UNMEI: Pantheon's Game-Chapter 107: Chained

As the glow of the Soul Gates faded into the void, silence hung for only a breath before chaos erupted across the arena.

Students poured from the sidelines, flooding the trial grounds like a crashing wave.

"Atlas!! How did you do it?!"

"Azrael, your steps, were you using a soul rhythm technique?!"

"You both made history!"

Dozens of students swarmed around them, their eyes wide with awe, voices overlapping in a frenzy of praise and questions.

Some reached out just to touch them, as if confirming they were real. Others stumbled over their words, desperate to leave an impression.

Then came the butlers, men and women clad in ornate uniforms, carrying crested scrolls and velvet pouches filled with glinting gold.

"Young Lord Azrael, House Fenris wishes to extend an invitation to dine with the Duke personally."

"Atlas, my lady from House Varelle would like to speak with you. She's prepared a contract, name your price."

"I represent House Calden, we'll offer land, servants, a title, just say the word!"

Atlas stood frozen, lips parted, stunned by the sudden flood of offers. He had never seen this many nobles in one place, et alone had them fighting to gain his favor. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Azrael, on the other hand, brushed past the praise with a detached grace. His smile was faint, polite, but his eyes stayed sharp. He wasn't unused to attention, just unused to sharing the spotlight.

Through the noise, Dune watched from the side with a soft grin. He saw the disbelief in Atlas' eyes and the fire behind Azrael's stillness.

Then his gaze shifted to Ned, who lingered in the back, silent and tight-jawed. Dune's smile faded.

In the royal balcony above, where the noise of the crowd softened to a distant hum, the real discussions had already begun.

King Aramir sat with his fingers steepled beneath his chin, dark red robes draped over his broad shoulders. His eyes, sharp and calculating, had not left the arena floor.

Around him stood the great pillars of Sanatria, Ramires, Cassius Ceresey,Richard Amelia, and several nobles whose names carried power across the continent.

"Well," Ramires breathed, still catching his breath from the excitement, "we knew this year would bring monsters, but I didn't expect this."

"Two soul gates completed in a single test," Richard Amelia added, his tone distant with awe.

"We haven't seen potential like this in generations. One of them being a Rodeny makes sense, but the other..."

Cassius leaned forward, arms crossed. "Atlas, was it? A commoner with no surname. No records. No known origin. Yet his soul outshined nearly every noble present."

He tilted his head. "That isn't luck. That's dangerous talent."

"It's an opportunity," King Aramir said, his voice low but firm. The others fell silent at once. "And one we cannot waste."

He stood slowly, his gaze still locked on the two boys far below. "Send scouts. I want everything we can find on the one named Atlas. His bloodline, his birthplace, who trained him. No detail is too small."

"And Azrael?" asked Richard, arms folded behind his back.

The king nodded. "He is a Rodeny. He belongs to us by legacy. But Atlas..." His red eyes narrowed. "Atlas is the kind of anomaly that shapes ages. We must ensure he does not fall into the hands of enemies. Watch both of them carefully."

Magma chuckled under his breath. "Truly a lucky year for Sanatria."

Aramir continued. "I plan to make sure they survive. And if Sanatria's future rests on their shoulders, I intend to see them sharpened into blades."

A heavy silence followed, one not of fear, but of weight. Something had shifted in the air, something larger than the Soul Gates. Two stars had risen, and the entire continent felt it.

The buzz of the arena had faded into memory, replaced by the creak of floorboards and the low hum of wind outside.

Evening light slipped through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor as the three of them stepped inside.

Dune stretched his arms with a loud yawn and dropped onto the couch like a falling boulder.

"Home, finally. I thought we'd never escape the crowd..."

Atlas chuckled as he pulled off his coat and tossed it aside, still processing everything. "I didn't think I'd make it," he muttered, still half in disbelief. "It felt like my soul was going to snap by Gate 90."

Dune chuckled, tossing a cushion at him, "you crushed it. Everyone's talking about you. Probably even the King."

Atlas caught the cushion, smiling faintly. "You're not upset?"

Dune shook his head, leaning back with his arms crossed behind it. "Not even a little. I knew my chances weren't high going in. Doesn't mean I'm giving up. I'll find a way to push through to a hundred, and above that if I have to."

He smiled, not bitter or forced, just calm, like a fire that refused to go out. "I never had expectations. So I'm not disappointed. Just means I've got more work to do."

Atlas nodded slowly, clearly moved. "You're insane, you know that?"

"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

But not all of them carried that calm.

Ned had stayed quiet since they arrived. He stood for a moment near the door, head bowed, then gave Dune a small nod and smile.

"I'll catch you guys later."

He slipped into his room, shutting the door behind him.

Silence followed, brief, heavy.

Then came the dull thud of skin hitting wood. A fist slamming into the wall. Once. Twice. Again.

Inside his room, Ned stood with his hand against the cracked wood, blood trickling from his knuckles. His breath was sharp, but quiet. His eyes were distant, glassy.

He said nothing as he wrapped his hands in cloth, pulling tight until the pain was numb. Then, without a word, he stripped off his jacket and shirt, revealing a hardened frame marked by old scars. His muscles tensed as he stepped into the center of the room.

And he began to train.

Push-ups. Strikes. Movements too fast, too sharp, too desperate to be anything but raw frustration turned to action. He moved like a man fighting ghosts, fighting himself.

Outside the room, Dune and Atlas heard the sounds.

Dune closed his eyes for a second, then gave a small laugh. "He's not gonna let this go."

