w

C1750

Emery's eyes landed on a figure seated on a gleaming white pedestal. Even from a distance, the visage was unmistakable - Julian.

His silhouette bore a regal posture, and an aura of profound power emanated from him. It was a power that Emery recognized – the Magus Realm.

Emery's sharp senses quickly darted around, attempting to discern the sources of the other pulsating magus auras. Among the crowd, he spotted two familiar faces. Fjolrin, the Northern Shaman, and The Abbot, Both had reached the same Magus realm as Julian.

Recollections swirled in Emery's mind, and he remembered whispered concerns of Fjolrin and the Abbot's hundreds of years of struggles to break through into the magus realm. But seeing them now, having shattered those barriers and basking in the glory of the Magus Realm, Emery's heart surged with joy.

His senses, attuned to the vast reservoirs of power in the vicinity, prickled to find the other two Magus. Yet, despite his best efforts, he could not pinpoint their location. Their energies played a teasing game, palpably present yet ethereally absent from the arena.

The lingering echoes of the previous battle's conclusion still resonated in the air when Julian's powerful voice cut through, restoring order and expectation. "The score stands at 9 to 4. Who will step forward? Who dares to challenge next?"

From the periphery of the arena, close to where King Fjolnir observed the proceedings, a stirring caught Emery's attention. The crowd parted like the sea, making way for a huge man as he rose. His silhouette, even from a distance, sparked a flicker of recognition in Emery.

Julian, extended a hand in greeting "State your name, Let all present know of the warrior who stands before them."

The arena seemed to hold its breath, waiting. And then, with a voice as deep as the northern fjords, the giant responded, "I am Thorstein the Mighty, of the Danes, the Vikings!"

As Thorstein stepped forward, Emery's memory stretched back to an earlier time, to frosty landscapes and shared tales by the fireside. The massive Viking before him was a living testament to those days. Back then, Emery had known him as a warrior of unmatched zeal, but seeing the aura enveloping Thorstein now was astonishing. The clear, azure shimmer was indicative of the Sky realm, and not just any rank but the lofty eighth. Emery's surprise was mirrored by many in the arena.

With a practiced ease, Thorstein unsheathed a handaxe from his side, its blade gleaming menacingly. In his other hand, a robust shield came to life, its surface adorned with the symbols of ancient Norse myths. The silence in the arena was palpable, only to be shattered by Thorstein's roar, a battle cry that hailed from ages past, evoking images of longships and fierce sea raids.

Opposite him, a young Roman centurion took his position. His stance spoke of training, discipline, and the art of Roman warfare. Yet, as the two clashed, the difference in their combat styles became evident. The Viking's raw power and relentless assault contrasted with the Roman's structured defense and strategic strikes. But this centurion, despite his impressive prowess, was overpowered by Thorstein's raging storm of blows, ultimately stumbling to his defeat.

Julian's voice rang out, both congratulatory and anticipatory, "Well played, Viking! Its now 9 to 5. Who wants to go next?"

As the events unfolded, Emery, with his keen sense of observation, began piecing together the larger picture. The layout of the arena and the spectators' seating arrangement pointed towards a distinct division. On one side sat the Roman centurions - a sea of dark armor that glistened uniformly under the lights. What was startling was their youth; each of them looked no older than twenty, yet their eyes held a maturity and seriousness one would associate with seasoned warriors.

Contrasting this was the eclectic mix on the opposite side. There, a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and attires created a colorful mosaic. Among them, Emery's gaze settled on familiar faces. Cloaked figures in dark garb stood out prominently, with Behei, the notorious assassin bested by Chumo, at their forefront. Their mere presence in this arena signaled the gravity of the event and the quality of the warriors gathered.

Emery's gaze shifted to another section of the vast arena, revealing a group that unmistakably hailed from the land of the Pharaohs. Decked in opulent linen robes and ornate jewelry, they were unmistakably Egyptian, led by a male sorcerer Imhotep. Yet, as Emery scrutinized the group, a pang of disappointment hit him; the one face he had hoped to see was absent.

Beyond the Egyptians, there were several other congregations of warriors and mages from lands unfamiliar to Emery. Their attire, weapons, and the energy they emitted told stories of far-off realms and adventures yet unknown to him.

Finally, at the far end, a group commanded his undivided attention. Five knights, resplendent in armor gleamed even in the dim light. At their forefront was King Arthur of Camelot.

Before long, one of them stepped forward accepting the challenge,

"I am Gwain, the Maiden knight, Brittania"

In response, from the Roman side, a young warrior rose. He looked barely out of his teens, and in comparison to the imposing Gwain, seemed almost fragile.

"For real? How old are you, kid" Said the Maiden Knight.

The centurion's youthful face showed confidence as he replied, "I am not a kid, I am a Roman centurion!"

As steel met steel, it became evident that while Lucius lacked in years, he more than compensated in skill. Their battle was a dance of agility, power, and technique. For Gwain, it was a humbling experience. Two decades of warfare and yet, this young Roman matched him blow for blow. In the end, while Gwain emerged victorious, the victory was hard-fought, pushing him to the limits of his capabilities.

Returning to his group, there was no triumph in Gwain's stride. Instead, his face bore a look of contemplation, perhaps reflecting on the changing times and the rise of new powers.

King Arthur, standing tall, announced with pride tinged with respect for the opponent, "Brittania claims this round, 9 to 6."

To be continued