The capital was buzzing with noise and excitement, people were arriving from all over it didn’t take long for one inn after another to be full, the formation festival was in full swing and the first main event was the Fallen Soldiers Tribute tournament, a tournament used to honour all those who fell in combat both friend and foe, the strength they displayed and the length they were willing to go for the sake of victory. Of all the events during the formation festival, this was the only one the great general, the heroine of the vanguard was known to attend, she would appear at the beginning, wave to the crowd and start the ceremony off before taking her leave but this year was different, something special has been promised, following Wania’s letter of acceptance to the emperor of attending the tournament, he wasted no time announcing house Sapphire’s participation in it. He also had to make a second announcement that it was Wania Sapphire herself who wouldn't participate, lest he risk the other nobles forfeiting the tournament.

The crowds screamed and roared as they gathered in the arches and vaults of the Colosseum, their sits were closest to the action at the ground level, and they could see and hear the competitors participating in the tournament, it was also the most dangerous area, cause if anything were to happen they had no protection. Still, either way, the people of the empire were ecstatic as they watched the noble houses parade in. Minor houses from the north, west, east and south came in first, from knights, barons and viscounts. They sat on the higher levels of the Colosseum. However, their sits were still mixed with common people the only demarcation was a walkway where their guards stood armed with shields for protection, then came in the counts and the three margrave families, the counts came in first and sad on more comfortable chairs with no backrest but soft cushions to rest their rear, the three margrave families followed after, first was the Weiss-Leo family, followed by the Edouard and finally the Schaeffer. These families sat to the right side of the emperor’s viewing box, their section decorated with fabrics and chairs with both back and armrests, and it had a gated fence around it embedded with magical orbs for protection.

A symphony of trumpets and drums went off as the two dukes of the East and the two grand dukes of the North and South came into the Colosseum,

“The ducal Beaufort family of the north-eastern plains and the ducal Daigo family of the south-eastern seas have graced us with their presence”

The loud words silenced all other sounds and signalled the Colosseum to remain silent and honour the dukes. The two families waved to the people and headed to their seats towards the left of the emperor’s viewing box at the furthest end. Solid marble made up the fence around their section, with overhead roofing, large and more than enough space for the family to sit comfortably.

“The grand ducal Jabbar family of the north and the grand ducal Chike family of the south have graced us with their presence”

Again, there was silence as both families entered, one after another, sitting towards the left of the emperor’s box in their sections. Decorated with their family’s colours, chairs, and couches to lie about as they pleased, the marble around them had the family crests carved and painted into it.

After all the others were seated, the trumpets and drums rang out as the doors for the emperor’s box opened to reveal the royal family entrance. All other families rode into the Colosseum, but the imperial family came through a secret passage that led straight to the viewing box.

“The royal family, Third Empress Evelynn Cominius, Second Empress Arlet Cominius, Crowned Prince Pidaras Cominius, First Empress and mother of the empire, Rosa Sapphire Cominius, have entered the colosseum, we are blessed by their presence”

“The Father of the empire, the Sun and guiding light Emperor Rasputin Henry Noire-Phoenix Cominius now entering, all hail the emperor”

Everyone was signalled to stand up to hail the imperial family, and the greeting and cheering went on for about a minute. During that time, the emperor’s hidden guest would enter and sit closest to the emperor’s left side, representing him and holding his guest close to his heart. The emperor’s box was the most beautiful in the Colosseum, marble lined with gold and jewels made up the support pillars and the balcony, the ground had fine silks laid on it with a throne and the very centre, all the other nobles couldn’t see into it cause of the curtains that covered all sides, on the inside were other chairs and soft lounge couches that one could lay on a doze away a table with fine meals and snacks set up, the box measured 63 feet in length 36 feet in breath and 12 feet in height and every inch of it was decorated beautiful and bathed in light perfumes the emperor’s viewing box was so beautiful it had its guards to prevent theft whenever the colosseum was not in use. The only other view box that came close was that of the archduchess, which was on the opposite side of the Colosseum.

The audience is still standing, the knights and soldiers present start stomping their right foot in unison, the highest-ranked officer, the captain of the imperial unit, shouts

“Parade! Salute”

One final stomp before the all Saluted, the trumpets and drums began, their song blasting in the air, everyone at attention even the imperial family and their guest, all eyes focused on the view box directly opposite the emperor’s as Wania began to step forward coming into view of everyone and the cheers and applaud responded to her presences. It did not top until Wania raised her hands. When the silence came, the captain shouted again

“All hail the general of the imperial army, Archduchess Wania Sapphire”

The knights and soldiers ended their salute. Their Wania gave the order for them to be at ease, and then everyone sat down.

