Chapter 7

All ten fighters were on their knees before the six emperors of the Xernax realm who were standing on that dias.

"Vegan Xerg Orniz Orvic", the master of ceremonies called, "having come tenth, step forward to take your prize."

An armoured warrior rose from the left end of the row of kneeling fighters, walking towards the dais where he was greeted by one of the emperors.

"Well done son", emperor Orvic Terver commended whispering Into his ears after placing the ceremonial crown made of a sacred plant, "it doesn't matter if that lowlife Revil came first, you are still his superior."

"Vegan Morzak Zaurus Venz", the master of ceremonies called again, "step forward to take your prize."

The ninth fighter who's name was Zaurus was also crowned by Emperor Orvic Terver.

"I wonder who's going to crown that brat as the winner of the tournament." Emperor Lor Demrack said to his friend, emperor Xor Convan.

"I would have suggested earlier that we postpone the ceremonial crowning to get this brat out of the way." Emperor Xor stated.

"The youth sure has guts to come all the way here, not only participating but also emerging as the winner", another emperor, Vegan lord, Xorvan Xan Merca checked, "I don't think there is anything wrong if we commend his efforts by giving him what he deserves."

"I don't believe you as a Vegan lord is saying this Xan Merca, how can we allow a Revil outdo us in our role as a warrior caste ?" Lor Demrack challenged.

"I don't think Xan Merca is wrong." a bold female voice came from behind the men. That frown took over the face of both Xor Convan and Lor Demrack, it was the empress of the astral Isles of Kanvier - the most powerful empire within the Xernax realm - empress Vegan Xalma Egra Mord.

"Xan Merca is right", she repeated, "for a Revil to be able to emerge as the winner of the Tortenium tournament is a feat that had never been achieved before, the young man deserves our praise."

"Our praise ?", empress Egra's final words echoed in Lor Demrack's head, maybe you but me, he snarled. That brat had embarrassed him in front of the entire Xernax realm in defeating his son, throwing the Maxis family which was once among the top three in the tournament to number four.

"You're son wasn't the only one who got beaten", the voice of emperor Vegan Ernaxix Lever Mord, ruler of the Six ascending Peaks of Chandra and younger brother of empress Egra, spoke. "The empress, Egra, both her sons were also beaten, we all had a taste of defeat today."

"Then why side the brat ?" Xor Convan probed, "why not disqualify him right now."

"That's the point", Lever Mord answered, "don't sulk over an issue as trivial as this, the young man won fair and square, making even our best fighters at the arena today cower before him, why hesitate to give him what he deserves, he is the winner, so be it."

Lor Demrack tried to tame the rage brewing within him, this brat had the guts to against him so openly, just because he was an emperor and his sister an empress didn't change the fact that he was older than the both of them, he was two centuries and fifty-nine years old while that brat was just three decades and nine years old, he hadn't even lived half a century and he dared challenging him. "You'll pay for this insult Lever Mord." Lor Demrack seethed.

"Vegan Lorth Vage Vankus", the master of ceremonies summoned, "please step forward."

Rising from his knees he walked towards the dais were the six emperors of the Xernax realm stood, he already knew who was going to crown him and his brother Ragnos, their mother, empress Egra Mord.

"Don't worry about your coming third Vage", she said as she placed the wreath on his head, "Xenthor Giga is indeed a talent, I advise you learn from him."

"Yes mother." Vage replied, walking back to take his spot among his comrades, but this time he was meant to stand in accordance to the rules of the ceremony. Vage only prayed that his mother didn't tell Ragnos what she had told him, because one thing was sure, Ragnos was going to create a scene.

"Vegan Lorth Ragnos Vankus", the master of ceremonies called, "please step forward."

Trying to maintain his dignity by concealing the anger within him, Ragnos step forward to get crowned by his mother, empress Egra. She knew Ragnos too well to make such a mistake as telling him what she had told Vage, let sleeping dogs lie, she sighed.

"Mother don't you have anything to tell me ?" He asked feigning innocence.

"I don't think so child." she replied.

Ragnos turned around disappointed, he had wanted to hear what his mother had told Vage, but his mother didn't fall for his little trick, but one thing was for sure, it was about that Revil, it could be she wanted Vage to be friends with him, Ragnos concluded.

Vage held himself from bursting into laughter, he was visibly shaking as Ragnos retuned to take his place, standing with the others. Vage drew the attention of the six emperors at the dias, even his mother was trying her best to maintain her stern look, but the sides of her lips were twitching slightly.

"It seems your nephew has an idea of happened between your sister and her eldest son." Emperor Xan Merca whispered into Lever Mord's ears.

"He is smart", Lever replied, " quickly taking grasp of the situation."

"Indeed", Xan Merca intoned, "and here comes the grand finale."

The entire crowd within the arena fell silent, this was the moment they had been waiting for. It had never been heard and thought of that a Revil would even participate in the Tortenium tournament, a martial exam meant only for the Elites - the Vegans - not alone winning. Who was this Revil ? Many wondered, and were the six emperors of the Xernax realm going to do the right thing by giving this young man what he deserved ? Or were they going to do the necessary to retain their pride, disqualify him or even openly refuse to give him his prize ? This was indeed an acid test for the Vegans. But Xenthor didn't care, he had won and that was final, their crown had nothing to do with his victory, commending or accepting him had nothing to do with it, he had beaten them on once and he would do it again. They can refuse acknowledge their defeat, but it couldn't be denied, he had won.

"REVIL ZHORMIUS", his name rang, "XENTHOR GIGA ..."