Katherine stood firm, her emerald eyes glowing with an otherworldly light as she extended her hand. The ground beneath her feet trembled as she cast Tree Branch, a Tier 3 Nature spell. Thick wooden branches erupted from the earth, twisting and weaving toward Clea with relentless speed.
------
Nature Magic was one of the rarest and most revered forms of magic, often grouped with the enigmatic categories of Space, Dark, and Light magic due to its complexity and potential. If fully comprehended, it could rival even the most advanced magical disciplines. For Katherine Livia, her affinity for Nature magic was evident from a young age.
As a high elf, Katherine was naturally attuned to Spirit Arts, a trait common among her kin. However, her gifts extended far beyond the norm. She was a prodigy among mages, possessing an immense reservoir of mana that surpassed even other high elves. This, coupled with her deep connection to nature, made her mastery of Nature magic particularly potent.
But Katherine's abilities didn't stop there. She was also a wielder of Space magic, an exceedingly rare element that demanded immense mental fortitude. Knowing its toll on her mind, Katherine rarely used it, but its presence added another layer of depth to her already extraordinary skill set.
-----
Clea, undeterred, dashed forward, her movements fluid and precise. Her petite stature allowed her to weave between the onslaught of branches with ease. Her daggers glinted ominously, coated in her shadow-infused energy, slicing through the branches in rapid succession. The spell's effects were nullified in mere moments.
Katherine's serene expression remained unshaken. With a subtle movement, she raised her hand again, summoning Mud Land, a wide-area spell that transformed the battlefield into a viscous quagmire. The once-solid ground became a trap, slowing Clea's movements and making it impossible to maintain her momentum.
Despite the challenging terrain, Clea adapted quickly. A sly grin crossed her face as she reached into her cloak and retrieved several hidden daggers. Throwing them into the air in a calculated arc, she leaped from one dagger to the next, using them as stepping stones. Her agile movements brought her close to Katherine, and with a sharp cry, she unleashed her technique:
"Yin Style: First Form – Ink!"
Clea spun midair, her shadow energy swirling around her in a violent vortex. The dark typhoon consumed the mud below, converging into a concentrated force aimed directly at Katherine.
Katherine reacted instantly. directing her summoned wind spirit, Mimi, she cast her own tornado to counter Clea's attack. The two forces collided, their energies clashing in a brilliant display of power. For a moment, the arena was a cacophony of roaring winds and shadows, each vying for dominance.
But Clea's Ink had one final trick. As the vortex dissipated, the residual energy condensed into a needle-thin projectile. It shot toward Katherine with lightning speed. Katherine barely managed to evade, but the attack grazed her hair, severing a single strand.
Her emerald eyes flared with rare irritation as she touched the damaged strand. For the ever-kind and composed Katherine, this was a grievous offense as she really liked her hair...which she reminded her of her mother..
"You'll regret that," she muttered, her voice laced with uncharacteristic resolve.
Raising her arms, she began chanting in an ancient tongue. Blue flames ignited in her palms, spreading up her arms as a small, ethereal crown formed above her head. The flames shimmered with an intensity that captivated the audience, their beauty rivaled only by their destructive potential.
Some one in the stands shouted,
"Isn't that flame Blue?....How?"
-----
In the VIP stands, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. A sudden burst of energy signaled the arrival of a new presence. A figure clad in a majestic white-and-blue hooded cloak materialized, their arrival marked by an aura of overwhelming authority. The insignia of a blue feather on their cloak left no doubt as to their identity.
The crowd stilled. Even the most powerful figures, including Dravis Dragonborne, Grande Silvus, and Sullivan, immediately knelt in reverence.
"Lady Millie Phoenix," Dravis muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of awe and trepidation.
The hooded figure chuckled softly, their voice melodic yet commanding.
"Seems like someone managed to anger little Kat," she remarked, her amusement tinged with affection.
Sullivan, gathering his courage, addressed the figure.
"To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Lady Millie?"
Her blue eyes glinted with a dangerous edge as she responded,
"Do I need a reason?"
Her words silenced any further inquiry. She moved gracefully to the center seat of the VIP section, previously occupied by Dravis. The air around her seemed to shimmer with heat, a subtle reminder of her power.
As the match continued, those in the audience began to piece together the connection. Katherine's blue flames, unlike anything seen before, were a gift from the Phoenix herself. She wasn't just a prodigy; she was the blessed disciple of one of the most powerful beings in existence.
-----
Back in the arena, Katherine's flames began to spread, consuming the shadows Clea relied on. The fiery aura burned away the darkness, leaving Clea increasingly vulnerable.
Realizing her disadvantage, Clea activated her Trait: Flower Garden. The arena was engulfed in a shadowy realm, transforming into a field of black flowers. The eerie landscape amplified Clea's power, her aura tripling in size. Even Katherine's flames struggled against the encroaching darkness.
In the stands, Ray observed the scene with growing interest. His eyes briefly shifted into Eyes of Limbo, allowing him to perceive the true nature of the energies at play. What he saw caused his expression to harden.
"Luna," he muttered internally,
"That Powerful presence... it's similar to Zen's but weaker."
Luna's voice chimed in with an uncharacteristic seriousness.
[That's....] She was interrupted,
As the battle raged, Katherine's voice rang out once more, her chant resonating with power.
"Spirit Assimilation: Wind Guardian!"
Her flames merged with her wind spirit, creating a whirlwind of blue fire. The majestic display was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. As She was assimilated....she turned into..
----
The Phoenix's blue gaze met Ray's from across the stands. In that brief exchange, a silent understanding passed between them.
Ray leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"She's scary," he muttered under his breath.
Luna's voice was tinged with exasperation.
[Of course, she is. She's a Phoenix.]