Reza’s eyes opened wide as the slight sound of the door of his room opening disturbed his rest. Jumping up into a defensive position against the far wall of his tiny room, Reza had his hand pulling the sword from its sheath at his waist, ready for whoever walked through the door without notice. Though the blade was blunted, it would do in a pinch should this be an attack.


    Yet the fears of an assassination attempt were soon gone by the appearance of unconcerned black-robed priestesses standing without a care in the doorway, the dim light of the room illuminating her. Calming himself, Reza looked at the unknown priestess, waiting for them to talk first. Was there an end to this church? He felt like every time he met a priest of Sorana, it was never the same one.


    "Come with us." She said emotionlessly and spun in place, leaving before Reza could respond.


    Marius stood a bit dumb-stuck by the situation. He had been in the room for hours, waiting for whatever the church had planned next. As soon as he walked back into the underground area, he had been ushered away from the rest and pulled into the room. They had told him to wait here until he was called upon; the only person Reza had seen was a servant who had refused to answer his questions. They had stayed mute, only set down some food and drink on the small table.


    Reza had eaten and drank his fill and then lay on the floor waiting. He must have dozed off because the priestess''s entrance made him jump awake.


    "Done already? I wanted at least another hour of sitting in a cell," Reza said sarcastically, lengthening his stride until he finally caught up with the priestess. It had not been a comfortable rest, nor had they left him anything to entertain himself; a book would have been nice.


    "You had to wait until all the victors were determined. You were just unlucky to be the first one. You will be free to go after the duels have been chosen." She continued down the hallway, bringing Reza into the larger room where a group talked in low whispers. Instantly, Reza recognized Sabine and went directly over to her, ignoring the priestess. Sabine pulled him aside, away from the others.


    "I guess congratulations are in order?" Reza asked. Maybe the worst part of the wait had been wondering how Sabine had done in her fight, knowing he had no idea how he could find out until now.


    "It was a close one. I ran out of arrows and had to run around the arena picking up spare ones to keep Derek away from me." She smiled. "I got lucky that he got impatient and let his guard down for a split second. Last one to the collarbone."


    "Well, that''s all that matters. Hell, Desmond was basically the same. He countered almost every move I had." Reza looked around the room and noticed some fighters looking towards them. Another unsurprising individual in the small group was Sabine’s brother, Lucien, who glared at the other at the pair. Reza gave a broad smile back to the man. I almost hope I get to face him.


    The feeling went cold almost instantly. While Reza had plenty to hate for the man and would love to beat his face in, it was Sabine''s fight more than his. Reza was unsure how the next round of duels would be chosen, so he did not know if either would have the chance, but he could hope for the opportunity or at least allow Sabine the chance.


    Sabine guided him back to the small group of men, separated from the larger group.


    "Well, gentlemen, this is Lord Marius Reza if you did not already know him," She introduced him, placing one hand on his shoulder. "Reza, these fine gentlemen are some of our opponents. Serk, Illian, and Yerran. All I assume barely made it through their bouts or were very lucky.”


    “I’ll have you know I was fortunate in winning,” Serk said with a smile, holding his hand out to Reza. “But in essence, we all were. Damn melees like that are annoying at best. These individual duels are much more my style.”


    Reza nodded to each, shaking each hand. They all had the look of highborn. Each was dressed in finely decorated jackets and pants. "Gentleman, I can agree with that assertion. I quite enjoyed it, though."


    They laughed. "Well, you were in the first bout, weren’t you? Mine just ended, and I''m not sure my body knows we''ve finished." Illian looked at the others, and they all nodded. Taking a closer look, he was the most dirty of the entire group and had a look in his eyes.


    Reza nodded, understanding what the man was indicating. "It took me a bit before my mind would settle, but I got a good nap since you took so long to win your fights. Maybe go a bit quicker next time."


    Everyone laughed, and Reza looked around to see if he recognized anyone else. Lucien had kept his distance talking with an unblinking man whose smile never left his face. Reza shivered. The man gave off a very unnatural feeling, his smile not quite touching his eyes.


    Reza wanted to ask Sabine and the others if they knew the man''s name, but a voice called from the door, ending all chance for more conversation.


    "Every come forward. I want to get this done quickly." Reza noticed that the older priestess he had signed up for the contest with was the one ordering them. The young orator was at her side, but the wraith was absent this time, with another ten priests in their unnatural black robes standing quietly behind the two.


    It took only a moment for everyone to follow her direction and formed a half-circle before the priests.


    "Congratulations, Lady Sorana is proud of every one of you. She looks forward to the future bouts." The priestess bowed, and the other followed.


    Reza glanced at Sabine, questioning her. The first question that came to his mind was: Did Sorana speak? Reza had always assumed the echos were like Elana. She could not talk, but the priestess sounded like she spoke directly with and heard the Echo.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    What would it be like if Elana could speak to him? Reza knew he might regret it if she could talk. Even without the ability, Elana could communicate with her body language and facial expressions well enough that Reza had little trouble understanding what she was thinking about his actions or what he said.


    But to have the ability to speak with his wraith would be quite the change. For the good, Reza mused, imagining Elana speaking to him. Never be alone, someone he would be able to talk to at any point, learn from, and have the ability to talk through problems or trouble he was in. And if Sorana, the Echo of a god, could speak? What knowledge and wisdom did she process? It had to be a wealth of knowledge and guidance for whoever was to be made her Archon.


    But this begged the question of whether this was true or if all of his ideas and thoughts that flashed through his mind were pure fantasy. Reza would have to ask questions later or inquire with people who might know more than him. Maybe his cousins within the church of Ilyana might answer a question or two.


