Under the Eyes of Solcarys

Under the Eyes of Solcarys

The crossroads lay open beneath a clear morning sky. Three stone roads met over slabs worn smooth by years of passing wheels and hooves.

Heat shimmered above the southern stretch, hinting at the climb toward midday. On either side, grasslands rolled away in quiet waves, their green tips bending beneath a mild breeze.

Alex, John, and Selene waited.

Even standing still, Alex carried himself with quiet authority.

Their horses stood near the southern road, reins hanging slack. John sat upright in the saddle, his gaze fixed on the eastern road. Selene rested one hand near the reins, watching in silence.

From the trees to the east came the steady rhythm of approaching hooves.

Zio and Nyssa emerged at an even pace, sharing a single mount.

Nyssa inclined her head.

“Sorry we’re a little late.”

“It’s alright,” Selene replied.

She gestured toward the two men beside her.

“These are Zio and Nyssa.”

Alex looked at Zio.

His gaze moved over Zio's posture, shoulders, and the angle of his hands on the reins. It dropped briefly to the straight blade at his side before returning to his face.

Zio met his gaze.

For a breath, neither spoke.

John nudged his horse forward and dismounted in one fluid motion. Zio followed, stepping down with controlled ease. Nyssa guided their horse a short distance away.

John approached first and extended his hand.

“John. I look forward to working with you, Zio.”

Zio nodded once and clasped it. The grip was firm and brief before they let go.

Alex dismounted next.

He walked over without hurry and offered his hand.

Zio accepted.

Their hands remained clasped a moment longer.

Nyssa's eyes shifted between them.

Alex's grip tightened slightly. His thumb pressed once along the ridge of Zio's knuckles before easing. His gaze dipped briefly toward Zio's forearm beneath the sleeve.

He released the handshake and gave Zio's shoulder a light pat, followed by a low chuckle.

“You’re well built.”

Zio said nothing.

John turned toward the southern road.

“Let's move.”

Reins were gathered. Boots found stirrups. Leather creaked as each rider mounted.

A horse whinnied softly. Hooves struck stone in staggered rhythm as the group turned south.

They rode without conversation.

Wind stirred coats and grass alike as the crossroads slipped behind them beneath the wide morning sky.

Ahead, the road to Solcarys stretched long beneath the sun.

***

The outer walls of Solcarys rose into view long before they reached the city.

Massive tiers of stone stood unadorned and imposing. Beyond them, the upper curve of the Royal Forces Colosseum cut against the morning sky.

As they drew closer, more people came into view. Citizens and spectators streamed toward the gates, their voices blending into a steady murmur.

Alex rode at the front. John kept slightly to one side. Selene followed at a measured distance. Behind them, Zio and Nyssa shared their mount in near silence.

The main gates stood open to the public, where inspections were carried out one by one.

A Royal Forces attendant stepped forward and gestured toward a narrower entrance set into the wall. Guards stood on either side. The wooden doors were already open.

The group slowed. Reins tightened. Hooves shortened their stride.

They dismounted in turn. Alex first. John next. Selene landed lightly. Zio offered Nyssa a hand before stepping onto the warm stone himself.

Attendants approached and took the reins. The horses disappeared through a side passage without delay.

One attendant remained before them.

“Please proceed, sirs.”

Beyond the entrance, the passage lay in shadow.

They walked forward together.

Their footsteps crossed the threshold, leaving the morning sun behind.

***

The Colosseum interior lay beneath angled morning light filtering through gaps high above the tribunes. Dust drifted through the dry air, stirred now and then by the wind curling along the stone.

The lower tribunes were packed shoulder to shoulder. Fabric brushed against fabric. Conversations blended into a low hum that spread across the arena.

Above, nobles and invited guests occupied spaced rows. Bright colors stood out against the gray stone.

At the arena's center, members of the Royal Forces stood in formation. Boots lined the leveled sand. Their uniforms were neatly tailored, reinforced at the shoulders, elbows, and chest.

Zio sat with Alex's delegation in the guest tribune. Nyssa sat beside him, strands of silver hair shifting in the overhead breeze. John and Selene occupied the seats nearby. Alex sat slightly forward, his back never touching the seat.

