From the other side, an enormous bright flashing of poisonous energy shot out, as Leizage rushed to the battlefield. The mighty beast had a purposeful gait as its sharp look was glued to Umigis' back, and then it turned to face the oncoming enemy.
Leizage slammed into Umigis in a blast of green and violet energies so intense that shock waves rocked the entire arena.
Umigis recoiled, its blazing claws slashing at Leizage's poison armor, but the blows barely managed to scratch. Leizage retaliated with a thunderous cry, spewing out a burp of toxic energy from its mouth that sent Umigis sliding back across the arena floor.
The sudden commotion between titans disrupted the fights in progress and made Ren, Karina, Shin, and Ardyn disengage for the moment. Karina gazed at Leizage with a mix of wonder and caution, and Shin narrowed her eyes, grasping her frost blade harder.
Umigis retaliated with a swipe of its massive claws, the force of the blow sending Leizage skidding to the side. The poison-clad beast planted its feet and retaliated with a blast of corrosive mist that enveloped Umigis, the violet flames flickering under the oppressive toxicity.
From the crowd, the old warrior sits proudly. His face showing some amusement but still managed to hide it.
"I never thought I'd see the day where a Leizage and an Umigis will collide in a battle."
"Save it, old man. Stop blabbering nonsense, those two tamers will get arrested after the tournament, they are bending the rules."
Demetrica said. She's now walking away from her seat, her sword clanking beside her armored leggings.
"Whoa, Miss coldy wants to arrest someone."
Keir lazily opened his eyes with a broad smile. Demetrica turned back to point a finger at Keir.
"I'm going to arrest you too for taunting a commander."
Keir let out a laugh, falling back in his seat with a confident smirk that seemed irremovable.
"Oh, come on, Demetrica. You wouldn't lock me up, would you?"
"Try me."
****
Back in the arena, Leizage let out a roar, followed by poisoned fumes densifying the air. Its body now pulsed bright green as it clawed deep into the earth and unleashed a wave of noxious energy outward. Umigis dug claws into the earth for anchorage, the violet flames surging defiantly within her. The ground cracked beneath them, the arena floor now a battlefield of shattered stone and flickering energies, as their powers clashed.
Ardyn narrowed his glowing eye at the continuation of that battle. A tired smirk crept onto his face as he turned back to Ren, who stood poised to strike.
His smirk spread out almost comically, his glowing eye throbbing with chaotic energy. He cocked his head to one side, a low chuckle gaining moisture in his mouth before bursting out as hysterical laughter that reverberated through the arena.
The sudden display of maniacal laughter spread a ripple of fear throughout the crowd.
"Do you see it?" Ardyn bellowed his voice skirting the line of madness. "This is what it's all about! Chaos! Destruction! Power!"
He flung his arms wide, his rune blazing wildly as violet flames erupted from the ground around him.
Ren narrowed his eyes, regaining his composure.
"What the hell's wrong with you?"
Ardyn's laughter didn't falter.
"Wrong? No. This... this is perfection!" He took a step forward, his movements erratic yet purposeful. "I'm reaching a power beyond any mortal could achieve! And it's all because of a man that I promised to have a revenge!"
Suddenly, he lunged at Ren with blinding speed, his hand wreathed in dark energy. Ren barely had time to react, blocking the strike with a charged fist. The impact sent him skidding backward, sparks and shadows dancing in the air between them.
"You're insane," Ren growled, electricity crackling around him as he steadied his footing.
He ran forward, fists crackling with electrical power. Ardyn charged forward to meet him, and their attacks merged in an explosion of energy as they clashed in the battlefield.
The force of their clash created a shockwave that nearly knocked Karina and Shin off balance.
Ren and Ardyn traded blows in swift patterns-where lightning and shadow danced. Every impact was as fierce as the other, and the events of impacts resonated in every corner of the arena. Ren's fists crackled with electricity as bolts jump from a wild swing, and Ardyn's strikes were laced with chaotic violet flames that burn with unholy intensity.
Ardyn snickered between his strikes, his voice scorning.
