The group assembled in the palace's sleek transit hall, its polished floors reflecting the violet glow of Vrasnia's perpetual purple moon filtering through massive crystalline windows. The air hummed softly with the energy of waiting mag-lev pods, their surfaces shimmering with intricate runes and advanced tech circuitry.
Beyond the city walls lay the Outlands—an expanse of jagged obsidian rock and bioluminescent flora glowing faintly beneath the endless indigo sky. The Outlands were a place where ancient energies still lingered, wild and unpredictable, a natural arena for trials and duels far from the protective wards of the city.
Jessie stood near the pod controls, her purple hair catching the light as she studied the distant horizon. "This place changes everything," she said quietly. "It's more than just a battleground. It's a test of spirit, mind, and strength."
Neve, leaning against the pod wall, nodded. "The wards that shield Vrasnia don't extend far here. Magic fluctuates wildly, and the environment itself can turn against you if you're not careful."
Lihanna and Gendai exchanged cold glances as they boarded the pod first, their tension palpable—a silent war brewing beneath the surface. Neither spoke, but the charged atmosphere was enough to speak volumes.
Tyrone, Kamaki, Felicia, Raijin, and the others followed, their usual banter replaced with focused quiet. The gleaming cityscape, with its towering spires and shimmering lightways, felt distant as the pods hummed to life.
Outside the window, the Outlands stretched infinitely, bathed in the surreal glow of the purple moon—black stone fractured like ancient scars and glowing flora flickering like distant stars fallen to earth.
The pod accelerated silently, gliding smoothly beyond the city's protective barriers. Shadows lengthened, and the pulse of projection energy throbbed beneath the surface.
No one spoke. They all knew—the duel that awaited was not just a fight, but a crucible of wills.
The mag-lev pod came to a smooth halt on a simple platform nestled on the edge of a vast, open expanse. Before them stretched an endless plain of dark, cracked earth, dotted with sparse, twisted trees and ancient stone ruins half-buried in dust.
The purple moon hung high overhead, casting its cold glow across the wide-open battlefield—far from the city's towering spires and bustling streets. Here, the only witnesses would be the stars and the whispering wind.
Gendai's gaze swept across the horizon, sharp and unyielding. Lihanna stood nearby, her posture stiff and distant, arms crossed as if to shield herself from the tension simmering between them.
Jessie's violet hair shimmered in the moonlight as she surveyed the arena. "This place is perfect—no innocent bystanders, no interference. Just pure, unfiltered battle."
Neve nodded beside her, eyes scanning the runes faintly glowing beneath the cracked earth. "An open field like this… it forces you to rely on raw skill and instinct. No walls, no cover, nothing to hide behind."
Raijin shifted uneasily, hands clenched. "No distractions. No surprises. Just us and the land."
Kamaki cracked his knuckles, smirking. "Good. I like it rough and real."
Felicia's eyes gleamed with excitement. "The city's safe. All the tension can pour out here, and the echoes won't reach beyond these plains."
Tyrone's voice was steady but tense. "We settle this here. No risk to anyone else. Just the fight."
The group silently took their positions around a roughly drawn circle etched into the ground, ancient glyphs glowing faintly beneath their feet. The open sky stretched infinitely above, the cold air humming with quiet anticipation.
Neve stepped forward, her voice calm and clear. "Remember, this duel is about more than just strength. It's about will, spirit, and resolve. Stay focused. May the best fighter win."
The wind whispered through the cracked stones, carrying away the last traces of calm before the storm.