Emperor's Reckoning



As the days rolled by in Felidora, the anticipation for the upcoming tournament painted an air of excitement across the kingdom. The buzz of conversations revolved around predictions, potential champions, and the various races that would be participating. Banners and decorations adorned the city, and the air held a palpable sense of competition and camaraderie.

In the midst of this vibrant atmosphere, the night before the tournament's commencement arrived, casting a calm and silvery glow over Felidora. Within the grand mansion that now hosted Lyon and his companions, preparations, and plans were discussed in hushed voices. But as the moonlight bathed the surroundings, Lyon's intentions seemed to differ from the group's.

As he neared the heart of the capital, Lyon's steps brought him to a place where anticipation was replaced by weariness. The receptionist stationed at a desk stifled a yawn, his eyes heavy from the monotony of waiting for his shift to end. Just when his patience was wearing thin, Lyon's arrival caught him off guard.

A rustle of fabric, a faint but purposeful exhale, and Lyon emerged from the shadows. The receptionist blinked in mild surprise, his drowsiness momentarily forgotten as he observed the cloaked figure that had stood right in front of him.

"I'm here to register, where should I sign?" asked Lyon.

"W-What? Oh, just sign the paper with your name," said the receptionist.

Lyon proceeded to do as he told. The pen danced on the paper as the receptionist tried to take a peek at his name.

"If you are so keen to know my name, read it," said Lyon as he rotated the paper before sliding it to the receptionist with a smirk.

"Hmph," The receptionist looked at the list but as his eyes laid on the bottom of the list, his eyes furrowed. "Lyon Torga?"

"Is something wrong?" Lyon asked.

"Are you a human?"

"What makes you think so?" asked Lyon.

The receptionist paused and the atmosphere slowly sank into utter silence. "Heh, hah, hahaha, c'mon, you can't be serious."

"I don't get what you mean," Lyon said.

"It's Lyon Torga, the fantasy king that the humans yearned to come back, everyone knew the old legend," said the receptionist as he leaned back with his arms crossed under his chest. "There is really no way that you just picked that name out of the blue."

"Not a king, an emperor," said Lyon. "Big difference."

"Hah! See? You're messing around with me," the receptionist shook his head. "But, I give you credit though, no human has ever dared to enter the tournament, Tomorrow will be a spectacle for sure."

"Then you should get yourself a front seat, and a soft little pillow for your jaw so that it will not hit the floor," said Lyon with a smirk.

"A human with that attitude, the crowd will swallow you whole," said the receptionist as he saw Lyon turn his back.

"Then they will break their jaws," said Lyon before he vanished.

The receptionist was startled as he blinked his eyes repeatedly. The man vanished like a ghost at the slightest hint of misdirection. He had his back straight as he looked at the list and immediately his glance landed on the name at the bottom of it. It was still the same name. "It wasn't a ghost..." he looked up at the empty road ahead. The only clue Lyon left, was the ink on the sheet of paper.

---

The day of the highly anticipated Felidora Tournament dawned, bringing with it an air of exhilaration that swept through the grand capital like wildfire. The city was alive with a vibrant energy, the streets bustling with a diverse array of people from all corners of the kingdom and beyond. Banners bearing the emblem of Felidora flapped in the wind, adding a touch of color to the already festive atmosphere.

In the midst of this excitement, three cloaked figures moved through the crowd, their faces partially concealed by the hoods of their garments. Lyon, Cecile, and Selena had donned the attire of Felidora Kingdom to blend in effortlessly with the sea of participants and spectators. The cloaks not only protected their identities but also added a sense of mystery to their presence, a fitting guide for those who were well-acquainted with intrigue.

Meanwhile, Kesya and Karina were in the bustling prep room alongside the other contestants, each preparing for the intense challenges that awaited them. The room was abuzz with a mixture of nervous tension and camaraderie, a testament to the shared anticipation of the tournament. The competitors from various races and backgrounds exchanged glances and whispered encouragements, united by their shared pursuit of victory.

High above the bustling arena, the king of Felidora, a regal and commanding figure with a mane of hair reminiscent of a lion, occupied a special seat reserved for rulers. His presence exuded authority, and his keen eyes observed the festivities below with a discerning gaze. Beside him sat his queen, a figure of grace and elegance, while their sons and daughters occupied the tier below, their own anticipation evident in their expressions.

The three captains of the kingdom were seated in a position of honor, elevated slightly above the general audience but just below the king and his immediate family. Their seats were strategically positioned to provide them with a clear view of the tournament arena, ensuring that they could monitor the proceedings closely and respond swiftly if any issues arose. 

Alaric the cat, Sylas the elf, and Linnea the lioness, held important positions within the Felidora Kingdom's military structure, and their roles extended beyond mere participation in the tournament. As captains, they were responsible for maintaining order, ensuring fairness, and upholding the integrity of the competition. Their presence added a level of prestige and authority to the event, emphasizing its significance to the kingdom as a whole.

Lyon discreetly turned to Cecile and Selena beneath the concealing hoods of their cloaks. "I'll be back in a moment," he murmured softly. With a subtle nod and an understanding look, he then stepped away from their position, weaving through the crowd as he made his way toward a less populated area of the tournament grounds.

"Welcome, esteemed citizens of Felidora and honored guests, to the grand opening of the Felidora Tournament!" The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, met with cheers and applause from the excited crowd. "Today, we gather to witness the remarkable talents of our kingdom's finest warriors. Their strength, skill, and determination shall shine as they compete for glory!"

As the contestants were called out one by one and Karina and Kesya stood among the lines of contestants, the tempo of the announcer was abruptly interrupted. His voice cracked a bit as he leaned his eyes toward the list, carefully reading the name inside his heart.

The king of Felidora took notice of this just as well as the rest. His eyes squinted among the murmurs of the crowd.

"Oh no..." Cecile sighed.

"Darling..." Selena murmured. 

Kesya and Karina both had a sudden realization as their brows raised, the former with excitement, the latter with interest. They turned to the entrance.

"Is a stone stuck in your throat? Or is my name that great."

A voice that could not be any more familiar brought a grin to Kesya as she saw Lyon stepping out of the darkness, and then, the crowd was stunned. His identity was bare and to behold, his arms crossed under his chest, and a smirk that appeared even when facing a leviathan emerged.

"The last contestant! L-Lyon Torga!" the announcer said.

His robe fluttered as he faced the puzzling look of the other contestants, his ears heard the tsunami of gasps, and his eyes saw the series of furrowed brows. The indomitable emperor himself had courted the stage even before the tournament began.