LEGENDS OF ELDORIA

CHAPTER 5

The sun blazed high over the Emberclaw arena, casting long shadows as the first two battles of the day came to an end. Zariel, despite his young age, had held his own with remarkable skill, his agility and focus allowing him to outmaneuver his opponents. Each strike, each parry, had been calculated and precise. Yet, in those early matches, the immense power within him remained dormant, barely a flicker beneath the surface.

The crowd had cheered for him, amazed at how well the young heir had performed. Even the king, watching from his seat, felt a brief wave of pride wash over the concern gnawing at him. Zariel had won the first two battles without revealing the terrifying strength that lay hidden deep within him. But the final battle, against the fiercest warrior of the day, was different.

As Zariel stepped forward to face his last opponent, a silence fell over the arena. His opponent, a towering figure with years of battle experience, radiated power and confidence. This was no ordinary match—it was a test of endurance, skill, and perhaps something even greater.

The moment the battle began, Zariel felt something stirring deep within him. His strikes, which had once felt controlled and precise, now carried a weight, a pressure that wasn't there before. His heart raced, and for the first time, he struggled to keep his movements steady. His mind buzzed with a mix of anticipation and fear as he fought, knowing that the power within him was beginning to surface.

The clash of swords echoed through the arena as Zariel dodged and countered, his body moving with fluid grace despite the growing tension in his chest. His opponent was strong—stronger than any he had faced before—and the fight dragged on longer than the previous ones. But with each passing moment, Zariel could feel that immense power stirring, creeping through his veins, threatening to break free.

Suddenly, as his opponent landed a powerful blow that sent Zariel stumbling backward, he felt a surge—an uncontrollable force spreading through his body like fire. His vision blurred for a moment, and his hands began to tremble. The crowd gasped as they sensed something strange, an energy radiating from the boy. His red eyes seemed to glow faintly, and a low hum filled the air around him.

But before the power could fully awaken, Zariel regained control. With a deep breath, he focused his mind, tightening his grip on his weapon. He charged forward with a renewed sense of purpose, using the surge of energy to fuel his next strike. His movements became faster, sharper. In a series of quick, decisive blows, Zariel outmaneuvered his opponent, disarming him and knocking him to the ground.

The arena fell into stunned silence for a moment before erupting in cheers. Zariel stood victorious, panting, his heart still racing from the near eruption of the immense power within him. His opponent lay on the ground, defeated, and Zariel realized he had won the battle without letting that overwhelming force take control.

The Citadel officers, watching from the sidelines, exchanged approving nods. They had seen potential in Zariel from the beginning, but now they were certain—he was more than ready. His strength, both physical and mental, had carried him through, and they recognized the immense control he had displayed.

One of the officers stepped forward, addressing the crowd. "Zariel Cinderscourge," he announced loudly, "has proven his worth. He will join the elite ranks for training under the Citadel, where only the finest are chosen."

The cheers grew louder as Zariel, still catching his breath, processed the words. He had done it. He had won the battle and earned his place among the elite warriors of Eldoria. But even as the crowd celebrated his victory, Zariel couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning—that the power within him was still waiting, lurking beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed one day.