Chapter 396:Contest.
Lilith had changed into a lighter dress for the evening, having decided there was no reason to spend another night in formal attire when the official meetings would resume the next day. Their little fox sat beside her feet, ears pricked, staring toward the bathroom door the moment it opened.
Atheline stepped out, still damp at the edges of his hair, the scent of lake water clinging faintly to his skin. He crossed the room without hurry. Lilith looked up, and before she could speak he leaned down, one hand sliding into her hair as he kissed her.
The kiss was slow, unhurried, the kind that left no room for words. He guided her back against the bed, the mattress dipping under their weight, and broke the kiss only long enough to murmur against her mouth,
"You look beautiful."
She exhaled a quiet laugh, fingers brushing his jaw. "You took your time."
"The water was too good. It feels like it’s coming straight from the lake."
"Water is still water wherever you find it."
He settled beside her, one arm braced near her hip, the other resting absently along the curve of her waist. His thumb traced idle circles against the fabric of her dress as he spoke.
"Not always. It took me a while to get used to the water at home."
"You still liked it."
He smiled. "Right."
Then he told her everything.
He explained how Caius and Yander had crossed to the Beastmen Continent after hearing of the spreading corruption. He spoke of the rumors; people vanishing near one of the continent’s wonders, the hidden entrance to an ancient ruin, and of the trials they had found inside.
Lilith listened, her head tilted slightly, while his fingers continued their absent path along her side, over the dip of her waist, the line of her hip, never quite still.
"The time difference is interesting," she said. "Ten to twenty times faster than the outside world. That could explain why they advanced so quickly."
"Exactly."
He went on, describing the trials. Caius had faced tests of elemental control and combat. Yander had walked a similar path until their routes diverged within the ruin. Both had emerged at Mystic rank.
Lilith nodded. "Another ruin."
"That’s what bothers me."
"Because we’ve encountered one as well."
"Yes." His gaze met hers. "And now there are at least three groups who have found ruins recently."
Her expression turned thoughtful. "It may not be coincidence."
"I think so too."
A distant roar rolled through the open balcony doors; deep, resonant, followed by the sharper sound of cheering and the low thrum of drums. Both of them turned toward the night air at the same moment. The city below the mountains was already glowing, crystals lighting the streets, music and voices drifting upward.
Atheline’s hand rested still against her for a second longer before he spoke. "Should we go to the Dragon Ring?"
Lilith looked at him. "You really enjoyed that place yesterday."
"Of course I did. It was an educational experience."
"You also spent an hour watching dragons beat each other."
"That’s the whole point."
She sighed, a small smile tugging at her mouth. "Fine."
Their little fox padded after them as they left the palace. The streets of the Dragonic capital were livelier at night. Glowing crystals lined the roads. Dragons moved through the avenues in humanoid form; a few soared between the peaks overhead. Music and conversation spilled from open doorways.
The arena entrance was far more crowded than the day before. A large sign announced that the evening’s Dragon Ring featured open registration. Atheline stopped.
"Open registration?"
Lilith read the notice. "It seems so."
They entered. The arena was filling quickly. The fighting ring at the center looked larger under the night lights. Several dragons clustered near a registration platform, names being recorded, a few already shifting into partial draconic form to display their strength.
One of the organizers noticed them. His eyes widened. He hurried over and bowed.
"Your Majesties?"
Atheline smiled. "Yes?"
"Forgive me. I didn’t expect to see you here."
"We came to watch."
"Then you’re welcome." The dragon’s gaze shifted to Atheline. "Although... you wouldn’t happen to be interested in participating?"
Lilith shook her head at once. "No."
Atheline said, "Yes."
Lilith turned slowly toward him. He smiled, innocent.
"I was going to say yes."
"That’s why I said no."
The organizer looked amused. "You’ve seen the invitation."
Atheline nodded. "What’s the reward?"
The dragon laughed. "Straight to the important part."
"Of course."
The organizer lowered his voice. "The winner receives a secret prize... and an opportunity to enter one of the sacred ruins of the Dragonic Kingdom."
Atheline’s expression changed. Lilith saw it immediately.
"No."
