ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 208 A SPEECH FROM THE KING

As the applause and excitement began to subside, Sebastian raised his hand, capturing the attention of the entire audience within the coliseum. His voice echoed through the massive space, amplified by the magical resonance of the grand arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and honored participants," Sebastian announced with a voice that commanded attention. "Before the grand ceremony draws to a close, it is with great pride that we present the words of none other than the revered ruler of Valoria himself—the man who has led this kingdom to greatness, the embodiment of strength and wisdom—King Alexandria the Great."

The crowd erupted into a raucous cheer, a chorus of admiration and excitement. The air crackled with anticipation as eyes turned toward the royal section. From his elevated seat, King Alexandria rose to his feet, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the coliseum.

Dressed in regal attire adorned with the emblem of Valoria, his golden crown gleaming in the sunlight, Alexandria stepped forward. With an effortless motion, he lifted himself from his seat, his royal aura radiating throughout the space as he levitated gracefully into the air, high above the coliseum floor. His figure cast a long shadow over the crowd as he hovered, a symbol of power and authority.

As he descended slowly to the center of the coliseum, the silence in the arena was deafening. All eyes were on him—noble and commoner alike, even the competitors standing at the edges of the stage, awaiting the King's words.

Once he landed, the royal figure remained poised and confident. His intense yet calming gaze swept over the masses, taking in the sea of faces that stretched as far as the eye could see. He raised his hand, signaling for the crowd to fall silent.

"My people," Alexandria's voice boomed, deep and resonant, reverberating through the coliseum like the roar of a thunderstorm. "Today marks the beginning of a tradition—one of courage, honor, and unity. In this arena, where warriors from every corner of our world gather to test their mettle, we are reminded of the very essence of what it means to be alive."

A hushed reverence fell over the crowd, captivated by the King's words.

"This convention, this grand spectacle, is not only a test of strength. It is a celebration of the ideals that have shaped our kingdom. Each battle, each challenge, brings us one step closer to forging the future we desire—one where strength is measured not only by the power of the sword but by the heart that wields it."

A wave of applause surged through the crowd, and Alexandria's gaze sharpened.

"But we must not forget—true power does not come from dominance alone. It comes from sacrifice, from loyalty, from the courage to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Let today be a testament to those who will rise above, who will not falter in the face of adversity, and who will lead our world into an era of peace and prosperity."

The audience, inspired by his words, stood in rapturous applause. The cheers grew louder and louder, echoing through the vast coliseum, shaking the very walls of the arena.

Meanwhile, As the festivities of the grand ceremony continued, a sudden stillness took over the VIP section. Kael Dragonyx, the head of the Dragonyx family, slowly rose from his seat, his crimson eyes gleaming with quiet authority. With a casual wave of his hand, a powerful pulse of magic reverberated through the air as the colossal six-clawed dragon appeared above the coliseum. The massive creature descended with grace, its scales gleaming under the sunlight, casting an imposing shadow over the crowd below.

Kael's old right-hand man, a seasoned warrior with graying hair and weathered features, stood beside him, waiting for his command. The two of them boarded the dragon, and without a word nor any form of acknowledgement to the other dignitaries their, the beast took flight, soaring through the air, away from the coliseum and towards the horizon.

But just before they disappeared into the distance, Kael's gaze lingered on the stage below, his sharp eyes locking onto Kaelen and the sheathed Blade of Eternity resting at his side. His expression softened slightly, but only for a brief moment.

"That boy..." Kael muttered to himself. "And the sword..."

He turned to his old right-hand man, his tone devoid of concern yet tinged with curiosity. "What is the Hollowed One doing? Why hasn't he taken the boy yet? And the sword...?"

The right-hand man paused for a moment before replying, a slight hesitation in his voice. "Kaelen... he was the one who defeated the Hollowed One."

Kael's eyes narrowed, his calm exterior briefly cracking at the news. "Defeated? The Hollowed One... defeated by a mere child?" He let out a low chuckle, the sound carrying an unsettling edge. "How interesting..."

He leaned back against the dragon's neck, his fingers lightly tapping against the scales as he mulled over the information. After a moment of silence, he straightened and turned his gaze back to the horizon.

"It doesn't matter," Kael finally said, his voice firm and resolute. "The Hollowed One may have failed, but I still have one final trick to play. The boy and the sword will be mine, sooner or later."

With a commanding gesture, the dragon soared higher into the sky, disappearing into the distance as Kael's plans slowly began to take shape.

But unbeknownst to him, while he was disappearing into the horizon, a hooded figure amongst the crowd in the commoner section was currently look at the dragon with a pair of shimmering starry eyes. Then not long after, the figure muttered as he turned his gaze towards Kaelen who is now leaving the coliseum with his colleagues and seniors of Pacesetters Academy.

'It seems like I don't have much time left, I need to hurry or it will be too late'