The three days that followed were the most agonizingly slow days of their lives. Every hour crawled. They trained relentlessly or sat in restless silence, fueled by anxiety, unable to find a single additional ally to stand with them.
Then, without warning, space and time tore apart before them. A massive rift split open, revealing an underworld colosseum carved from black stone, its stands packed with undead soldiers roaring in unison.
Valkun: He stepped through the rift, green flames licking at his body. "You bastards ready?" He grinned widely, scratching his teeth. "The big man's expecting you~."
Star: He glanced at the others, then back at Valkun. "You're not hosting this yourself?"
Valkun: He scoffed. "If I had the power to revive gods from the underworld, I wouldn't waste my time with this." He turned, already walking back through the rift. "Let's move. Bring three with you. No more." His smile never faded.
Star: He raised a hand, signaling silently. Alex, Sophi, and Radna stepped forward and followed him through the rift. As they emerged inside the colosseum, three massive thrones awaited them, positioned high above the arena with a clear view of everything below.
Sophi: She stared out over the battlefield, taking slow, shaky breaths as she tried to steady herself. "O-oh dear…"
????: The Black King sat upon the largest throne across from them, his presence suffocating. His gaze locked onto each of them before he lifted one hand and waved it lazily.
Announcer: A small stone golem climbed atop a shattered pillar. "The Tournament of Fate hath begun! Light versus darkness, a true trial of strength!" The crowd erupted in deafening roars.
Sophi: A chill ran up her spine at the announcement. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe as she glanced at her friends. She was terrified, yet she believed in them.
Alex: He gently patted her head, eyes fixed on the undead crowd below. "It'll be okay…" His voice was calm, though uncertainty lingered beneath it.
Announcer: "Our lord, Noctuminus the Thorned King, hath chosen the first contenders for round one! On the side of good, the lightning speedster whose mind outpaces even the greatest thinkers of the mortal world! Aiden Greenwood!"
Aiden: He appeared instantly on his side of the arena. At the center stood a massive stone platform, surrounded by a glowing green pool of soul liquid. "Ah shit…"
Radna: His expression darkened. "Noctuminus…" His eyes narrowed. "So that's who he is." He stared toward the Dark King, who stared back without blinking.
Star: His jaw tightened, fists clenching at his sides. "Damn it… I knew I wouldn't get to choose." He exhaled sharply. "Of course it had to be my kid."
Sophi: "He's your son?" She turned quickly to Star, eyes wide.
Star: "Adopted…" He tapped his foot against the stone, faster and faster as the stress built inside him. His gaze never left the arena.
Sophi: She looked back toward Aiden, hands clasping tightly in front of her chest as if in prayer. "You've got this…I believe in you…" she whispered, barely audible. Her eyes then drifted to the strange green liquid surrounding the platform, her brows knitting together in confusion.
Announcer: "And on our side! The man who conquered the celestial cycle of sun and moon! Revived for your entertainment and reborn to fight for us! The Eclipse Knight! Dusk and Dawn!"
Sophi: "dusk and dawn..? Is that one guy??" she wondered, watching the arena intently. "It sounds like it'd be two, and that wouldn't be fair..." she whined.
Dusk & Dawn: A lone figure slowly rose from the pool of spirits, levitating as green vapors peeled away from his form. His armor was pitch black, etched with crescent moons and spiked suns, all rimmed in a blazing orange glow like a living solar eclipse. His head was wrapped in a simple white cloth, worn as a blindfold. He appeared human, yet his hair flowed unnaturally, streaked with black and orange light, crackling with restrained power.
"From dusk till dawn… I shall rule the skies." He drew two blades. One burned with radiant solar fire, its edge shaped like a rising sun. The other shimmered with deep blues and purples, moonlight rippling across its surface.
Star: His eyes widened slightly as he leaned forward, fingers gripping the stone railing. "Why does that name sound so familiar to me…"
Radna: His expression darkened. "He was the first human to ever wield both night and day. The perfect convergence. The living solar eclipse." He exhaled slowly. "Pure legend…or so they say."
Sophi: "S-Star…?" She shuffled closer, gently resting her hand atop his clenched one, trying to ease the tension. "Is everything alright?" She looked up at him, shy but clearly worried.
