A section of the Great Hall was cleared to build a fighting circle. Tristan Salvatore stood at the center, looking like a heroic prince from the Georgian era.Someone entered the arena and stood opposite him. It was Sir Gideon Whitehall's champion—a hulking kickboxer named Ivan "The Hammer" Sokolov. His shaved head gleamed, and his muscles rippled under a black shirt with gothic prints.The herald's voice cut through the din. "First challenger: Sir Gideon's champion, The Hammer!"The crowd exploded. "Hammer! Hammer! Hammer!" they chanted, pumping their fists. Apparently, this man was quite popular as a pit fighter. Elites often participated in illegal underground battles. Ivan was an undefeated champion in those and had a reputation for killing his opponents with his bare hands.He grinned, cracking his knuckles with a sound like snapping twigs. "Poor little imposter," he sneered in a thick Russian accent. "I'll break you in half!"The onlookers jeered, a few casting pitying glances a

Whispers rippled through the crowd as the High Council elder stepped forward. "It is decided," he announced. "Prince Victor Cromwell and Lord Tristan Salvatore are the finalists of this courtship banquet. The winner will marry Princess Michelle Douglas and ascend as King of Petra with her as the Queen." Gasps filled the room, followed by a wave of murmurs. "All others are eliminated? People from royal lineage and those with generational wealth." The other remaining candidates stamped their feet and grumbled curses under their breath. Charlie Griggs got up from his seat rudely and walked out. Michelle's heart pounded in her chest. It was too sudden. Was her fate going to be decided so easily? Her emerald gown felt suddenly too tight. She gripped the edge of the head table, her eyes fixed anxiously on the finalists. Who did she like better? Both of them? Victor's reputation, accomplishments, and kindness had touched her. Besides, he had not used a champion for the fight like the oth

Tyler steadied himself as he stared at Victor’s shadowy black sword. It was strange in appearance, like a void in his grip. The air hummed with thick and oppressive energy as if the weapon were alive and hungry."What is that thing?" Tyler asked, shifting into a defensive stance. “Is it some sort of relic?”Victor hefted the massive blade effortlessly. Its eight-foot length was intimidating, but balanced perfectly in his hands.The Cromwell Prince smirked with a cocky edge. "This is Starfall, one of my Trinity weapons. It was forged from pure heraclite, a magical metal you may not have heard of.”“It absorbs my power and stores it like a storm cloud. I can release it in any manner, even devastating waves. Starfall can cut through anything, whether it is steel, stone, or even the fabric of reality if pushed.”Tyler clenched his fists. Heraclite? He had never heard of it in Butch's teachings or during any of his supernatural fights. Starfall had neither mystical nor dark energy. It was

The two combatants lowered their weapons on seeing the familiar faces.Kate was a young woman, twenty-one years old, with raven-black hair tied in a practical ponytail. She was lean and youthful, clad in a sleek black tactical suit.Kate was Victor's sidekick—a vigilante known as the Raven in Springfield's underbelly.Britta looked Amazonian as always, voluptuous and athletic in her rugged leather gear."Britta contacted me," Kate explained to Victor. "She pieced together all the signs. It was strange that you’d attend Princess Michelle’s courtship banquet all of a sudden. You two were headed for a standoff for no reason. We couldn't let it happen without intervening."Victor relaxed, and his transformation receded until he looked human again. Starfall flung itself from the floor towards him, turning into a bracelet mid-air in a swirl of shadows and clasping itself on his wrist. "And the world freeze? No one should be able to enter this veil."Kate held up her own wrist, revealing a s

Victor bowed to Michelle and walked away. He offered Kate his arm. "Thanks for coming to my rescue," he whispered. "Tyler Grant almost killed me. He is probably the only one in the world who can."She giggled and nodded. They exited the hall amid murmurs.The elder struck his staff for silence in the crowd. "As per Petra's laws, Lord Tristan Salvatore triumphs in the courtship banquet! He is now King-designate until his wedding to Princess Michelle Douglas. Long live the crown!"The hall exploded in ovation. The elite were pleased, giving standing applause, and many lifted their glasses in honor. "To King Tristan!" their voices boomed.The banquet continued with merriment. The music surged, and servants bustled around with loaded trays. Wine poured freely with chatter.Michelle eyed the scene, sitting on her throne. She felt disheartened and lonely. She hid her distant gaze with a forced smile. Her heavy heart made her want to cry. Was she really going to marry a stranger?Michelle go