The atmosphere in the arena was electric as the host stepped forward, the excitement of the crowd reaching a fever pitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the host's voice rang out, amplified by the arena's magic-bound acoustics. "It's time for our third match of the day! A battle of strength versus finesse, power against precision! Raj Shekhawat versus Meera Gouri!"
The crowd roared, a wave of sound that shook the arena. Spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to witness this much-anticipated clash.
Raj entered the arena first, his towering figure exuding calm and confidence. His movements were steady, deliberate, as though the earth itself supported his every step. He rolled his shoulders, flexing his muscles, and assumed his position, his face a mask of focus.
On the opposite side, Meera Gouri emerged with quiet grace. Her expression was serene, her sharp eyes scanning the arena as if it were a battlefield map. Her sword rested lightly in her hand, its edge glinting in the light. She seemed completely unbothered by the roaring crowd, her focus razor-sharp.
From the challengers' waiting area, Aamir leaned forward, studying both fighters intently. "This will be fascinating," he said, his voice low. "Raj is a mountain of strength, but he's no fool. And Meera—she's a strategist to her core. A perfect match."
The referee raised his hand, signaling the fighters to take their positions. Raj settled into Anchor Stance, his legs planted firmly like roots digging deep into the earth. Meera responded by activating Ethereal Step, her feet moving lightly as though she were skating on air.
Their auras began to radiate, the sheer force of their presence making the crowd hold its breath.
"Begin!"
Raj moved first, stomping the ground with Earthshaker Stomp. The ground quaked violently, a shockwave rippling toward Meera with destructive intent. But Meera was already airborne, her Ethereal Step carrying her above the tremor with effortless grace.
Raj didn't hesitate. He surged forward with surprising speed, closing the gap in an instant. His fist, glowing with the force of Titan's Slam, came crashing down.
Meera twisted mid-air, narrowly evading the blow. As she landed, her blade slashed in an arc, activating Wind Shear. The slicing force rushed toward Raj like a gale, but he planted himself firmly, using Anchor Stance to absorb the impact. The wind parted around him, harmlessly dissipating.
"You're not just strength," Meera said, a glint of admiration in her eyes. "You're calculated."
Raj smirked faintly. "You didn't expect me to be reckless, did you?"
What followed was a masterclass in strategy and adaptability. Raj, known for his brute force, showcased a level of tactical depth that caught even the most seasoned observers off guard.
Each time Meera shifted tactics, Raj countered with precision. When she used Serpent's Grace to weave around him, her movements fluid and unpredictable, Raj adjusted his attacks, predicting her patterns and cutting off her escape routes.
When Meera activated Mirror Blade, mimicking his own attacks to exploit their weaknesses, Raj responded with feints, luring her into overcommitting before striking with controlled power.
"She's studying him," Aryaman Joshi noted from the observation balcony. "But he's doing the same to her. Raj isn't just reacting—he's anticipating."
Despite Raj's dominance, Meera held her ground. She knew that trying to overpower him directly would be futile. Instead, she used her agility and precision to tire him out. Each time he attacked, she either evaded or redirected his energy with Void Riposte, forcing him to expend more stamina.
The crowd watched in awe as the two fighters danced around the arena, their movements a blend of raw power and refined skill.
"She's forcing Raj to move more than he's used to," Haider Ali observed. "If she keeps this up, she might outlast him."
"But Raj isn't just brawn," Kaveri Mahadevan countered. "He's conserving his energy, waiting for the right moment to strike."
The momentum shifted when Raj used Iron Body Technique, nullifying the force of Meera's Void Riposte and advancing toward her with unstoppable force. Meera, caught off guard, activated Wind Shear to create a barrier, but Raj plowed through it, his sheer strength overpowering the defensive art.
He followed up with Mountain Breaker, his fist descending like a hammer. Meera deflected the blow with her sword, but the impact sent her skidding across the arena. She winced, feeling the strain in her arm.
"You're relentless," she said, her voice steady despite the tension.
"And you're resourceful," Raj replied. "But can you keep this up?"
With both fighters nearing their limits, the final moments of the match became a test of willpower and ingenuity.
Raj activated Anchor Stance once more, becoming an immovable fortress. Meera, her Ethereal Step flickering with diminished energy, circled him like a predator seeking an opening.
Raj attempted another Titan's Slam, but Meera countered with Void Riposte, redirecting his energy back at him. The force staggered Raj, and Meera seized the opportunity, darting in with blinding speed.
Her blade flashed as she aimed for his shoulder, intending to disarm him.
But Raj, ever the strategist, had anticipated her move. With a roar, he used Earthshaker Stomp, disrupting her balance and forcing her to hesitate. In that split second, he closed the distance and delivered a controlled Mountain Breaker, his fist stopping mere inches from her chest.
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "Winner: Raj Shekhawat!"
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, celebrating the incredible display of skill, strategy, and determination.
Meera lowered her blade, a faint smile on her lips. "You didn't just overpower me," she said, meeting Raj's gaze. "You outthought me."
"You made me earn it," Raj replied, extending a hand. "I've never had to work so hard for a win."
From the observation balcony, Rizwana Gouri watched her daughter with quiet pride, her expression softening.
As Raj and Meera were about to leave the arena, Raj stopped. He felt a thump in his chest, and a surge of pain ran through his chest and into his entire body. Raj suddenly collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Meera rushed to his side, trying to wake him, but he didn't respond. She cried out for help, and healers with magic skills arrived at the arena instantly. They attempted to administer first aid, but their healing magic had no effect. Alarmed, they rushed him to the university's hospital.
Aamir, Riya, Kunal, and the others who had been celebrating Raj's victory immediately became anxious upon seeing him faint. They ran towards the hospital, following the healers. However, Kunal stopped Aamir and said, "You stay here, Aamir. You have a match next. Once you're done, you can come too. Right now, it's important for you to stay here."
Aamir protested, "But how can I stay here when Raj isn't okay? I have to go!"
"No," Kunal insisted. "You need to focus on your match."
Riya joined in, echoing Kunal's reasoning. Reluctantly, Aamir nodded, though hesitation was evident on his face. Meanwhile, Riya and Kunal left the arena and headed straight to the hospital.
After a while, The host's eyes suddenly widened, his body tensing as if struck by an invisible force. His hand twitched, and he froze for a split second, as though hearing a voice in his head.
The crowd's roar continued unabated, but to the host, everything around him seemed to slow. His face tightened with focus as the telepathic message flooded his mind.
Without warning, he snapped back to the present, his voice cutting through the arena like a sword.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have both good news and bad news. The good news is that our contestant and one of the three finalists, Raj Shekhawat, has regained consciousness. The bad news, however, is that he won't be able to fight in the final round. As a result, the much-anticipated battle of three will now be a one-on-one duel."