The fourth day of the Internal Battle dawned with the weight of destiny on its shoulders.
Two thousand candidates had been reduced to five hundred overnight. The good were gone. The great remained. And among the great, ten names had become legend:
Makena. Nyx. Tovin. Brutus. Ragnar. Darius. Lin. Mira. Tovin. Kael.
Kafu's top ten had not lost a single match.
---
THE TOP 100 ANNOUNCEMENT
As the sun rose over the arena, the head judge's voice boomed across the dimensions.
"Attention, candidates! Today, we reduce the field from five hundred to one hundred. Those who make the cut will receive RVC membership and advance to the final phase."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"But first-a surprise."
The judge smiled.
"The top ten performers of this tournament, based on a combination of win speed, technique mastery, and crowd response, will receive supreme treasures-artifacts crafted by the First Legends themselves, tailored to their abilities."
The crowd gasped.
"These treasures are one of a kind. They cannot be bought. They cannot be stolen. They can only be earned."
---
THE TOP TEN REVEALED
A holographic display materialized above the arena, showing the rankings.
[TOP TEN PERFORMERS - CURRENT]
Rank Name Wins Avg Time Score
1 MAKENA 15 6.2 sec 9,847
2 NYX 15 4.1 sec 9,823
3 TOVIN (POISON) 15 5.3 sec 9,791
4 BRUTUS 15 4.8 sec 9,756
5 RAGNAR 15 7.1 sec 9,712
6 DARIUS 15 5.7 sec 9,698
7 LIN 15 6.4 sec 9,654
8 MIRA 15 8.2 sec 9,623
9 TOVIN (NECRO) 15 7.8 sec 9,601
10 KAEL 15 7.3 sec 9,587
The crowd erupted. Ten unknown candidates, dominating the tournament against established powers.
And now they would receive treasures beyond imagination.
---
THE CEREMONY
The ten students were summoned to the center of the arena. Fifty thousand spectators watched in silence. Trillions more watched through dimensional screens.
Kafu watched from his box, his gold-red eyes gleaming with pride.
One by one, the First Legends emerged-the same beings who had begged to become disciples just days ago, now bearing gifts for their new students.
---
MAKENA'S TREASURE
The First Sword Legend approached Makena, holding a blade that seemed to drink light.
[SUPREME TREASURE: BLADE OF INFINITY]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Sword
Origin Forged by First Sword Legend
Effect Cuts through infinite dimensions
Effect Sword intent becomes reality
Effect Perfect synchronization with wielder
Compatibility 100% with Makena
"This blade was forged at the beginning of time," the First Sword Legend said. "It has waited eons for a worthy wielder. Now it has found one."
Makena accepted the blade, feeling its power resonate with her soul.
"Thank you, Master."
---
NYX'S TREASURE
The First Shadow Legend approached Nyx, holding a cloak that seemed to be made of nothing.
[SUPREME TREASURE: CLOAK OF NOTHING]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Cloak
Origin Woven by First Shadow Legend
Effect Wearer becomes truly invisible
Effect Can pass through any defense
Effect Shadows obey the wearer's will
Compatibility 100% with Nyx
"This cloak has hidden gods from their own pantheons," the First Shadow Legend whispered. "Now it hides you."
Nyx wrapped it around her shoulders and vanished-then reappeared, grinning.
"Perfect."
---
TOVIN'S (POISON) TREASURE
The First Poison Legend approached Tovin, holding a vial that contained everything and nothing.
[SUPREME TREASURE: VIAL OF PRIMORDIAL VENOM]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Poison Source
Origin Distilled by First Poison Legend
Effect Contains the essence of all poisons
Effect Can create new poisons instantly
Effect User becomes immune to all toxins
Compatibility 100% with Tovin
"This vial holds the poison that killed the first god," the First Poison Legend said. "Use it wisely."
Tovin's eyes gleamed. "Oh, I will."
---
BRUTUS'S TREASURE
The First Warrior Legend approached Brutus, holding a shield that seemed unbreakable.
[SUPREME TREASURE: SHIELD OF ETERNITY]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Shield
Origin Forged by First Warrior Legend
Effect Cannot be broken
Effect Absorbs any attack
Effect Converts damage to strength
Compatibility 100% with Brutus
"This shield has never failed," the First Warrior Legend said. "It will not fail you."
Brutus hefted it, feeling its weight, its history, its purpose.
"Thank you."
---
RAGNAR'S TREASURE
The First Berserker Legend approached Ragnar, holding a pair of gauntlets that pulsed with fury.
