Lian walked through the academy corridors toward the arena designated for his match, his heart beating firmly and steadily. He knew this would be the most challenging moment of the tournament. The final against Elios wasn't just a competition; it was a duel between rivals, friends, and, in a way, opposites.
Midway down the corridor, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Finally, Lian!" Elios appeared beside him, a provocative grin on his face. "I thought you were running away."
Lian gave a small smile but didn't slow his pace. "You should be worried about saving energy for the match, Elios. You'll need it."
Elios laughed, speeding up to keep up with him. "Funny coming from you. I was actually thinking of giving you an advantage, considering you'll probably regret making it this far."
"Oh, really?" Lian stopped and looked at him sideways, a faint smile on his lips. "I hope your confidence doesn't make you stumble."
Elios' grin widened, but there was a spark of determination in his eyes. "You know I don't stumble, Lian. But I'll enjoy watching you try to knock me down."
They exchanged intense glances, a clear rivalry but with the implicit respect only friends could share. Without saying anything else, they continued walking together toward the arena entrance.
In the stands, Saya, Dane, and Toran sat together. Toran looked exhausted but still excited, while Saya appeared conflicted. Dane, as usual, maintained a neutral expression, observing everything carefully.
"So, Saya, who are you rooting for?" Toran asked, looking at her with a mischievous grin. "Think Lian's got this?"
Saya crossed her arms, visibly uncomfortable. "I… I don't know. I don't want to pick a side. They're both my friends."
Toran laughed, leaning his head on his hand. "I just want to watch. After my fight with Dane, I need a good show to make up for it."
Dane, who had been quiet until then, glanced at the arena. "This will be interesting. They have very different styles. Whoever wins, it'll be close."
Saya sighed, her gaze darting between the two friends about to face off. "I just hope neither of them gets seriously hurt."
Toran laughed again. "If they hold back, it won't be fun. I want to see how much those two can really handle."
The crowd erupted in cheers when Lian and Elios finally entered the arena, coming from opposite sides. The contrast between the two was striking: Lian, with his calm and mysterious presence, surrounded by Oblivion's dark energy. Elios, radiant and confident, his sword glowing with celestial energy. It was light versus darkness, not just in appearance but in fighting style.
The referee raised his hand, silencing the crowd. "Final match of the internal tournament! Lian Alvarez versus Elios Varen! Let the fight begin!"
Elios wasted no time. He advanced first, his sword shining brightly as he delivered a diagonal slash. Lian raised Oblivion to block, and the clash of their blades created a shockwave that sent the arena's sand flying around them.
"Not going to run, Lian?" Elios teased, pressing harder.
"Not even if I wanted to," Lian replied, pushing Elios back and spinning Oblivion in a horizontal strike. Elios leapt backward, narrowly dodging.
The fight quickly turned into a dance of attacks and defenses. Elios used his light to create energy blasts that forced Lian to retreat, while Lian countered with shadows that slithered along the ground, trying to ensnare Elios. Neither gave an inch.
Elios advanced again, channeling energy into his blade. "Celestial Strike!" He unleashed a beam of light aimed at Lian.
Lian reacted quickly, forming a shadow barrier with Oblivion. Light and darkness collided in the center of the arena, creating an explosion that made the crowd roar with excitement. When the dust settled, both fighters were still standing, panting heavily.
"I guess shouting your attacks won't help you beat me, Elios," Lian said with a teasing look.
Elios smirked. "You're getting better, Lian," he said, sweat dripping down his face. "But it's still not enough."
"Maybe you should focus less on talking and more on fighting," Lian shot back, charging forward with Oblivion enveloped in dark energy.
The fight continued at a frantic pace. Lian used the shadows to try to restrict Elios' movements, while Elios dispelled them with his light. The arena looked like a battlefield of opposites, with the crowd cheering wildly at every exchange.
Both were nearing their limits. Lian felt Oblivion grow heavier with each move, while Elios panted, his celestial energy beginning to wane.
At a critical moment, Lian managed to use his shadows to briefly trap Elios' arm. Seizing the opening, he lunged forward with Oblivion for what could have been a decisive strike.
But Elios, in a desperate final effort, channeled all his energy into a spinning slash, releasing a burst of light that shattered the shadows and struck Lian directly. Lian was thrown back, landing on his knees in the sand.
Gasping for breath, Elios moved forward, raising his sword for the final blow. But before he could strike, Lian lifted Oblivion, blocking the attack with the last bit of his strength.
They were face-to-face, their swords locked together, until Lian's sword began emanating dark energy. All of the energy gathered in his left hand. Releasing one hand from Oblivion, Lian punched Elios in the stomach with all the accumulated darkness. Before Elios could react, an explosion of shadow energy sent him flying across the arena. Even so, the backlash from the move sent Lian stumbling backward.
Dust filled the air, and the crowd struggled to see the two fighters.
Lian struggled to his feet, as if carrying a ton of weight. "Just a little more… just one more attack." Many thoughts raced through his mind. He wanted to prove to himself that he was capable, that he was strong. He couldn't accept defeat.
He rose with Oblivion in his hand, but across the arena, Elios was leaning on his sword to stay upright. "Elios… you bastard," Lian muttered, before finally collapsing. Oblivion fell from his grasp, hitting the sand, and Lian fell backward, exhausted.
The referee raised his hand. "Winner: Elios Varen!"
The arena erupted in cheers and applause as Elios, still leaning on his sword, stumbled. He looked at Lian, who lay on the ground, panting but with a faint smile.
"You… made me fight for real, brother," Elios said, before dropping to his knees, equally drained.
Lian looked at him, struggling to catch his breath. "Not as easy as you thought, huh?"
Elios laughed, leaning on his sword. "No… you almost had me."
In the stands, Saya, Dane, and Toran applauded, each wearing a smile.
"What an incredible fight," Saya said, still in shock. "They both gave it their all."
"Yeah," Dane agreed, watching the two with interest. "That was more than just strength. It was sheer willpower."
Toran, still sitting, simply chuckled. "I said I just wanted to watch. And it was a great show."
In the arena, Elios struggled to his feet and extended a hand to Lian. "Come on, champ. Got enough strength to get up?"
Lian smiled, taking Elios' hand. "Barely, but… thanks."
The two left the arena together, with the crowd still cheering. Rivals on the battlefield, but friends above all else.
In a large room, a screen displayed Elios and Lian leaving the arena. Watching from the shadows was Lena, laughing loudly. "Who would've thought my disciples are this special? I'd better protect them well," she said as she walked away, holding a book titled The Legend of the Gods of Creation.