As the final candles of Día de los Muertos fade, and offerings of food and flowers are laid for the ancestors,
the Corsair people prepare for an ancient rite to honor their past and safeguard their future: a blood contest where only the strongest prevail,
forged in tradition and shrouded in secrecy.

Across Crete, from bustling plazas to remote outposts, Corsairs of all backgrounds, old and young, wealthy and humble, gather to test themselves in knife fights,
each duel a ritual of endurance and Corsair heritage.
The fiercest champions, chosen by the Council of Elders, are summoned for the ultimate trial: the Masked Gladiator Contest,
a battle in space fought in the legendary M9 "Gladiator" Corsair Heavy Fighter.

In keeping with tradition, these gladiators fight under the cloak of anonymity, faces hidden behind elaborate masks.
This anonymity makes every warrior an equal, erasing family loyalties. To honor the ancestors, each pilot decorates their Gladiator with vivid colors and lights,
knowing that the bolder their design, the faster they will be targeted in battle.

When the time comes, the gladiators split into two battalions: Luna, above Kalhmera’s northern pole, and Terra, around Crete’s southern pole.
At the command of the Pontifex Maximus of the Order of Santa Muerte, the two squadrons clash in a sky lit with fire and fury.
Once one group is victorious, the survivors turn on each other until a single Corsair remains: the last unyielding warrior.

This final champion, now hailed as a hero of Crete, may choose to unmask and reveal their identity, their triumph broadcast across the empire by Canal Uno.
This hero earns a statue in the Garden of Heroes at the Elder Council’s plaza, and is offered the honored title of Centurion within the Corsair Brotherhood,
securing their legacy.

The Corsair Brotherhood, entrusted by the Council of Elders, oversees this tradition.
They arrange every detail of the festivities, award prizes, and ensure each battle is fought with honor, upholding the spirit of the Corsair empire.