Star: He exhaled slowly, loosening his grip just a little. "That figure's aura…it's both negative and positive in origin. I can't get a clean read on it." His gaze stayed locked on the arena. "I doubt Aiden can either."
Sophi: "Negative and positive…?" She tilted her head, confused. "Then why is he fighting for the bad guys…?"
Star: "If I had to guess, anyone this Noctum revives is either forced to fight for him… or doesn't fully understand what's happening." His jaw tightened. "Those gods have been dead for who knows how long, trapped in that pool. After an eternity like that, most would agree to anything just to live again."
Sophi: "Mmh…" She stepped a little closer, almost leaning into Star's presence. "I really hope Aiden knows that." Her eyes never left the arena, clinging to the warmth of Star's positivity as she watched, trying to keep her nerves steady.
Aiden: He stared across the arena at the Eclipse Knight. "So you're our first opponent, huh? Gotta admit, as far as entrances go, you absolutely nailed it, my man."
Dusk & Dawn: "Flattery will get thee nowhere, warrior of lightning." He lowered himself slowly to the stone, the glowing orange cloth along his armor billowing as if reality itself recoiled from his presence. Simply standing there, he radiated immense power.
Aiden: "Heh, yeah, figured." He pressed his wrist gauntlet, mechanical plating rapidly assembling around his body as his suit formed. The Tesla coils along his frame crackled and whined as energy surged through them. "So what, is the whole solar eclipse thing your gimmick?"
Dusk & Dawn: He lifted the moon blade high. It slipped free from his grasp, hovering above his palm before spinning violently. Energy condensed around it until a massive blue-and-purple moon tore downward toward Aiden.
Aiden: His visor flashed yellow as he shifted aside in a blur. The moment the construct struck the arena floor, it detonated in a violent burst of energy, the shockwave rippling across the stone.
Sophi: She watched the two of them intently, eyes widening as bursts of energy and color tore across the arena. "S-Star…Aiden's gonna be okay, right?" she asked quietly, never looking away. Her fingers rested gently against the gaps between Star's, not fully holding his hand, unsure if he would be comfortable.
Star: "I…I hope so, Sophi. For all our sakes. And his." His eyes stayed locked on the arena, fully focused as he analyzed his son's opponent. "Come on, kiddo."
Aiden: "Alright. Obviously, you're not an enemy I can mess around with." His arm reconfigured with a sharp mechanical snap, reshaping into an energy cannon. A massive beam of yellow lightning erupted forward.
Dusk & Dawn: He recalled the moon blade instantly and raised the sun blade. It spun at blinding speed, forming a radiant shield of light that perfectly absorbed the lightning strike. Energy surged, then the shield released it as a piercing beam of orange light, cutting straight through the attack.
Aiden: "Ah shit-" He dashed aside, then quickly backstepped as Dusk & Dawn slammed both blades down where he had been standing moments earlier. He exhaled sharply, sparks crackling along his suit. "Okay…you're fast. Got it…"
Sophi: She grit her teeth and leaned forward against the bars, eyes wide as she watched the clash of power and color. She gasped as Aiden slid out of the way of Dusk & Dawn's blades. "C-come on, Aiden.." she whispered, breath hitching. "Mmh..." She whined softly, holding her breath as the two exchanged rapid attacks. Her body trembled with fear, every instinct screaming for comfort, yet she refused to look away from the fight even for a second.
Dusk & Dawn: "I commend thee, spirit of lightning. Long hath it been since I crossed blades with one so swift. Yet know this, thou hast not faced one as seasoned as I." He extended both blades to his sides, stance calm and assured.
Aiden: His thoughts raced as the Tesla coils along his arms surged with power. "How the hell is he able to see me, let alone sense everything I am doing?" In a flash of crackling yellow light, he vanished from sight.
Dusk & Dawn: The orange outline along his armor dimmed, turning cold, as the moon-shaped sigils across his body flared to life. Above them, the cavern roof shifted and dissolved into a vast night sky, the full moon blazing overhead and casting down streams of purple light. "Full Moon: Captivating Gaze."
Aiden: He dashed straight through one of the descending rays and froze instantly, his body locked mid-stride. His visor flickered wildly. "What is this?!" He remained suspended in a running position, completely unable to move.