Atlas smiled softly. "Would you?"

Dune chuckled again, shaking his head. "What do you think?"

All three of them were chasing something now. Different paths, same fire.

Before Dune or Atlas could rise from their seats, a knock rapped against the door, sharp, sudden, breaking the lull that had fallen over the house.

They exchanged a glance.

A man entered, bowing low before stepping forward with an envelope pressed between his gloved hands.

"An invitation, for Mr. Atlas."

Atlas blinked. "Me?"

Dune raised an eyebrow as the man placed the envelope gently on the table, bowed again, and left without another word.

"...The hell?" Atlas murmured.

Dune leaned back and laughed. "Guess someone's popular now. Look at you, Mr. Atlas."

Atlas scoffed and opened the envelope, only to frown at the elegant handwriting and ornate crest stamped in wax. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"Well, you gotta live with it now." Dune shook his head, amused.

But that was only the beginning.

Another knock came.

Then another.

By the hour's end, there were more envelopes than there was space on the table, ornate cards, elegant scrolls, promises of riches, power, and even adoption. Some offered titles, others offered land, but all wanted the same thing.

Atlas.

But he refused all of them.

"Goddamn..." Dune muttered, rubbing his temples. "How long is this gonna keep going? When the hell will they give up?"

As if summoned by his frustration, another knock rang out, this one heavy and slow, like a war drum against wood.

Dune paused, his body tensing. Something about that sound felt different.

He walked over and opened the door, and found himself staring up into the eyes of a giant. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Cassius Ceresey.

The Number One.

The man was a monument in human form. Tall enough to make the ceiling feel too low, with long black hair falling past his shoulders, violet eyes that shimmered with a strange inner light, a jawline sharp as a blade, and a trimmed beard that framed his mouth with regal precision. A dark cloak billowed around him like a shadow that obeyed no wind.

Dune froze.

"...Uh?"

Cassius inclined his head. "May I come in?"

Dune stepped aside without thinking. "Y-Yeah. Sure."

Atlas stood the moment he saw the man, eyes wide. Even he couldn't hide the shock.

"How can we help you?" he asked, voice careful.

Cassius turned toward him and spoke, his voice a calm storm.

"Become a Ceresey. And my student."

Atlas blinked. His eyes flicked to Dune, then back to Cassius. "I... That's an incredible offer. And I'm grateful. But... I want to stay with my friends. They were there when I was at my weakest. I can't leave them behind."

Dune stared at Atlas, stunned by the answer. There was pride in his chest, undeniable, burning, but also a creeping feeling in his gut.

He shouldn't refuse this. Not something this big. Dune didn't want to be the reason Atlas walked away from greatness.

He opened his mouth to say something, anything, But a voice shouted from above.

"Idiot!"

All three of them turned.

Ned stood at the top of the stairs, shirtless, dripping sweat, bandages wrapped tightly around his bruised knuckles. His chest heaved with every breath, eyes glaring down like fire.

"Don't hold your potential back because of us!" he shouted. "Go and become the strongest! Are you stupid?!"

Dune grinned. "You alright now?"

Ned came down the steps with a half-smile. "I just needed to train it out of me. You were right, Dune. This changes nothing. I just have to push harder."

"Hell yeah." Dune slapped his shoulder.

He then backed up "wha-" shaking his hand, "ewh you are wet, go shower!"

Atlas looked between them, caught in the glow of something bigger than himself. He clenched his fists. "I don't want to leave you guys. Even if I have to give up something for it."

Cassius watched him in silence, then finally spoke. "I respect that loyalty. It's rare. Brotherhood like this, it's worth protecting. So, I'll make a new offer. I'll take all three of you as my students."

Dune and Ned straightened at once, breath held.

"I'll focus on Atlas," Cassius said, "and he'll carry the Ceresey name. But you two will just train under my people for time to time. You'll grow together. You'll remain together."

He paused, then his tone shifted, quieter, but heavier.

"And one more thing... you don't have a choice."

Dune's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"If you refuse me," Cassius said simply, "King Aramir will place you under another noble house. You think you're free? Passing the 100th Gate... was the moment you lost your freedom Atlas. The King will keep you close. The question is, where do you want to be when that happens?"

He looked directly at Atlas now.

"I can shield you. I can train you. Or you can end up in a place where your bond won't be honored. I'm your best chance."

Dune's throat felt dry. He glanced at Atlas, then at Ned.

He wanted to doubt him. Part of him did doubt him. What if Cassius was lying? What if this was some ploy for control? Some way to brand Atlas, use his power for himself?

But... it didn't make sense.

Cassius didn't need lies. He was Number One.

And even if they distrusted him... then what? Refuse? Go against Cassius and the King?

That wasn't bravery. That was suicide.

Dune let out a slow breath.

If the road ahead is a storm... might as well walk with the one holding lightning.

"...That's amazing," he said, voice sincere.

Atlas's eyes slowly brightened. "Thank you, Mr. Cassius."

Cassius nodded and pulled a single envelope from beneath his cloak. "When you pass the final Bloodrose test, come straight to my estate. My palace lies just beyond King Aramir's Castle. Show this."

He handed the envelope to Atlas, then gave each of them one final glance.

"I'll be waiting."

And with that, Cassius turned and left, his cloak trailing behind like a shadow peeling from the light.

The door closed.

Dune let out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "So... we're students of the Number One now."

Atlas looked down at the envelope in his hand, then slowly smiled. "I guess we are."