Damien woke up feeling numbness in his left hand.
He pushed her aside and pry free his hand, flexing it and rekindling it.
His mind wandered to last night's confession and Dani's acceptance. He can now sleep with women without fearing someone killing them when he's away.
Though how much he can trust her had to wait. Only time will tell.
Today's the day, the tournament officially starts.
Though he thought he would miss this if he visits his father, his old man had other plans.
Duke Zadkiel compelled him to go straight to the tournament rather than visit the island and his mother.
Of course, he was suspicious but the duke kept on insisting on it saying he would have to clean the island completely before he can visit it and his mother is working on it and will join the tournament sooner or later.
He knew the duke was hiding something but he also knew that his father wouldn't keep secrets from him for long.
With a final look at Dani, he woke up and started readying himself to face the day.
....
The arena was larger than he thought, it was bigger than he thought and it was filled with people.
They were seated in sections, mostly by their kingdom and family.
A section was separated for the families of the champions, they were seated in a section away from the rest.
There were several areas for the non-combatant nobles and important figures who couldn't attend the tournament.
The arena was electrifying with fireworks and banners flying everywhere.
Pretty girls and big mascots danced and welcomed all as an announcer came to the center of the stage.
He wore a white suit with a golden cape and had a sash over his left shoulder.
"Welcome to the first-ever Tournament of Unity!" He started, his voice amplified by magic.
"Let me introduce you to our hosts, the Grand Magic Judiciary. The strongest fighters and mages of this continent!" He said pointing at them and then moving his arm to the side.
"These are the rulers of the four great nations! The most powerful forces on the continent!" He added, pointing at the royals.
"And we have our guests from the other continents!" He added, pointing at the other smaller kingdom leaders.
"We welcome all of you to this event! This is the beginning of a new era of peace and unity for our world!" He said, bowing down to everyone.
"The war that threatened to consume our world was nothing more than a misunderstanding caused by the criminal organization called Midnight Consortium. These evil people wanted to destroy the world and use it as their playground!" He said.
"We haven't captured them but our joint forces and the knights of the kingdoms will hunt them down and eliminate them." He added.
"Now let us celebrate the unification of our nations through this tournament!" He shouted, clapping his hands, and cheering erupted from the crowd.
"Pretty sure they're hiding among the crowd," Damien shook his head feeling sorry for the folks who don't really know about the organization
"Why did you say that, young master?" Luther gazed at the arena with his eyes narrowed.
"I am sure they'll come here, after all, this is their way of celebrating, they'll cause chaos and leave," Damien answered, looking at the arena. "They'll stir up trouble in the tournament and escape with the chaos. No matter how much I hate the organization, I can't deny that they're smart, they'll just watch and wait for the perfect moment to strike."
"Yes, I do not doubt it, sir," Luther agreed.
Damien turned his eyes to the arena and sighed, "Well, let's get started."
The announcer took another bow and walked off the stage.
Dani, Daenys, and Daemon were all inside the participant hall, where they are changed to their tournament gear. The hall has individual rooms for all the participants to rest.
"You have to be kidding me!" Dani exclaimed in disbelief while looking at her new uniform.
"What? Do you hate it?" Aurelia asked in response.
"Are you kidding me?" Dani repeated herself, "Of course not! It's cute! But why do I have to wear this?" she asked, pointing at her new uniform which was nothing but a cheerleader skirt and top.
There was no way in hell she was going to wear this in front of millions of people.
Aurelia watched her friend with a small smirk on her face like she was trying hard to contain herself from bursting out.
"Oh, my little princess, you're so cute," Aurelia started, "this is what most of the contestants wear," she added.
"Most?" Dani asked, "Then where is yours?"
"At my room, of course," Aurelia answered like it was the most basic thing.
Dani stopped what she was doing and looked at her friend. "Auri," she called out, sweet and friendly. "This is a prank right?"
"What? You think the uniform, which indicates the unity of participants just like this tournament is for, is a joke to you?" though it was meant to be serious Aurelia herself snickered quickly before she continued.
"I don't know who is pulling your legs but the uniforms are very much for this tournament, so there is no way you can convince me otherwise," Aurelia answered.
But that too didn't last long as she cracker at imagining Dani wearing a cheerleader costume in front of the stadium.
This, of course, made Dani realize that it was indeed a joke at all.
She with a sadistic smile crept behind her friend, who was clutching her stomach and laughing, tears glistened her eyes.
Aurelia was unaware when she suddenly felt a pair of hands on her stomach, tickling her.
She couldn't help but laugh loudly at the unexpected attack.
"You little mouse! How dare you do that!" she said through her laughter.
"You are the one who started it!" Dani said as she continued to tickle her. Then her hands went to get her friend's breast and give it a squeeze and tight pull on her nipple.
Aurelia fell on the bed and tried to catch her breath as she gazed at her friend with a murderous look.
"You are dead now," she said, standing up and chasing her friend who was already running out of the room.
...
On the other hand, the announcer started another round of matches.
Damien's eyes glinted mischievously and his lips curled up, waiting to consume the match that had just been announced.
It was nonother than Calen against some poor soul from the faraway kingdom. This was just chaffing. Filtering the strong ones and readying for the real start of the tournament.
Calen walked into the arena with a big grin on his face, showing off his pearly whites. He waved at the crowd, which only caused more noise from them.
The crowd was mad at him. Damien saw the Autumn Kingdom royals and representatives cheering for him.
He was enjoying the spectacle.
"Well, well, look at the big shot," Damien chuckled.
"Indeed," Luther agreed.
"Who's that?" He pointed at a girl sitting next to the Autumn King.
She looks powerful, meaning she's a main character or someone with significant value.
"That's Elora, the princess of Autumn Kingdom," Luther answered.
'princess? Well, well, she's close to the King which means she had succeeded in securing the throne which is a new event.'
The announcer then welcomed the other fighter, someone named Charles.
He was from a freehold city from the north, a Bulgarian of a man, seems like a barbarian.
He wore a large axe and when standing next to Calen, the beast looks like he was twice the man Calen is.
"My bet is on the beast," Luther said, shifting in his seat as excitement coursed through his body."
"Oh, we're betting now? Alright, my coin is on Calen," Damien announced to his companion. "How bout' we say 10 gold?" Luther's eyes widened as he looked at his lord. "That is if you're man enough, Luther. No pressure." Damien smiled as he took out his coin from his pocket.
No man will turn from danger if their masculinity is at risk.
"Deal." Luther counted 10 coins from his pocket and placed them on the table in front of the two, which contained drinks and fruits, and desserts. "That 20 is going to mine when this match is over, sir." He confidently said.
Damien looked at him with a ridiculous expression, like Luther had forgotten how powerful Calen was. He shrugged, thinking he doesn't know the way the tournament is going to work.
The minor nobles around the duo were watching this event unfolding with curious eyes.
And one by one they all joined the bet. It was now Damien v/s the small circle. 10 coins v/s 460 coins.
A smile tugged on Damien's face as he watched the amount of coins piled upon the table.
"Luther," he called. "Let me show you how you can make free coins from nothing," he said, looking at the young man.
"I am all ears, my lord," Luther responded.
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