Sophi: "c-captivating ga-" She let out a shaky breath, sitting down and shivering as she peered through the lower bars. She hugged her knees to her chest and rocked herself for comfort, shaking as she watched Aiden stuck in place. "Please, fuck, please let him be okay..." she whispered to the air as a tear streamed down her cheek, wiping it away quickly and hoping nobody saw. Her mind was racing and begging for Aiden to be safe.
Dusk & Dawn: He strode toward Aiden, one gauntleted hand reaching out. "This bout endeth as swiftly as it began, young one."
Aiden: He smirked. "Did you seriously think I would let all that just happen at once? Ever heard of what clouds do?" The night sky roared as a storm swallowed the heavens. His Tesla coils screamed at full charge, yellow lightning flooding his arm as he drove his fist straight into the knight's face, launching him violently backward.
Dusk & Dawn: He halted himself midair before tumbling into the pit, boots skidding against unseen force. Slowly, he turned his head back toward Aiden and spat a fleck of blood. Orange and black energy surged through his veins, crawling beneath his armor. "Unexpected, yet most entertaining. Bravo, child."
Sophi: She let out a shaky breath, crossing her arms tightly around herself as if that alone could keep her steady. Dusk & Dawn felt wrong, like he was coiled around some hidden intent, and the thought of what he might unleash next made her stomach twist painfully. She trembled, unable to stop it, nails digging lightly into her sleeves as the noise of the crowd blurred into nothing.
"Fuck…I do not know if I can do this in this condition…" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as it cracked into a soft whine. Even surrounded by countless beings, she felt painfully alone in that moment. Her eyes never left the arena. "Please be safe, Aiden…"
Alex: He stepped up behind her and gently pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her in a steady, grounding hold while still leaving her a clear view of the arena. His presence was warm and solid, a quiet anchor against her shaking.
"He will be safe. He is smart. He knows what he is doing, hun…" His eyes stayed locked on the fight as he spoke, calm but intense, sharing the moment with her instead of pulling her away from it.
Sophi: She let out a big, shaky breath and leaned fully into Alex, pulling his arms tighter around her. The trembling in her body eased just a little as his warmth settled in, her husband's presence bringing instant comfort. "Thank you so much… I needed you right now…" she whined softly, holding his hands and keeping them wrapped around her as her eyes stayed fixed on the arena.
Aiden: He appeared behind him, moving in for a kick, but stopped himself at the last second and dashed back to his original position. His breathing was heavy now, sharp and uneven, like the realization had shaken him. "That solar radiation is no normal amount. He is boosting the energy around his body, creating a hostile shield. Just what the hell made this guy?" His hands shifted again, morphing into cannons as the Tesla coils screamed with power.
Dusk & Dawn: He raised his solar blade high into the air. It began to spin slowly as flames ignited, forming a blazing ring that circled his body. "Solar Blessing: Grand Radiance." A massive wave of blinding light erupted outward in every direction, washing over the arena and briefly stealing sight from everyone, Aiden included.
Aiden: He smiled. The image of him standing before Dusk & Dawn flickered, then vanished. In the next instant, he appeared above the knight, unleashing a massive bolt of lightning straight down into his body. The blinding light collapsed, the flames snuffed out as the impact detonated into a cloud of dust and shattered energy. Aiden landed safely away from the blast, boots skidding slightly against the stone. "A direct impact…"
Sophi: "Owh!!" She whimpered, quickly rubbing at her eyes as the flash burned across her vision. "Mmh…" She blinked rapidly, tears clinging to her lashes as she squinted back toward the arena. "What's going on..?" Her voice trembled as she tried to peer through the thick dust swirling where the blast had hit. "Is Aiden okay?!" She leaned forward instinctively, heart pounding, straining to see any sign of him through the haze as the echo of the impact slowly faded.
Star: "Yes, he appears okay from what I can see. Another successful hit on the enemy. If this were damage-based, we are definitely up on points. We may actually have a chance here." He allowed himself a small, hopeful smile.
Aiden: He panted heavily. "Damn it…I am overcharging my armor again. I need to learn to let it come naturally-" He suddenly dodged as if reacting to nothing at all. A sharp impact followed, one of the coils on his left arm snapping apart as sparks flew. Blood seeped through a crack in his armor. "What?!"
