The Final Event Part 1

“Paulus! We are here! Ha ha ha ha… You did great, son.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“I guess I did a great job training you.”

“You are right, Mom.”

Mom and Dad were over the moon about Paulus’ performance. He was able to secure a spot in the top 15, which means he will be participating in the exhibition tonight.

“Good job, big brother. You did well.” I said, biting my lips.

“Ah? Did I hear a bird talking? Or wait, was it you, Cato?”

“Yes, Mom.” Why does Mom always have to be so mean

“What did you say?”

“- I’m”

“Ah?”

“I’m pro- proud of big bro.”

“Aww, always so cute!” Said Mom, hugging me and kissing my forehead.

“Okay, let’s go eat, Paulus. Then,  you can have time to rest for the next event.”

We bought food from different stands and sat down in the park outside the coliseum. It was a picnic with varying kinds of food. We were all sharing the food, discussing the challenges, and talking about Paulus' teammates and the next event.

“I have plenty of marriage proposals, Mom.”

“Tell them to come to me because I will choose what’s best for the family.”

“Did the petite girl ask about it, too? What was her name? Elpis?” asked Dad.

“She did, but no thanks.”

“I’m curious to see how strong she is. Tell her to challenge me.”

“Mom, stop. You want to beat her up and prove how strong you are.”

“What a party pooper.”

“So, what’s the next event?” I asked.

“Typically, the top students fight against the king on the final night.” 

“Really, Aunt Eugine? Why?”

“Because it is to show that even if the king or queen is the most powerful person in the kingdom. If it is necessary for the protection of the people, the soldiers will stop the king or queen.”

“That’s the meaning of the emblem of the kingdom, ‘strong above all in favor of the people.’” said Dad.

“So, they fight the king and win?”

“Yes, but they actually have to win against the king. It's real combat, and no lethal magic is allowed to be used. We were told that we would have another challenge before the duel against the king.”

“Oh! A surprise event. That’s great,” said Mom.

“I hope it’s nothing like this afternoon.”

“If you are going to become a soldier, Cato, you will have to get used to it.”

“Then I will be an adventurer like Mom!”

“Sure! You can be either of those two.”

“What if I want to take over Dad’s blacksmith shop, Mom?”

“In your dreams. That’s Camillus’ job.”

Paulus left to get ready for the final event.

…

We got to the coliseum, the main arena. As the family of one of the participants, we were seated right in front of the arena. It was amazing. I have never seen so many people together in my life. Everyone was ecstatic to see the king in a match against the next generation of soldiers. There were people selling food, music, and flags from different places. It was a huge party.

“I’m feeling nervous for Paulus,” said Dad

“He is going to be okay. I trained him.”

“Who is the king?” I asked. 

“King Dion. He is a homo Bovinae, strong, handsome, can use types of magic outside the common ones, and can cast magic without using words.”

“You sound like a fan, Eugina.”

“Who wouldn’t? I’m so excited to be here.”

“How long has he been the king?”

“Fifteen years. He probably has at least another ten more years until someone can win him in a duel.”

“Is he a good king?”

“He is strong. We are at peace, the economy is good, he is not corrupt or unjust, and he follows the traditions. Everything seems stable, so I would say he is a good king.”

“You are a fan too, Paulus?”

“Don’t get jealous, Anto, you know I love you.”

The coliseum was overflowing with people. Everything was ready to start. However, I felt anxious. Maybe because I left Hoshi in my room and I prohibited him from coming. Perhaps I'm eager to watch Paulus' match?

“Is this dangerous for Paulus? Can things go wrong?”

“No more than a couple of bruises, nothing serious. Again, the whole place is full of soldiers, and we have the presence of the king, so captains and generals are here too. Nothing can happen with so many strong people,” said Dad. 

“Are you worried about your dear brother? Don’t worry, your mama is here.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Suddenly, trumpets started playing and fireworks filled the night. It was a fantastic spectacle. Then, the future soldiers were introduced by name as they entered the arena. Everyone was excited. Suddenly, all music stopped, and the lights were turned off.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, we have the privilege to see the strongest person in the kingdom. He is the reigning king of Eleutheria! Dion!”

There was an ovation in the coliseum. Everyone stood up to give a hand of applause to the king. When he entered the Arena, trumpets were being played, and his generals were next to him. He was tall and athletic, the color of his skin was brown, his eyes were green, and his horns were light grey. He was wearing shining armor and was followed by six generals who were also wearing dashing armor.

“Oh wow, those armors are made of adamantium. There are millions of gold coins in them.”

“Everyone, thank you for coming tonight to celebrate our brave army. This year, we have representatives from almost all the academies on the continent, as well as the king of Yaaryam, Nomasland, and Prosperus. I wonder if they would dare to have a duel with me. Ha ha ha. Welcome, everyone, to the kingdom of Eleutheria.”

Everyone was in ecstasy. To my surprise, the king seems pretty normal to me. He didn’t give me a feeling of royalty or novelty. He sounded like a normal person whose magic is so strong that he became king.

“I also want to thank the presence of the army generals, the strongest people of our kingdom, and the Senate, the smartest minds of the kingdom. They are present with us tonight.”

“Who are those, Dad?”

“So, when you study in the academy, you get to choose where you want to serve, research, or boots on the ground. Those people choose to be researchers. The Senate is an important part of the kingdom because, like the army, the Senate holds the king accountable.”

“Before we start. There is something serious that the Senate has given me the responsibility to share with you tonight. This is a message for the whole kingdom and our friends from other nations. Over the last few years, the activity of monsters has intensified, resulting in a higher number of human fatalities. The Senate proposed to the generals and me to gather a team of researchers to collect data in the places of greater activity.”

Everyone was in silence, looking at each other and listening carefully.

“Cato, come here.” Dad was holding Camillus with one arm and holding me closer with his right arm.

“The results of the research and investigation revealed that the Fallen Heavenly Beings are back in action to destroy the world our gods created. According to tradition, the Fallen caused dissension between humanity and the deities. The results of the First Great War were the destruction of the connection of our planet with the deities. Since then, we have lived in darkness. For thousands of years, we lived like slaves of the fallen until the Hero, Achillus, gathered the strongest warriors from all continents to fight against evil. We know that event as the Second Great War, and today we remember those heroes who died in battle to deliver us from the forces of darkness. Today, that evil is back. Bring the prisoner!”

A group of soldiers brought a man in chains wearing old rags. He was pale and looked like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days.

“Dad, no.”

“Everything is alright, baby. Everything will be fine.”