After her victory over Darius, Eveline left the arena under the watchful gaze of everyone. She tried to maintain a firm posture and hold her shoulders high, but the feeling of unease weighed on her mind. The use of darkness during the duel troubled her. Although she had controlled its influence, she knew that Umbra was waiting for more opportunities to manifest.
"You were amazing!" Alaric ran toward her with enthusiasm, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Darius never expected to be disarmed so easily."
Aria was right behind him, a bit more reserved. She watched Eveline with a mix of admiration and concern. "You were exceptional, Eveline, but something felt... different."
Eveline knew what she was talking about, but she didn't want to discuss it at that moment. The weight of the battle was still on her shoulders, and the voices in her mind echoed, creating a confusing swirl of thoughts.
"I'm fine," Eveline said, without much conviction. "We need to focus on the next duels. The festival isn't over yet."
Alaric agreed, already excited for his own participation. "I have to go prepare for my duel. I'll see you later, Eveline." He ran off toward the preparations, leaving Aria and Eveline behind.
As Aria silently looked at Eveline, tension hung in the air. She sensed that her friend was hiding something. "You know you can talk to me, right?"
Eveline sighed. "Yes, I know. It's just that now isn't the time. I need some time to process everything."
Aria nodded, understanding, but didn't push further. She knew Eveline was facing a much bigger internal battle than anyone could see. "Let's go watch Alaric's duel. He'll want to see us cheering for him."
With a faint smile, Eveline agreed. The two headed toward the stands, trying to distract themselves from the dark thoughts swirling in Eveline's mind.
---
As always, Alaric was full of confidence when he entered the arena. His movements were fluid, and he seemed to dominate the field with ease. His opponent, though skilled, lacked the same presence and combat strategy. With each move, Alaric proved why he was one of the academy's best duelists.
While Eveline watched, her thoughts drifted to the internal battle she constantly fought with Umbra. With each step she took toward the darkness, she felt herself slipping further from who she truly was. She knew she needed to confront that part of her, but she wasn't sure how to do it without losing control.
"You need me," Umbra's voice echoed softly in her mind."Deep down, you know it's the only way to survive in this world. Don't fight me. Together, we are unstoppable."
Eveline clenched her fists, trying to silence the voice. She didn't want to give in. However, the battle against Darius had shown that perhaps, to reach her true potential, she needed to embrace that part of herself, even if it meant risking her humanity.
Alaric's duel ended with a crushing victory, much to the crowd's delight. He approached his friends with a triumphant smile on his face. "I told you it'd be easy," he joked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Congratulations," Eveline said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but her smile was small, and the light in her eyes was absent.
"Thanks," Alaric replied, noticing the tone of concern in her voice. "Hey, are you okay?"
Eveline took a deep breath and forced a bigger smile. "Yeah, I'm just a bit tired."
Alaric didn't seem entirely convinced, but he dropped the subject out of respect for Eveline's space. They talked about the upcoming duels and expectations for the rest of the festival. However, even with the joy around her, Eveline's mind remained in conflict.
---
Later that night, while most of the students and guests celebrated the first half of the festival with dances and music, Eveline isolated herself in her room, seeking some peace. She sat by the window, watching the full moon shining in the sky. The silence was a temporary blessing, but she knew Umbra was always lurking.
"You can't keep ignoring me," Umbra's voice whispered again, soft and seductive. "You've already proven you need me. Accept your true nature."
Eveline clenched her hands tightly, feeling frustration building. She knew Umbra was partly right. The darkness inside her made her stronger, but also more dangerous. What if one day she lost control completely?
"I'm a part of you, Eveline. The more you fight against me, the weaker you become. But together, we can overcome any enemy, any obstacle."
The words were tempting, and for a brief moment, Eveline almost gave in to the temptation. But then, something inside her pulled her back to reality.
I am not you, she thought with determination.I can be strong without losing myself.
However, Eveline knew that this internal battle was far from over. As the festival continued, the real fight wouldn't be just in the dueling arenas, but within her own mind. She would need to find a way to balance the light and darkness or risk losing everything she fought for.
---
The next morning, when Eveline went to the training grounds, the second day of the festival was beginning. The air was fresh, and the sense of anticipation was palpable. However, something different hung over the academy.
As she made her way to the arena, Eveline noticed some teachers and Academy Council members gathered, discussing something in serious tones. There was a tension in the air that she couldn't quite identify, but she felt that something was about to happen.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Aria's voice suddenly appeared beside her, startling Eveline.
"I do. What could it be?"
"I don't know," Aria replied, her tone worried. "But it feels like something bigger is happening behind the scenes. Maybe we're not seeing everything."
Eveline nodded, feeling a chill run down her spine. She knew the festival was far from over, and the real challenge might not be the duels themselves, but the consequences that were about to unfold.
With a deep sigh, she prepared herself for whatever the second day would bring — and for the shadows that were approaching, both on the battlefield and within herself.