Radna: He snapped his head toward Star immediately. "You just had to fucking say something, didn't you?"
Dusk & Dawn: He now stood several steps behind Aiden, blades gripped low at his sides. "I thought you might have predicted that. You are fortunate you moved. Another moment slower, and I would have severed your arm entirely."
Sophi: "Mmh!!!" She whimpered, clutching Alex tighter as her eyes locked onto the blood. She looked up at him, panic flooding her expression. "B-Baby, h-he is bleeding!!" Her voice trembled as tears welled up. She wanted more than anything to rush into the arena and heal him, but she knew she could not intervene. "A-Aiden, p-please…p-please be safe…" she whispered, her words barely holding together.
Aiden: He launched himself backward, skidding across the stone as his lightning flared red with fury. "You bastard…"
Dusk & Dawn: "You know, no one has survived this long against my sun and moon attacks, and I have barely scratched the surface of my true capabilities." He tilted his head slightly, almost amused. "That alone is a great honor. And so, I shall reward you."
He reached up and pinched the edge of his cloth blindfold, slowly pulling it free. Beneath it, his eyes burned with overwhelming solar and lunar power. The air warped violently as his head erupted into light and shadow, transforming into a floating solar body. A perfect eclipse formed where his head once was, flames of orange power pouring endlessly from the darkness within.
"Your reward is this." The arena trembled beneath his presence. "I shall fight you at full power."
Aiden: He flinched inside his visor, his vision straining violently as waves of power bore down on him. Just looking at Dusk & Dawn made his eyes burn, his body screaming in protest as he forced himself to stay upright. "Ngh-"
Sophi: She wiped at her eyes quickly and tightened her grip around Alex's hands, pressing closer to him as fear crawled up her spine. She kept her gaze low, terrified that Dusk & Dawn's eyes might meet hers if she looked too long. "F-Full power?! A-All that wasn't even his full power already?!" Her voice shook as she stared back toward the arena, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. Every breath felt tight as she silently prayed with everything she had.
Aiden: Red sparks of lightning surged across his armor, rage forcing power through systems already pushed beyond their limits. His vision burned as he tried to keep Dusk & Dawn in sight, his eyes screaming in protest, but he refused to look away. He slammed his hands together, energy screaming as it condensed into a massive cannon. "I shall end this here and now!!!"
Dusk & Dawn: "Hmph." He scoffed, slamming his twin blades together. Light and shadow twisted as they fused, forming a single solar eclipse blade humming with impossible power. He vanished forward in an instant. A sharp slash rang out, followed by sudden silence. He stood behind Aiden. "You gave it your all, kiddo."
Aiden: His helmet retracted as blood spilled from his mouth, his legs giving out beneath him. He dropped to his knees, breath ragged. "You were just…too fast for me…heh. Never thought I would see the day." A faint smile crossed his face as his body slowly split apart.
Dusk & Dawn: He knelt, driving his blade into the stone before him in solemn reverence. "You have my highest respect, Aiden Greenwood."
Star: "NO!!!" He screamed, his voice cracking as it tore through the colosseum, the force of it echoing against stone and shadow.
Announcer: "AND THE WINNER OF ROUND ONE, DUSK AND DAWN!!!" The undead crowd erupted into thunderous cheers, their roars swallowing Star's cries entirely. "Round Two shall begin shortly! The side of darkness is up by one point!"
Dusk & Dawn: He tied his cloth over where his eyes would be, and his head returned to normal. "I shall never forget our great duel."
Sophi: "AIDEN!!!" She shrieked, tears streaming down her face as she floated up off the ground and reached her hands out, beginning to fly over to Aiden and heal him.
Noctum: He grabbed her arm, his touch burning her skin, and began decaying her flesh. "Sit. DOWN!" He threw her back up where they were, but Alex was able to catch her. He waved his hand over Aiden's body, and it turned into black particles flowing up and being placed inside the flowing pool. "THIS IS MY HOUSE! You do not get to show your disgusting fucking HUMAN EMOTIONS HERE! Next round will begin soon!" He glared at her as he turned away, walking back to his throne. Round Two will only get bloodier.