The tournant had ended, and the golden haze of magic still shimred faintly across the Zenith Arena. Champions were tending to wounds, crowds slowly thinning out, and sky-lanterns now began to rise above Krayon Sol, dancing into the twilight.
Up in one of the noble stands, Vael strolled toward the box where Adam, Joshua, Alice, and Kaiden were seated. He had ditched the ceremonial robes, back in his usual grease-stained apron, a at skewer half-eaten in his hand.
"That was so epic showdown," Vael said, voice rough with admiration. "That move you pulled at the end? Just chefs kiss perfection."
He turned to Kaiden, eyes narrowed slightly. "So… who taught you that spin-kick into soul-burst sequence?"
Kaiden scratched the back of his neck and pointed at Adam. "He's my father."
Vael blinked. Then laughed.
"Well, I'll be damned. You have such a fine boy," Vael said, slapping Adam on the back hard enough to make the entire stand creak. "Reminds of my younger years. Millions of years ago, back when I was valiant and a force of nature. Zayriel would vouch for ."
Joshua leaned forward, smirking. "Yeah, he was sothing, all right. A force of nature—mostly gas, occasionally useful."
They burst into laughter, even Kaiden cracking a grin.
Vael grumbled good-naturedly, waving a skewer at Joshua. "Keep talking, spark boy. You'll be eating raw dragon at next ti."
"Only if it cos with your mystery sauce," Joshua shot back.
Vael sighed with theatrical disappointnt. "He rembers the sauce. I'm dood."
The mood was light, the kind that only follows a win, and just when Vael was about to invite them all back to his restaurant for a celebratory al, movent in the corridor below caught their attention.
Three figures approached the private box—each one a weight on the air.
Duke Gorrim.
Lady Vireen.
And the Celestial King himself.
Vael's smile twitched. "Looks like dinner's gonna wait."
Adam stood slowly, Joshua beside him. Alice and Kaiden followed suit, composed but curious.
Duke Gorrim reached them first, towering and broad, beard braided with fragnts of darksteel. His eyes landed on Kaiden, unreadable.
"Your match was impressive," he said flatly. "Too impressive for soone so young."
Kaiden kept his stance even. "Thank you, sir."
Gorrim's eyes flicked to Adam, and for a beat, the air thickened.
He gave a slow nod. "You raised a strong one."
Adam said nothing—he simply returned the nod, calm and quiet.
Lady Vireen stepped forward next. Tall and ethereal, silver threading across her black robes, her mask covering all but her lips.
"You carry blood not of this realm," she said softly to Kaiden. "And yet, you did not falter. That is rare."
Kaiden blinked. "I—appreciate that, Lady Vireen."
She turned to Adam. "A celestial? Or sothing beyond it?"
Adam didn't answer.
She smiled faintly. "Secrets are fine. For now."
And then the Celestial King stepped forward.
The arena fell into silence again.
His presence was gentle but vast—a sea of stars behind a human face. His voice, when he spoke, was both warm and eternal.
"Kaiden Dhark," he said, and even saying the na seed to place it into history. "You fought with spirit. Not only strength. You fought to protect, not to dominate. That is the mark of a true force."
Kaiden bowed.
The Celestial King glanced at Joshua. "Zayriel, your return has brought echoes into motion."
Joshua t his gaze evenly. "And I plan to answer them."
The King looked at Adam last. A pause.
A deeper recognition passed there.
Then the King simply said, "Keep your son close. The winds coming are older than blood."
With that, the three turned, walking back into the crowd of glowing banners and murmuring nobles.
As soon as they were gone, Vael exhaled sharply. "So. Still coming to the restaurant, or do I need to call the gods of catering to deliver up here?"
Joshua clapped Kaiden on the shoulder. "C'mon. You earned the best al of your life."
Adam smirked. "And I'll make sure he doesn't eat like a warhorse."
Alice looped her arm into Kaiden's. "Let's go before Vael changes his mind and makes us cook."
They laughed again, the tension slowly lting as they stepped out of the box.
Above, the arena's floating chains pulsed with soft light.
And below, in the streets of Krayon Sol, the na "Kaiden Dhark" had already begun to echo.
But this was just the beginning.
Minutes Later
The soft glow of mana-lanterns lit the wooden interior. The scent of roasted drake at, fresh bread, and fireleaf wine hung thick in the air. Dozens of tables were arranged around a hearth-like cooking pit at the center, where low flas danced beneath a heavy iron grill.
Vael tossed his apron over his shoulder and barked to his staff. "We're off-nu tonight! I want three full spreads for the tournant crew. Kaiden gets the Godslayer Platter! And soone bring out the good soulwine before I die of emotional constipation."
They were seated in the large round booth near the back, right beside a window overlooking the mid-district canals. Joshua sat between Adam and Alice, while Kaiden sat across from them, clearly still riding the buzz from the match.
"You alright?" Alice asked, nudging him gently.
Kaiden looked around, eyes still wide. "I've never been praised like that before. The King. Lady Vireen. Even Gorrim…"
Adam raised an eyebrow. "You did fine. Even without your full powers, you fought like soone who understood what they were protecting. That's more important than power."
Kaiden blinked, then nodded quietly, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.
Soon, platter after platter arrived—roasted wyvern ribs glazed in magma-honey, ice-drake dumplings, moonfruit salad with shimring vine syrup, and a huge steaming pot of luminous soulrice. Kaiden stared at it like it was treasure.
"You're feeding an army," Joshua said.
"I'm feeding champions," Vael corrected, snapping his fingers as servers refilled their cups. "Don't insult my portions."
Adam raised his cup. "To Kaiden Dhark."
They all raised theirs.
Alice smiled. "And to not letting Vael na any dishes ever again."
They clinked glasses, laughter filling the space.
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