A man can achieve so much with determination, is what Max thought as he approached the light at the end of the tunnel leading into the Grand Arena's field.
He was nervous, but excited. Fighting is one the few times when he really feels alive, at least in this prison of a game.
"Wait until your name is called and don't put on your helmet until you are told to do so by the judge," A knight clad in orange armor said by the exit of the tunnel. He retreated into the depths of the tunnel when Max arrived.
Max stood there, alone. Sounds, cheers, a loud speaker in the arena, they all became quieter and quieter to Max. The player sighed.
"What do you think you're doing?" a soft, feminine voice asked.
Max, with an open mouth and a stupid expression on his face, said: "I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? Why are you playing with your life like this?"
The player turned to his right and he saw a woman with green eyes, a ponytail and a white headband.
"I...I'm sorry, I don't know. I just...I can't live a regular life without you."
"So you throw yourself into danger like this?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry." A tear fell down Max's cheek.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're going through this."
Max looked into her eyes with a deep sadness. "I just can't. I can't work a regular job. I can't exist without you, not here. I can't. I wish I could."
"I understand, Max."
Max's breathing was shallow. There was no more fear or nervousness in his heart. Only a deep melancholy.
"I miss you so much," he said.
She looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"Max Veritas!" A loud voice called from the arena, so loud that it was akin to using a microphone. Perhaps the announcer's vocal cords were enhanced with aura. Max turned around towards the light, fists clenched. Then he turned around, to look at his wife one more time.
She wasn't there.
Max shook his head and sighed. He took a step forward, his heart devoid of fear for the upcoming fight.
Cheers and the brightness of the two Suns in the blue sky assaulted Max once he stepped out of the tunnel. As the player acclimated to the noise and then light, he witnessed the grandness of the arena and truly realized the position he was in currently.
The arena's seating capacity and sheer size was equivalent to a large football stadium in real life. Many people were gathered here to witness the spectacle of Awakened humans fighting.
Max dragged himself to the center of the arena and saw his opponent's face. A man with wavy blond hair and eyes that changed color. It was Risant.
"You?" Max said, shocked.
"Seems so. Fate is strange like that." Risant, his cell neighbour smiled, as if he saw an old friend, but quickly reverted to an expressionless, cold appearance.
"These two have never fought in this arena before, but they are ferocious and mighty! Max is the Lightning Dancer as the people call him, while Risant is an adventurer who saved Trexinia's capital city from a terrible monster! They will certainly show us a display of power and great skill!"
The arena boomed with cheers as the floating announcer paused to take a breath.
"Fighters, put on your helmets!"
The two obliged. Max held his helmet in his left hand and put it on.
"You will fight until the other is incapacitated, unconscious or dead. If the opponent you defeated is alive, you will either spare them, or kill them if the Emperor's brazier is ignited over there." The announcer pointed to a giant brazier near the Emperor's seat which would be lit by a fire aura user at the Emperor's command.
"Put distance between each other and begin fighting once I send a blast into the center of the arena."
The two fighters nodded and created a distance of about fifty meters. As they did so, Max inspected his opponent. He had no visible weapon. He had black and red metal armor with gauntleted fists. Mage or fist fighter it is.
Max had fought humans before. Bandits, rogues and sparring partners gave him some experience, but his main experiences were battles against all kinds of monsters.
The key to human fights was force and explosiveness. Aura coating your blade gave your sword blunt damage and slash damage. Heavy swordsmanship that prioritized strong, powerful blows was optimal for armor damage and blunt damage to the opponent. Max knew this, but he'd be lying if he said he had a lot of experience.
Max drew his two swords and took a battle stance. His opponent stood casually, as if he was waiting his turn at an arcade.
Be loose, Max thought to himself. Stiffness in the body also had the same effect on the mind, from Max's experience. It was all connected. Perhaps the stiffness and anxiety of the mind comes first and then it carries over to the body. The body is a reflection of the mind, it seemed to Max.
"Fighters, prepare yourselves..."
Max in his armor dyed black stood firm but loose, staring at his opponent who was also in dark armor. Risant was not looking at Max but at somewhere in the stadium. Max followed his gaze and landed his eyes on the Imperial Box where the emperor sat.
***
The ruler of Virtonis was a man with shoulder length wavy golden hair. He had a stubble and his eyes were green. He sat with his wife who had dark features. Her eyes and hair were black. He looked to be middle aged, however his real age was far older. Elevated humans live for a much longer time than ordinary people.
"That sword, look" The emperor pointed his finger at Max.
"What about it?"
"It looks identical to mine. The one I used in my youth."
His wife, Silna, nodded. "Is that a coincidence?"
"What's interesting is that my sword had an identical copy. There were two of them. One was in my possession and the other was in my brother's."
"The Hero King?"
Santerlis nodded. "Yes, him. He was the best swordsman. I never could beat him. That fighter is most likely holding my missing brother's sword." The emperor bit his lower lip.
"How are you going to retrieve it? It's a priceless artifact. It belongs to us."
"I don't know where he found my brother. It doesn't matter, he's already dead if his sword is being used by some stray. You asked how we'll get it back? It's easy, really. When he loses, I'll give the command to end him, if he doesn't give up the sword."
"You've only given that order a dozen times in a hundred years. What if he wins the tournament?"
"He won't. My son, Silopsen, is competing. You know his power. What his ability is."
"I guess so, but you should prepare for anything."
The emperor nodded. "You have no idea how sickening it feels, seeing some commoner wield my brother's sword. He has no right. It's like seeing him play with my brother's head, kicking it around. That's how bad it feels."