"Is that all you've got? I expected more from someone like you!"
Ren gritted his teeth, ducking under a flaming swipe and countering with an electrified uppercut that caught Ardyn in the chest. The blow sent Ardyn staggering back, his grin faltering for a moment before he let out a maniacal laugh.
"Now we're talking!"
Ardyn roared, his glowing eye flaring brighter as he unleashed a wave of dark energy. Ren barely managed to form a shield of electricity, the collision of their powers creating another deafening explosion that sent debris flying.
Little farther away, the fight between the two beasts ravaged on. Poisoned energy that Leizage's claws lashed across Umigis's fur ignited with a brilliant violet flame. Umigis swept its claws back in a blaze of flames, knocking Leizage onto its side. The poison beast let out a guttural roar, planting its feet and charging forward with renewed fury, its body glowing with an intense green aura.
The impact flung Umigis into the wall, but the flame beast was suddenly back on its feet. Its violet flames roared out higher, readying for another strike.
Karina and Shin stood at the sidelines, weapons drawn tight but their faces taut.
"We can't keep let them keep this up much longer," Karina said, her voice tight with urgency. "They're going to rip the entire arena apart."
Shin shrugged, though her grip on her frost blade tightened.
"Let them burn themselves out. Or do you really want to step into that?"
Karina glared at her.
"If we don't stop them, there might not be an arena left to save!"
As the battle continued, one could see that both Ren and Leizage were now reaching the limits of their potential. Ren's movements had started to slow, his breaths coming in labored gasps. The electricity surrounding him had dimmed, flickering unevenly as it had once sparkled vividly. Leizage, too, revealed its signs of fatigue while struggling against Umigis relentless attacks.
Ardyn sneered triumphantly at Ren as he faltered his stance.
"Tired already? How pathetic."
He raised his hand, gathering a swirling mass of violet energy.
"This is where it ends!"
Ren fell to one knee, clutching at his side as he tried to call upon the last vestiges of his strength. His eyes darted toward Leizage, who was also struggling to stay upright, its body trembling as it let out a defiant roar.
Before Ardyn could strike, a flash of motion cut through the stalemate. A shining sword's blade pressed against his throat, and within an instant, his muscles froze. His whirling energy subsided as his bright eye dimmed at the shock.
Beside him stood Demetrica, her cold, icy blue gazing through him with a commanding presence. Her sword was bright in the arena light; the runes on its surface glowed feebly with power.
"That's enough," she said coldly, her voice steady and firm. "The tournament is over."
The smile slid off Ardyn's face as he looks confused and frustrated. He, of course, could say nothing before the sound of boots marching flooded into the arena. Soldiers in shining armor rush the battlefield, drawing weapons as they surround the fighters. What was now a chaotic arena turned buzzing with an almost perfect force from the commander's side.
Ren, still on one knee, looks up at Demetrica confused with a mixture of relief.
"You're… stopping the tournament? Just like that?"
Demetrica glanced at him briefly, her expression unreadable.
"Rules were broken. Lives are at risk. This farce has gone on long enough."
In the distance, Leizage and Umigis remained caught in their fierce battle, unaware of the interruption. With a sharp whistle from Demetrica, a group of mages within the soldiers stepped forward. They raised their staffs, chanting in unison, and shimmering barriers of light form about the two beasts, forcing them apart. Both Leizage and Umigis roared in defiance, but the barriers held firm, their energies suppressing the titanic creatures.
Karina sheathed her weapon, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Finally. I thought we were all going to get crushed."
Her beast rushed to her quickly, grinding its black fur against her body.
Shin was silent, her eyes fixed on the subdued beasts, her frost blade still in hand.
Demetrica orders her soldiers to take Ardyn away. As the arena slowly grew quiet, tension still clung in the air, a heavy reminder of the chaos just experienced.
Ren struggled to his feet. His body protested, but his resolve didn't crack. He looked at Demetrica with firmness, even in his exhaustion.
"What happens now?"
Demetrica resheathes her sword and scans the battlefield.
"Now? We clean up this mess. And you better be ready to answer for your part in it."
"What!!"