The arena plunged into shocked silence, broken only by the crackling energy emanating from the jagged purple-black rift. All eyes, including Commander Cassio's sharp gaze, were locked onto the figure crouched amidst the settling dust – Zander.
He straightened slowly, unfolding to his full, imposing height. His amethyst eyes scanned the ring of wary guards, the stunned crowd, the imposing figure of Cassio on the platform, dismissing them all with chilling indifference. His focus remained solely on Evan. A flicker of relief, profound and intense, passed over his granite features before settling back into their usual impassive mask.
"Evan," Zander stated, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in the sudden stillness. "You are unharmed." It wasn't a question, but a confirmation drawn from his own senses.
Before Evan could respond, chaos erupted. The guards, recovering from their initial shock at the violent spatial breach, surged forward. "Seize him!" shouted the garrison captain. "Intruder! Assassin!"
Swords flashed as half a dozen guards closed in, their disciplined training overcoming their fear of the unnatural arrival.
Zander didn't turn. He didn't even seem to register the closing threat. His eyes remained fixed on Evan. But as the first guard lunged, sword aimed at Zander's back, his body moved.
It was less a dodge, more an effortless shifting of mass. He sidestepped the thrust with impossible speed for his size. His left hand shot out, not to strike the guard, but to clamp onto the man's sword wrist. There was a sickening CRUNCH of bone. The guard screamed, his sword clattering to the ground. Zander shoved the crippled man aside like a discarded rag doll, sending him crashing into two others.
Another guard swung a heavy mace. Zander caught the descending weapon in his bare right hand. The spiked head impacted his palm with a dull THUD. The mace stopped dead, as if striking solid mountain rock. The guard stared, dumbfounded. Zander closed his fist. The hardened steel shaft of the mace buckled, then shattered, fragments spraying outwards. Zander released the ruined weapon, letting the stunned guard stumble back.
He took a single step forward. The ground beneath his foot cracked spiderweb fissures in the packed earth. An aura of primal, terrifying pressure radiated outwards, thick and suffocating. The remaining guards froze mid-charge, their faces paling, weapons trembling in suddenly nerveless hands. The sheer, unadulterated might emanating from Zander was paralyzing. It spoke of mountains grinding against each other, of earthquakes reshaping the world. It wasn't magical; it was pure, overwhelming physical power amplified by something ancient and savage.
Commander Cassio, still standing on the platform, finally spoke. His voice, amplified by some subtle magic or sheer command presence, cut through the terror. "HOLD!" The single word snapped the guards to rigid attention, their weapons lowering instinctively, though their eyes remained wide with fear. Cassio's gaze, sharp as honed steel, never left Zander. "Who are you?" he demanded, his tone icy, authoritative. "Explain this intrusion."
Zander finally tore his gaze from Evan, slowly turning his head to look up at the Dragonrider. His amethyst eyes met Cassio's without flinching. "I am Zander," he stated, his voice flat, devoid of deference or fear. "I came for him." He gestured minimally towards Evan. "Your walls are inconsequential."
A ripple of disbelief ran through the crowd. To dismiss the defenses of Polis so casually? To breach them with such terrifying ease? Cassio's expression darkened. His hand tightened on the ornate hilt of the sword at his hip. "You trespass upon Imperial ground. You assault my guards. You disrupt sanctioned proceedings. Your presence demands explanation, stranger."
The Royal Star Drake behind Cassio shifted, sensing its rider's tension. A low, warning growl rumbled deep in its chest, vibrating the platform stones. Its starry purple eyes fixed on Zander, glowing faintly.
Zander ignored the dragon. His gaze flickered past Cassio to the Star Drake for the briefest moment, a flicker of something unreadable – disdain? Recognition? – in his eyes before returning to Cassio. "My reasons are my own. Step aside, Dragonrider. He leaves with me." He took another step towards Evan.
