The arena of Suranagar was not built for entertainment.
It was not a place for cheering crowds or gold-lined seats. It was a pit—carved into the desert rock, ancient and harsh. Its only audience were the guardians of the old warrior clans, and the spirits they believed watched from the sands.
Veer stood on cracked stone under a blazing sky. Sweat clung to his skin, but his heart was calm. Across from him stood Agniya, adjusting the bandages on her wrist.
"This is not a friendly match," she said. "It's a rite. If we fail, they'll exile us both."
Veer nodded. "Then we won't fail."
From the cliff above, the arena master—a tall man with silver hair and a blade-shaped tattoo down his neck—raised his hand.
"SPEAK YOUR NAMES!" he called.
Agniya stepped forward. "I am Agniya, daughter of Nilvar, wielder of the lost flame."
Veer followed. "I am Veer. Of no house. Of no land. Chosen by the ash."
The arena master's voice echoed like thunder: "Then let your gods guide you—if they still care."
He lowered his hand.
The gates groaned open.
And the trial began.
From the two opposite doors emerged their opponents—statues, but alive. Massive constructs of stone and bone, etched with ancient inscriptions glowing red. Their eyes burned with trapped fire, and their movements were fast, not like machines… but like hunters.
> [System Warning: Trial Combat – No Restraint Applied]
[Note: Ancient Forged Spirits – Weakness: Elemental Disruption + Spiritual Truth]
[Suggested Action: Synchronized Assault]
Agniya unsheathed her twin blades. One shimmered with heat, the other cold as iron.
Veer called upon his Wordcraft, whispering: "Viksha." (Reveal.)
One statue staggered—the spell pulling hidden runes from under its armor.
Agniya didn't hesitate. She launched herself forward, blades spinning, and struck precisely on the revealed symbol. The stone cracked, and the construct stumbled.
But the second statue came for Veer—swinging a blade of obsidian.
He raised his hand and shouted, "Rukh!" (Stop.)
A shimmering barrier burst from his palm. The blade struck—and bounced, the echo of truth holding stronger than steel.
But only for a moment.
The force slammed him back, and he rolled hard across the ground.
"Veer!" Agniya shouted.
"I'm okay!" he winced, pushing up. "I need more time!"
Agniya flipped backward to block the second construct.
Veer focused. The system glowed.
> [New Word Available: "Samya" – Balance]
[Usage Effect: Synchronize movement and energy with a nearby ally]
He took a breath—and spoke: "Samya."
The air shifted.
Veer's heartbeat matched Agniya's.
Her strikes slowed for a half-second—then matched his rhythm. His mind felt her movement before she made it. They became fluid.
She leapt.
He shouted "Bind!"
Blue light wrapped around the stone creature's feet. It slowed.
Agniya spun through the air—her flaming blade slicing through the final rune. The creature crumbled to its knees, and with a final cry of steel, shattered into dust.
The second construct roared, charging—but Veer was already moving.
He whispered: "Smaran." (Memory.)
The ash from his pouch spun into a symbol in the air—the same one the warrior ghost had used in the Marma Shrine.
It struck the statue like lightning.
And then—Agniya pierced its heart with both blades.
The arena fell still.
The stone turned to smoke.
Above them, the arena master nodded. "Enough."
A beat of silence.
Then he raised both arms. "The flame accepts you. The silence knows your name."
The crowd—few as they were—bowed.
> [Trial Completed]
[System Notification: Bond Level with Agniya Increased – 14%]
[New Joint Skill Unlocked: "Twin Rhythm" – Synchronize movement and attack timing for amplified damage]
[Spiritual Growth: Recognized by Flame Guardians]
Agniya stood beside Veer, brushing dust from her shoulder.
"You did well," she said quietly.
"You too," he replied. "But this was just a test."
She nodded. "The real enemies… are still out there."
And as the sun began to set, the wind picked up, whispering across the arena.
Somewhere, far to the north, the Seeker of the Black Tongue stirred.
The game had only just begun.