[SUPREME TREASURE: GAUNTLETS OF INFINITE RAGE]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Gauntlets
Origin Forged by First Berserker Legend
Effect Infinite rage without madness
Effect Each strike grows stronger
Effect Can enter "Berserker God" state
Compatibility 100% with Ragnar
"These gauntlets have driven a thousand berserkers mad," the First Berserker Legend said. "You will be the first to control them."
Ragnar smiled-a terrifying expression. "Challenge accepted."
---
DARIUS'S TREASURE
The First Dimension Legend approached Darius, holding a spear that seemed to exist in all dimensions simultaneously.
[SUPREME TREASURE: SPEAR OF INFINITE DIMENSIONS]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Spear
Origin Forged by First Dimension Legend
Effect Pierces any dimension
Effect Can strike any target, anywhere
Effect User becomes one with all dimensions
Compatibility 100% with Darius
"This spear has killed beings in dimensions that don't exist anymore," the First Dimension Legend said. "Now it serves you."
Darius tested its weight, feeling its infinite reach.
"Perfect."
---
LIN'S TREASURE
The First Martial Legend approached Lin, holding a simple band that glowed with inner light.
[SUPREME TREASURE: BAND OF UNIVERSAL BODY]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Body Artifact
Origin Created by First Martial Legend
Effect Body becomes one with the universe
Effect Regenerates from any wound
Effect Can survive in any environment
Compatibility 100% with Lin
"This band will help you achieve what I never could," the First Martial Legend said. "True bodily transcendence."
Lin slipped it onto her wrist, feeling her body expand.
"Thank you."
---
MIRA'S TREASURE
The First Soul Legend approached Mira, holding a crystal that pulsed with inner light.
[SUPREME TREASURE: CRYSTAL OF SOUL EMPIRE]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Soul Artifact
Origin Created by First Soul Legend
Effect Contains infinite soul space
Effect Can store and command souls
Effect User becomes Soul Emperor
Compatibility 100% with Mira
"This crystal holds the souls of a million beings," the First Soul Legend said. "They will serve you now."
Mira held it reverently. "I'll honor them."
---
TOVIN'S (NECRO) TREASURE
The First Necromancer Legend approached Tovin, holding a scythe that seemed to hunger.
[SUPREME TREASURE: SCYTHE OF DEATH ABSOLUTE]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Scythe
Origin Forged by First Necromancer Legend
Effect Can kill anything permanently
Effect Can raise anything as undead
Effect User becomes Death's equal
Compatibility 100% with Tovin
"This scythe has ended more lives than there are stars," the First Necromancer Legend said. "Now it serves you."
Tovin grasped it, feeling its hunger, its power, its purpose.
"I'll use it wisely."
---
KAEL'S TREASURE
The First Spirit Legend approached Kael, holding a chime that produced sounds that weren't sounds.
[SUPREME TREASURE: CHIME OF SPIRIT KING]
Aspect Value
Type Legendary Spirit Artifact
Origin Created by First Spirit Legend
Effect Summons any spirit
Effect Commands any spirit
Effect User becomes Spirit King
Compatibility 100% with Kael
"This chime has called spirits from beyond existence," the First Spirit Legend said. "Now it calls them for you."
Kael rang it once-and a million spirits answered.
"Thank you."
---
THE CROWD REACTS
Fifty thousand spectators rose to their feet, cheering, screaming, celebrating.
"THE NEXT GENERATION!"
"KAFU'S STUDENTS!"
"THE TEN LEGENDS!"
In New Hope, fifty-two thousand people wept with joy.
"THEY DID IT! THEY'RE IN THE TOP HUNDRED!"
Makena's face appeared on every screen, her golden hair gleaming, her new blade singing.
"AND THEY GOT TREASURES!"
---
KAFU'S PRIDE
In his private box, Kafu watched with tears in his eyes.
Clone 1 appeared beside him. "They did it."
Clone 2 materialized on his other side. "All ten. Undefeated."
Kafu nodded slowly. "They're more than I ever dreamed."
"And now with those treasures..." Clone 1 shook his head. "They're unstoppable."
Clone 2 smiled. "Just like their teacher."
Kafu wiped his eyes. "No. Better than their teacher. Much better."
---
THE FINAL ROUND APPROACHES
As the ceremony ended, the head judge's voice boomed again.
"Tomorrow, the top one hundred will be divided into four elite training grounds-four universes, each designed to push you to your absolute limits."
A holographic display appeared.
[THE FOUR ELITE GROUNDS]
Ground Name Focus
1 Universe of Swords Combat mastery
2 Universe of Shadows Stealth and deception
3 Universe of Elements Elemental control
4 Universe of Souls Spiritual mastery
"Your placement will be determined by your performance tomorrow. The top twenty-five in each ground will advance to the final ten."
Makena looked at her companions.
"Together?"
"Together."