The crowd roared as Duō Chóng and Duō Jiāo took their places on Platform One, the air charged with anticipation. Whispers of excitement rippled through the audience—many viewed Jiāo as the clear favorite, her mastery over the Guandao and her relentless fighting style making her a formidable opponent.
Duō Jiāo was calm and poised, her obsidian-black hair pulled back in a single braid that cascaded down her back. Dressed in flowing indigo robes that shimmered in the sunlight, she moved with a grace that hinted at her years of rigorous training. Her weapon, a sleek Guandao with a crescent-shaped blade, rested on her shoulder as she studied her opponent with unflinching eyes.
Across from her, Duō Chóng felt the weight of the crowd's eyes on him. His saber glinted in the sunlight, its slender blade a perfect match for his lean frame. His fingers twitched nervously as he tried to keep his expression cool. Inside, however, his mind was racing. Jiāo was known for her aggressive style, and Chóng had always preferred a more cautious approach—an approach often criticized as cowardly by his fellow descendants. But he had a plan, and he clung to it tightly, hoping it would carry him through.
Elder Lǐ's hand cut through the air. "Begin!"
Jiāo wasted no time. She lunged forward, her Guandao sweeping in a wide, powerful arc. The blade sliced through the air with a fierce whoosh, forcing Chóng to leap back. She was fast, each movement seamless, transitioning from attack to defense without breaking stride.
CLANG!
Their weapons collided, sparks flying as Chóng barely managed to block her strike. Jiāo pressed her advantage, swinging the Guandao in a tight, circular motion that forced Chóng to retreat across the platform. Her style, a blend of fluid strikes and precision control, allowed her to dominate the field. The crowd watched, enthralled, as Jiāo's relentless assault kept Chóng on the defensive.
Chóng grimaced, his heart pounding. He could feel himself tiring, his grip slipping under the force of her strikes. But as he retreated, he paid careful attention to the flow of the battle, gradually leading her toward the far edge of the platform.
Jiāo's strikes came faster, her Guandao spinning in a blur of silver. She brought the polearm down in a powerful overhead strike, forcing Chóng to block. The impact vibrated down his arm, nearly driving him to his knees.
"Outmatched, aren't we?" Jiāo's voice was calm, almost pitying. She could sense his fatigue, his hesitation.
But Chóng forced a smirk. "Only if you think so, Jiāo."
His words threw her for a moment, but she quickly dismissed them, stepping forward to press her advantage.
WHAM!
Chóng dodged just in time, her Guandao striking the ground with enough force to crack the stone. Sweat dripped down his brow, and his breathing was shallow, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of calculation. He had maneuvered her exactly where he wanted her.
Feigning desperation, he swung his saber wildly, forcing Jiāo to block and sidestep. She moved in to counter, but as she swung her Guandao, she felt her foot slide—a trap! The stone surface beneath her was slick with dust Chóng had subtly kicked up as he retreated. Jiāo's balance faltered, her graceful stance disrupted just long enough for Chóng to make his move.
He lunged, his saber slicing toward her exposed side. Jiāo spun to block, but her footing betrayed her. The Guandao came up just a second too late, and Chóng's blade grazed her arm, drawing a thin line of blood.
Jiāo's eyes flashed with shock as she staggered back, regaining her stance. Chóng didn't press forward; instead, he resumed his cautious retreat, luring her to the farthest edge of the platform.
THUD! THUD!
Her Guandao clashed against his saber, each impact ringing out across the platform. But Chóng's strikes, though defensive, were calculated, each one placing her deeper into his trap. The crowd murmured as they noticed his pattern—moving backward but with an intent that seemed almost… cunning.
Jiāo's face tightened with frustration. "Enough of your games, Chóng!" She stepped forward, raising her Guandao for a decisive blow, determined to end the battle.
Just as her blade descended, Chóng sidestepped sharply, his saber flashing upward in a precise arc.
SHING!
Her Guandao was deflected, the force throwing her off-balance once again. And in that split second, Chóng twisted, swinging his saber downward, slicing through the leather strap that secured her Guandao.
Jiāo gasped as her weapon clattered to the ground, her grip momentarily disrupted. She scrambled to retrieve it, but Chóng moved in swiftly, his saber poised just above her neck.
The crowd fell silent. Jiāo froze, her hands hovering over her weapon, the realization of her defeat dawning on her. Chóng's breath was ragged, but a faint smile played on his lips. He had won—by a hair's breadth, but a victory nonetheless.
Elder Lǐ's voice echoed across the grounds. "Victory to Duō Chóng!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and murmurs, astonished by the outcome. Jiāo's overwhelming strength had seemed certain to win the day, but Chóng's shrewd tactics had turned the tide in his favor. Though his methods were subtle, even bordering on evasive, he had managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
As he lowered his saber, Chóng extended a hand to Jiāo. She hesitated, her pride stinging, but finally accepted it, pulling herself up. Her gaze met his, a mixture of grudging respect and smoldering frustration.
"Next time, I won't fall for your tricks," she muttered, brushing herself off.
Chóng's smile widened, though his voice held a hint of self-mockery. "If there is a next time, Jiāo, you'll find I always have more tricks up my sleeve."
She shook her head but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. As the two stepped down from the platform, it was clear to all present that Chóng's victory, though narrow and riddled with cunning, had changed the tone of the competition. The crowd buzzed with new excitement, and the elders exchanged thoughtful glances, recognizing that sometimes, strategy could outshine raw power.
For the moment, at least, Duō Chóng had proven his worth in the eyes of the clan.