Aelia stood tall and unharmed. Her hammers remained stretched out in front of her, with their flat heads smashed against one another, and her expression showed surprise and incredulity.
Meanwhile, Luna was on one knee, with both fists on the floor, still gripping her swords. She panted heavily and appeared on the verge of fainting, because everyone noticed her entire energy reserve had now run dry. They quickly realized Luna had used a tactic that was usually saved as a last resort.
By forcefully expelling all of her remaining aether at once, she was able to create a short-lived safe space around herself. Unfortunately, while often able to save a Mystics life at the last moment, it would also leave them completely vulnerable and defenceless afterwards.
Yet, despite this, Luna's expression showed a wide, victorious grin.
The reason for that was immediately clear, because the lights had determined the winner, and it was not Aelia…
The blue-haired woman tilted her head slightly downwards and looked at the reason for her loss with twitching eyebrows. A small dagger was hovering less than an inch from her throat by Luna's long and flexible tail. Despite Luna's exhaustion and her slightly trembling body, her tail remained as steady as a rock.
The crowd, too, looked at this scene with shock and awe clear on their expressions. Never had they expected Aelia would lose in such a way from someone supposedly weaker than her.
"Did you… use that same trick the boss used on Ian?" she asked, frustration in her voice.
"I sure… did…" Luna panted and chuckled at the same time. "Never… underestimate… a catling's tail… even when it's unarmed…"
Back when Kane and Luna fought the previous leadership, the wolfling, Ian, had died because he ran straight into Kane's sword after the latter pulled it from his storage ring at the last moment.
This time, Luna had done much the same thing. She'd pulled a dagger from her storage ring when the smoke and fire obscured the battlefield and used her tail to stab it at Aelia's throat. Aelia had no idea about storage rings, however, so she had no idea how they pulled this off, just that apparently, they both could.
Aelia grumbled reluctantly, "So what about that stumble…?"
"A… feint…" Luna grinned teasingly while continuing to catch her breath.
With that, the blue-haired bandit leader had all her questions answered. She sighed while lowering her arms. "Alright, I admit defeat… Can you lower your tail now?"
"Gladly…" Luna groaned. Her tail, and the dagger it held, fell to the floor while she began to sag to the side with fluttering eyes.
But before she hit the floor, a proud Kane appeared, and took her into his arms. When Luna noticed, her fluttered, exhausted eyes looked up at her master with a mischievous twinkle.
"I guess you have a promise to keep, Master…" she whispered softly with a playful grin. By now, she'd regained her breath, but it was clear she wouldn't be able to stay awake for long.
Kane chuckled proudly and kissed his Valkyrie's forehead, "I sure do, Luna. And you deserve it. But let's start after you get some rest, alright?"
"F— Fine… I'll hold you to that," she muttered as her eyes closed and her mind quickly drifted off to dreamland. Yet, at the last moment, she whispered, "Oh, and… don't let Aelia… forget about my ten percent…"
Then, she was gone, and a soft snoring was all that remained, her lips curled up into a satisfied smile.
With Luna asleep in his arms, Kane looked up at Aelia with a small grin. "Well? Do you regret not taking the five percent?" he asked, teasingly.
Aelia looked at the catling in his arms wryly, still trying to piece together what she could have done different in this fight. Yet, she also shook her head, "Maybe a little… but if she really will start to teach us some of her skills, then ten percent is a fair price to pay."
Kane nodded appreciatively, "I'm glad you see it that way…"
Then, he turned around and walked off the stage. "Now, come on. I'm going to put Luna to bed, and I'd like to discuss some final things with you."
Aelia sighed, and sheathed her hammers while mumbling to herself, "No rest for the weary, I guess…" She was tired as well after that fight, but her higher stamina, and the fact she didn't have to fight multiple battles in a row, meant she was still in far better condition than Luna.
As soon as he stepped into the crowd, they made a path for him. Everyone's eyes were locked onto the sleeping catling in his arms, their gazes filled with respect. It was a shame Luna wasn't awake for this herself, but the good news was that today's main goal had been achieved.
While he moved through the crowd, Kane addressed them. "That is all I needed from you all today, thank you for indulging me. Now, I suggest you go train your techniques and wait for new orders. As promised, Ella will share more details on the contribution points later, through the armband."
The response was surprisingly quick. Various voices of respectful assent rose up, and some even saluted a little. Obviously, Luna's performance had not just earned her respect, but also solidified Kane's leadership.
* * *
A little while later, Kane had put Luna to rest on his bed in the Commander's Sanctum, before going back to the council/study room. There, he found a still-somewhat-ragged Aelia waiting for him patiently.
He took a seat on the large chair in the middle, and grinned softly at Aelia, "I'm curious. What do you think of this situation so far? I mean everything, the way I came into power, the promises I've made, and those I've already kept. Are you hopeful for the future, or despairing at your lot in life?"
Aelia frowned thoughtfully. She hadn't expected such a loaded question so suddenly, but she wasn't one to mince words, so she thought carefully about her response.
Finally, she spoke a little hesitantly, even as she looked him in the eyes with determination, 'I'm… cautiously optimistic, I suppose. I'm still a little worried that you're just trying to turn me and my people in your personal little harem, and how easy that might be for you to do, but…"
"But…?" Kane urged with a curiously raised eyebrow.
Aelia sighed and shrugged reluctantly, "But… the benefits so far outweigh the potential risks… and I suppose I am starting to trust you a little more. I'm willing to believe you regarding your intentions, and based on your relationship with Luna, I'm willing to trust that you treat your people fairly."
Kane's grin grew during her explanation, and only wavered slightly when Aelia suddenly narrowed her eyes, "But don't think I'll stop keeping my eye on you, or calling you out on your shit!"
"Fair enough," Kane chuckled softly. "Now, let me tell you what I want from you."