They moved deeper into the corridor. Zelpher briefly glanced at him.

"You saw something?" He asked.

Atheline chuckled slightly.

"Maybe."

Zelpher huffed, his amusement visible.

"Have you ever come to these sides?" He asked.

Zelpher was quiet for a moment as though thinking about something.

He glanced briefly at him from the corner of his eye.

"Her majesty used to come here," he quietly said.

Atheline skidded to a halt, almost tripping over himself. Zelpher also stopped.

"Tell me more," he said eagerly.

Zelpher chuckled and continued moving forward.

"It was when she had taken the throne, she had been coming here to fight way before but that had been my first time coming with her," he said.

"Then you knew where it was the whole time."

He shrugged.

"She once told me, hitting people helped her release tension," he said his brows furrowing, " actually most of the council were against her and she had little to no support at that time."

"She must have been stressed, " Atheline said," I wish I had been there."

That came out unconsciously.

A small chuckle slipped from Zelpher.

"You weren’t even born yet."

His face grew darker after that.

"Must you bring that up," he whispered harshly," continue."

Zelpher shrugged his shoulder.

"You’ll have to ask her more yourself. "

He was quiet for a moment, thinking.

"Fine, it doesn’t hurt."

The corridor eventually opened to a large room, the arena. It wasn’t really grand, just something simple and practical.

A circular pit curved directly into the mountain’s core, smooth but etched with marks from previous fights.

The walls were lined with several tiers, filled with observers. Most of them weren’t cheering but those who did were loud enough to compensate.

At the centre, the first pair stood. Atheline glanced at the one he had placed his money on, just as expected he wasn’t as stable as the first.

The first had perfect aether control his body fully enhanced while the second wasn’t as steady.

In the arena, only body strengtheners were allowed to fight. Manipulators were far too explosive and the repair would fall on the arena.

But the main reason is that most of the elves who came there, wanted to see hand-to-hand combat and hear the sound of flesh meeting flesh.

A soft chime echoed through the chamber and the duel began.

The stronger one moved first. He took a step forward, fist raised.

It came down in a precise strike aimed not to overwhelm but to take full control of the battle.

The other reacted too late, barely avoiding the full force but the imbalance caused by the attack showed.

Murmurs passed through the watchers.

"What do you think?" He asked Zelpher, who shrugged.

They were both seated at the topmost chairs where the view was just as good.

"It’s still early."

As expected, the first fighter noticed the imbalance. Another faster strike followed.

The crowd held their breath as they watched it come towards the weaker man.

And then, it happened, the second one didn’t retreat instead he stepped into it.

The step wasn’t clean but Atheline noticed something. If the second one shifted just slightly, he wouldn’t get hit.

The strike that should have landed didn’t. The stronger one hesitated, just for a fraction and that was enough.

A misalignment had been created.

The flow of the battle broke.

The weaker one moved again, he was not trying to attack. With the precise mastery of his body, he avoided everything and suddenly the rhythm of the fight changed, supporting him.

Atheline leaned forward slightly.

"He’s clever," he said," but, if he doesn’t end it quickly he will eventually be overwhelmed.

Zelpher didn’t respond, he was too absorbed in the fights. The dimmed star on the card brightened and another was added but this was dull.

The final exchange came quickly. The stronger one left a narrow opening in his defence and the weaker one took it.

The stronger one stopped, raising his hand in surrender before the second strike could land.

The bell chimed, marking its end.

"I thought it would turn bloody," Atheline said, disappointment in his tone.

Zelpher shook his head, leaning forward without glancing at him.

"Most of the fighters here are just looking for quiet cash and blood may lead to death, who wants to get arrested," he explained, "If you want to see blood. There is another branch outside the court."

"I think I’m okay."

The second bout began soon after. This one was different. Both fighters moved with experienced confidence as though they knew everything there was to know.

There wasn’t the former imbalance.

Their aether wove cleanly, their form precise, their movements mirrored and countered with equal mastery.

It was beautiful and predictable. He, for a while watched, long enough to understand them then he stood up to leave.

"You’re leaving, " Zelpher asked.

Atheline slightly stretched.

"I’ve seen enough, " he said almost dismissively, " but if you want to..."

"No let’s go, it’s very predictable."

He glanced once at the arena. It was all still the same.

"Let’s go get my money, " he said," I want to buy a gift for my wife with the money I earned. "

Behind him, Zelpher chuckled.

"She gave you the one you are using in the first place."

"Shut it," he hissed back.

After taking their pay, they both walked out of the establishment.

"We should go back your highness, it’s past your designated time," Zelpher said his brow furrowed.

He increased his speed forcing Atheline to do the same.

"Okay, but you don’t have to hurry that much," he said carelessly.

What he got in response was a glare from him. Atheline raised his hand in surrender.

Their walk back to the upper levels was quiet but filled with a sort of agency.

Zelpher was half a step behind him now, watching

"You shouldn’t go there often," he warned quietly.

Atheline chuckled.

"Of course not. I never planned to."

"That’s what they always say," he said.

Atheline glanced back once only to see his lowered mood. He did pry and ignored it.

His gaze shifted between the shops until it came to a stop before a familiar shop.

"Mind if I go there?" He asked but he was already walking there," It won’t take more than five minutes. "

Zelpher sighed softly but didn’t stop him.

"What do you plan to buy," Zelpher asked, confusion in his tone. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"We’ll see."