The journey to Batangara was long, the roads dusted with the memory of ancient wars and victories sung through generations. Ari and Kaien traveled under false names, their appearances cloaked by modest robes and unassuming auras. Even so, the moment they passed the obsidian gates of Batangara, there was no mistaking it—Thread resonances whispered, and the weight of legacy pulled heavily in the air.
Batangara was unlike Vastelune. Here, genuineness was not spoken—it was proven. In every etched wall, each combatant's stride, and every gleam of steel under the sun. They arrived just in time for the Threaded Arena Tournament—a brutal spectacle that wasn't just sport, but sacred tradition.
Ari entered silently under the alias "Soren," while Kaien, ever the curious observer, registered as "Kael." No fanfare, no titles—just two more names on the roster.
But the stage was already set with six standout combatants, each a warrior of Batangara lineage:
Keem – The Thread-Eyed Trickster
A wiry, laidback young man with tousled dark hair and a boyish grin, Keem is known for his playful mischief and annoying charm. But behind the jokes lies a terrifying genius. With spiral thread tattoos around his eyes, he can read and dismantle magic faster than most can cast it—seeing the math of magic in real time.
He doesn't fight with force; he mocks, calculates, and dismantles spells mid-air with casual brilliance. When he stops smiling, the battlefield knows fear.
Fluently speaking three languages and decoding spell syntax like second nature
Xerxes, the Iron Stride
A stoic man with tattoos of golden Threads coiling like vines down his legs. His weapon? An ancient relic football forged from starsteel. Each time he kicked it, his Threads imprinted spells onto it—shields, shockwaves, tracking arcs. A literal battlefield playmaker. What seemed like a game became a deadly art.
Hooven, the Beastbound
Broad-shouldered, gruff, and sharp-eyed. Short-haired and bearded, his body was inscribed head-to-toe in intricate thread glyphs. Hooven could beast-shift into six ancient forms—a lion wreathed in stormfire, a serpent cloaked in frost, and more—each tied to a distinct element and power. His battle style was pure overwhelming force and adaptability.
Vinny, the Summoner of Steel
Slender and fierce, Vinny wielded summons like armor. Her dark brunette hair was tied back, eyes sharp with calculation. Her magic transformed beasts into relics—swords, shields, claws—until she stood clad in full battle gear made of her companions. Each summon added a layer of ability—agility from a wind eagle, strength from a crystal bear, invisibility from a wispcat. And yet she fought alone.
Gem, the Gleaming Chain
Daughter of Batangara's largest merchant guild, Gem was elegant and terrifying. Long black hair flowed as her arms danced with gem-thread chains—each gem pulsing with raw elemental power. Rubies crackled with fire. Sapphires unleashed torrents. Emeralds could root enemies in place. The thin Threads that bound them made them faster than whips and stronger than steel.
Theian, the Dragon Tamer
And lastly, Theian, soft-spoken, with pale blue eyes like still water. The sole princess of Batangara. She didn't ride her dragons ,Ry and Unna—she walked beside them. Her bond was sacred. Ancient. Unbreakable. Her dragons—one shadow, one lightning—appeared as glowing glyphs behind her, ready to manifest at her silent will. She rarely spoke, but her presence was immense. She was a childhood friend of Hooven, and the soul of Batangara.
The tournament's early rounds were a spectacle of dominance and flair. Ari and Kaien observed with quiet awe. Ari, however, saw deeper—beyond the power, he saw the intent, the thread alignments, the hidden hesitations. These were warriors not just strong, but connected to their Threads in ways even Vastelune rarely saw.
And he would join them soon.
As the crowd roared, somewhere behind a simple smile, "Soren" stepped forward.
And the arena would never be the same again.