Morning arrived softly, yet the tower thrummed with anticipation. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, but inside, warmth radiated from glowing lanterns. Red and purple ribbons adorned pillars and balconies, while the scent of incense and blooming roses filled the air. Guards wore sashes matching the festival colors, moving silently as if respecting the day’s significance.

  Tavari stepped outside and immediately spotted Arie, Matt, Sarah, Serena, Joseph, and Raphel waiting.

  “Are you done training?” Matt asked.

  Tavari smiled. “Yes.”

  Matt drew his sword. “Will you honor your elder brother with a duel?”

  Tavari chuckled. “Sure, but I have a challenge for all of you.”

  Arie laughed. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. There’s a rule — I can challenge all I want.”

  Joseph frowned. “But the risk—”

  Tavari interrupted, confident. “If you want, let’s do it.”

  Everyone stepped onto the open ground, forming a wide circle. Tavari took the center, his threads shimmering faintly around him like living energy.

  Matt struck first, unleashing a Ring of Blazing Fire, flames roaring toward Tavari with deadly force. Arie followed with Wind Slash Barrage, rapid strikes enhanced by air-thread speed. Sarah and Serena launched controlled fire bursts, each hit precise, testing Tavari’s reflexes. Joseph, unarmed but durable, charged headlong, forcing Tavari to dodge and redirect with both speed and strategy. Raphel circled, observing, ready to counter.

  Tavari’s mind worked like a chessboard. He blurred past Matt’s flames, twisting midair to redirect Arie’s strikes with a Thread Mirror Technique, making it appear he was in two places at once. Sarah’s fireball approached — Tavari spun, threads extending into a Spinning Shield of Light, deflecting the fire into harmless arcs across the snow. Serena attacked from above, but Tavari’s threads caught the edge of her fire burst, pulling him into a perfect midair roll behind her.

  He lunged at Matt with Thread Fang Strike, threads extending from his arm like silver fangs to intercept the flames at their source. Simultaneously, Phantom Thread Swipe hit Arie’s sword midair, stopping its momentum. A Thread Web Trap immobilized Raphel for a moment, giving Tavari control of the battlefield.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Matt roared, igniting a Fire Wall Cyclone that forced Tavari to leap backward. Arie swung high — Tavari’s threads grabbed the sword, redirecting it midair, then twisted to land behind him, ready to counter. Joseph charged, relentless. Tavari formed a Cushioning Thread Sphere, absorbing the force and gently returning Joseph to his feet.

  “You’re… fast… too fast!” Arie gasped, sweat glinting on his forehead.

  Tavari’s aura pulsed — golden and silver threads intertwining, creating a radiant shield. Snow swirled unnaturally around him, suspended midair.

  He focused fully, combining speed, strength, and threads. Thread Flash Barrage struck Matt and Arie simultaneously, deflecting fire and steel. Sarah’s fireball split harmlessly along Mirror Threads, and Serena’s attack met a spinning Thread Cyclone. The final strike, Thread Comet Surge, sent all three staggering backward but unharmed.

  Tavari stepped toward Joseph, lifting him gently. “You’re okay,” he said, weaving threads to heal minor bruises. Joseph exhaled, amazed.

  Arie and Matt exchanged glances. “His speed… his threads… he’s unstoppable,” Matt muttered. Even Serena and Sarah nodded, impressed by Tavari’s mastery of both strength and threads.

  That night, the tower glowed red and purple. Tavari bathed and returned to his chamber, finding a red first-class robe with gold buttons. He smiled faintly. “…Nuru?” He wore it and descended.

  Outside, Arie and Matt watched him. “Did you find a match?” Arie teased.

  “I don’t know,” Tavari replied.

  They boarded the carriage to the Cancer Kingdom. Lanterns floated along waterways, bridges sparkled, and rose-colored towers filled the city with light and music. The scent of spiced wine and roses drifted from open windows, carrying laughter and song.

  Inside the grand hall, nobles and rulers gathered. The Watcher entered, purple robe and golden mask gleaming. Even the Twelve Kings bowed. He ignored them and walked straight to Tavari.

  “Do I look good?” he asked.

  “Yes… my lord,” Tavari replied.

  The Watcher placed a hand briefly on Tavari’s shoulder, then took his seat. Arie cleared his throat. “Resume the celebration.”

  Couples paired off. Matt and Arie slipped into a private corridor. Eyes locked, breath mixed. Arie pressed against a table as Matt whispered, “I’m saying it now.” Fingers tightened, forehead pressed. Years of tension finally melted into closeness neither resisted.

  Serena and Raphel followed another path. She guided his hand to her heartbeat. “Try holding anyway.” His fingers tensed, then relaxed. The distance vanished, warmth growing steady.

  Sarah and Joseph lingered near a window. Fingers intertwined. No teasing, no games — just quiet intimacy under the moonlight, hearts in rhythm.

  Meanwhile, Tavari stood alone beneath floating lanterns. The Watcher approached quietly. “Tonight I am not a lord,” he said.

  “…Why the robe?” Tavari asked.

  “Red means chosen.”

  “You chose me?”

  “No. I declared what already exists.”

  He stepped away. “The night is long. Enjoy it.”

  Tavari remained under the stars, heart racing, realizing some nights could be more dangerous than any battle.