The next morning, Alpha II realized very quickly that Antiqua did not wake up gently.
Even before sunrise fully settled over the coastline, people were already gathering in districts, training grounds, weapon markets and underground halls built into the massive foundations beneath the city. While Concerto woke up with rehearsals and performances, Antiqua woke up with shouting, wagers, bruises and competition. The Discordants treated combat less like violence and more like culture.
That was how she ended up standing beside Vastarael in one of Antiqua's largest underground combat arenas. The place was enormous and bigger than she expected.
The entire structure had been carved deep underground, reinforced with black stone and glowing lanterns that hung high above the arena. Thousands of seats wrapped around a massive circular battlefield at the center that stretched upwards like a coliseum. Vendors walked through crowds carrying food and drinks while gamblers argued loudly over odds. The energy in the place was chaotic but strangely alive.
Alpha II blinked at the crowd.
"Why are there this many people?"
Vastarael sat beside her calmly.
"Because Discordants enjoy violence."
"You said that way too casually."
"It's normal here."
She looked around again and noticed something strange. Some of the audience looked Concordant. Some even looked uncomfortable.
"Wait. Why are Concordants here?"
Vastarael rested his chin against one hand.
"Tourism."
"They come here willingly to watch people beat each other up?"
"Yes."
"This is weird."
Before he could answer, the entire underground arena erupted into cheers. Rock music echoed through the structure before a booming voice filled the arena.
"LADIES, GENTLEMEN, CONCORDANTS, DISCORDANTS, AND THOSE TOO DRUNK TO REMEMBER WHICH ONE THEY ARE!"
A man practically launched himself into the center ring. He was tall, muscular, overly energetic and dressed in dark crimson clothing with gold details. A microphone-like Musicum Instrumentum floated beside him while sparks exploded dramatically. The host spread his arms wide.
"WELCOME BACK TO ANTIQUA'S IRON RING! LAST NIGHT WAS BLOODY!"
The audience screamed.
"LAST NIGHT WAS VIOLENT! AND TODAY, IT WILL PROBABLY BE WORSE!"
Someone threw alcohol into the air. The host grinned wildly.
"But before we get to our fresh blood, let us begin with warriors you all know and love!"
The gates on opposite ends of the arena opened.
"ENTERING FROM THE EASTERN GATE!"
A towering Discordant stepped forward. He was huge and scarred. He carried an enormous spear over one shoulder while thick armor covered parts of his body.
"THE IRON SPEAR OF ANTIQUA!"
The audience roared.
"VAAAARRRROOOOSSSS!"
The man lifted his spear once. The host turned.
"AND FROM THE WESTERN GATE!"
Another fighter entered. This one moved faster. He had a lean build, twin blades.amd sharp eyes.
"The SHADOW OF THE LOWER DISTRICT! RENNNTH!"
The fight began immediately. There was no countdown. Rennth moved first but he was ridiculously fast. He vanished low to the ground before appearing near Varros's flank. Sparks exploded on contact as steel scraped across his opponent's reinforced plating.
Varros didn't even flinch. One swing and the sheer force split the air. Rennth barely dodged just before the weapon shattered stone where he had stood. Alpha II watched carefully.
"They're good."
Rennth changed tactics quickly. Instead of direct attacks, he started moving unpredictably, circling, cutting and retreating, forcing Varros to constantly turn. His speed became difficult to follow even for her trained eyes. One blade cut the shoulder. Another nicked the side.
Varros grinned and everything changed at that moment. He planted the spear, twisted and threw it. The movement looked almost lazy until the sound barrier broke.
Alpha II widened her eyes.
Rennth tried dodging but it was too late. The spear slammed through his leg. He crashed hard against the arena floor with a scream. Varros calmly walked over and placed one foot against Rennth's chest before removing his spear from his leg and pointing it at him.
The host jumped into the ring dramatically.
"AND ONCE AGAIN, VARROS REMAINS A MONSTER!"
Medical staff immediately rushed in. Nobody panicked. Apparently severe injuries were normal here.
"That was brutal."
"Welcome to Antiqua, dear servant."
The host suddenly grinned wider.
"NOW! We move onto something new! A NEW FIGHTER HAS BEEN DOMINATING THIS RING FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS UNDEFEATED! THE CURRENT GENIUS OF THE IRON RING!"
The eastern gate opened violently. A figure walked out. He was tall with broad shoulders and dark armor. He carried an enormous weapon strapped behind him.
"DISHARMONIOUS!"
The man lifted one hand lazily. The host turned dramatically toward the opposite side.
"And now… a COMPLETE NEWBIE! A fighter who arrived YESTERDAY! Someone foolish enough to challenge Antiqua before even understanding how dangerous this place is!"
The western gate slowly opened.
"ALPHA II!"
Alpha II stood there, covered in a cape and a good. She was small compared to the massive battlefield. The audience immediately began murmuring.
"A kid?"
"No way."
"She's tiny."
"Poor thing."
"Who signed her death sentence?"
Vastarael calmly sat in his seat, completely relaxed. Alpha II sighed and stepped forward. Without saying anything, she removed the hood and cape. Instead of an ordinary fighter, standing there was an unbelievably beautiful young woman wearing the custom combat outfit Vastarael made for her. It was enough to respect fashion while focusing on defense.
The audience froze, especially the men. In Regnum Musicae, sixteen and above already counted as adulthood. To them, she was stunning. Several people visibly stopped thinking.
"Oh."
"Oh gods…"
"She's beautiful…"
"No way…"
Disharmonious blinked. Even he looked briefly confused. Alpha II casually opened her inventory and cape vanished inside.
"SPATIAL INVENTORY?!"
"WHAT?!"
"Those are rare!"
"No way she has one!"
"Who even IS she?!"
Even the host nearly dropped his composure. Disharmonious narrowed his eyes now, no longer amused. Pretty girls didn't usually walk into underground rings carrying spatial inventories unless they had something up their sleeves. Alpha II calmly reached behind herself and pulled out her flute. Across from her, Disharmonious slowly grabbed a gigantic iron mallet taller than himself.
The crowd immediately started shouting.
"She's dead!"
"No chance!"
"That man crushes bones!"
"Poor girl!"
"This won't last ten seconds!"
Meanwhile, Vastarael calmly stood up near the betting area.
"How much?"
The attendant blinked.
"On who?"
"Alpha II."
The man looked confused. He lowered his voice.
"Sir. The odds are terrible."
"I know."
"You'll lose a fortune."
Vastarael calmly placed down an absurd amount of money. The attendant nearly choked.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"On the girl?"
"Yes."
The man looked horrified.
"You're either insane or rich."
"Both, actually."
Back in the ring. Alpha II slowly raised her flute. Disharmonious rolled his shoulders. The massive mallet slammed against the arena floor hard enough to crack stone. Something about the way the girl stood there made the entire arena suddenly feel uncertain.