From the edge of the arena, Karina re-emerged from the shadows. Onyxia, her panther, padded softly on her flank. The beast's crystalline purple spikes shone menacingly in the remaining light from the explosion, and its emerald eyes remained fixed upon the monstrous bear.
"Ren," she said, her voice even, but with a warning undertone. "That thing. it is no normal creature."
Ren cast her a brief sideways glance.
"You certain? Looks like an overgrown bear to me."
****
In the crowd, the old warrior stood up from his seat. His weathered face tightened as he gazed at the monstrous bear. The chatter of the crowd subsided as his deep, commanding voice cut through the tension.
"That thing… it's an Umigis."
Whispers rippled through the crowd as those who recognized the name recoiled in shock.
"The Umigis is said to be a direct descendant of the ancient mythical dragon beast Ignumbra. Its flames burn with the power of the netherworld, and its strength is said to rival that of ancient beasts."
There was a fear on his face but this quickly turned serious and he sat down. In the next row of seats Demetrica was staring, a small smile on her mouth.
"This year's Tournament of Tamer is surely interesting."
****
Back inside the arena, the tamer approached, his jagged rune-covered eye glowing dimly. He raised a hand and the Umigis stand up front, its massive body looming like a living shadow.
"This is not a battle you can win. Surrender now."
Ren barked out a laugh, stepping ahead of Karina and pounding his fists together. Leizage hissed, lightning crackling along its feathered body.
"Save it," Ren shot back. "We came to fight, not to listen to you."
The tamer frowned, unmoved by Ren's confidence. Flicking his finger, the Umigis shrieked with deafening howls, the pressure in the air rolling with its scream. Purple flames flared around its colossal body, licking at the air like serpents, twisting space with its scorching heat.
Karina cursed under her breath, her grip tightening on her rapier.
"Ren, don't get reckless. That thing's energy could melt through steel."
Ren grinned forward, stepping closer.
"Reckless is kind of my thing, Karina. Besides, Leizage's lightning can cook it faster than it can roar."
As if either could react first, a blur of motion darted onto the opposite side of the arena. Shin leaped onto the battlefield, her legs bending in mid-air as she landed lightly beside the tamer. The tamer looked at Shin but he suddenly turned away.
"I don't need you here, filthy noble."
"Sorry, but I can't do that."
Shin shot back quickly. The tamer frowned again.
"Just don't get in my way."
Before anyone could act, Umigis boomed its second roar, flames shooting outward like blazing fingers. Heat enveloped Ren and Karina, who shielded their faces. Shin even stumbled back a step, her expression hardening.
"Control your beast!"
The tamer frowned. The rune on his eye pulsed brighter.
"Why should I?"
Shin's lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing. Instead, she pivoted toward Ren and Karina.
"You're given one chance to walk away. After this, it's all on you."
Ren smiled, taking a step forward beside Leizage, whose feathers crackled with electricity arcs.
"Oh, I'm not going anywhere."
By the time Shin's rapier could reach its target, Karina intercepted, her blade meeting Shin's with a flash of sparks. The clash boomed through the arena as the two locked eyes, giving an inch neither would budge.
"You're fighting me."
Karina deflected Shin's sword and spun on him for a hit. Shin countered it easily and the frost upon her rapier left ice trails on Karina's blade. The two women faced each other, and the cheering crowd clapped as they began a stunning fight of speed and skill. Karina's attacks showed quick smooth deliveries hitting gaps in Shin's defense. But Shin was experienced. Her moves were careful and planned. Her icy blade left a cold mark with every one of Karina's hits.
As they danced in their combat, Onyxia sprang forward to try and help her master. The crystalline spines of the panther spiked outward with a brilliant purple glow as it lunged toward Shin. Yet before it could actually reach her, a burst of white intervened.
With icy spikes running along her back, the white leopard sprang into battle, ramming into Onyxia mid-air. Both beasts landed on the ground, snarling and swiping at each other. The crystalline spikes on Onyxia clashed with the frozen mass of the leopard, scattering shards of frost and purple light everywhere in the arena.
"Boreas," she said, her tone even. " Hold it back."
The white leopard growled and, with frosty breath, created a cloud of ice as it lunged forward once more. Onyxia dodged accordingly, with movement that is fluid yet powerful, striking back with its claws, just barely missing Boreas.
****
Meanwhile, however, Ren could not care less for the duel playing out behind him. The heat of Umigis's flames pressed down on him as he sprinted forward, electricity sparking from his fists.
"Leizage!"
With a deafening screech, Leizage shot past him, claws crackling with arcs of lightning.
The air seemed charged with tension as the lizard beast clashed into Umigis in a collision of elemental power. Purple flames erupted from the monstrous bear to meet Leizage's electrified claws in a flashing glow of searing light and heat. Ground scorched, fractured beneath the two titans wrestling in the arena.
Ren grinned furiously, his adrenaline shooting high as he charged straight at the tamer. Ducking beneath a stray burst of flame, he closed the distance between them in seconds, his fists crackling with energy.
"What's your name? I like to know who I'm about to knock flat."
The tamer didn't bat an eyelid, his glowing rune-covered eye fixed on Ren. He tilted his head just a little to one side, not even calculating whether Ren was worth the words. A long pause passed before he finally said anything.
"Ardyn."
Ren smirked and electricity danced along his knuckles.
Ardyn thrust up a hand, the rune on his eye blazing brighter. Umigis let out a bellow of response, its flames surging as it writhed, momentarily wrenching free of Leizage's grip. The bear swung a massive claw at Ren, purple fire trailing behind it.
"Leizage!"
Leizage dashed back in, catching Umigis in mid-swing with a strike of its electrified claws. The clash exploded shockwaves through the arena, making Ren skid to a halt.
"This is getting exciting!"