Three days have passed since Tharmotah commanded me to leave the room. It was to be expected, but still, I simply couldn't turn down such a chance.

These past 3 days, I've just been hanging around with everyone. Not leaving the estate because of the possible threat of getting ambushed. Yesterday, a priest came to say that all the preparations have been finished for the final fight. I have no clue what any of that meant, but it seems to have taken a while.

'Well, it might actually also have taken a while because they continued to search for that old man. He has been seen in the abandoned district, however, the church has been unable to contact him.'

It's early morning, I look out of my window. The days prior, all devils and demons seemed frustrated with the break the tournament had to take. Today, those feelings seem to be replaced by those of excitement and anticipation. It's weird being at the center of such a large event. Even more so when your life is on the line and your opponent has killed all other participants just to fight you.

'You know what? If someone told me that when you die, all this would happen. I would've called him a lunatic. I guess all geniuses look mad until they've been proven right.' I think as I watch the people of Lucille's Light.

*Knock, knock*

Someone politely knocks on the door, with no impatience or urgency to be felt.

“Come in.” I call out to the visitor.

The fallen angel I used to duel with enters.

“Sir, the first sight has come to escort you to the arena.” Argillis says in a subservient tone.

“He's here already? Guide me to him.” I command the fallen angel.

“Of course, sir, follow me.”

Following Argillis he leads me to the garden of the estate. The First Sight or the priest who's closer to being pope than an actual priest sits at one of the many tables. The table he sits on is next to a small pond with a tree resembling the Japanese maple. The field surrounding this table is filled with flowers resembling the red poppy. Even though they're larger and wider than the ones I know from my previous life.

'I wonder if the meaning stayed the same?' I ask myself mentally as I pluck a few from the field and put one next to my ear.

“It surprises me that the demon who made the final has a fascination with flowers.” The first sight says to me jokingly. It just weirds me out, he still looks like a demonic tree, even if his voice and general demeanor refuse to match it.

“You're quite early, first sight,” I say not impressed by his sudden visit.

“I was going to escort you anyway, I just thought it would be polite to come sooner rather than later.”

“If you truly wanted to come earlier for the sake of politeness, you would've arrived when the owners of the manor were still here. Pardon my assumptions, but I find it suspicious how you arrived soon after everyone else left.” I call out the first sight, who's here clearly for some other reason.

“You should learn the art of the hidden message. It is a useful skill to have, and besides, it makes you look more mature.” The demonic tree priest answers, a bit of bitterness in his tone.

“Perhaps for a later date.” I answer, uninterested in his snobby remark.

“I'll make it short. We're aligned in more ways than one. Your opponent has ridiculed our authority, and we have Anima, the wraith queen, as a common enemy. I want you to win this battle, and I will give you a name that shows the church's favor.”

“There is importance in the names you grant?” I ask for clarity's sake.

“Of course, if you're named after an important figure, then that shows we truly believe in your potential as a demon.” The first sight says looking rather smug which again looks creepy.

“I never had any intention to lose anyway, so I don't know why you made this offer. I hope my indifferent response has pleased, the first sight.” I say towards the tree demon, looking him straight in his red-orangish eyes.

“It has.”

***

2 more hours pass as the first sight and I mainly ignore each other during this time. The small talk we make is rather awkward, and the silence quickly seemed more inviting.

“I believe it's time for us to go.” The first sight announces as he looks up to the sky. The sky in Lucille's Light has always been a sight to behold. There is no sun, just a glimmer of red light that brightens in the morning and darkens in the evening. I would say that it feels strange having no sun, but it has been so long that I can't even recall the feeling any longer.

“It appears so.” I answer a bit awkwardly at the sudden announcement. Making our way towards the gate, it seems that all the servants are gathered. They stand in an honor guard, lowering their heads as I pass them by.

Waiting outside the gate, there are 10 priests waiting. They immediately rise, as soon as they see the first sight, and pick up some items. Those items are revealed to be instruments as they start playing music. The music itself sounds like the background music for some sort of rock opera. It's heavily violin based, however, if you listen closely you'll be able to hear a lot of different instruments.

These “musicians of the cloth” surround me and the first sight. The tree demon beckons me to follow, his face unable to hide the pleasure he feels.

'Creepy.' I think whilst feeling a small shudder over my body.

We don't have to worry about being crowded out in one of the streets as everyone makes way for us to pass. All the eyes of this large city are focused on this final fight. The gazes of these onlookers vary: Jealousy, revelry, disappointment, excitement. If you're weak-minded, this much attention might even be fatal. But not for me, I know what's ahead.

'I have a promise to keep and a score to settle. Nothing more, nothing less. I've never entered this tournament for the attention, and it will not sway my goal.'

I don't know how much time has passed as I sank too much in thought about my upcoming battle, so much so that I didn't even notice the music or the screaming audience anymore.

We stand before the arena, the music comes to a halt. The cheers and excitement of the crowd have done the opposite, making the ground vibrate from all the screaming and yelling.

I step forward into the arena, making my way down the dark hallway I've walked through before. No one is around me. I stop for a second seeing the light at the end of this hallway. I take a deep breath and continue. Entering the fighting ground for the final battle.