    With a quick motion of her hand, the priestess had another of their order come forward, carrying a small black velvet bag in their hands. Reza’s eyes flashed to the bag before returning his attention to the priestess, not knowing what it might have within.


    "You are the ten that succeeded in getting through the army of challengers, and now you choose your next opponent.” The elder priestess explained her hand, motioning to the priest, who opened the bag. “We will begin the second round in three days. All will be done on that day, with two in the morning and the rest in the afternoon.”


    Everyone nodded; Reza liked that they had several days to recover; it would also give him time to learn more about his opponent. His duel with Desmond likely would have gone very differently if he had even a sliver of knowledge about the man’s abilities. Even if the cost was high to get such information, Reza thought it was a good gamble to give him the best chance to win. Depending on my opponent, I’ll have to get Tavia to release some funds and use her contacts.


    Obviously, if he was forced to fight either Sabine or Lucien, Reza did not need much information as he had sparred with both and had a general idea of each of their abilities and fighting styles. But the rest were mysteries and would require research. Though the thought of him having to fight Sabine made his heart feel heavy, he prayed to Sorana, Iyana, and the rest of the echoes not to allow such a thing to happen.


    The priestess brought Reza out of his musing with her following words. “We will not keep you much longer, and you will be allowed to leave after the duels have been set. If you do not have accommodations already in the city, we have some accommodations close to the amphitheater that you may use."


    What kind of statement was that? Reza raised his hand, concerned, and the priestess nodded. "Are we expected to stay in the city? I live north of the city on my estate."


    She nodded, confirming his fears. "Yes, that is the requirement. Lady Sorana has ordered each of them to stay within the city walls. As I said, we will provide accommodations for you should you need them. But you must stay in the city until you are no longer in the competition."


    Bloody abyss, this is annoying. Reza would have preferred to stay in his own house, but unfortunately, it was not an option, and he had not yet purchased any housing within the city, even if he and his sisters had discussed it. He might have to take them up on the accommodations.


    Sabine nudged him in the ribs. "You can stay with me, Reza. I doubt you’d get anything better than a small room and an uncomfortable bed. Father will not have a problem if you stay with us. Hell, he probably will happily talk your ear off after your win."


    Pausing for a moment. Reza eyed Lucien before nodding, taking her up on the offer. "Thank you. I''ll make it up to you."


    "No need," she whispered with a wide smile.


    The priestess shot them a glance, and Reza closed his mouth.


    "Any other questions before we set the duels." She asked, her tone neutral.


    No one else spoke, and she continued. "There will be five fights in this round, each person fighting another challenger. The second round will have two fights, with one having three individuals should everyone be fit to continue fighting." She glanced at each fighter, and Reza nodded as her eyes fell upon him.


    "There are ten stones. Each of you will pick a stone from the bag, and the person with the corresponding color to yours will be your opponent."


    The priest held the bag up for each fighter, allowing each to choose a stone. Reza was the first, grabbing a stone from the bag. He pulled a flat black stone around the size of his palm. It had a single white rune carved into the center, and Reza could feel faint traces of magic. Now, who would be his opponent?


    Sabine was next. Reza held his breath, waiting to see the color of the stone. Sabine pulled a similar-sized blue stone from the bag with a single rune carved into it. Reza let out the breath he had been holding and felt his body let go of the tension that had been building. He wouldn''t have to fight her this round, thankfully. With all the Echoes’ powers, Reza hoped they would not have to fight Sabine until the final.


    The matching continued; the unblinking man pulled a yellow stone, and Serk pulled a green stone. The first match-up came next when Lucien pulled the second blue stone out of the bag.


    The echoes be damned. Sabine had gotten her one wish. Lucien held his stone up and walked over to his sister.


    "Well, sister, we finally see who is superior. Don’t disappoint me," He gave a cocky smile and winked at both her and Reza.


    Reza felt the urge to punch him and make his pretty face look rougher. But Sabine shot a warning at him, and Reza held back, gripping the stone in his hand until it hurt.


    I genuinely hope Sabine gives you the proper beating we should have given you years ago.


    The priest continued, and the stones continued until Illian finally pulled the black stone. Reza smiled and walked over to him, holding his hand out. Illian shook it.


    "Well then, I look forward to fighting you. Do not be mad when I make your surrender." Illian smiled and laughed.


    Reza joined in, chuckling. "Oh, I think you have it all wrong; you''ll be the one running in fear."


    "Oh, this will be fun." Illian held his hand out again, and Reza shook it.


    Reza returned to his spot as the last few matches were set. He would fight Illian in the first bout as he had been the first challenger to pull a stone—plenty of time to find out all he could about Illian''s powers. Sabine likely knew, and hopefully, she would be willing to give him the answers. Otherwise, he would find someone else who knew.


    "Well, then, the bouts have been chosen. If you need accommodations, please stay behind, and one of the priests will help you." She glanced over to Reza. "Otherwise, you are free to go."


    Reza turned to Sabine. "Want to go get a drink? I could use one."


    He''d like to see if he could also find Desmond to invite him.


    Sabine nodded. She seemed a little distracted, focused on her thoughts. Sabine had gotten the one fight she wanted in this competition, maybe almost as much as winning it all. Reza knew she would be thinking about it until it began. It would do her no good to put all her attention on it—time to distract her for a while.


    "Oh, before we go, I need to order some daggers. My lady?" Reza held an arm out to her.


    Sabine laughed and shoved him away but followed by his side as he walked away from the others. "Fine, let''s get this drink, and then we can get you settled at the house."


    They left, but not before he ordered half a dozen wooden daggers from Kelburn and had two of his blades sharpened.