There was nearly no time between battles, one hour rest and another battle was already in motion waiting for them.
The arena was alive with tension, the crowd's excitement spilling over as Kaelith and Eleon stepped onto the battlefield. Across from them, three warriors from Dragonspire—hulking and clad in blackened leather armor—stood waiting. The trio exchanged a glance, smirking as they sized up the two lone challengers. Dragonspire's fighters were renowned for their mastery of red magic, the deadly art of fire manipulation, and they believed victory was assured. Two opponents would be no match for the blazing fury they had prepared to unleash.
Kaelith's mind was elsewhere, caught in an unshakable worry that lingered at the edge of her thoughts. Torrack. Where was he now? Was he safe? She had heard whispers about his whereabouts but nothing concrete. Every fiber of her being ached to know how he was faring in his own battles. The thought of him out there, somewhere, in danger or worse, haunted her like a specter that would not be quieted. Her heart squeezed as she recalled his last words to her, the look in his eyes before they had parted ways. How different things would feel now if he were here by her side.
But Kaelith knew she had to focus. The fight ahead was not one she could take lightly. Red magic—fire—was the bane of her own green magic, the elemental force tied to nature, animals, and the subtle harmonies of the earth. Despite the disadvantage, she held onto one hope: the power of her summoned beast, a creature of immense strength, peace, and loyalty. She turned to Eleon, whose gaze was steely with determination, his hand firm on the hilt of his sword.
"We'll give them more of a fight than they're expecting," he said with a wry smile. "But you'll have to call your friend again, won't you?"
Kaelith nodded, inhaling deeply as she grounded herself, pushing her hands down into the soil beneath her. She let her energy sink into the earth, calling, beckoning. The ground trembled as her magic pulsed, reaching out into the distance, beyond the walls of the arena, and into the dense forest from which her ally would come.
The three Dragonspire fighters tensed, their eyes widening as they felt the tremors. They hadn't seen Kaelith's previous match, hadn't witnessed the beast that now answered her call. From the edge of the arena, the great creature emerged, stepping forward with deliberate grace. Covered in moss and leaves, its massive, antlered head rose above the fighters, casting a shadow across the battlefield. The crowd roared in recognition, no longer afraid but thrilled at the creature's appearance.
Yet, as Kaelith raised her head to the beast, she could feel its hesitation. This was a creature of peace, not one meant for battle. Its strength lay in its gentleness, a quality that Kaelith feared would falter under the fire magic they were up against. She looked toward the forest beyond the arena walls, longing for the safety it represented, for her friend's protection. Torrack would know what to do, she thought. But he was far from here.
The fighters from Dragonspire recovered quickly, their surprise turning to ruthless excitement. Two of them raised their hands, conjuring balls of flame that crackled with fierce intensity. With a swift motion, they hurled the fireballs at the beast, the scorching orbs tearing through the air.
The beast braced itself, and Kaelith felt its pain ripple through her as the flames struck. A low growl escaped its throat as its moss-covered skin was singed, blackened patches appearing where the fireballs made contact. Kaelith gritted her teeth, her heart aching with each hit. The creature's very essence, born of the forest's tranquility, was struggling under the violent assault.
Eleon charged forward, engaging the third fighter, his blade a flash of silver as it deflected a blazing attack. He fought with unwavering strength, his focus intense, though Kaelith could see the effort was costing him dearly. Every swing, every dodge was a struggle against Dragonspire's relentless fire magic. A pang of guilt hit her as she watched her friend defend her—she had summoned the beast, and now it, too, suffered for her choice.
She fought back tears, her heart pulled in a thousand directions. She was here for a reason; they needed to secure the extra vote to stand any chance in the upcoming council meeting. Losing this tournament meant they would lose that vote, a loss that could shift the balance of power—and not in their favor. Kaelith's mind raced, desperation building with every searing blow the beast endured. She tried to think of another way, another advantage she might seize, but her thoughts drifted again to Torrack. She thought of his strength, his resilience, his courage, and the quiet assurance he always exuded. Would he have found a way out?
But her focus was shattered when she saw Eleon stagger, a fireball slipping past his guard and striking him square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground, his sword falling from his grasp. Kaelith's heart stopped, her stomach twisting as she saw her friend lying motionless, smoke rising from his scorched armor.
"No!" she cried, rushing to his side. Eleon's breaths were shallow, his face pale, his eyes closed. Kaelith knelt beside him, the world narrowing to this single moment, her friend lying defenseless, her summoned beast barely able to hold itself against the Dragonspire fighters. She reached out, touching Eleon's hand, feeling the coolness of his skin, and a desperate resolve settled over her.
The beast let out a mournful bellow, its great antlers drooping as the fighters closed in, launching another barrage of fireballs. It could barely stand, its mossy body marred with burns, its energy fading.
Kaelith looked up, meeting its eyes. She felt its pain as if it were her own, an agonizing clarity searing through her. She had called this creature here, forced it into this brutal world, and now it was suffering for her cause. The truth settled on her shoulders, heavy and undeniable.
"Enough," she whispered. Her gaze hardened as she looked toward the Dragonspire fighters, her decision already made. Rising to her feet, Kaelith raised her hands high, her voice clear and steady.
"I quit!"
The words echoed through the arena, silencing the crowd. The fighters stopped, their flames flickering out as they turned to stare at her, expressions of disbelief and satisfaction mingling on their faces. Kaelith ignored them, her attention solely on the beast.
She reached out with her green magic, sending soothing waves to the creature, urging it to return to the forest, to the place where it belonged, free from pain and suffering. She whispered her gratitude, her apology, and felt its sorrow as it looked at her one last time before turning, limping toward the forest's edge.
A healer rushed forward, sensing the severity of the situation. They knelt beside Eleon, placing a glowing hand over his injuries, and in moments, the scorch marks on his chest began to fade, his breathing steadier as life returned to him. The healer then approached the beast, offering a gentle touch of green magic that eased its pain, coaxing life back into its burned skin before it disappeared into the sanctuary of the forest, free once again.
Kaelith remained kneeling beside Eleon, her hands trembling, her spirit crushed under the weight of her choice. The crowd watched in stunned silence, the thrill of victory marred by the unexpected twist. She had fought, not for herself but for the beast, for Eleon, and for the hope that Torrack was somewhere safe, somewhere fighting his own battles.
But as the healer turned to Kaelith, she was met with a silent shake of the head. She didn't need healing. She had been defeated in every sense.
A voice boomed through the arena, announcing the outcome. "With their surrender, Kaelith and Eleon are eliminated from the tournament. Dragonspire advances.
The words hit Kaelith like a stone. Their effort, their strategy—all of it was lost in a single decision. She thought of the council meeting, of the impending conflict, of the stakes they had fought so hard for. That vote had been her goal, a hope to bring balance to the council, to give their side a voice.
And now, she had lost it.
Kaelith helped Eleon to his feet, her hand supporting him as they made their way out of the arena. The weight of her choices pressed down on her, the consequences heavy on her heart. She glanced one last time toward the forest, where the beast had disappeared. A part of her went with it, leaving a void she wasn't sure she could ever fill.