As the two of them conversed, X approached, donning a plum side-swept bun hairstyle. Blackthorn sensed something different about him, a presence that set him apart from the others.
"Valeria, did you feel it?" He uttered.
"(Nodding) Yes, I can slightly feel it. His aura is different from the others." She replied.
Valeria couldn't feel that much of it due to her current magic presence which was quite low compared to Blackthorn and the others. However, the latter had his presence to detect another's presence heightened at all times, so he could feel that this one was no joke at least.
"(Serious) Valeria, be careful out there. I advise you to just go all out from the start." He warned.
Blackthorn then walked away, passing by X. Time seemed to slow down as their eyes briefly clashed, each recognizing the other's strength.
As the two walked past each other, Valeria readied her stance on the martial arts puzzle mat, sensing the intensity of the battle to come.
The mat was scuff-resistant for shoes and boots, the leather was great for spins and pivots, and the texture was gentle on the skin, thereby preventing mat burns.
Finally, the announcer proclaimed for the match to start, and the tension in the arena reached its peak.
In a low, cold-pitched tone, X uttered: "Prepare for the worst."
Valeria unfazed, and further tightening her stance replied: "I'm ready."
"START!"
The announcer's voice reverberated in both participants' ears, the crowd's noise filtering out as they focused solely on each other. All they could see was themselves and nothing else, their determination burning bright as they prepared to clash.
Drawing out her enchanted blade, and with a determined glint in her eyes Valeria muttered:
"Let's do this."
"You'll regret crossing paths with me." X spoke, with his dark plum energy oozing out of his entity, and a sinister grin crossing his face.
As they clashed, a surge of energy filled the arena. Valeria's light blue aura seeped out of her body, enveloping her in a protective barrier as she moved with agility and grace. Meanwhile, X's dark plum energy swirled around him, enhancing his attacks with a sinister edge.
The fight was intense, each blow landing with precision and force. Valeria dodged and weaved through X's strikes, her enchanted blade slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. However, X countered with swift and calculated movements, his attacks aimed to overwhelm his opponent.
The crowd watched in awe as the two fighters battled, their skills matched evenly. It was a spectacle of power and determination, each combatant refusing to back down.
The clash of their energies filled the arena, the air crackling with tension as they fought with all their might. It was a battle between two good fighters, with neither willing to yield.
"I can handle this." Valeria thought, before charging towards X once again
As the fight raged on, it became clear that victory would only come to those who were willing to push themselves beyond their limits. And for Valeria and X, the stakes had never been higher.
."However...This isn't good." Blackthorn uttered inwardly.
As soon as he thought it, there was an immense increase in X's power, which completely took everyone, including Valeria, aback, except Blackthorn.
"(Taken aback by the sudden surge in power) What... what's happening?" She wondered.
"(Watching in shock) Did you see that? X's power just spiked!" A student in the stands yelled out.
"This isn't good... Valeria doesn't stand a chance against him now." Blackthorn concluded inwardly.
All that happened next was a bigger mystery. A complete bloody beatdown of Valeria ensued, to the point some students in the crowd were almost throwing up.
X's dark plum energy surged around him like a swirling vortex, his eyes glinting with malicious intent. Without warning, he lunged forward, his movements a blur of speed and precision. Valeria barely had time to react before his fist connected with her jaw, sending her stumbling backward.
"(Wincing as pain shot through her body) Is that all you've got?" She mumbled.
But X was relentless. He pressed his advantage, his attacks raining down on Valeria like a storm. Each blow landed with bone-crushing force, driving her further and further back. With each strike, her vision blurred, her senses overwhelmed by the onslaught.
"(Watching in horror) This is brutal! She doesn't stand a chance against him!" Timmy spoke to himself.
"(Covering their mouth in shock) I can't watch this..." Another student spoke with a retching voice.
But X showed no mercy. He continued his assault, his movements fluid and precise, like a predator toying with its prey. Valeria fought back with all her strength, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with her bare hands.
"(Gritting his teeth, his anger rising) Unlike X, I won't interfere... Nevertheless... (Crack!!!)" Blackthorn mused, his frustration evident as he effortlessly smashed through the bottle that was in his hand.
"I will remain rooted to this spot, but if I stumble on whatever he calls himself by chance, that will be the end of his story." He added inwardly.
"(Gasping for breath, her body battered and bruised) I won't... give up..." She muttered.
Despite her determination, Valeria was outmatched. X's power was overwhelming, his attacks relentless. With one final, brutal blow, he sent her crashing to the ground, her body limp and broken.
"And it's over! X is the winner!" The announcer shouted, after being rooted to a spot in awe for a moment.
The crowd was silent for a few seconds, however, students who didn't care about Valeria's situation broke the silence and cheered at the top of their lungs.
When was the last time their eyes fed on an action-packed tournament like this?
There was no joy in Valeria's defeat. She lay on the ground, her body aching, her spirit shattered. As X stood victorious, dark plum energy loomed over where he stood.
Blackthorn watched from the sidelines, his fists clenched with rage.
"(His voice barely above a whisper) This isn't over... not by a long shot."
"So, it has come to this... Blackthorn vs X in the finals, a battle unto the death." One of Razen's men muttered, with a sinking feeling that something was about to go wrong.