At the Stands
The arena buzzed with energy as the fight raged on.
Riven spotted someone approaching and nudged Ronan and Felix.
"Our guy's here," he said.
All eyes turned as Arthur walked in with Seraphina and Callista beside him.
"Sorry I'm late," Arthur said, scratching the back of his head. He glanced at the arena. "Whoa… the match already started?"
Felix smirked. "You're lucky—it hasn't gotten serious yet."
Leo, arms crossed, spoke coldly. "Where exactly were you? And why are you with them?" He nodded at Seraphina and Callista.
The two girls turned their heads, avoiding eye contact. Arthur chuckled nervously.
"I just… ran into them on the way here."
Selene grinned. "Ohhh? What a coincidence."
"Where's Lyra?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. But she'll be back soon, I can feel it."
Both Seraphina and Callista glanced at Arthur, thoughts echoing in sync.
He's even covering for her…
Suddenly—BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the arena. Everyone snapped their attention to the stage.
A thick root had pierced through Darius's shoulder. Gasps filled the stands.
Ronan's jaw clenched. "He's getting overwhelmed…"
Damon leaned forward. "Is he… losing?"
The crowd fell silent.
---
At the Arena
Darius dropped to one knee, blood dripping down his arm. He gritted his teeth, slashing away the vine with his blade and forcing himself to stand.
Selara smiled sweetly. "That looked like it hurt. Aren't angels supposed to be kind? Why the torture?"
"You're a demon," she continued, her eyes narrowing. "Mercy isn't for your kind."
Vines erupted from the ground, charging at him like snakes. Darius sliced through them, but more kept coming. He backed away—too late.
Thick roots wrapped around his left hand. He slashed, but they sprouted again, piercing into his skin like needles.
"GAAHH!!" he screamed, blood bursting from his hand.
"Become nutrition for my tree," Selara whispered as more roots dug in. His hand looked mangled, bleeding holes tearing through it.
The stage was painted red.
In the stands, Damon whispered, "Is this… the end?"
Garold clenched his fist. "Don't count him out yet…"
Leo scoffed. "You're blind. He's already lost. One arm's useless, and he's losing blood fast."
"No," Arthur said firmly. He stepped forward, his voice unwavering. "If it were you down there, would you give up?"
Leo didn't respond.
"I wouldn't either," Arthur said, eyes sharp. "She should be the one worried."
The wind shifted.
Darius… was smiling.
Arthur's voice rang out.
"There's nothing more dangerous… than a wounded predator."
The stands erupted into cheers as Darius slowly stood, bracing himself with his blade.
---
Edric watched from the back, eyes narrowed.
"He should surrender. If he keeps standing, Selara will go overboard… she might actually kill him."
"Finish it!" a student shouted from the crowd. "Send that demon to hell!"
Selara's wings unfurled as she launched more vines at Darius.
But this time, he cut them all—effortlessly.
More vines came. He dodged and slashed, lightning crackling around him. He flipped midair, hurling a lightning bolt her way—but she blocked it with her wings.
Suddenly, a thick vine shot up, wrapping around him like a cocoon.
Selara hovered above. "Caught you."
She dove toward the cocoon—but it exploded.
Lightning exploded out, blinding the arena. Selara shielded herself with her wings, forced to retreat midair.
Smoke cleared.
Darius stood, grinning. Lightning coursed through his veins, cracking the air.
"You're still standing?" she muttered, disbelief in her voice.
He didn't answer. He was laughing.
In his mind:
I'm supposed to be weak… but I feel alive. Excited. Like I could destroy everything. I've never felt this way before…
He raised his blade. Lightning surged.
"Lightning Magic: Two Million Volts—Lightning Armor!"
A glowing armor of crackling electricity wrapped around his body. The web-like vines snapped and burned as he landed with a heavy thud.
Selara's eyes widened.
"This can't be…"
Darius smiled. "I'm not done yet."
She launched more vines, but as he stepped forward, they were sliced instantly—too fast to see.
Selara's heart raced. "When did he—?!"
Darius vanished, then reappeared above her, lightning surging through his blade.
"Lightning Spear!" he shouted.
The blade transformed into a spear of pure energy. He raised it, ready to throw—but vines shot through his body, suspending him midair.
He gasped, blood dripping from his limbs.
The vines formed a twisted web, pinning him like prey.
Selara landed gracefully on the web.
"So pitiful," she whispered, walking toward him.
She raised his chin.
"I wonder what kind of face you're making—"
Her words stopped.
He was smiling.
But not just smiling—a wild, maniacal grin.
She froze. Stepped back in horror.
Lightning exploded again, surrounding his entire body.
He laughed, mad and electric.
"Lightning Magic: Lightning Armor—Overdrive!"
The web shattered as he dropped, landing with a crash. A new armor, thicker and brighter, shimmered around him.
Selara's wings trembled.
"How… are you still standing?"
"I told you…" Darius said, eyes glowing. "I will win."
She launched vines again, but they dropped—cut cleanly in one step.
He dashed forward.
She took off, wings spread wide. "Like I'd let you!"
Hundreds of roots shot down at him.
He spun, slashed, dodged—cutting through everything.
The crowd was speechless.
Darius closed in fast. "Got you."
Selara flinched, trying to fly higher. But it was too late.
He slashed down.
CLANG!
Her wings blocked the strike.
Roots burst forth, slamming Darius backward.
He landed on his feet, panting.
"…Her wings," he muttered, "they're moving on their own…"
His eyes darted to her wooden blade.
"…No… that's not it."
Then it hit him.
"That sword… it's a distraction. Her wings are the real blade, aren't they?"
He shouted up at her. "I've figured it out! That sword's fake! Your wings are the true weapon!"
Selara smiled and let the wooden blade vanish.
"No more tricks then," she said. "Just pure combat."
Darius grinned.
"I'd love that."
They both took their stances.
And just like that—
The real match… had just begun.