Aria's strikes were relentless now, her confidence surging as the wind swirled around her. She darted in and out like a whirlwind, her movements fluid and unpredictable. I could feel her energy pressing against me—sharp, insistent. She was testing my limits, but I wasn't about to let her set the pace.
I braced myself, shifting gravity around me to create a stable foothold despite her turbulent winds. She lunged again, her blade cutting through the air in a graceful arc. I countered, meeting her strike with a parry.
"You're fast," I said, letting a smirk tug at the corner of my lips. "But speed alone won't win this."
Without waiting for her reply, I twisted gravity beneath her feet once more, this time amplifying the effect. The sudden shift sent her off balance, her footing faltering for just a moment. I surged forward, lightning crackling around my blade as I brought it down in a calculated strike.
Aria reacted faster than I expected. She summoned a gale of wind, propelling herself backward and out of range just in time. Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the determination blazing within them. She wasn't just fighting for victory—she was fighting to prove something, to herself and everyone watching.
The air around her grew heavier as she gathered her strength, the wind whipping into a vortex at her command. She thrust her arm forward, sending a powerful blast of air toward me. I braced myself, grounding my stance with gravity as the force hit me like a battering ram. My feet dug into the arena floor, but I held firm, the lightning coursing through me crackling in response.
"Impressive," I admitted, channeling a surge of electricity into the blade of my sword. The weapon hummed with power, arcs of lightning dancing along its edge. "But let's see how you handle this."
I lunged toward her, moving faster than before, my movements enhanced by the Lightning element channeling through my veins. My strikes came in quick succession, each one infused with the raw power of lightning. She deflected the first few, her wind guiding her blade with precision, but the force behind my attacks began to push her back.
She gritted her teeth, summoning another gust to drive me away, but I anticipated her move. I shifted the gravity around her mid-strike, pulling her forward instead of pushing her back. Her eyes widened in surprise as she stumbled toward me, her momentum working against her.
Seizing the moment, I raised my free hand, lightning crackling at my fingertips. I sent a jolt of electricity toward her—not enough to harm, but enough to disrupt her rhythm. She gasped as the energy danced across her skin, her movements faltering for a split second.
But she wasn't done yet. With a fierce cry, she unleashed a whirlwind of wind, spinning in place as the gusts formed a barrier around her. The force of it pushed me back, the air cutting like blades as it surrounded her.
The crowd roared, sensing the shift in momentum. Aria stood at the center of the storm, her hair whipping around her as she glared at me, defiance in every fiber of her being. I could feel the weight of her determination pressing against me, but I wasn't backing down.
"Not bad," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging around us. "But storms don't scare me."
I planted my feet firmly, manipulating gravity to anchor myself. Then I reached deep, letting the energy of lightning course through me once more. The storm around her crackled as my power surged, my blade glowing brighter as I infused it with both gravity and lightning.
She charged at me, the wind propelling her forward with incredible speed. I met her head-on, our swords clashing . Each strike resonated through the arena, a symphony of raw power and unyielding will.
The fight was more than just a clash of elements—it was a battle of resolve. Neither of us was willing to give an inch, and the crowd could feel the tension, their cheers fading into awed silence as we pushed each other to the limits.
Finally, I saw my opening. As she launched another attack, I shifted gravity subtly around her sword arm, slowing her just enough to give me the edge. I stepped inside her guard, lightning surging through my blade as I struck.
But instead of panicking, she adapted. With a twist of her wrist, she redirected the wind, using it to deflect my attack at the last possible moment. The force of her counter sent me sliding back a few steps, the energy between us crackling in the air.
We stood there for a moment, both breathing heavily, the crowd hanging on the edge of their seats. Aria's eyes met mine, and I saw the fire burning there. She wasn't going to quit—not now, not ever.
I shifted my grip on my sword, letting a breath escape. "I didn't want to show off until the free-for-all," I said, my voice calm but resolute. "But I have no choice now."
Before Aria could react, I let the lightning take full control. My movements became a blur, each strike sharper and faster than before. Her eyes widened as I closed the distance in an instant, my blade a streak of light.
