from both. Kress took a step forward, his large sword gleaming in the sunlight: "I will not be an easy opponent… be prepared!" Erold smiled lightly, his eye gleaming with focus: "I am prepared… and I will not waste any opportunity."
Both raised their weapons, preparing for the first clash in this duel that will test their skills, their intelligence, and the strength of each of them… Kress lunged first, his heavy sword gleaming under the sun, launching a series of powerful and fast strikes, trying to break Erold's defense with pure physical strength. Erold parried every attack with lightness and agility, dodging strikes and jumping sideways, spinning, and responding with precision and speed. His sword moved like lightning between his hands, blocking attacks and exploiting any opening to return a counter-strike.
The commentator shouted with enthusiasm: "My God! The duel has just begun, and the fight is igniting! Power and speed are meeting, and the audience is shouting with all enthusiasm!"
Kress pressed harder, pushing his sword toward Erold with force, launching a double attack, while Erold used a circular motion of the sword with the rush of air around him to increase the speed of his reaction and make the strikes appear faster than reality. The audience cheered boisterously, every clash of swords creating bolts of sparks, the sounds of metal rose, and everyone watched with wide-open eyes.
Erold smiled inwardly, feeling that Kress was strong but weaker than him in tactics and flexibility. But he continued fighting cautiously; he didn't want to insult his opponent, but he wanted to test his strength and the limits of his skills, as if he were testing whether he deserved the Matrix or not. Kress noticed Erold's proficiency, smiling cruelly: "This boy… is faster than I expected… but he won't survive one powerful strike!"
Erold lunged, delivering a precise strike to Kress's sword, pushing him back slightly, then retreated a step, maintaining balance and making the opponent strain himself more than necessary, every movement calculated with precision. The fight turned into a dance of deadly attacks and defenses with swords only, every movement filled with excitement, the audience shouted with enthusiasm, every strike ignited the arena.
The girl stood beside Jasmin on the upper stands, whispering in amazement: "Your father is truly strong… but… why doesn't he use magic?" Jasmin replied quickly: "He is not my father… and he cannot use magic."
At that moment, Kress raised his sword slightly and looked at Erold: "So you cannot use magic, right?" Erold smiled confidently and answered: "Yes… you are right." Kress said in surprise: "Really?! I don't want to use magic; let the fight be honorable." But Erold turned lightly and added: "No need for that, use the Night Matrix."
Kress's features were surprised for a moment, then he laughed in astonishment: "How reckless you are, boy… fine, come on, let's begin." Erold smiled, and stood in his fighting stance, focusing on Kress's movements. Kress said in a calm voice but filled with challenge: "As you wish, man… but before we begin, tell me your name." Erold replied steadily: "My name is Erold." Kress's expression changed for a moment, conjuring memories: "Strange… the same name as the owner of the old Matrix… fine, let me show you, Erold."
He raised his sword high toward the sky, and the earth began to shake slightly from the power of his presence. Erold noticed the stance, feeling it was familiar, as if it reminded him of melodies from the past. Kress shouted in a deep voice: "Night Matrix… Darkness has prevailed!" The darkness spread from his feet, flowing like a thick black thread on the ground, enveloping the place around him.
The commentator shouted in surprise: "We cannot see anything… this is the Night Matrix, my God!" Erold laughed from amazement quietly, and Arthur pointed out, saying: "Let me handle the matter; I fought previously… but I couldn't play with you then." Erold replied: "No, not now, Arthur; even I want to play with him."
Kress's first move launched with lightning speed, attacking Erold quickly. Erold focused, moving his body with grace, parrying the attacks with his sword Thorn, dodging every strike with proficiency, while the audience's cries rose and their enthusiasm increased because of the sound of the swords. Erold moved in the arena, every step calculated, feeling Kress's movements, feeling that his opponent was stronger than he appeared, but he knew inside that Kress's true power was less than his. Suddenly, and while he was about to move, Erold felt a slight prick in his intuition, as if a faint light had begun to emerge from the depths of his soul. He stopped for a moment, and his face began to glitter with a calm halo of light, from which a overwhelming feeling of strength, serenity, and absolute control over the situation emanated.
Arthur saw that light from afar, smiled slightly, and whispered: "Here I come…"