Some clapped in rhythm with the Palmares drums, others struck the air like the monks of the Black Sun.
The city of Smile itself seemed to tremble with the strength of its own roots.
In the stands, the Fernandes siblings each reacted in their own way.
Valquíria smirked, her eyes burning as if witnessing glory multiply.
Selene, behind the mask, remained silent — but the faint green shimmer in her eyes revealed curiosity.
Marcos yawned, pretending to be bored, but unable to hide the respect in his gaze.
And Dariam growled low, fists clenched.
“That damned weakling… that filthy crowd cheering for him…”
Lukas felt everything at once: pride, confusion, and discomfort.
In his past life, none of this had happened.
Now… it was as if history itself had found new lungs to breathe.
High above the stands, Kyros rose, his voice commanding the entire plaza.
“People of the South! Children of the Sun and Moon!
Today we celebrate our festival… but tomorrow…”
He raised his arm, and silence fell instantly.
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“…tomorrow begins the next stage of this year’s Trials!”
The crowd exploded.
Expectation echoed through the streets.
Kyros took a deep breath.
“In honor of Alex Fernandes, my firstborn — who fought with fire in his chest and proved that even the improbable can shine… the next stage will be called…”
He stretched his arms toward the sky.
“The Dawn Judgment!”
Fireworks burst, painting the night with colors.
People shouted Alex’s name, clapping, stomping, singing.
Down below, Aníbal raised the rib he still had in his hand and yelled:
“Dawn! I’ll participate too, if they let me!”
Amélia rolled her eyes, dragging him away by the arm.
Yumi smiled faintly, pride shining in her wolf eyes.
Aika, shy as always, whispered softly:
“Beautiful… it’s beautiful.”
Kyros raised his hand again. Silence returned.
“But before Dawn rises, we must see if the children of the Sun can shine together…
or if they will still try to extinguish one another.”
A low murmur spread through the plaza.
Kyros smiled.
“So I announce a friendly duel.
The two schools that presented today — Palmares and Black Sun —
will face each other before the people.
Not as enemies, but as rivals who respect one another.”
The crowd roared.
Besouro almost jumped into the circle, smiling as wide as the horizon.
Akemi simply clenched her fists, cold and focused.
In the stands, Lukas felt his stomach twist.
Morgana purred in his mind:
“Ah, little chocolate… this is going to be fun. Let’s see heart and thunder collide.”
César, calm as a stone, simply murmured:
“Watch closely, boy. You will learn something tonight.”
Kyros lifted both arms once more:
“Tomorrow, the Sun will rise for everyone.
But tonight… let the drums thunder and the lightning march under the moon!”
The festival exploded again — roasted meat, spices, music, merchants shouting prices, people dancing.
The entire city burned alive in celebration.
But in every heart, a single question chose:
Who will win the first clash — the Heart of Palmares or the Thunder of the Black Sun?
End of Chapter 11