He looked at her. "Why not?"
"Because I know that look."
"It’s just a fight."
"That’s never true with you."
Atheline glanced back at the organizer. "When is the fight?"
Lilith closed her eyes. "Atheline."
"Tonight?"
The organizer nodded. "We’re still accepting fighters."
Atheline looked at Lilith again. She held his gaze for several long seconds, then exhaled.
"Fine. But don’t get injured."
"I won’t."
"I mean it."
"I know."
She stepped closer. "If you come back with a broken arm, I’m leaving you here."
He laughed. "You’re very supportive."
"Extremely."
He walked to the registration desk. The organizer still looked slightly nervous.
"Are you certain?"
Atheline signed his name. "Yes."
A bell rang across the arena. The crowd’s noise swelled as the first fighters were announced.
Atheline learned he would be the second participant. He moved to the waiting area while Lilith took a seat overlooking the ring, arms folded. When he glanced up she mouthed, *Don’t be reckless.* He smiled.
The first match began.
Two dragons entered the ring; a broad-shouldered male with dark red scales tracing his arms and neck, and a woman with deep blue scales and silver horns. They bowed. The barrier rose with a low hum.
"Begin!"
The red dragon transformed first. His body expanded in a rush of heat and scale; wings burst from his back. A massive crimson form filled half the arena. The crowd roared. The blue dragon followed, sleek and silver-horned, wings snapping open as she took to the air.
Fire erupted from the red dragon’s jaws, a wall of flame that swallowed the stone. The blue dragon twisted through it, claws raking his shoulder on the descent. The impact sent him sliding. He rose with glowing eyes; the ground cracked beneath her and fire punched upward. She barely cleared it.
They met in the air. Claws locked, the sound of impact cracking across the stands. They fell. At the last moment the blue dragon flared her wings and slowed; the red dragon crashed hard. She landed on his back. He rolled violently, throwing her clear, then charged. They collided head-on. A shockwave rolled outward.
Fire intensified. Freezing mist wrapped the blue dragon’s body. Steam exploded across the ring, hiding both for several heartbeats. A shadow emerged, the blue dragon. She struck his jaw once, twice, a third time. He staggered. A concentrated beam of ice lanced from her open jaws and locked across his chest. The red dragon froze in place.
The crowd erupted. The referee’s hand rose.
"Winner!"
The blue dragon’s triumphant roar shook the air.
Atheline watched the whole exchange with quiet focus.
Lilith glanced at him. "You were analyzing them."
"Of course."
"Planning already?"
"Maybe."
His name was called.
Atheline stood. The announcer’s voice carried across the arena.
"Next contestant; one of our unexpected guests. The Dark Elven King!"
Murmurs rippled through the stands as he stepped into the ring. Some dragons recognized him; others had only heard the stories. Lilith watched from her seat, expression unreadable.
Across from him another contestant entered, still in humanoid form. Nearly two and a half meters tall, dark bronze scales covering arms and shoulders, thick horns curving from his forehead, a long tail dragging behind. No weapon. He didn’t need one.
His eyes locked on Atheline. "So you’re the one who defeated the Kraken."
Atheline smiled. "Apparently."
The dragon cracked his knuckles. "Good."
The barrier brightened. The crowd fell silent. Atheline reached back and drew his bow.
The dragon’s eyes narrowed. "You use a bow?"
"It’s my main weapon."
A grin. "Then let’s see how good you are."
Atheline nocked an arrow. Wind gathered along the shaft. The dragon dropped into a fighting stance.
"Begin!"
The bronze dragon exploded forward.
Atheline released. The arrow struck the ground directly in front of the charge; a violent burst of wind forced the dragon sideways. Atheline was already moving. A second arrow, a third. Two were dodged. The third slammed into the dragon’s shoulder. He barely slowed.
"Fast!"
A massive fist swung for Atheline’s head. He ducked under it, stepped back, and loosed again, this time lightning coiled around the shaft. The dragon crossed his arms. The arrow struck; lightning crackled across bronze scales. The dragon staggered.
The crowd roared.
Atheline smiled, already reaching for the next arrow as the dragon charged once more.
"Now we’re getting started."