The tournament grounds were a massive arena, bustling with spectators eager for the spectacle. The energy was electric, with the councils of both the Solstice and Lunar Sects sitting prominently above the crowd. Even higher, on celestial thrones, sat the Solstice and Lunar Emperors, their presence adding weight to the event.
The rules were simple: no astras allowed, but everything else was fair game. Killing was permitted, making the battles a true test of survival.
The first match was announced: Taba Tani from the Solstice Sect against Rinwa Namka from the Lunar Sect.
The crowd cheered as Taba entered the arena, his crimson robes flowing. He carried himself like a king, his golden eyes scanning the crowd before focusing on his opponent. Rinwa entered calmly, his silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.
A hush fell over the arena as they faced each other.
Rinwa bowed. "I've heard of you, Taba Tani. Let's make this a memorable battle."
Taba smirked, drawing his elegant sword. "Memorable? Focus on surviving, Namka."
Rinwa didn't take the bait. He assumed a fighting stance, his energy flaring around him in a pale blue aura, ready to unleash his strength.
The referee signaled the start. "Begin!"
Rinwa dashed forward, his blade aimed at Taba's throat. The crowd gasped at his speed.
But Taba simply raised his sword with a relaxed, almost bored motion. No special techniques, just a simple swing.
Rinwa's sword shattered mid-strike, and he was sent sprawling across the arena floor, unconscious.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Taba sheathed his sword, brushing off his shoulder. He turned to the audience, his eyes gleaming. "This is what the Lunar Sect sends against me? Pathetic."
The referee confirmed Rinwa was alive. "Winner: Taba Tani!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, though shock lingered at Taba's easy victory.
In the waiting area, the Solstice participants watched on a large screen.
Buddhi whistled. "Did he even try?"
"Humiliating," Arav said, unreadable.
Kimi frowned. "He crushed his opponent's spirit. Taba's talented, but his arrogance could make him careless one day."
Arav smirked. "Careless or not, he's on another level. But how long can he keep it up without showing his true strength?"
In the arena, Taba basked in the crowd's adoration, his gaze lingering on the Lunar Emperor.
"Send your best," he muttered, his voice echoing. "I'll defeat them all the same."
As the next match was called, the crowd buzzed, still reeling from Taba's victory. Back in the waiting area, the Solstice participants exchanged glances.
Arav crossed his arms. "He might be insufferable, but he's setting the bar high for us."
Buddhi groaned. "Yeah, no pressure."
Kimi stayed focused. "It's not about pressure. It's about proving our worth."
Arav nodded. "And we will. One fight at a time."
As the next battle began, the participants prepared themselves, knowing their turn would come. Taba's display was a reminder of the stakes—and the brilliance they needed to match.
Kimi and Buddhi won their fights too.
The final fight of the day was charged with electric tension. Both sects leaned forward, anticipation thick in the air, as Arav Srivastava stepped into the arena, his blue-grey eyes steady. Opposite him stood Adrik Qiang of the Lunar Sect—a towering figure exuding strength and calm confidence, his silver hair flowing like a cascade of light. His demeanor radiated quiet nobility, a stark contrast to Taba Tani's earlier fiery arrogance.
Adrik was renowned for his chivalry and honor, commanding respect even from his enemies. Despite his serene expression, his presence was overwhelming—an embodiment of discipline and strength cultivated by an unyielding sense of duty and justice.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match.
Adrik bowed slightly, his deep voice resonating through the arena. "Arav Srivastava, I've heard of your strength and potential. I'll face you with all my power, so do not disappoint me."
Arav mirrored the gesture, his gaze unwavering. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
The referee dropped his hand. "Begin!"
Adrik moved first, his speed belying his size. In a flash, he closed the distance, his massive blade slashing down with precision and force. Arav barely managed to deflect the strike with his own blade, the impact reverberating through his arms.
The crowd gasped as sparks flew, the clash echoing like thunder.
"Impressive," Adrik said, his voice calm but tinged with approval. "You've trained well."
Arav didn't respond, focusing on his footwork. He activated Void Steps, disappearing and reappearing behind Adrik, aiming a quick slash at his back.
But Adrik anticipated the move. He spun around, his blade meeting Arav's in mid-air, sending a shockwave rippling through the arena.
"You're fast," Adrik said, a faint smile on his lips. "But speed alone won't win this battle."
Adrik's prana flared to life, a radiant fusion of Earth and Fire. The ground beneath them rumbled as molten cracks spread across the arena, flames licking at Arav's feet. Adrik pressed the attack, his strikes deliberate and powerful, each one forcing Arav further back.
Arav struggled to keep up, his Cosmic Shield flickering under the onslaught. Adrik's attacks were not just strong—they were calculated, each strike aimed to exploit a weakness in Arav's defense.
"You rely too much on your agility," Adrik remarked, almost fatherly. "Your foundation is shaky. Against a stronger opponent, it won't hold."
Arav gritted his teeth, frustration building. He activated Nebula Grasp, pulling chunks of debris from the arena floor to create a makeshift shield, hurling them at Adrik to disrupt his rhythm.
Adrik cut through the projectiles with ease, his blade a blur of silver light. "Clever, but insufficient."
Arav's mind raced. Adrik was unlike any opponent he had faced before—a wall of unyielding strength, precise and controlled.
Arav realized he couldn't win by matching Adrik's strength. He needed to outthink him. He began observing Adrik's movements, looking for patterns, for the smallest hint of an opening.
Adrik lunged forward, his blade glowing with fiery prana. Arav sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a swift slash aimed at Adrik's side.
This time, he connected.
The blade grazed Adrik's armor, drawing a thin line of blood. The crowd gasped, and Adrik paused, touching the wound with his fingers. He looked at Arav, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Well done," he said, genuinely. "You've earned my respect."
