The next match was about to begin. The audience, still reeling from the overwhelming power of Aurora, turned their eyes back to the arena. The announcer's voice echoed across the battlefield, igniting the tension hanging in the air.
"NEXT MATCH! NOVA VS. LIORA!"
The blazing warrior of flames, Nova, stepped into the arena. Her golden hair danced in the wind, shining like the sun itself. Opposite her stood Liora, the daughter of the storm. She was calm, yet her aura crackled with restrained electricity—her energy barely contained. Her intelligence was evident in her gaze.
The two locked eyes, an unspoken message of confidence and challenge reverberating between them.
"I won't be an easy target, Liora. I'm only here because of a small mistake." Nova rolled her shoulders as golden sparks flickered around her.
"You overestimate yourself," Liora replied, her voice as cool as a passing storm breeze. "Lightning strikes before fire can spread."
Nova did not appreciate the remark. Her face darkened, and the irritation in her expression was unmistakable. Her thoughts leaked out as a whisper.
"You little bitch. You'll be begging for mercy."
Liora narrowed her eyes, inhaling the electrically charged air. There was a faint amusement in her tone.
"Do you think the sun will protect you? Before darkness falls, there is always one last flash of light. That's what you are, Nova—just a fleeting burst before the end."
Nova clenched her teeth, flames flickering at her fingertips.
"Then get ready to witness my light. Don't close your eyes, or you'll never open them again."
The referee raised his hand.
"BEGIN!"
Instantly, Nova's body was engulfed in golden flames. The air shimmered with heat, and the arena was bathed in a crimson glow. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her burning fists tearing through the distance between them, setting the battlefield ablaze.
Liora, unfazed, sidestepped with storm-like grace. Lightning crackled at her fingertips as she swiftly counterattacked.
"Electro Spear!"
A spear of pure energy shot toward Nova. She barely managed to evade a direct hit, but the static charge from the attack sent painful electric waves coursing through her body. She shook off the numbness, her breath hot, her eyes burning.
"Tch… not bad. Lightning? Cute. But it only lasts for a moment. My flames never go out." Nova gritted her teeth, shaking off the lingering paralysis. "But can you keep up with my tempo?"
Liora smirked, planting her feet firmly.
"Never? Don't be so sure. When a storm approaches, even the sun hides."
She clapped her hands together, intensifying her flames into an all-consuming wildfire.
"BURNING SUN!"
Nova launched forward like a comet, a fiery trail swirling behind her as the ground beneath her cracked from the sheer force. She began to encircle Liora with a burning ring of fire.
Liora took a deep breath. She needed to act fast.
"Storm Veil!"
A powerful gust of wind erupted around her, infused with crackling lightning, forming a swirling storm vortex. Nova's fiery attack collided with the storm, creating shockwaves that shook the arena. Sparks and embers danced in the air as opposing elements clashed.
The crowd was in a frenzy, watching the battle between two opposing forces unfold in electrifying intensity.
Nova took a few steps back, breathing heavily. "Now I get it… Your power isn't just lightning. You are electromagnetism itself."
Liora smiled slightly, her eyes glowing with electrical energy. "And storms don't strike just once."
She raised her hands toward the sky. Dark clouds gathered above the arena, casting shadows over the battlefield. The air became thick with static electricity.
Nova narrowed her eyes. "So you're going all out? Fine by me."
The ground beneath her started to melt from the intense heat radiating from her body. She took a deep breath, gathering the last of her strength.
"HEAR ME, SUN GOD! HINOKAMI KAGURA!"
A devastating explosion of flames erupted around her, forming a miniature sun above her head. The sheer heat was so intense that even the audience, despite being at a safe distance, could feel its effects.
Liora raised her hands toward the sky.
"Breath of the Moon - FULL MOON!"
The sky roared as a massive light descended, crashing into Nova's sun. A blinding explosion engulfed the arena, the flames sent to burn Liora colliding with the celestial light, creating a massive shockwave. The force was so immense that the reflected flames struck back at Nova, dealing a devastating blow. The sheer impact forced even the audience to shield their eyes.
And then—
A body crashed to the ground, motionless.
As the dust and smoke cleared, a single figure remained standing. Her silver hair still crackled with electricity as Liora stood victorious, breathing heavily.
"Stay down. That would be the most logical choice." Liora spoke with confidence but without arrogance. "I hope you understand now how dangerous overconfidence can be. You underestimated me. You launched a massive attack without knowing my abilities. You were so sure of yourself that you never even considered the possibilities. I hope you've learned a lesson... Fighting you was fun. Maybe we'll do this again someday."
"I... hate you. And I hate Max too." Nova's scorched body trembled on the ground, but she clenched her fist, slamming it against the floor in frustration. "You humiliated me... for the second time. I can't accept this! I AM THE STRONGEST! I RULE OVER THE SUN! A mere boy and an electric girl cannot defeat me. This is ridiculous. I... I AM THE STRONGEST! I AM THE SUN! THE SUN NEVER LOSES!"
Yet there she was, lying on the ground, her flames extinguished, her body drained.
"The sun, huh? Then why are you in the shadows right now?" Liora sighed. "You'll grow. You still think like a child. I don't understand why all you nobles are like this."
A moment of silence hung over the arena. Liora stepped forward as the announcer finally declared the result.
"AND THE WINNER IS… LIORA!"
The crowd erupted in applause and astonishment. Nova had fought until the very end, but in the end, the storm had extinguished the flames.
Liora wiped the sweat from her forehead, casting one last glance at Nova before turning away.
As the medical team rushed in to carry Nova out of the arena, the tournament bracket shifted once more.