The Weight of the Stone

The courtyard of the grand arena buzzed with anticipation as the tournament's first-round lineup was finally revealed. The massive announcement board loomed over the crowd, its surface covered with names etched in shimmering magic. Kieran pushed through the throng of competitors to find his name.

Kieran Veyra - Group 3.

He traced the list to see who else would join him in the melee. His breath caught when he saw another familiar name:

Selric Thalor - Group 3.

Kieran's jaw tightened. The smug swordsman's presence in his group guaranteed a fierce fight, but it wasn't just Selric's skill that gave Kieran pause. Whispers had spread through the crowd, murmurs of a unique mastery Selric possessed.

"Have you heard?"

One competitor whispered nearby.

"Selric's already learned the Stone Blade Path. They say it grants him the strength of a mountain and makes him nearly unbreakable."

"He's invincible. Anyone facing him might as well forfeit."

Kieran's thoughts raced. The Stone Blade Path was one of the legendary techniques taught in secret to only the most promising swordsmen. It was said to fortify the body and imbue strikes with earth-shattering force, while its defensive properties made its practitioner almost impervious to harm. If Selric had truly mastered even the basics of it, Kieran's challenge had just grown exponentially.

As Kieran processed this revelation, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"You look tense, Kieran."

Selric strode up, his usual grin plastered across his face. He held his token up for emphasis.

"Group 3, huh? Guess we'll be warming up against each other."

Kieran forced himself to meet Selric's gaze, masking his unease.

"Looking forward to it."

Selric chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You should be. But I'll warn you now, once I activate the Stone Blade Path, nothing can stop me. You'll see soon enough."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kieran alone with his thoughts. The weight of the challenge ahead pressed down on him, but he refused to falter. He had faced insurmountable odds before, and this was no different.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, signaling the start of the tournament. The first group was called into the arena, followed by the second. Each time, cheers and gasps erupted from the audience as warriors clashed in chaotic melees. Then, it was time for Group 3.

Kieran stepped onto the sandy battlefield alongside the other competitors. The arena's walls soared high above them, packed with spectators eager to see blood and glory. He scanned his opponents, noting the variety of weapons and styles they brought. His gaze inevitably settled on Selric, who stood confidently at the opposite end of the arena.

"Welcome, Group 3 participants. The rules are simple: fight until ten remain standing. Use of lethal force is forbidden, but anything short of that is fair game. Begin!"

The gong sounded, and chaos erupted. Swords clashed, spells crackled, and the ground trembled under the weight of warriors colliding. Kieran kept his movements measured, conserving his energy while deflecting strikes from those who targeted him.

As he fought, he couldn't help but keep an eye on Selric. The blond swordsman moved with an almost lazy confidence, his strikes effortlessly shattering defenses. His mastery of the Stone Blade Path was undeniable—his blows left small craters in the sand, and any attempt to strike him seemed to bounce harmlessly off an invisible shield.

Kieran gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to face Selric head-on, not yet. Instead, he focused on thinning the field, using the techniques the hermit had drilled into him. He anticipated movements, redirected attacks, and struck with precision, slowly but surely carving his way toward the final ten.

The melee dwindled as competitors fell one by one. Soon, only twelve remained. Kieran found himself face-to-face with a burly ax-wielder. The man swung with brute force, but Kieran's nimbleness gave him the edge. He dodged a wide arc and delivered a calculated strike to the man's shoulder, forcing him to yield.

As the ax-wielder retreated, Kieran's path brought him closer to Selric. The blond swordsman dispatched his latest opponent with ease, then turned to Kieran with a predatory grin.

"Looks like it's just us now."

Selric said.

Kieran tightened his grip on his blade. He knew this wasn't their final clash—not yet—but the tension between them was palpable. Selric raised his sword, the ground beneath him cracking slightly as he activated the Stone Blade Path.

Before either could make a move, the announcer's voice interrupted.

"Stop! Group 3 has its ten finalists!"

The remaining competitors lowered their weapons, and the crowd roared in approval. Kieran exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment lifting slightly. He had advanced, but the true battles were yet to come.

As he left the arena, Selric's parting words echoed in his ears:

"Don't get comfortable, Kieran. This was just the beginning."