The sun was setting over the castle gardens, casting golden light over the stone paths and trimmed hedges. A breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the distant sounds of laughter and music from the city below.

  Lethe leaned against the cool marble railing, watching the horizon with a bored expression. His messy hair blew in the wind. Behind him, his older brother, Aren, stood straight with his hands behind his back, ever calm and steady.

  “Before we head out, tell me about the five nations,” Aren said.

  Lethe frowned. “You already know I know this.”

  Aren gave a small smile. “No, you don’t.”

  Lethe sighed. He knew there was no point in arguing. So he began.

  “First, there’s Chryseon—the land of gold. There, money is everything. The rich live like kings, the poor are nothing.”

  Aren nodded.

  “Next is Sophis—the land of scholars and mages. They believe knowledge is the true power. Strength without wisdom is useless.”

  Lethe glanced up as a few large blimps floated across the sky, carrying the royal symbol of Aurif.

  “Then there’s Dynamis, the warrior nation. They only care about strength. If you’re weak, you don’t matter. They train their people from birth to fight.”

  “Agón is a land of endless war. No rulers, just warlords fighting for control. No order, no peace—only battles.”

  “And finally, Aurif—our home,” Lethe said. “We value everything: strength and knowledge, magic and might. That’s why we stand at the center of the world.”

  Lethe followed up. "You know sometimes I feel like you forget the nations and I am the one reminding you"

  Aren giggles a bit and says. "Ofcourse I know. I'm 21, you are 16"

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Aren turned toward the castle entrance. “Alright then, let’s go to the festival.”

  Without another word, the two brothers walked through the grand halls of the castle. The walls were decorated with banners of House Aurif—a golden sun with a silver crescent.

  Their family had served the royal house for generations. For as long as anyone could remember, the firstborn son of their bloodline was sworn to protect the rulers of Aurif. Their parents had followed this path, and they had died on duty, fulfilling their oath.

  Now, it was Aren and Lethe’s turn.

  They had been trained from childhood—trained to run faster, fight harder, and endure more pain than most soldiers. They could fight with or without weapons, resist torture, and survive days without food or sleep. Their purpose was simple: to protect the royal family at any cost.

  Lethe sometimes wondered if this was all there was to their existence—to fight and to die for someone else.

  But there was no point in questioning it. This was their duty.

  ---

  The Festival

  As they stepped outside, the city was alive with celebration. Banners—some old-fashioned, some flashing with holograms—hung above packed streets. The air smelled of roasted meat, fresh bread, and sweet pastries. Music, laughter, and the occasional burst of magic filled the air.

  "Aren! Thanks for your advice the other day! My stall’s doing better than ever!"

  A vendor with a thick mustache waved from a small food stand.

  Aren smiled. "Glad to help."

  The man nodded at Lethe. "You too, kid. If you ever need something, just ask."

  Lethe shot Aren a look. "You really are the king of the streets."

  Aren chuckled. "You never know when helping someone will come back to you."

  Lethe rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. He wasn’t the type to get involved, but he admired the way Aren could easily connect with people.

  As they moved through the city, they passed adventurers, traders, and high-tech guards with energy shields. The mix of old traditions and new technology was what made Aurif unique.

  ---

  High above the festival, standing on a grand balcony of the royal palace, Princess Aery watched the city below.

  Her long azure-white hair, streaked with sky blue, caught the last rays of sunlight. From this high up, the world looked peaceful—colorful banners rippling in the wind, people laughing, streets glowing under lantern light.

  Aery’s expression remained unreadable. Festivals like these were meant to bring joy, yet she could not shake the weight of responsibility.

  “Your Highness,” a voice said from behind her. One of her attendants bowed slightly. “The festival has begun. It's time to go to the arena.”

  Aery gave a small nod. “I’ll be down shortly.”

  The attendant bowed and left, but Aery stayed for a moment longer, letting the view sink in.

  Tomorrow was the Duel.

  It was not just a festival event. It was a tradition—a way to prove Aurif’s strength.

  ---

  The Duel

  The Duel was the highlight of the festival. It was not just a fight, but a display of skill, discipline, and balance—the very ideals that made Aurif powerful.

  The rules were simple:

  1. Fighters would compete one-on-one in the arena.

  2. They could only use their natural bloodline abilities—no weapons, no outside magic.

  3. A fight could be won by:

  Knocking the opponent unconscious

  Forcing them out of the ring

  4. Killing was strictly forbidden.

  5. Losing meant a loss of honor.

  This was not a battle to the death. It was a test of control, intelligence, and strength.

  Many warriors trained their whole lives just to earn a place in the Duel. Winning was a mark of prestige, a way to prove oneself.

  Back near the arena, Aren and Lethe stood among the crowd, watching as preparations were made for the next day’s battles.

  “Remember,” Aren said, his voice calm but firm, “it’s not just about strength. It’s about using your ability wisely.”

  Lethe nodded, his usual boredom fading slightly.

  This was what they he trained for.