Normally, the last to arrive for all events is the imperial family, indicating their highest status, but in the Cominius Empire, for all events that take place in the Colosseum or have anything to do with war, military or soldiers, the general would be the last to arrive, signifying that military command outranks the imperial family in matters of war.

Once the general had waved and sat down, the audience finally sat, including the nobles. Only when the imperial family and the general sat them could everyone else, as a sign of respect, and Wania stood again to address them.

“People of the Cominius Empire, the sun has shone on our empire for another year”

“And may it shine for many years to come”, the Colosseum replied in unison

“Today, we begin the week-long, formation festival, starting with the fallen soldiers' tribute tournament. A tournament to honour those who laboured and couldn’t see the fruits of it. Their sacrifice was not in vain, and their successors will weld the strength needed for a brighter tomorrow.”

The cheers from the crowd were loud, and excitement was in the eyes of all peasants. Still, the nobles were lack lustred, there was no reward for the winner of the tournament there was no winner of the tournament, a knight from all noble houses were grouped and pitted against one another, they would fight and after leaving the ring, no advancement in brackets, no overall winner just a display of strength for the masses, the crown later allowed the nobles to place bets on who would winner, but limited them to only allow newly recruited knight or knights that have served for at most a year and a half, taxes were also imposed of the winning lot and cheating was harshly punished. Still, to the nobles, there was now something to do, and after all, they could brag about their earnings and victory. Normally, that would be the case, but House Sapphire was participating this year. Therefore, many refused to place bets. In response, Wania decided to change the environment that would play out this year.

“This year’s Tournament would be a bit special, as many have heard I, Gen. Wania Sapphire, am to wed, join me in celebrating as my husband-to-be challenges the knights of all noble houses in attendance”

This announcement took everyone by surprise. The man who had won the general’s heart, the hero of the empire, was in attendance.

“I promise on my name, whosoever can defeat my husband can make one request of me, be it money, land, my rank, I shall grant it”

Everyone was shocked, excitement filled the air, and noblemen rushed from their seats towards the knights. This was a chance, a request from the general was a blank check even the imperial family had to cash, according to rumours the man was a no named commoner, he was probably a mercenary at best, sure he used a sword but to their knowledge he lacked skill, and this was an official tournament where skills and experience dictates the winner.

“Send your strongest and best knights, and may the best man win”

The crowd exploded with excitement, everyone joined in except the imperial family, whose eyes were wide open and their guest, who sat in silence

“Father, is Aunty going to be alright?” the crown prince said while sitting in his father’s lap “One shouldn’t make promises one can’t keep; that's what mother always said”

The emperor kept a mostly blank expression resting his cheek against his fist, but his widened eyes stated his shock.

“True, but your aunt is more than capable” he turns to Tushar, standing guard beside him “, What do you think of this, Sir Solomon?”

“I think she’s setting up a good show, the people are lively, the nobles are getting jumping over one another, and it’ll make a great showing for our guests”

Tushar replied, looking directly into the emperor’s eyes while forming a smile of falsehood. Tushar didn’t care, “And I can’t wait to see who the general’s husband is”

“Oh yes, that too. Any word from your son? All this silence must make you worry.” The emperor looked away

“It does, but I’m sure he's doing just what I expect of him”

The emperor raised his brow “Why’d he answer like that?” he thought to himself

While the crowd was still rowdy, Wania went to Agnius, who was about to enter the arena. He wasn’t wearing any metal armour, just his usual black leather armour, excluding his cape and other accoutrements of throwing knives. He was armed with a blunt sword, which was uncommon. Other knights wielded normal swords,, but they would be slightly dulled.

“Do you want me to loudly cheer you on?” Wania came up behind him, leaning against the wall

“If a client increases the difficulty of a mission by their actions, they are to provide extra compensation”, was Agnius' reply, ignoring her question. Wania blinked twice before smiling with mischief in her eyes

“So you want a reward for your victory?” She started walking toward him

“Yes, I want a reward, you just pitted me against every knight in the Colosseum”

“Fine”, she places her hands on his shoulders, laying her head on her fingers and looking directly into his eyes. “There is a reward waiting for you, if you beat them all” She straightens herself and walks away “Make it fun for me; these things are boring”

After a few more minutes the crowd was finally settling down, Wania from her cubiculum announced the beginning of the matches signalled by Agnius making his entrance, the rules were simple each knight would compete in a 1 v 1 match against Agnius, upon his defeat that person would take over as the challenger and face off against the next knight until all knights participated, this was to make it fair so everyone would have a chance at the prize. However, if Agnius wasn’t defeated, he would continue until he defeated every knight that stepped forward.

Agnius made his way to the centre arena. There was silence from the common people and murmurs from the nobles. Everyone was judging the man they saw before them for one thing or another, but this was the Colosseum. The fallen soldiers' tribute tournament was ongoing. The only thing that matters is strength.