Claiming Queen Velahza

The tension in the air was palpable as Caelion stepped forward, his posture straight and commanding. The court fell into a hushed silence, every eye watching as the king prepared for what promised to be an unforgettable duel. Renji stood, his gaze unwavering, locked onto Caelion's every movement.

"You've made your choice, Renji," Caelion sneered, his hand resting on the hilt of his weapon, a sword that glinted with divine energy. "Now you'll have to back it up."

Renji's lips curled into a confident grin. He wasn't going to back down, not now, not ever. The challenge was set, and there was no turning back.

"Let's see if you can actually live up to your reputation," Renji shot back, his voice a low growl.

The air crackled as both men prepared for battle. Zach, who had been silently observing the proceedings, stood from his place beside the throne, his expression unreadable.

"I'll allow you both to fight," Zach's voice rang out. "But remember, there are rules here. No interference."

Renji nodded, his focus never leaving Caelion, who grinned arrogantly in response.

With a sudden motion, Caelion unsheathed his sword, the divine aura of the blade flashing brilliantly in the light. It hummed with energy, its form as regal as the king himself. The golden hilt, inlaid with rubies and diamonds, was a testament to Caelion's extravagant lifestyle.

Renji, however, wasn't intimidated. He placed his hand on the hilt of his own weapon, the dark blade infused with the powers of the exile system. It pulsed beneath his fingers, waiting for the signal to unleash its full power.

Caelion lunged first, his sword slashing through the air with a blinding speed that Renji barely had time to react to. The blade cut through the space where Renji had been standing just a moment before, narrowly missing him.

Renji, swift and calculated, sidestepped the attack and retaliated with a swift strike of his own. His blade shimmered with dark energy, cutting through the air as if it were alive.

Caelion blocked it with ease, his divine weapon humming with the power of the gods. But Renji wasn't finished. He leapt forward, his eyes burning with fury. His speed was unmatched, and the power of the exile system surged within him, lending him strength.

The two clashed again and again, their swords ringing out in the court, the ground beneath them shaking with every strike. Renji's movements were precise, calculated. He wasn't just fighting for a prize—he was fighting for something deeper, something personal.

Caelion, though skilled, was starting to falter. His attacks grew sloppier as Renji pushed him back with relentless force.

"Is this really all you have, Caelion?" Renji taunted, his voice cutting through the chaos of their battle. "You're just a spoiled little king who's never had to fight for anything."

Caelion's eyes flashed with rage. "You think you can mock me, Renji? I'll show you why I'm the king of Salzahar!"

With a roar, Caelion unleashed his divine power, his sword glowing brighter than ever. He swung it downward with a powerful arc, sending a shockwave of energy through the room. The force of the strike was enough to send Renji stumbling back, his feet scraping against the stone floor.

But Renji wasn't done yet.

His eyes glowed with a fierce determination as he activated the nightmare mode, the exile system surging through him like an unstoppable force. Dark energy swirled around him, and his sword grew even darker, crackling with an otherworldly power.

"I've had enough of this," Renji growled, his voice laced with raw power.

With a roar, he surged forward, meeting Caelion's blade head-on with a strike that shattered the divine weapon's aura. The shockwave from the impact sent both men flying backward, crashing into the stone walls of the court.

Caelion struggled to his feet, his face flushed with anger and disbelief. "What... What is this power?!" he gasped, his eyes wide with shock.

Renji stood tall, his body radiating dark energy, his eyes burning with the full force of the exile system. "I warned you, Caelion. You're out of your league."

The duel had shifted. Caelion was no longer in control. Renji had taken the upper hand, his strength surging as the nightmare mode consumed him.

Velahza, who had been watching from her seat, leaned forward, her expression one of intrigued amusement. She could see that Renji was more than just a challenge—he was a force of nature.

As the battle continued, it became clear that this wasn't just a test of strength—it was a battle for control, for dominance, for pride. And Renji was determined to come out on top.

The final clang of steel echoed across the marbled court as Caelion's weapon skidded across the floor, sparks trailing in its wake. The king crashed down to one knee, his golden armor cracked, his regal poise shattered. Silence fell like a curtain across the court—one that muffled even breath.

Renji stood tall, his chest heaving, shadows flickering in his wake like dying embers of a hellish storm. His eyes still glowed faintly from the activated nightmare mode, and even Zach—ever the collected spectator—gave a small, knowing smirk.

The ministers looked nervously between the fallen king and the dark warrior who now stood center stage in the heart of Salzahar's power.

Caelion looked up through sweat-matted bangs, grinning despite the blood at his lip. "Damn, Renji… you actually did it."

Renji extended a hand toward him, offering the most dignified olive branch possible after beating a monarch into the floor. "You fought well. But I told you—I'm not someone to mock."

With a groan, Caelion took his hand and pulled himself up. "Tch… remind me never to challenge you after drinking next time."

The crowd burst into a low murmur of laughter. But Renji's eyes weren't on them anymore.

He turned—toward the throne.

Velahza sat poised like a statue carved from cold divinity. Her golden robe shimmered in the palace light, but her expression didn't. Her lips were curled into the faintest sneer, her body rigid. When Renji took a step toward her, her eyes narrowed—slitted, venomous.

A hiss escaped her throat, low and sharp. "Don't think this makes you special," she said, voice dripping with disdain even as her knuckles whitened on the armrest. "You may have bested a king, but I am not some fragile thing to be won."

Her words were sharp, but her eyes betrayed the truth—an involuntary flicker of respect, maybe even attraction, buried under that frosty mask. She was bound by pride, by politics, by power games. But for the first time, she couldn't ignore the man who stood victorious before her.

Renji smirked. "Didn't say I wanted to win you, Velahza. Maybe I just enjoy watching you lose your composure."

Her fingers twitched.

She had no retort.

Because no matter how cold her stare remained, nothing could change the fact that she hadn't stopped watching him since the duel began.

And that, despite the venom in her voice, she didn't look away when he did.