[Time running out]
[10 seconds remaining]
The menu appeared before Dion.
"When I'm needing you most, you're vanishing?" he complained beneath his breath when he realized his shield was now gone.
"How do I defend myself now?" he wondered.
Ava, having noticed his strength, decided to go against him at full force. He sure was a tough nut to crack, or so she thought.
Dion noticed a change in her demeanor, her thumb gently sliding against her right hand where her weapon was, indicating she was changing her weapon selection.
"I've always known you had something about you. You're quite tough after all," she commented once again, her gaze unwavering.
Dion's head was filled with thoughts of how he'd defeat her, protect himself until she finally got tired, or until the Captain got bored and decided to end the fight. These thoughts consumed him so much that he didn't catch what she was saying.
Ava stretched her right hand to the side, and suddenly, a long sword materialized in her hand. The sword had a golden blade and a black handle, with a few golden sparks visible on the surface of the handle.
The ground trembled beneath her feet as she gripped the weapon, its brilliance casting a radiant blue glow across the training ground.
As Dion observed, he noticed a sudden murmur and whispers among the onlookers.
"No way. That's the Punisher."
"Oh, what a pity!"
"This dude doesn't stand a chance against her now."
"Give him 2 seconds, and he'll be knocked out."
"That's finally more like the Battle Princess."
[That is a level 3 threat. An assault from that blade will be fatal]Viza warned.
"Care to help once again?" Dion asked.
[The veil is still taking time to reload] Viza replied.
"Fuck!!! Don't you have any other means to help?" Dion asked.
[You have 75 points available. You can use 25 points to boost your speed by activating Level 1 Flash Power] Viza suggested.
"How long does it last?" Dion inquired.
[It lasts for 1 minute] Viza replied.
"1 minute?" Dion calculated the possible chances of surviving after the 1 minute.
As he raised his head, he saw Ava dashing towards him. At that moment, he knew he didn't have time to think; he had to act.
"Activate!" he instructed Viza.
[Flash Power successfully activated] Viza confirmed.
Ava was fast, approaching him within a split second, her sword raised high and ready to be swung at him. Despite the imminent danger, Ava's smile was evident as she approached, making her even more beautiful.
Dion could feel the transformation in his body; he felt lighter than ever, as if he could fly through the air.
With Ava's sword dangerously close to decapitating distance, Dion decided to try out his activated skill. As her blade neared, he swiftly dodged with a sideways movement so fast and fluid that Ava couldn't follow it with her eyes.
As her blade swung past him, she reacted with a backward swing, but Dion was already on alert, effortlessly dodging her assault.
Impressed, Ava chuckled and commented, "Never knew you were one with a fast feet."
"I guess everyone is fast when there's a need to be," Dion replied.
Meanwhile, Captain Ally observed from the balcony above, unaware of their conversation. In her perception, Ava seemed to be going easy on Dion, who she considered a newbie.
"Never seen Ava have second thoughts during training. How is this Sergeant any different?" she cursed inwardly. Her disdain for Dion only grew as she watched Ava's actions fuel her frustration.
Ava continued swinging at Dion, but she couldn't even graze a hair on his head.
Dion managed to land a few punches on Ava, but they were all fruitless against her formidable strength. She was tough.
[Time running out]
[You have 15 seconds left]
[14]
[13]
Dion was shocked. "How did the time elapse this fast?" he wondered.
"Getting tired already? I sense you're slowing down!" Ava taunted, noticing the change in his speed.
"Yeah, what's there to fight a pretty damsel like you? With your beauty, you're always meant to win!" he replied, trying to deflect her focus.
But his response didn't faze Ava in the slightest.
[1]
[0]
[Flash Power successfully deactivated]
[Reloading]
[....]
As the timer ran out, Dion suddenly felt heavy, even heavier than before, and his limbs began to ache slightly. The skill must have taken a toll on him.
His mind raced for possible solutions when Viza offered an option.
[You can use your points to heal, when wounded]
"You didn't mention that earlier?" Dion said, growing impatient.
[But the wound must not be too deep, else it won't heal faster or could worsen] Viza warned.
This response made Dion think over and over again. He needed to fake an assault, make the impact realistic enough and pretend to be unconscious, similar to what the other guys that she defeated did.
Dion decided to just finish the business once and for all. He faked a swift movement toward Ava, and she fell for it, swinging her blade toward his neck.
As her blade neared, Dion moved his face in the same direction as her blade and threw himself high before falling to the ground.
"Yes, that's more like it," Captain Ally shouted as she saw Dion defeated.
Dion lay on the ground, pretending to be unconscious for a few moments.
Suddenly, a beep from the monitors beside him began beeping before the ground lifted him up and placed him out of the arena, just like it did with the rest.
Dion could feel a sharp pain against his cheek; he knew Ava's blade must have grazed him.
[Healing in progress]
[.....]
[100% successful]
[-30 points]
"30 points? That's too much," he cursed inwardly, but he had no other option.
Captain Ally was so happy that she couldn't hide it, rising to her feet and applauding Ava for her victory.
Ava, on her part, replied with a wry smile. She sensed something was a bit off.
"The contact wasn't much, why did he fall to the ground then? Or is he faking it?" she wondered.