The tension in the waiting area was palpable as Sera and I stood among the other competitors, watching the remaining matches of round one. The arena echoed with cheers and the sharp clanging of weapons, the sounds of magic and combat merging into a symphony of chaos. My hand rested on the hilt of my newly unveiled sword, the weight of it both comforting and daunting.
"They're good," Sera murmured beside me, her sapphire eyes fixed on the current match. "But we're better." I smirked at her confidence, though I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nerves. "Let's hope you're right."
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena as the final match of the round concluded. "And that wraps up round one! Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for the second round of the tournament!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, and I felt my pulse quicken. This was it—our turn to step into the spotlight.
"First up for round two!" the announcer continued, his voice brimming with excitement. "From the Academy of Sanctus arcanum, Noctis and Sera!" Sera shot me a grin, her energy infectious. "Let's give them a show, Noctis." We made our way to the arena entrance, the roar of the crowd growing louder with each step. The sunlight was blinding as we stepped onto the field, the expansive battleground stretching out before us. Sand crunched beneath our boots, and the faint scent of magic lingered in the air. On the opposite end of the arena, our opponents emerged—a pair of girls a few years older than us. They moved with a confidence that immediately put me on edge, their flexible yet revealing outfits designed for mobility. Their midriffs were almost entirely exposed, and their short shorts emphasized their athletic frames. "Great," I muttered under my breath, trying not to stare. "They look like they know what they're doing." "Focus, Noctis," Sera said, her tone sharp. "We can handle this." I nodded, gripping my sword tightly.
As we took our positions, a sudden chill washed over me. The arena seemed to blur at the edges, and for a moment, the roar of the crowd faded into silence. "Noctis…" Her voice was soft yet piercing, cutting through the haze like a blade. Veylara. I turned my head instinctively, and there she was, her ethereal form standing just beyond the edge of the arena. Her black and silver veils swirled around her like smoke, her golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "You cannot win without me," she whispered, her voice weaving through my thoughts. "You know this to be true." I blinked, shaking my head, but her image remained, a phantom haunting my peripheral vision. "Noctis, look out!" Sera's voice snapped me back to reality just as a sharp pain shot through my side. I staggered backward, clutching my ribs where the older girl's blade had struck me. It wasn't a deep wound, but it was enough to jar me. The vision of Veylara faded as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only the sneering faces of our opponents. "Already distracted?" one of them taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. "This'll be easier than I thought."
I straightened, gritting my teeth as I readied my stance. Sera was already engaged with the other girl, her movements fluid and precise as she parried a series of quick strikes. "Get your head in the game, Noctis!" she shouted, her tone a mix of frustration and concern. "I'm fine," I muttered, though my side throbbed with each breath. The girl who had struck me lunged again, her twin daggers gleaming in the sunlight. I barely managed to deflect her attack, the clash of our blades ringing out across the arena. She was fast—faster than I'd expected. "Come on," she said, her smirk infuriatingly confident. "Show me what you've got." I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, channeling a burst of light energy into the blade. It flared to life, the golden roses etched along its surface glowing faintly. Her smirk faltered for just a moment. "Interesting…" I pressed the advantage, driving her back with a series of strikes. Our blades clashed again and again, sparks flying as metal met metal. She was skilled, her movements precise and calculated, but I could feel the tide beginning to turn.
Meanwhile, Sera was holding her own against the other girl, who wielded a long staff imbued with magical runes. The staff-user twirled it effortlessly, sending waves of energy toward Sera, but she dodged with ease, her agility unmatched. "You're quick," the staff-user admitted, her tone grudgingly respectful. "But let's see how long you can keep up." She thrust the staff forward, a burst of energy exploding from its tip. Sera countered with a barrier of water, the two forces colliding in a spray of steam. "Long enough to beat you," Sera shot back, her voice confident as she closed the distance. Her sword flashed in the sunlight as she struck, the blade narrowly missing the staff-user's shoulder.