But the acknowledgment was brief. Adrik's prana surged, the flames around him intensifying. The ground trembled as he unleashed a barrage of molten strikes, forcing Arav to retreat once more.
Arav activated Void Steps, teleporting around the arena to avoid the attacks. He felt his energy waning but remembered Elder Zangmo's words: "Power alone is meaningless without control. Observe, adapt, and strike when the moment is right."
Arav noticed it then—a subtle delay in Adrik's movements, a fraction of a second where his stance shifted after each heavy strike. It was a small window, but it was enough.
Feigning exhaustion, Arav allowed Adrik to corner him. The Lunar Sect warrior raised his blade, flames roaring around him, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
"This is the end," Adrik said, his voice resolute.
Arav smirked. "Not yet."
In the instant before Adrik's strike landed, Arav activated Nebula Grasp—not to attack Adrik, but to pull the crumbling debris of the arena toward them. The sudden shift in terrain caught Adrik off guard, his footing faltering.
Seizing the opportunity, Arav used Void Step to appear behind Adrik. Channeling every ounce of his remaining energy, he unleashed a concentrated Aakasha Prana Push, amplified by the gravitational chaos of the crumbling arena.
The shockwave was immense, a blinding explosion of energy that sent Adrik flying across the battlefield. He crashed into the far wall, his blade slipping from his grasp.
As the dust settled, Arav stood in the center of the arena, chest heaving, body battered but unbroken. Adrik lay motionless, his armor cracked, his prana extinguished.
The referee raised his hand. "Winner: Arav Srivastava!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, tension breaking into jubilation.
Adrik slowly rose to his feet, calm despite his defeat. He walked over to Arav, extending a hand.
"You've proven yourself," he said without bitterness. "Well fought."
Arav shook his hand, respect evident in his eyes. "You were the toughest opponent I've ever faced. Thank you."
As Arav left the arena, he glanced up at the council and the emperors watching from above. He had survived the day, but knew the battles ahead would only grow more challenging. For now, though, he had earned his place in this tournament—and the respect of both sects.
Arav walked into the waiting area, his body aching from the fight, but his mind still racing. The thrill of victory mingled with exhaustion, and he barely noticed the quiet murmurs of approval from the other participants. Taba Tani stood at the far side of the room, leaning against a pillar with his usual air of supreme confidence. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement as Arav approached.
"Well, well, Arav Srivastava," Taba began, his voice smooth and condescending. "The underdog wins. I must admit, I didn't expect to be entertained today."
Arav shot him a sharp look but kept his tone even. "Glad I could keep you interested, Taba. Must be hard being so above it all."
Taba chuckled, pushing off the pillar and strolling toward Arav. "You misunderstand me. I'm not here to mock your little triumph. In fact, I'm here to offer... guidance."
"Guidance?" Arav folded his arms, irritation creeping in. "Some sage advice from the great Taba Tani?"
"Exactly," Taba said, his smirk widening. "What you did out there was admirable. Gritty, resourceful, even cunning. But it wasn't strength. It was survival. And survival is for the desperate."
Arav's jaw tightened, but he refused to take the bait. "If you're trying to insult me, you'll have to try harder."
"Oh, I'm not insulting you," Taba said, stepping back with a grand gesture. "Just stating facts. You're a flickering candle in a storm, Arav. I, on the other hand, am the sun—constant and unmatched."
Kimi, who had been observing quietly, interjected. "Arrogance doesn't equate to strength, Taba."
Taba turned to her, feigning surprise. "Ah, Kimi Yachang, the ever-righteous knight. Are you defending your friend out of pity?"
Kimi's eyes narrowed, her voice steady. "I defend those who prove their worth through action, not empty boasts."
"Ah, worth," Taba mused, turning back to Arav. "You've shown potential, Arav. But potential without refinement is like a rough gem—interesting, but ultimately worthless."
Arav met his gaze, unflinching. "Good thing I'm still in this tournament. Plenty of time for refinement."
Taba laughed, the sound echoing through the room. "Spoken like a true dreamer. But let me offer you some advice: strength isn't about clawing your way to victory. It's about owning it. When I step into the arena, there's no doubt. I am the victor before the fight even begins."
"Is that how you justify treating everyone like they're beneath you?" Arav asked, his voice calm but edged with steel.
"It's not justification, it's reality," Taba replied, suddenly serious. "Strength is belief. Absolute, unshakeable belief in your superiority. That's why I stand as the best , while you... you're a curiosity at best."
"Curiosity, huh?" Arav said, a faint smirk forming. "Then keep watching. You might learn something."
Taba raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Confidence. I like that. Misplaced as it is, it's entertaining. But don't misunderstand me, Arav. I'm not here to see you fail. Quite the opposite."
Arav blinked, caught off guard. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Taba crossed his arms, his gaze intense. "This tournament isn't just about victory. It's about proving who deserves to stand at the top. I've secured my place. The question is, can you rise high enough to make this interesting? Because if you can't, you're not just wasting your time—you're wasting mine."
There was a moment of silence as Taba's words hung in the air.
"I'll rise," Arav said firmly. "Not to entertain you, but because I know what I'm fighting for."
Taba studied him for a moment before smirking again. "Good. Keep that fire alive, Arav. But remember—if we meet in the arena, I won't hold back. And I expect the same from you. Anything less would be... disappointing."
As Taba turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, and Arav? Don't embarrass yourself in the next round. I've staked too much pride on your survival."
Arav watched him go, his fists clenched but his resolve solidifying. Taba's arrogance was infuriating, but beneath the mockery was a challenge—a call to rise above. And Arav intended to answer it.