Night fell hard over Kagavata.
The 7th Kingdom never truly slept, but after the Trial Arena's fires dimmed and the last roar of battle faded into silence, the city exhaled. Lights flickered in the windows of inns, while rooftop shadows moved like whispering ghosts. The streets smelled of steel, sweat, and ambition.
Naku Hizusuki sat alone beneath a street lantern outside The Roaring Lantern inn, sharpening the edge of a real steel spear—a gift granted to him for winning his match against Kaizu Dren. His wooden training weapon now hung respectfully on the wall in his room. Retired, but not forgotten.
A bruise throbbed beneath his ribs. His arm still trembled faintly. But what stayed with him most wasn't pain.
It was the silence Kaizu had left behind.
No apology. No hatred. Just silence… and the way the nobles watching from the stands had stared at him.
Like he was a puzzle. Or a threat.
---
"You've made enemies," a voice said.
Naku turned. A young woman leaned against the stone wall behind him, arms folded, eyes narrowed. She wore dark fighting leathers and a crimson sash with a jagged symbol—a fang piercing a sun.
"I didn't come to make friends," Naku said, calmly.
She smirked. "Good. Because House Dren won't forget what you did to their heir. And nobles here don't forgive. They crush."
Naku looked her over. "And you are?"
"Aiko Fen. Second-tier trialist. I saw your match. You move like a monk, but you strike like a street fighter."
"I had good teachers," he replied.
"Hmm." She stepped closer, eyes sharp. "You're not like the others. You don't have magic. No House. No enhancements. You're an outsider."
"I'm a warrior," Naku said simply.
She studied him for a beat, then gave a slow nod. "There's a gathering tomorrow night. Fighters only. Invitation-only. The 'Red Embers' watch the matches and handpick a few for underground duels. No rules. No judges. Just skill."
Naku didn't flinch. "And you think I should fight?"
"No." Aiko's eyes glinted. "I think you have to. Because the Dren family will try to make sure you never stand in the Trial Arena again."
---
The next day, the training fields buzzed with energy. Trialists trained under the sun, sharpening their skills. Naku kept to himself, sparring with weighted dummies and practicing precision forms taught to him by Buddha Mong.
But the whispers followed him.
"That's the one who beat Kaizu."
"With one arm, no less."
"Some say he's using forbidden techniques."
By noon, three new names had dropped out of the trials. Two injured. One missing.
A message was left pinned to Naku's door:
> "Your next fight will be your last.
You don't belong here."
He read it. Tore it in half. And went back to training.
---
That night, Aiko led him through the underbelly of Kagavata.
Past gambling dens and back-alley shrines, through tunnels carved in ancient times. Finally, they emerged in a hidden chamber beneath the city—a secret coliseum lit by molten torches and enchanted glyphs.
The Ember Ring.
Dozens of fighters watched from stone bleachers. At the center, a blood-stained circle. No rules. No surrender.
"Don't die," Aiko said casually. "They only respect survivors."
Naku stepped into the ring.
His opponent was waiting. A tall man in bone-white armor, holding twin hooked blades. No emotion. No words.
Just death in his eyes.
A bell rang.
Steel clashed.
---
To Be Continued.