The dining hall grew quieter, the tension thickening like fog. All eyes lingered on Gendai and Lihanna, their rivalry simmering just beneath the surface—barely contained, and far from friendly.
Jessie shifted in her seat, her striking purple hair catching the dim light as she leaned forward. Her voice was calm but edged with steel. "Neither one is backing down, and neither is holding back. I've seen their power—this isn't just a duel. It's a reckoning."
Neve, standing nearby with her arms folded, nodded subtly. Her white hair shimmered faintly under the purple moonlight filtering through the windows. "If anyone can keep things from spiraling out of control, it's us," she said quietly. "We're the strongest here, and we'll be ready."
Felicia glanced between Jessie and Neve, respect clear in her eyes. "Good. Because this fight… it feels like it could tear everything apart if it goes too far."
Raijin's usual grin was absent as he watched the two women. "Yeah, and neither Gendai nor Lihanna will stop until one of them is broken or beyond. I don't like how this is shaping up."
Tyrone's voice dropped low, serious. "They're out there now, beyond the city walls. No distractions. No interference. Just raw power and everything on the line."
Kamaki sighed, the orb of fire disappeared between his fingers. "I just hope it ends before one of them loses more than pride."
The group fell into a heavy silence, each lost in thought. The weight of what might come pressed down on them all.
Outside, the purple moon cast a steady glow over Vrasnia's endless night, illuminating the distant silhouettes of two warriors poised to collide.
In a quiet chamber of the palace, far from the tension bubbling in the dining hall, Jessie sat cross-legged on the floor. Her purple hair spilled over her shoulders, loose and wild, a sharp contrast to her calm, focused gaze. She ran her fingers over the edge of her katana's sheath, mentally mapping out every possibility, every outcome.
Neve stood by the window, arms crossed, her white hair catching the faint light of the ever-present purple moon. Her sharp eyes scanned the distant horizon where the duel would soon erupt.
Jessie glanced up without turning. "They're reckless. Both of them. Gendai's fire burns too hot, and Lihanna's cold precision doesn't leave room for mistakes. Neither will give ground."
Neve nodded slowly. "I've watched them grow. They've pushed past limits we didn't expect. This isn't just a duel for pride anymore. It's a battle that could shift everything."
Jessie's lips tightened. "That's why we have to be ready. If it gets out of control, we step in. But right now? It's their fight."
Neve turned from the window, her expression unreadable. "It's strange. We're the strongest here, yet somehow, it feels like we're on the sidelines."
Jessie smirked. "Power doesn't always mean control. Sometimes, watching is the hardest part."
They shared a brief look — a silent promise to each other and to everyone depending on them.
Outside, the purple moon bathed the battlefield, setting the stage for a clash of wills, where even the strongest would be tested.