Episode 23 – The Pairs Are Chosen

  Tension filled the council hall.

  Floating torches illuminated the golden chamber, yet the warmth of the fire did nothing to ease the atmosphere. Every director and leader of the six organizations sat around the circular chamber, watching one another carefully.

  Beside the wall, Leon held Lara’s hand gently.

  “Come on, Lara,” he said quietly, looking into her eyes. “It’s not worth arguing with the past.”

  Before she could answer, a chair scraped loudly across the floor.

  Darian stood.

  “Krizardian,” he said coldly, staring at Leon. “How about a fight? I want to see what you’re capable of.”

  Leon met his gaze without flinching.

  But Lara pulled his hand.

  “Let’s go, Leon… it isn’t worth it.”

  The tension snapped as silence fell over the hall.

  Then Lord Vharon rose.

  Vharon’s Announcement

  Every voice disappeared instantly.

  “The tournament will be organized as follows,” Vharon declared. “The six organizations will each send two pairs of representatives. Each pair will fight in separate brackets and will only meet again in the finals.”

  He paused, letting the words settle.

  “The organization that wins will become my right hand in a special mission. They will receive resources to support their families… and my trust in important secrets.”

  The room erupted into murmurs.

  “That’s impossible…”

  “This isn’t fair!”

  Vander’s sharp voice cut through the noise.

  “Silence! Let Vharon finish.”

  Vharon’s eyes hardened.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I expect you all to give everything you have. I don’t want anyone intimidated by Lee’s strength.”

  He turned toward Lee and Laura.

  “You two… leave the room. You already have my respect.”

  Lee frowned slightly but obeyed. Laura followed him, and the door closed behind them.

  Only then did Vharon speak again — quieter, colder.

  “After the tournament, I will fight Lee… and I will allow him to win. The universe will believe he is ready to challenge his father.”

  Several directors stiffened.

  “If Lee defeats his father, we may dominate the universe. It would be wise not to become his enemies.”

  His gaze swept across the table.

  “Learn to play the game.”

  Outside in the Courtyard

  Moonlight bathed the courtyard in silver.

  Lee walked across the stone floor searching for Leon.

  Before he found him, Darian’s voice echoed again.

  “Leon! Lara! Come out here!”

  Lee stepped forward.

  “Leave, Xprian,” he said coldly. “If you touch my sister, I’ll kill you.”

  Darian laughed.

  “You can’t threaten me—”

  The confrontation was interrupted as Lee turned away, clearly uninterested. Moments later he gathered Leon, Lara, and Liu inside his private room.

  Lee’s Decision

  The room was dim, lit only by a single lamp.

  “I have something to tell you,” Lee began. “Vharon proposed a tournament. The winner will earn prestige… and the chance to face him.”

  He looked at Leon.

  “I was going to partner with you… but I want you to grow first. I will fight alongside Liu. You must choose your own partner.”

  Leon grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Looks like things are getting serious. But if you need help, just call me.”

  He nudged Liu.

  “Must be nice being paired with Lee… but I’ll still beat both of you.”

  Liu laughed loudly.

  “Dream on, kid! You’ll need a lot more training before you beat me!”

  Everyone laughed — except Lara.

  Her expression darkened.

  “I need to speak with my brother alone.”

  Leon and Liu left joking with each other, and the door shut behind them.

  Silence remained.

  Brother and Sister

  Lara’s eyes glistened.

  “Be honest with me,” she whispered. “This tournament is a trap. Vharon wants to test your strength. If you win… you’ll face our father. Don’t lie to me.”

  Lee smiled softly.

  “You always knew everything,” he said. “Even showing Leon our secret room… You’ve grown, Lara. I’m proud of you.”

  Tears fell down her face.

  “I keep dreaming about you dying by his hands. Don’t do this, Lee! If God wanted this to be simple… He wouldn’t have sent Leon.”

  She hugged him tightly.

  Lee held her.

  “It will be alright.”

  But Lara stepped back, determination replacing fear.

  “Then I’ll stop you,” she said.

  Lee blinked.

  “What?”

  “If you can only face our father by winning the tournament… I’ll enter it. I’ll partner with Leon. And I will defeat you.”

  “Lara, no! Mother would never allow it!”

  “I don’t care!” she snapped. “She forbids me from loving Leon… yet she secretly has a relationship with Lord Vharon.”

  Lee froze.

  “…What?”

  “You didn’t know,” Lara said. “Now you do. If you can be stubborn… so can I.”

  She turned and stormed out, slamming the door.

  The Choice

  Outside in the corridor, Leon and Liu were still laughing.

  Leon teased him.

  “Start training, teacher. I’m going to beat you in that tournament.”

  Suddenly the door opened.

  Lara grabbed Leon’s hand.

  “You’re my partner,” she said firmly. “And I refuse to let you lose to Lee. Do you understand?”

  Leon stared, stunned, as she pulled him down the corridor.

  Inside the room, Lee stepped out moments later.

  His face was serious now.

  “Liu… we need to talk.”

  Liu nodded.

  The light dimmed as the corridor fell into shadow.

  The tournament had begun — long before the first battle.