The entire battlefield was swallowed by an icy fog, and the arena fell into stunned silence.
The temperature plummeted, the cold biting through the air like sharp knives.
Spectators shivered, their jaws dropping as the scene unfolded before them.
Ryoko stood frozen, her heart shattering as she watched Masumi fall.
Her first true friend, the one who had always stood by her, was attacked right in front of her — and she couldn't do a thing to stop it.
Her body trembled, her hands balled into fists at her sides. The pain of helplessness was unbearable.
But then, her gaze snapped toward Rika, the one responsible.
That's when the sorrow in her chest turned to molten fury, burning through every ounce of her grief.
Her eyes blazed with unfiltered bloodlust, and the air around her grew colder, sharper.
Rika, who had been reveling in her victory, felt an unsettling chill creep down her spine.
Rika's gaze flickered nervously toward Ryoko. The pressure mounting in the air made her knees shake.
She'd heard the rumors about Ryoko's power, but never had she imagined she would be on the receiving end of it.
The crowd stirred uneasily.
"W-what is happening?"
people whispered, as the temperature dropped even further.
The icy winds howled around the arena, ruffling clothes and raking over skin.
Ryoko took a step forward. With each movement, the temperature dropped further, and the air became impossibly cold.
Ice began to form at her feet, creeping across the arena, a reflection of the fury that emanated from her.
Rika gasped, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps.
She could feel the weight of Ryoko's presence bearing down on her like an oppressive storm.
"I-I can't…"
Rika stammered, her teeth chattering as she fell to her knees, unable to withstand the pressure.
Ryoko took another step, the frost crackling underfoot as her gaze never wavered from Rika.
Her hand lifted into the air, and in an instant, an ice crystal sword materialized in her grip.
It shimmered in the cold light, a deadly extension of her will.
The arena was silent now, everyone watching in stunned anticipation as Ryoko's icy blue eyes locked onto Rika, her movements slow but deliberate.
Rika's eyes widened in fear, her body trembling as Ryoko surged toward her.
The crystal blade gleamed, a silent promise of retribution. But just as the sword was about to cleave through Rika's neck, a loud voice rang out.
"RYOKO-SAN, STOP!!"
Ryoko's movements halted. Her sword hovered inches from Rika's neck, the cold blade shimmering in the dim light.
She turned her head, recognizing the voice — it was Seichii.
Her heart clenched as she saw him, standing defiantly, blood still dripping from his body, but his gaze burning with fierce resolve.
The fog began to lift, revealing Seichii in front of Masumi, the ice crystal still lodged in his chest.
Masumi, wide-eyed and trembling, stood behind him, unscathed but clearly in shock.
The crowd gasped. Seichii had barely been able to stand moments before, but now he was here, taking the blow for Masumi.
Blood poured from his wounds, but his expression remained resolute, his stance unyielding.
He wasn't going to fall. Not like this.
Rika stared, disbelief etched across her face. The Blood Draining Array had been working on him for over ten minutes.
His blood should have been gone by now. He should be dead.
But there he stood, unbroken, glaring at her with a fury that made her blood run cold.
"Ryoko-san!"
Seichii's voice cracked through the tension, raw with anger.
"This is my fight, not yours!!"
Ryoko hesitated, the fury in her chest burning brighter but mixing with a twinge of regret.
She stepped back, her sword vanishing as she glanced at Seichii, knowing she had to trust him.
But in her heart, a seed of doubt remained. Don't make me regret this, Seichii-kun.
Seichii's eyes never left Rika as he spoke, his voice barely more than a growl.
"I'm not done yet, Rika."
His body swayed slightly, still reeling from the effects of the Blood Draining Array, but his resolve was as sharp as ever.
He wasn't going to let her win. Not like this.
Rika stood, her grin returning, though it was edged with uncertainty.
She'd underestimated him. She had been so sure of her victory, but Seichii was still standing. Still fighting.
She turned to him, her smirk widening.
"Oh, Seichii… you were so foolish to let her interfere,"
She mocked, her voice dripping with venom. "Now, you'll regret it."
With a flick of her wrist, dozens of ice crystals materialized in the air, floating ominously around her.
She sent them hurtling toward Seichii, a deadly barrage.
Seichii stood motionless, his chest heaving with labored breaths, but his eyes glowed with a fierce white light.
As the ice crystals neared him, he moved.
With a single swipe of his arm, the crystals shattered mid-air, their shattered pieces floating like snowflakes around him.
Rika stumbled back, her jaw dropping.
"W-what was that?!"
She gasped. The ice should have pierced him, should have torn him apart, but he had deflected it with sheer force.
Her eyes flickered to his face, and that's when she saw it — his eyes were glowing, an unearthly white light pulsing from deep within them.
"What… is happening?!"
She whispered to herself, fear creeping into her voice.
Seichii's glare intensified, his eyes burning with an inner fire.
He was done playing.
The Blood Draining Array no longer held him captive, and his resolve had solidified. He wouldn't let Rika's tricks win.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance, Rika."
His voice was cold, a chilling contrast to the heat of battle.
"Now, you're going to regret that decision.".....