The crowd's cheers still echoed in my ears as Zephara and I left the arena, but I knew our celebration would be short-lived. We had one final challenge ahead, and it was a battle I had both anticipated and dreaded: Zephara versus me. My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Zephara was not just my mentor and closest ally; she was also one of the most formidable combatants in the tournament, her purple fire magic a force to be reckoned with.
As we prepared for the final duel, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. She was the epitome of grace and power, her purple flames dancing at her fingertips. "Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice steady but her eyes soft with unspoken emotions.
"I think so," I replied, trying to sound confident. "But facing you… it's not something I ever wanted."
