The arena trembled.

  High above, the fairies fluttered in panic as the ground split open — and a creature emerged from the dimensional portal: a Red Ogre, towering three times taller than any troll, eyes blazing like coals, teeth dripping with old blood.

  Its roar shook the stands.

  — RRAAAHHHH!

  Even the Patriarchs rose from their thrones.

  Helena Summer narrowed her eyes, flames of solar magic swirling around her.

  Kotan of Winter clenched his jaw, frost already forming at his fingertips.

  But the Herald raised his voice:

  — No interference! This is a trial of honor! Unless death is certain, none may act!

  The Ogre advanced, each step cracking the stone floor.

  Amélia drew her bow of mana and released a volley of icy arrows — they shattered uselessly against its hide.

  — It’s not enough! — she gasped, stepping back.

  Lukas stood still, chest heaving. Inside him, the voices erupted.

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  Morgana whispered with delighted hunger:

  — Look at that, chocolatinho… such a beautiful monster. If you fall, I’ll savor his body. Or yours.

  César roared, furious:

  — Shut your mouth, you depraved witch!

  — Oh, come now, little Caesar… you’re always so uptight. Let me have some fun with the boy…

  — He’s my soldier! You’ll not corrupt him — even if it costs me my life!

  Their auras exploded together.

  César’s golden, sacred light flared like the sun itself — while Morgana’s violet shadow spread like living poison.

  The crowd gasped.

  — Two auras!

  — No... it’s one!

  Gold and violet spiraled together, twisting and merging into a black radiance edged with fire — an Eclipse.

  Kyros rose to his feet, eyes blazing.

  — That’s the blood of the Sun!

  The Ogre charged again, massive hand descending toward Amélia.

  Lightning split the air.

  Suddenly, Lukas was there — in front of her — two short gladii in his hands, forged of black thunder.

  The Herald shouted, stunned:

  — What in the world— what kind of lightning is that?!

  Thunder cracked, and darkness swept across the arena.

  Only the hiss of lightning from his blades filled the air.

  The Ogre froze for a heartbeat… then roared and lunged.

  Lukas whispered:

  — Whispers of the Black Thunder.

  He vanished.

  Two flashes tore across the arena — one right, one left — and then silence.

  When Lukas reappeared, he stood behind the monster.

  The Ogre stayed still.

  Then, slowly… its enormous head slid off its shoulders and hit the ground with a thunderous crash.

  Silence.

  Then — an explosion of cheers:

  — CHO-CO-LA-TI-NHO! CHO-CO-LA-TI-NHO!

  Lukas gasped for air, lightning still crackling along his blades. His body trembled, but his eyes burned bright.

  Morgana, breathless, purred inside his mind:

  — Ahhh… my sweet chocolatinho…

  César, voice cracked but proud, said:

  — That strike… that Eclipse… it’s ours. The Sacred Gladius of Black Thunder.

  Lukas raised his gaze toward the stands.

  — Hey, Herald… aren’t you going to announce the winners?

  For a moment, the arena held its breath.

  Then the Herald roared, voice trembling with awe:

  — Victory to Lukas Fernandes and Amélia — of the Tenth House!

  The roar of the crowd shook the capital itself.

  ?? End of Chapter 23