A Warrior’s Respect

The cheers of the crowd echoed through the coliseum.

But on the battlefield, Hugo stood still.

He looked down at Darius, who lay on the ground, breathing heavily.

For a moment, he just watched.

Then—he stepped forward.

Slowly, Hugo extended his hand.

A silent offer. A gesture of respect.

Darius, still panting, glanced up.

His green eyes flickered with emotion.

For the first time, he wasn't just looking at Hugo as an opponent.

He was looking at him as a fighter. A legend. A man who had carried a weight heavier than anyone else.

Darius gritted his teeth, frustration flashing in his eyes.

Then—he smirked weakly.

"Damn it," he muttered. "I really wanted to win."

But he reached out.

And for the first time—Hugo and Darius clasped hands.

The arena erupted into applause.

It didn't matter who won.

This was the moment both of them had earned.

The waiting room buzzed with energy.

Fighters who had lost their matches were either resting or leaving, while tournament officials handled the prize distribution.

Hugo, still calm as ever, walked up to the prize counter.

A tournament official, a man in a black uniform with a visor covering his eyes, looked up as Hugo approached.

"Ah, the champion," the official said, tapping on his holographic tablet. "Congratulations on your victory. Now, let's proceed with the transfer of your winnings."

Hugo nodded. "Alright."

The official looked at his screen. "To confirm, please open your ArcLink app and input your ID code."

Silence.

Hugo's white eyes blinked once.

"…My what?"

The official paused. "Your ArcLink app." He gestured vaguely. "You know, on your phone?"

Hugo stared at him.

"I don't have a phone."

The official froze.

The room suddenly felt much quieter.

Behind Hugo, Stella, Ethan, and Lena all turned to look at each other.

Stella pinched the bridge of her nose.

Lena sighed heavily.

Ethan just tilted his head. "Wait, you seriously don't have a phone?"

Hugo shrugged. "Never needed one."

The three of them exchanged another glance.

Then, at the same time, they all said it.

"We really need to get Hugo a phone."

Before Hugo could even process his lack of a phone, a familiar voice cut through the room.

"Problem solved."

The group turned to see Darius approaching, twirling a sleek, brand-new phone in his hand.

He tossed it toward Hugo, who caught it effortlessly.

Hugo looked at it, then at Darius. "...What's this?"

Darius smirked. "Your new phone."

Ethan blinked. "Wait, seriously?"

Stella crossed her arms. "And what do you want in exchange?"

Darius' smirk slowly faded.

Then—he took a deep breath.

And suddenly—he dropped to his knees.

"PLEASE LET ME JOIN YOU!"

The entire room fell silent.

Stella's eyes widened.

Lena blinked in shock.

Ethan nearly choked on air.

Even Hugo's expression flickered with the slightest hint of surprise.

But the most shocked of all—was Darius' crew.

"BOSS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"YOU CAN'T BOW!"

"STAND UP! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEXT HERO!"

Darius ignored them, keeping his head lowered.

"I don't care about the title," he said, his voice firm. "I don't care about being the next legend. I just… I want to fight for something real. With people who actually matter."

His eyes burned with conviction.

"So please—let me join you."

The room was dead silent.

And all eyes were on Hugo.

The room was still dead silent.

Darius remained bowing before Hugo, his crew still freaking out behind him.

Everyone waited for Hugo's response.

Then—he sighed.

"…Fine."

Darius' head snapped up. "Wait, what?"

Hugo looked at him, expression unreadable.

"You want to come along?" He crossed his arms. "Then keep up."

For a moment, Darius just stared.

Then—he grinned.

Slowly, he stood up, brushing off his jacket.

"…I can't take away your burden," he admitted, his tone softer now.

"But the least I can do is help ease it up."

Hugo watched him for a moment.

Then, for the first time—he smirked.

"Then try not to slow me down."

Darius grinned back.

The deal was set.

Darius was now part of the team.

With the matter settled, the group finally went to claim the prize money.

The tournament official, still looking slightly awkward from the earlier scene, processed the transaction.

Hugo, now holding his brand-new phone, watched as the 10,000 ArcanaCoin prize was transferred into his account.

Transaction complete.

"Finally." Stella stretched. "That took way too long."

Ethan grinned. "Worth it, though! We're rich!"

Lena crossed her arms. "We should probably start planning our next move."

Darius, now standing beside them, nodded firmly. "Yeah, Boss, what's the plan?"