She fought back fiercely, her wind surging in desperation, but it wasn't enough. My refined technique cut through her defenses with precision, forcing her back with every clash of our blades. A subtle shift of gravity around her mid-strike sent her stumbling off balance. I seized the opening, sidestepping her next attack and delivering a decisive strike that sent her weapon clattering to the ground.
In a flash, I was there, my sword leveled at her chest. The crowd fell silent, the tension in the air palpable.
"It's over," I said firmly.
Aria froze, her gaze darting to her fallen weapon before meeting mine. Slowly, she lowered her hands in surrender.
"Winner: Nox!" the referee declared, and the arena erupted in cheers.
I stepped back, lowering my blade and offering her a hand. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, her grip strong despite her defeat.
"You're good," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the loss. "But next time, I'll be stronger."
I gave her a small nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "I'll hold you to that."
The healer stepped onto the arena, her golden glow enveloping me as she quickly healed my injuries and fatigue. With each pulse of her magic, I felt the strain of the fight melt away. The bruises faded, and the tiredness that had been creeping into my limbs dissipated. Within moments, I was ready for the next round.
As the healer stepped back, I stretched my arms, testing my body. The crowd roared, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. This was it—the free-for-all.
The announcer's voice rang out, firm and commanding, shaking the arena with its power. "Now for the Free For All! Contestants, step forward now!"
I stepped into the Arena, the eyes of the crowd on me, and my gaze swept over the other combatants. The Free For All meant no alliances—only survival. It was everyone for themselves. I would have to stay sharp.
I turned my focus to the other contestants, analyzing each one.
Draven—I'd seen his previous fight, and it was clear: brute force was his only weapon. He didn't rely on magic, just raw, physical power. At only seven years old, his muscles were unnaturally large, and he used that to overwhelm his opponent. His strikes were like sledgehammers. But his movements were predictable. Slow, but relentless. "He's dangerous if you give him the space to build up momentum," I thought. "The key is to stay mobile and keep him off balance. His size could work against him if I move faster."
Lucian—His previous duels had been a masterclass in precision and efficiency. The golden-haired fighter had cold, piercing eyes that never showed emotion. His every movement was deliberate, calculated. When he fought, it was like watching a machine in motion—no wasted effort. "He's not in this just to win," I mused. "He's here to prove something. And that mindset could make him reckless." His style was flawless, but it was almost too perfect, too robotic. "He doesn't like chaos. I'll need to throw him off with unpredictability. Make him react rather than dictate the fight."
Rowan—The fiery redhead who had a similar fiery disposition to his brother, Terence. But where Terence was wild, Rowan was controlled. His fire magic was more potent and precise, and he wielded it like an extension of his body. "He's dangerous," I thought. "But his desire for revenge could make him reckless. He's not going to think things through as carefully as someone like Lucian." Rowan's style was aggressive, and his fire magic explosive. "If I can bait him into overextending with his fire spells, I can use gravity to pull him off-balance."
Kael—This one had me curious. I'd watched his previous fights and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Both duels had been close calls, with Kael barely scraping by. Yet, each time he managed to win, it seemed more like luck than skill. His strikes were clumsy, and his magic unrefined, but somehow he always turned the tide at the last second. "Is it really just luck?" I wondered. "Or is there more to him than meets the eye?" There was something unpredictable about him—something that made me think he might be hiding a trick or two up his sleeve. "I'll need to keep an eye on him. He's most likely more capable of more than he lets on."
The announcer's voice shattered my thoughts, loud and clear.
"Contestants, you know the rules. The last one standing wins. Fight well!"
The signal sounded, and the chaos of the Free For All erupted. Combatants rushed toward each other. it was a free-for-all, and every fighter was looking out for themselves.
I took a step forward, my senses sharpening. I could already feel the electric hum of the arena, the pressure building as we all sized each other up. My strategy was simple: stay on the move, watch for openings, and strike when they least expect it. I'd let my opponents tire each other out and pick my moments carefully.
Draven might be a brute, but that made him predictable. Lucian would play it cool, but if I could shake his perfect control, he'd slip up. Rowan was volatile, and I could use that to my advantage, while Kael? I'd be careful with him. There was something lurking beneath the surface, something I couldn't yet pinpoint.