The crowd was full and as expected, it seemed like everyone who was there was someone from the empire, but they weren't nobodies. Sylvia could tell just from looking at their clothing and the ties placed on their bodies.

  The empire certainly wasn't lacking in funds like the Red Wings were, that was for sure. However there were still a few people that weren't from the empire. In order not to feel so alienated, they had all been boxed up together in their own area, protected by some of the best empire guards.

  All of those that had come from other kingdoms had been placed in one area. They had more space and weren't cramped up, and the guards wouldn't allow for anyone else to come in. They had been given the VIP treatment. In a way, they now felt even more alienated from the others.

  However, it was all quickly forgotten as the contestants walked into the arena and out onto the field. The cheers erupted and shook the whole place, and soon there was a chant let out between the people.

  "Roki, Roki, Roki." They all chanted their warrior's name.

  They were escorted out by guards, and each of them lined up in the centre in two rows. Side by side with their teammates. Standing at the front was Roki, and next to him Sera had come out as well.

  Ray and Harry were at the very back, while Roki and Sera were at the front. So it seemed like there wouldn't be much going on.

  Back in the crowd, Sylvia had decided to go next to her brother Mathew, who was in charge of looking after the Alure kingdom guests.

  "Do you think your participants will do well?" Sylvia asked.

  Mathew let out a big sigh, as he looked down at who the Alure kingdom had brought. They were two men. One had two large rings that were blades, apart from the handle. It was a unique looking weapon that made him stand out. Meanwhile the other was a simple sword and shield user.

  "I'm afraid not. The Alure kingdom has been weakened significantly due to all of this mess with the Redwings." Mathew replied. "Before when Avrion was a part, the best knights with the most potential would be sent there and it looks like the strong ones chose to stay.

  "There was the Black ring's group. The strongest guild in the Alure kingdom. They had been bought off by the empire and you guys made a right mess of them. We still chose to invite their guild leader, but there seems to be no sign of them since. So we were left really scraping the bottom of the barrel."

  The news was concerning. To the outside, the Alure kingdom was complying with the empire, doing everything it was told to do. Not supporting the Redwings. However, in reality, Ray and the Queen had a close relationship. So close that the prince of the Alure kingdom was actually part of the Redwings.

  The other kingdoms wouldn't try to do anything while the Empire is still supporting them, but if the word got out, it could possibly cause the other kingdoms to try and absorb the Alure kingdom.

  The question was, if that was to happen, what would Ray do then?

  Looking down, everyone's name was introduced one by one. Starting with those from the Redwing's. Finally they had reached the end. Roki got the loudest cheer, while Sera got the second loudest.

  'Is she really an unknown?' Sylvia thought.

  "Mathew, do you know anything about that Sera person?" She asked.

  On Ray's request, he had asked if she could gather any information to do with Sera. He didn't explain why, but just said it would be important, but from what she knew, Sera seemed to be an almost invisible person until this day. The crowd's reaction proved that.

  "I don't know, we knew Roki would be in the tournament. Our guess is that they're probably hiding the other contestants so the other kingdoms didn't get more information." Mathew explained. "But this is the first time I'm hearing this name as well. It wasn't like we didn't have a list of suspects. This just came as a surprise."

  The empire would never just put anybody in the ring. They both knew that.

  Finally, the emperor Alexander had arrived. He came out on a platform that was built slightly outward from the crowd up midway in the arena. The top and bottom were solid, leaving an open space for him to see the entire arena floor.

  With an amplifying crystal in his hand, when he spoke, everyone could hear him clearly.

  "We will not waste any time, let's get these matches on the way. I will draw two names and those two will fight immediately." Alexander spoke and the crowd responded with cheers.

  There was no fancy way of selecting. One of Alexander's men handed him a black box filled with several balls. On each ball was a name. He would lift it up and say the name, if they were from the same kingdom, he would place it down and pick another one.

  And he did just that, picking up the first ball from the box.

  "We have Jones Mutenter against Cliff Bydo."

  The other contestants moved off to the side of the arena where a separate area was built for them to stay. It was kind of like a little tech, where they could still see the arena from ground level.

  A large horn was played, signalling it was the start of the match. Jones was the old man who was a spear user, while Ciff was one of the men from the Alure kingdom. The man who used the banded rings as weapons.

  At first the fight started slowly with the two of them circling each other, each one waiting for the other to make the first move. However, soon boo's were raining from the crowd, wishing for one of them to act.

  Eventually, Cliff in his experience couldn't take it anymore. He charged in with the rings, slicing, in an odd style, while moving his body like an acrobat.

  Jones was calm though, and he simply hit the rings away before they could reach him.

  Watching this, it was clear that everyone was able to use Ki, whether it be strong or not, they did deserve their place here. Still, Ray knew there was a clear winner before the fight had started.

  Jones began to act and he had shoved his spear right through the centre of the ring. Then, using his force, he yanked the ring from his hand, throwing it into the side of the wall.

  Cliff expected this, and charged in with his over ring. Thinking it would take some time before Jones would be able to reposition his spear. But it was already back in place. Just like he had done to Ray, he did a number of stabs towards Cliff's body. Jabing in and out quickly.

  The pain was too much, and each stab had moved Cliff's body further back. Then finally, the last strike was thrown towards Cliff's throat having stopped just millimeters away from his skin.

  "Forfeit, I do not wish to take a promising warrior's future here." Jones said.

  Cliff gulped, and his arm's able had grazed the edge of the spear; it was that close.

  "I forfeit." Cliff said and just like that the first match was over.

  There were a few more matches that had happened after that, but none of them really interested Ray unless it would be one of the five people he spoke about. Besides, Ray and Sera seemed to be having a staring match of their own, whenever the fight would stop they would look at each other.

  Sera was giggling like some type of high school girl who had a crush on a young teenage boy. While Ray was scorning like an old man who wanted kids to get off his front lawn.

  The next fight Savana had won. Showing her skills with the two daggers, she was thankful that she hadn't been chosen to go against the Empire's men or the Redwing kingdom yet.

  The next match, the young blonde swordsman had won his. He was skillful with the sword, but seemed to be inexperienced in battle. He fought using the forms that were taught at his kingdom and eventually managed to win the fight, but not without returning with many injuries.

  Then the next draw was made.

  "Next we have, Harry against…" a smile appeared on Alexander's face. "Our very own Roki."

  The cheers went wild hearing Roki's name and in the crowd Kyle had slapped himself on the forehead.

  "Was this really because of me?" Kyle said.

  "No." Martha said looking at Kyle. "Don't tell me. You did, didn't you? You bet on Harry to win his first game!" The moment she heard Kyle moan, something was telling her it was his doing.

  They had all seen Roki take down the emperor tier beast. They knew how skilful and strong Roki was. It wasn't that he didn't think Harry would win.

  The problem was Kyle had thought due to it being the first fight, Harry would get someone easy. But it looked like on the first day of the All kingdom tournament, there would be a Redwing vs Empire grudge match.

  *****

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