Cassio drew his sword. The blade gleamed with a soft violet light, humming with potent enchantments. The air crackled with tension. "You will go nowhere until your purpose is made clear to the satisfaction of the Polis Garrison!" The Star Drake unfurled its wings slightly, the growl intensifying. Guards tensed, readying weapons again.
Evan, caught between his overwhelming joy at seeing Zander and the escalating confrontation, acted instinctively. "Commander Cassio!" Evan's voice, amplified by a surge of focused will from his Innocent Heart Core, cut through the standoff, clear and resonant despite his youth. "Zander is my sworn brother! He means no harm to Polis! He came for me!" He stepped forward, placing himself deliberately between Zander and the platform. "I apologize for the intrusion, Commander. But violence is unnecessary."
Cassio's eyes narrowed, shifting from Zander to Evan. He saw the absolute sincerity in Evan's face, the protective stance he took before the terrifying stranger. He also saw the sheer, terrifying power Zander had casually displayed. Engaging such a being within the crowded Proving Grounds was madness. He lowered his sword fractionally, though his stance remained ready. "Sworn brother?" he echoed, skepticism heavy in his voice. "This... being... is your kin?"
"Brother in spirit," Evan clarified, meeting Cassio's gaze steadily. "Bound by oath." He remembered Zander's words years ago: We are brothers. The truth of it resonated within him.
Zander watched Evan, his expression unreadable, but the terrifying pressure radiating from him lessened almost imperceptibly. He remained silent, a looming pillar of contained power.
Cassio's mind raced. Evan Young had just demonstrated exceptional, unorthodox combat prowess. Now this... entity... arrived through a spatial rift, displaying strength that defied comprehension, claiming kinship. The situation was volatile, unprecedented. His duty was clear: detain both for interrogation. Yet, the potential cost... He glanced at his Star Drake. The magnificent creature was tense, its gaze locked on Zander with an intensity Cassio rarely saw – not just aggression, but deep, primal wariness.
He made a decision, born of pragmatism and a soldier's instinct for assessing overwhelming threat. "Very well," Cassio said, sheathing his sword with finality, though his gaze remained wary. "Your petition was acknowledged, Evan Young. The Commander's recommendation stands." He gestured towards his aide. "Provide the writ. But know this," his eyes pinned Evan, then Zander, "your companion's actions will be reported. Any further disturbance within Polis borders will be met with the full force of the Empire. You have one hour to depart."
The aide, pale but composed, hurriedly produced a sealed scroll bearing the Imperial crest and Cassio's personal sigil – a purple star over crossed sword and dragon wing. He handed it down to Evan.
Evan took the precious writ, relief flooding him. "Thank you, Commander Cassio."
Cassio gave a curt nod, his gaze lingering on Zander for a long, appraising moment before he turned and remounted his Star Drake. The magnificent beast spread its wings, the downdraft whipping dust and debris across the pit. With a powerful leap, it launched skyward, carrying the silent Dragonrider away from the tense arena.
The spell broke. The crowd erupted in a cacophony of fearful murmurs, excited chatter, and disbelief. Guards warily escorted Evan and Zander out of the Proving Grounds, clearly eager to see the back of them.
Once outside the gates, amidst the bustling city streets, Evan turned to Zander, the questions tumbling out. "Zander! You came! How did you find me? What happened? Who were those Beastmen? Are you alright?"
Zander placed a large hand on Evan's shoulder, the simple gesture conveying a depth of feeling words couldn't express. "The bond," he said simply, his voice rough. "I felt... disturbance. Danger nearby." He glanced towards the city gates leading north. "We must leave. Now. The path is clear. I will explain... later. On the road."
Evan understood. Zander's presence alone was a lightning rod. Cassio's tolerance wouldn't last. He clutched the writ tightly, the key to his future now secured through fire and unexpected reunion. He looked north, towards Milan. "To the Institute, then?"
Zander nodded, a rare, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. "To the Institute. Together."