Zio's gaze swept across the lower tribunes before rising toward the nobles' section. It lingered briefly on the royal platform.

At the arena's center, a man stepped forward.

His boots crossed the sand in measured strides. A dark box rested in one hand, its carved runes glowing faintly. As he raised it, the glow brightened like embers stirred by air.

His voice carried across the Colosseum.

“Good morning, citizens of Solcarys and honored guests.”

The murmur across the tribunes gradually faded.

“I am Major Michael. Today, I have the honor of guiding this ceremony.”

Zio watched the runes glow as the man's voice reached every corner of the arena.

“It is a great honor for us all to be in the presence of His Majesty, King Cedric Aurelion III.”

Cheers rose in waves. Some spectators stood immediately. Others followed a moment later.

The King acknowledged them with a single nod.

“We also extend our respect to General Arthur, supreme commander of the Royal Forces, as well as Vice General Eren.”

The soldiers struck their left chests with closed fists.

The sound rolled across the arena in one solid beat.

“Present as well are the Commanders of the Royal Forces. Commander Thorne. Commander Bryan. Commander Lucas.”

Thorne's name drew the loudest cheers. Bryan and Lucas received a more measured response.

Nyssa tilted her head slightly.

Zio caught the movement from the corner of his eye.

“From the world of magical education, we welcome Master Corvus, Head of the Solcarys Magic Academy.”

An elderly man rose from the guest section and inclined his head.

Polite applause followed.

“We also welcome Guild Master Alex and his delegation.”

Several heads turned toward their row.

Alex remained seated and inclined his head once.

Zio noticed a few lingering glances before the spectators turned back toward the arena.

Major Michael raised the artifact once more.

“With this, the Royal Forces Convocation and the induction of new members are officially opened.”

A great bell rang.

Its deep toll rolled through the Colosseum before slowly fading.

The crowd erupted.

Zio remained still.

Below, the formation shifted. Lines unfolded and spread outward.

His eyes followed the movement.

From the center... To the edge.

From dense... To open.

***

The arena floor was cleared once more. Freshly leveled sand stretched from edge to edge.

Four Royal Forces soldiers stepped forward.

Unarmed.

“The next demonstration is an unarmed duel with active magic,” Major Michael announced.

Spectators leaned forward.

Two stood to the left.

Two faced them from the right.

A short signal was given.

No count.

One soldier moved.

His foot struck the sand.

The air around his arm shimmered.

Heat rolled outward in a low wave. Sand blackened and smoked along its path.

Cheers swelled through the tribunes.

“Give them your applause,” Major Michael said.

***

Zio remained seated, warmth brushing faintly against his fingertips.

Behind Alex and John, leather shoes came to a stop.

A Royal Forces officer stood there and saluted.

Their voices dropped. The words were lost beneath the lingering noise.

John reached inside his coat and withdrew a folded paper. He handed it over.

The officer unfolded it and scanned the page. His jaw tightened before he gave a single nod.

Zio watched without moving.

Selene leaned toward Nyssa.

“Take Zio to the waiting room.”

Nyssa released her grip on the seat and turned.

“Come on. With me.”

Her hand closed around Zio's wrist.

Warm.

Certain.

He rose without protest and brushed the dust from his trousers.

As they passed between the rows, heads turned toward them.

The corridor beyond was cooler. The roar of the arena faded into a distant echo.

Nyssa let go of his wrist once they had left the tribune behind.

***

The cheers reached them as a muted rumble through the stone walls.

Zio and Nyssa sat side by side on a wooden bench.

Close enough to sense each other's presence.

Not touching.

Silence settled between them.

Major Michael's voice carried through the rune artifact.

“Next, the final event. A sparring match between the Guild and the Royal Forces.”

The arena erupted. The vibration traveled through the floor and into the bench beneath them.

“From the Royal Forces, please welcome the younger brother of Commander Thorne… Dominic.”

The name drew a long roar.

Nyssa stood first and extended her hand.

“Here. Let me hold your blade, Zio.”

Zio unfastened the sword from his belt. Leather brushed softly against leather as the blade came free.

He placed it in her hands.

“Next... the representative of the Guild.”

A brief pause.

“…Zio.”

His name echoed through the Colosseum.

Zio lifted his head.

Cheers answered from every side.

Some louder than others.