Silence.

Everyone froze.

Even Darius' own crew.

"…Boss?" Stella repeated, staring at him.

Darius blinked. "Yeah?"

Ethan snorted. "Wait, wait, wait—you just called Hugo 'Boss'?"

Darius shrugged. "Yeah? What else am I supposed to call him? He's the strongest guy here."

His crew rushed forward, still trying to process what they just witnessed.

"Boss, YOU CAN'T CALL SOMEONE ELSE BOSS!"

"You're OUR boss! That's how this works!"

"This is so weird, I don't like it!"

Darius rolled his eyes. "Relax, I'm still your boss. But he's above me, so obviously—he's Boss."

Hugo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Don't call me Boss."

Darius grinned. "Sure thing, Boss."

Hugo stared at him.

Darius grinned wider.

The group realized—this was never going to stop.

As the group processed Darius' sudden shift in loyalty, a moment of silence passed.

Then—Lena spoke up.

"Alright… so what now?"

Hugo, still recovering from being called 'Boss,' exhaled.

"Now," he said simply, "we continue our original plan."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Hugo glanced at her.

"We use the Veilgate to head to Requiem Prime." His white eyes sharpened. "And we ask the Chancellor to help us."

The air grew heavier.

The next stage of their journey was about to begin.

And whatever awaited them in Requiem Prime—was bigger than just a tournament.

The group made their way through Ironfang Village, heading toward the Veilgate.

The city was still buzzing with energy from the tournament, but Hugo was focused on what came next.

As they walked, Hugo glanced at Darius.

"Your crew isn't coming."

Darius blinked. "Huh?"

Hugo's white eyes remained steady. "Where we're going—it's too dangerous."

Darius frowned. "They can handle themselves."

Hugo shook his head. "This isn't a tournament. It's war."

Darius hesitated.

His crew had always been with him. They looked up to him. Followed him.

Leaving them behind felt… wrong.

But—he knew Hugo was right.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"…Fine. They stay."

The decision was made.

And ahead of them—the Veilgate awaited

The Veilgate was just ahead.

The gateway to Requiem Prime. The next step in their journey.

But before they could reach it—

Darius stopped walking.

The group turned, watching as he took a deep breath. Then, without a word, he turned back.

His crew stood there, watching him.

The same kids who had followed him since the beginning. The ones who believed in him even before he proved himself in the tournament.

And now…

He was leaving them behind.

Darius clenched his fists. Then, finally, he walked up to them.

"Listen," he started, his voice unusually quiet.

"You guys… can't come with me."

Their expressions immediately fell.

"WHAT?!"

One of them, the shortest of the three, stepped forward angrily. "Boss, you can't be serious! We always follow you!"

"Yeah!" another chimed in. "We stuck with you through everything! Why are you ditching us now?!"

Darius exhaled, rubbing the back of his head.

"It's not like that," he muttered.

"Then let us come with you!" the last one pleaded, their voice breaking slightly. "We want to fight too!"

Darius closed his eyes.

For a moment, he thought about what to say.

Then—he looked at them.

His usual cocky grin appeared, but this time, there was sadness in it.

"When I come back… I'll be a legend."

His crew froze.

Darius took a step forward, putting a hand on the shortest one's head.

"You guys don't need to follow me this time." His voice was softer now. "Just wait for me. I'll come back stronger than ever."

They sniffled, trying to stay strong.

Darius grinned. "Don't cry now."

"We're not crying!"

Then—they looked up at him.

And in perfect unison, all three of them pointed.

"YOU'RE the one who's crying!"

Darius stiffened. "Hah?! No, I'm not!"

One of them pointed closer. "Your eyes are all red!"

"Your voice is shaking!"

"You're literally sniffling!"

Darius whipped around, rubbing his face aggressively. "Tch—my eyes are just sweating!"

They stared at him.

Then, they all broke down crying too.

A mess of emotions, frustration, and overwhelming admiration poured out all at once.

Darius sighed, shaking his head.

"…You guys are the worst."

One of them wiped their nose. "Then why do you look happy?"

Darius chuckled. "…Shut up."

Then—he turned back to Hugo's group.

The choice was made.

No turning back.

His crew, still wiping their eyes, stood tall.

"Come back alive, Boss."

Darius grinned. "Like I'd die before you guys."

And with that—they parted ways.

A final wave.

A final moment.

And then—Darius stepped forward, toward his new path.