My brother approached the board and read the sheet in silence.
ELIJAH DRAVENVSREID THORNELIOREN VASKVSDAREN SOLVIK
For a few seconds, no one said anything.
The noise of the crowd around us seemed to fade away.
I looked at Elijah. His expression shifted for just an instant… a slight disappointment, almost imperceptible.
At that moment, Reid appeared beside us.
—Well… looks like we won't be facing each other in the final.
Elijah let out a small laugh, though it didn't sound entirely convincing.
—Yeah… a shame —he said, lowering his gaze for a second before composing himself—. I would've liked it to be in the final.
Reid smiled, with that characteristic confidence of his.
—Don't worry —he replied—. I'll make sure you don't get that far.
Elijah lifted his head and returned the smile, firmer this time.
—Keep telling yourself that.
For a second, they just stared at each other. It wasn't hostility… but something deeper. Rivalry. Respect.
Reid turned around.
—I'll head to the field. See you in a bit.
And he left without waiting for a response.
I followed him with my eyes as he walked away, until he disappeared into the crowd.
Then I looked at my brother.
—You're going to beat him, right?
Elijah smiled with that confidence he always had.
—Obviously. He's never been at my level… and even if he's improved, so have I.
He paused briefly.
—Thanks to you.
—You say that like I'm the best swordsman in the world.
—You're right —he replied without hesitation—. You're not.
—Hey!
He burst out laughing, and I joined him. But his laughter slowly faded.
His expression changed.
This time, for real.
—I'm not just talking about training —he said, looking straight at me—. Without you… I don't know how I would've made it this far.
I felt something strange in my chest.
—So… thank you.
For a second, I didn't know what to say.
Too serious.
Too… real.
I brushed his hand off my shoulder with a half-smile.
—You don't need to thank me —I said—. Just go out there… and beat him easily. I want to brag about you later.
Elijah smiled again.
—Deal.
We said goodbye with a quick gesture, and I headed back to the stands.
When I arrived, my friends made space for me among the crowd.
—How's your brother? —Tarin asked as soon as he saw me.
—Good. Ready —I replied, looking at all of them—. The next fight is Elijah against Reid.
—Seriously? It's already happening? —Luca sat up in his seat, eyes shining—. I've been waiting for this all day. Finally, we'll see Elijah go all out.
—I don't think so —Mira said calmly.
—What? Why? —Luca asked, confused.
Mira crossed her arms, not taking her eyes off the field.
—My brother isn't at Elijah's level. Even if it hurts to say it.
I frowned.
—And why are you so sure?
—Because I've seen Elijah fight —she replied without hesitation.
—But Reid has been training too —I added—. And from what we know, he's won his fights easily.
—It's not the same —she shook her head—. The others were normal mages, with magical abilities. Elijah… doesn't fight like them.
She paused briefly before continuing.
—No matter how much he says he's a mage, he isn't. And that makes him more dangerous. Most people stopped using swords when powers appeared. They're not used to fighting someone like him anymore.
Tarin nodded slowly.
—That makes sense…
—Yeah, but Reid has experience —I added—. He's fought Elijah many times. Since they were kids. He knows how he moves.
Mira shook her head again, more serious.
—That's not the same Elijah from before. Not even close.
She paused before continuing.
—The only real advantage Reid has… is that Elijah doesn't know his power. He left the city before awakening it, so he's going in completely blind.
Luca raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
—So… Elijah avoided watching his fights on purpose? So he wouldn't know what ability he has and the fight would be more fair?
—That's most likely —Mira replied without hesitation.
I stayed thoughtful for a moment. Everything started to make sense.
—Then… Reid did the same.
The three of them looked at me.
—Knowing how Elijah is —I continued—, he knew Elijah wouldn't observe him. So he decided not to watch his fights either… to avoid having an advantage.
Tarin let out a small snort.
—Pure pride.
Mira crossed her arms and sighed.
—No. They're idiots.
We all burst out laughing.
—By the way… what ability does Reid have? —I asked.
Mira glanced at me.
—Right, you haven't seen his fights either.
Luca leaned forward, as if he had been waiting for that moment.
—He has a pretty interesting power… and a difficult one to use —he said, lowering his voice slightly—. He controls threads.
—Threads? —I repeated, frowning.
—Yeah. Invisible threads —he continued—. They're incredibly strong. In previous fights, he used them to immobilize his opponents… and throw them out of the arena like it was nothing.
I thought about it for a second.
—Interesting… —I murmured—. My brother is going to love this.
At that moment, the announcer appeared again in the center of the arena. His mere presence was enough to make the crowd's murmur fade little by little into an expectant silence.
—It seems we've reached the semifinals! —he exclaimed enthusiastically—. The fights so far have been spectacular. I hope His Majesty is enjoying them.
He looked toward the tower. The king nodded slightly.
—And now… we move on to a very special matchup.
He paused, letting the tension build.
—Two young men born in this very city… friends since childhood… and rivals for as long as they can remember.
The crowd began to stir.
—On the left side… Reid Thorne!
Reid appeared, walking calmly, without hurry. His expression was relaxed, almost overly confident. His eyes, however, were completely fixed forward.
—A mage who has demonstrated exceptional mastery of his ability, overcoming high-level opponents!
Reid took his position.
—And on the right side… Elijah Draven!
My brother stepped into the arena.
His stride was firm. Confident. Each step echoed more than it should.
—A peerless swordsman, who has won his fights with overwhelming clarity!
When they stood face to face… the atmosphere changed.
It wasn't just tension.
It was something denser.
Heavier.
Their gazes locked.
Neither looked away.
Neither hesitated.
For a moment, the rest of the world stopped mattering.
—The match will begin in… 3… 2… 1…!
Elijah took his fighting stance.
Reid slowly raised his hands… placing his fingers in a strange position, as if holding something invisible between them.
—NOW!