"Sera, switch!" I called, catching a glimpse of her opponent's opening. She didn't hesitate, breaking away from her duel and darting toward me. We moved in perfect sync, swapping opponents without missing a beat.
The staff-user hesitated, surprised by the sudden shift, and I capitalized on her momentary confusion. My blade arced through the air, the golden light trailing behind it, and she barely managed to block the strike with her staff. "What the—" she started, but I didn't let her finish. I pressed forward, forcing her onto the defensive. On the other side of the arena, Sera engaged the dual-dagger user, her speed proving more than a match for the girl's agility. Their blades clashed in a blur of motion, neither gaining the upper hand.
The crowd's cheers grew louder as the battle raged on, the tension in the arena reaching a fever pitch. Sweat dripped down my face as I locked blades with the staff-user, her strength surprising for someone of her slender build.
"You're better than I thought," she admitted through gritted teeth. "Thanks," I replied, twisting my blade to disarm her. She managed to recover, but the momentum had shifted. Sera, meanwhile, found her opening. With a feint to the left, she caught the dual-dagger user off-guard, her blade cutting through the girl's defenses. The strike wasn't lethal—it didn't need to be—but it was enough to force her to yield. "Sera!" I called, signaling her to finish it together. She nodded, darting toward me as the staff-user backed away, her confidence faltering. With Sera flanking her, she had nowhere to run. "Yield," Sera commanded, her voice firm. The staff-user hesitated, her gaze darting between us, before finally lowering her weapon.
The crowd erupted into applause as the announcer declared our victory. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, the weight of the fight finally lifting from my shoulders. Sera grinned, her sapphire eyes bright with triumph. "Told you we're better." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, yeah. You were right." As we left the arena, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Veylara's phantom lingering in the shadows. But there was nothing—only the fading cheers of the crowd and the promise of the next challenge ahead.
As the cheers of the crowd echoed behind us, the pain in my side reminded me that I hadn't walked away from the fight unscathed. Each step sent a sharp jolt through my ribs, and I winced despite my best efforts to hide it. Sera noticed immediately. "You're hurt," she said, her grin fading into a frown. "I'm fine," I tried to brush her off, but my voice wavered, betraying the truth. "Yeah, sure," she scoffed, grabbing my arm. "Come on, let's get you patched up before you collapse." We made our way to the healer's tent set up near the arena, a small but bustling area where competitors were being treated for various injuries. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and the faint hum of restorative magic. A young healer approached us, her soft green robes flowing as she moved. She couldn't have been much older than us, her kind eyes glancing between Sera and me. Injured?" she asked gently, her gaze settling on my side. I nodded reluctantly, pulling back the edge of my tunic to reveal the bruising where the dual-dagger user had struck me.
"Let me see," the healer said, motioning for me to sit on one of the low cots. As I sat down, she placed her hands over the injured area, her palms glowing with a soft, golden light. A warm sensation spread through me, soothing the pain and easing the tightness in my muscles. "You took quite a hit," she said, her tone calm and professional. "But nothing serious. You'll be good as new in a moment."
Sera stood nearby, arms crossed as she watched the process. "He's lucky," she said with a teasing lilt. "If that had been a little harder, he'd probably be out of the tournament."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered, though I couldn't hide my smirk. The healer chuckled softly, her focus unwavering as she finished her work. The glow around her hands faded, and she stepped back, satisfied. "There," she said. "You're all set. Just try not to get hit so hard next time." I laughed, the sound light despite everything. "I'll do my best. Thanks." As we left the healer's tent, Sera nudged me with her elbow. "Feeling better?"
"Much," I admitted, rolling my shoulders to test my range of motion. "Good," she said, her grin returning. "Because we've got more rounds to win. No distractions this time, okay?"
"Deal," I said, meeting her gaze with renewed determination. The tournament was far from over, and the challenges ahead would only grow more daunting. But for now, with Sera by my side and the weight of my sword in hand, I felt ready to face whatever came next.