It was the first day of the second phase of the tournament at the coliseum.
Misti had fainted after her first match, apparently due to the poison that struck her. However, after Akrivís left the recovery room, she told me a secret she had kept since childhood: she has a rare disease. But it wasn't something ordinary… it was a curse.
One day, when she was still a child, a doctor — the son of the former Marked of Life, who had died over forty years ago — visited her at Iguetis's request. He used all of his inherited magic but couldn't identify the origin of the affliction. He only discovered that it was indeed a curse caused by magic. And more: Misti would only live until the age of twenty-two.
It had been a few hours since she revealed everything to me. And since then, a new fear had arisen in my heart. Even while watching the second-phase matches, the anguish in my chest only grew. The idea of losing the only person I trust — just like I lost Mika — haunted me.
I also want to save her… but in a way that allows me to stay by her side.
"What are you doing?" asked Próta, seeing me sitting on the edge of the bed, head down. "You're late for your match. The judges hate waiting."
"Ah… sorry," I replied, leaving the room. "I got lost in some thoughts… I'll finish this fight quickly."
"Wait, So—"
She tried to say something else, but I closed the door before I could hear it.
Time flew by. I didn't even bother to read my opponent's name.
As I walked toward the arena, I saw Thymós leaning against a tree, his expression more serious than usual. As soon as he saw me, he ran over, shaking the ground with each step.
"Careful, Sonno," he exclaimed, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You're going up against a really strong guy. Maybe even stronger than the Crimson Swordsman."
Coming from him, that was rare to hear.
"Don't worry," I replied, waving. "If I can't beat someone like this, how can I ever reach the 'Seven'?"
The coliseum was buzzing. My opponent was already warming up. As soon as I entered, I was greeted with boos — mostly from women who seemed to be Chyo's fans.
Without waiting for the judge, the boy launched his attack.
His hair was light gray with a few black streaks. His body was slender, and his eyes were almost completely white. He floated on a board made of water.
"I saw your first match," he said with a calm smile. "You left your weak spots far too exposed."
"First a fire user, now a water one?" I commented, dodging two liquid jets that tore through the coliseum's stone walls like paper.
"Name at least three," I challenged, grabbing his left arm after a swift advance. I kicked his abdomen, pushing him back.
"Your back, your..." he tried to answer, still recovering from the blow.
"Didn't catch that," I taunted, cupping my ear.
Then he clapped his hands. A watery aura formed around him, with fish floating like living spirits.
"Listen closely, Sonno," he said, uttering a prayer.
A roar echoed behind me.
And there it was: a dragon made entirely of water, adorned with coral along its back. It had to be over five meters tall. The magic's pressure pulled me toward it like a hurricane about to consume me.
"Your voice is beautiful today, Aqua!" he shouted, applauding the creature. "Time to feel at home!"
The ground turned to water, like a shallow pool. Then he tossed a blue stone for the dragon to eat.
Controlling it wouldn't work. The dragon was stronger than me — pure, unstable, ravenous magic. It was higher in the food chain. Untouchable.
"Vlémma… haven't I already given you part of my soul?" I murmured, chuckling softly. "I need your power now."
A strong wind blew, stirring the waters.
"Aqua, be the star of this stage!" the boy pointed at me.
The dragon lunged, but instead of striking me directly, it dove into the ground. I was caught off guard by a blow from above. The impact felt like drowning in the ocean.
I was swallowed.
The salty taste of the water burned my throat. The magic within slowed me down, clouded my vision. Its interior felt infinite — as if I were in another world.
I closed my eyes. Focused. Visualized the outside — a technique I learned in the other world. And it worked here too.
I took control of the dragon's mind, saw through its eyes. The sensation was disturbing. But I took advantage of it.
I advanced toward its master. Tried to make my body explode from within, but he anticipated me. Made the dragon dive, and I was spat back into the real world.
"Looks like I mistook who the real enemy was," I said, manipulating the surrounding water to form a tsunami. "I'll stop playing with your pet."
The boy laughed, amused. His eyes sparkled.
"You're stronger than in your first match," he praised. "One of the most annoying types to face."
A spiral opened beneath my feet. The dragon was coming again, mouth wide open, ready to swallow me.
I jumped, dodging, and let the tsunami hit it squarely, obscuring its vision. Without him noticing, I appeared behind him.
I launched a flurry of blows: neck, face, ribs… finishing with a punch and kick combo to the stomach, sending him flying.
"Watch your back, or else…" I warned, walking toward him. He was kneeling, regaining strength.
"You can't be that fast, idiot," he replied, breathless. But even wounded, he laughed.
And followed a musical rhythm.
"I'm not, but he is," I pointed behind him.
The dragon, now momentarily under my control, struck him square in the spine. He coughed blood and collapsed.
"Saint…chi," he whispered. "Come to me."
The magic around him gathered. Water formed armor. His wounds began to heal. He wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up.
"Our performance isn't over yet," he said. "A melody can't end without a grand finale."
"I didn't expect you to endure so many hits," I replied.
Suddenly, he formed a sword of water. With a single slash, he deeply wounded my leg. The pain blinded me for a moment.
A knee to the face. I fell, breaking the ground beneath me.
He was different. Stronger. His aura now twice what it was at the start of the fight.
"I admire you, Sonno," he said, extending a hand to help me. "I want you to finish this match as a star."
I took his hand. Stood up.
"You're kind… what's your name?"
"I thought you read it before entering… but your delay explains it." His expression turned slightly sad. "Everyone calls me Mousi. Composer of the Waters."
His sword dissolved, replaced by a harp. Each string he plucked fired acidic water bursts, alternating between explosive rings.
I backed away, dodging narrowly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said, manipulating the attacks for defense. "But how are you not among the 'Seven'?"
"I'm the tenth," he replied bitterly. His harp vanished.
I attempted a punch to his armor. But the water trapped my hand. Pure magic. Manipulable.
I created a hole in the armor, hitting him directly.
He endured. But his aura faded. His armor cracked.
"You learn something new mid-battle," he said, forming a flute. "That's why I think you're magnificent."
"Thanks for the compliment, Mousi," I replied, throwing stones at him.
He dodged well. But I charged again, still with the physical advantage. He tried to grab my leg, but I reacted quickly and kicked his ribs.
I entered his mind. Didn't control him… just influenced his decisions. He hesitated. Stopped whistling.
"This will be my final move. I hope you enjoy the show," he said seriously. "This is the Melody of the End!"
The sound of water became deafening. The coliseum was sealed by two liquid barriers, forming a corridor of magic. The pressure was insane. Impossible to manipulate.
"You have one minute to defeat me," he warned, cracking his neck.
"Why keep going? You could end this anytime."
"I want to hear this sound a bit longer… just a little more."
The flute released massive bubbles. Impossible to pass through. But his sword…
I grabbed the sword from the ground. It pierced the bubbles.
I jumped. Ran over them, too fast to be seen.
"Thirty seconds…" he said, still playing.
Mousi didn't notice: I was only a few meters away.
The crowd screamed.
At the end of the liquid tunnel, I saw Misti. Like a light guiding me.
My aura erupted. I was stronger now.
"Thank you, Mousi," I said coldly.
I drove the sword into his chest. The barriers vanished. The crowd roared with applause.
"Thank you, Sonno…" he murmured, blood dripping. "Our performance was… beautiful."
And he collapsed in my arms.
The judge entered, arms wide toward the audience.
"WHAT AN INCREDIBLE MATCH!" he shouted. "THE WINNER IS SONNO BJORNY!"
Now, I'm one step closer to the finals.