The Arena
The arena began to fill with the crowd, and the cheers grew louder. Some cheered for Thanos, others for White, and some even argued among themselves over who was stronger. Bets were being placed. The place had become extremely noisy.
Right Entrance of the Arena
The entrance resembled a tunnel, and the place shook violently due to the loud crowd above.
One of White's Assistants: Are you ready?
White: Has the king come to watch?
Assistant: Yes, sir, he's sitting up there.
White: What about Thea? Did she come too?
Assistant: No, sir, I haven't seen her yet.
White (speaking to himself): Is she serious about what she's doing? I really can't understand what's going on in her mind. (Looks toward the assistant) Is the other fool ready?
Assistant: I don't know yet, sir, but I saw him enter from the left entrance a while ago.
White: Seems he didn't run away. Alright, it's time.
White enters the arena, and the crowd's cheers grow louder and louder: "White! White! White!" He waves his hand to the crowd.
One of the Crowd: What? Is he entering a fan meeting or what? Why the hell is he waving?
Left Entrance of the Arena
Thanos stands inside as if he's waiting for someone.
Someone runs toward him, dressed entirely in black with a mask covering half of his face. There's a mark above his eye resembling a scorpion.
Thanos (angrily): You're late. Where were you?
The Stranger: Sorry, sneaking in here took a little time.
He puts his hands in his pocket and pulls out a glass vial containing a black-colored pill.
The Stranger: Are you sure about this?
Thanos snatches the vial from his hand forcefully.
Thanos: Why? You planning to kill me or something?
The Stranger: No, but it's still experimental. No one who took it lasted more than an hour... and then they died.
Thanos (gets close to the stranger's face and looks him in the eye coldly): Were they as strong as me?
The Stranger: No, they weren't like you. But it's still dangerous.
Thanos (puts the vial in his pocket, then pulls out a coin pouch from his other pocket and hands it to the stranger): Here's your money. What happens to me isn't your concern. You're a seller, I'm a buyer. Understood?
The Stranger: As you wish. But I warned you.
Thanos: Get out of my face now.
The stranger turns around and takes a step, but Thanos grabs his massive axe and, in an instant, cuts him in half.
The Stranger (coughing blood, his body in two): You bastard!
Thanos: Did you think I'd let you live after selling me this, fool?
Thanos turns and heads toward the arena.
But someone was watching from afar.
Thanos enters the arena and silence falls for a few seconds...
Then the chant returns: "Thanos! Thanos! Thanos!"
Thanos walks toward the arena without even glancing at the crowd. His eyes are fixed only on White.
Another person enters the arena, shouting loudly: "Sileeeeence!"
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, today you will witness the greatest battle between the two strongest men in the kingdom! (points toward White) Please welcome the commander of the knights, Sir White!
Crowd cheers: Victory to White! Victory to White!
Announcer: Sileeeeence!
(Points to Thanos) And on the other side, welcome the second knight, Thanos!
There were no cheers like those for White.
Announcer (points to the glass chamber above): And also, hail the king above, and the other knights!
Silence falls over the arena.
Everyone bows toward him and in one voice says: "Long live King Menalost! Long live King Menalost!"
Announcer: As we all heard, this fight was supposed to determine who is stronger. The winner would become the First Knight. But a change has occurred. By order of the king, this fight... will be to the death.
A moment of silence from all the crowd, only the sound of wind can be heard.
Whispers start to spread among the crowd.
Person 1: This is impossible. Wasn't it just a fight to determine who's stronger? How did it turn into this?
Person 2: Isn't this a bit insane? Whatever the reason, to the death? Isn't that too much?
Person 3: If one of them dies, there'll be a vacant spot among the knights, right?
Person 4: That means the knight selection trials will return, right?
Person 5 (raises his voice and addresses the announcer): Excuse me, sir. If one of them loses, will there be an empty spot among the knights?
Announcer: That is correct. And for that, here is the next announcement: after this battle, the Royal Arena will once again host battles to determine the new knight. Alright everyone, calm down now. More details will be announced later. For now, we have two gentlemen who wish to speak.
The announcer steps back.
Announcer: Let the battle begin!
White steps forward, and on the other side, Thanos steps forward too.
White (draws his iron sword and points it at Thanos): If you want to back out, this is your last chance, Thanos.
Thanos steps forward, carrying his heavy, massive axe, holding it with one hand and pointing it at White.
Thanos: Damn you. I'm not running! But first, tell me—why did you defend me in front of the king? Did you do it out of pity?
White: I'll tell you when your axe is at my neck.
Thanos: Fine, go to hell!
Thanos leaps toward White and strikes with his axe. The blow is so powerful that the ground splits open, but on the other side, White dodges it easily and uses his sword to strike Thanos from behind. Thanos spins quickly and creates a solid shield from his blood, blocks White's strike, and backs away.
White (holds his sword and spins it in his hand): Not bad. I haven't fought you in a while.
Thanos (rests his axe on his shoulder): Don't worry. This is just the beginning.
Thanos places his hand on the ground and injects it with his blood.
Thanos: Let me show you something you've never seen before, you arrogant fool.
To be continued…