The Divine Stadium had transformed again.
Now the battlefield shimmered with a twilight hue—vast, flat stone plains encircled by crystalline walls that refracted every movement into dazzling spectrums. The crowd held its breath as tension surged through the arena like static before a storm.
The Divine Board glowed above the stadium, announcing the next match:
Match 3
Rika Tenebris – Light School
vs.
Caera Ryl – Nonliving Creation School
From the Light School's platform, Rika Tenebris stepped forward. Her dark-purple robes fluttered gently with each graceful movement. Her violet eyes reflected calm intensity, focused solely on her opponent.
Behind her, Ray gave a subtle nod—silent encouragement. Nearby, Veloria leaned toward Lyrion, whispering just loud enough to be heard.
"This isn't a match of power," she murmured. "It's going to be one of instinct and precision."
Lyrion nodded faintly. "That's where Rika shines."
Across the battlefield stood Caera Ryl—tall, poised, with long snow-white hair flowing behind her. Her obsidian armor gleamed with intricate silver patterns, and in her hand, she held a long spear forged from condensed nonliving essence.
She offered a curt bow.
"Let's make this worthwhile."
Rika mirrored the bow with a serene nod.
"Agreed."
The divine chime rang out. The battle had begun.
---
Phase One – Equal Exchange
Caera struck first—swift and sudden, her spear lunging like a bolt of lightning. Rika responded with flawless grace, casting a burst of kinetic shadow that diverted the attack just enough. She twisted her body mid-step, gliding to the left before countering with a spiral slash of spectral energy.
Steel and shadow met again.
Caera's sweeping arcs unleashed shockwaves through the air, but Rika was too fluid, her footwork elegant, her body moving like a dancer within shadows. She didn't fight the storm. She danced through it.
She's reading my rhythms faster than I'd hoped… Caera thought, adjusting her stance.
Suddenly, black glyphs flickered into existence beneath her feet. Rika had silently laid a trap. Caera leapt back, just in time to avoid the void spikes that erupted from below.
They circled each other again.
There was no display of overwhelming power. No dominating force.
Only silence. Skill. And perfect poise.
---
Phase Two – Strategy and Patience
Rika began using the battlefield itself. Her movements became more deliberate—each dodge bringing her closer to the edge of the crystalline mirrors. Every spell she cast was subtle: a slowing mist here, a delay glyph there.
Caera caught on quickly. She enhanced her spear with magnetized mana, pulling metallic shards from the arena floor into orbit around her, building a defensive rhythm.
They weren't trying to overpower each other.
They were studying each other—like artists critiquing every brushstroke. Every step, glance, and pivot was a question.
She's brilliant, Rika acknowledged inwardly. But I don't need brilliance to win this. I just need the right moment.
Then Caera blurred forward, her speed doubled by a sudden burst of unnatural propulsion.
Rika raised her blade just in time, parrying the strike. The force of it sent her sliding back across the stone, boots scraping.
"Yield if you're done," Caera said, raising her spear with icy precision.
But Rika's lips curled into a subtle smile.
"You first."
---
Phase Three – The Moment That Mattered
Both moved simultaneously—shadow and steel colliding.
Caera launched her finishing sequence: a full-moon arc of her spinning spear, accompanied by a razor-sharp echo construct—perfectly synchronized.
But Rika had been waiting.
The glyphs she'd carefully planted earlier triggered all at once. The echo construct clipped one of the mirrored prisms. The trajectory shifted. Caera's rhythm stuttered—just enough.
Rika was already within her guard.
"Shadow Spiral: Collapse," she whispered.
Her blade extended into a coil of pure energy and struck Caera's shoulder with pinpoint precision. It wasn't a lethal blow—but enough to disarm her and send her crashing into the crystalline barrier behind.
A golden light enveloped the field. The match was over.
---
Result – Divine Board Update
Winner: Rika Tenebris – Light School
Status: Qualified – Super Elite (3/20)
The crowd erupted in applause. It hadn't been the flashiest match.
But it was precise. Sharp. A lesson in balance and control.
From the Light School section, Ray stood tall, arms crossed and a quiet smile forming.
"That's Rika," he whispered to no one in particular.
---
Aftermath – Exit Hallway
Rika stepped through the exit archway. Waiting for her just beyond the divine gate was Caera, already bandaged by the healers.
"You're better than I thought," Caera said, offering a respectful nod.
"So were you," Rika replied softly. "That was a real match."
They exchanged a look—not of rivalry, but of mutual respect. No bitterness. Only understanding.
---
Gods' Balcony – Divine Observers
From above, the gods had watched everything unfold.
"She doesn't dazzle with power," Alarion, the Light God, remarked.
"No," Lyria replied with a smile. "She dances with clarity."
Drenas, the Nonliving Creation God, nodded solemnly. "Even in defeat… Caera learned something today."
---
Shadow Balcony – Zyren's Domain
In the shadowed section of the divine arena, Zyren narrowed his eyes, voice low.
"They're adapting too fast."
Beside him, Silent Death murmured without looking up,
"The true ones always do."
---
To Be Continued...