The martial display arena, bathed in the ethereal glow of Vrasnia's purple moon, pulsed with a lingering tension as the echoes of the previous bout faded into the night. The crowd, a vibrant tapestry of newcomers and Vrasnian citizens, murmured in anticipation, their gazes fixed on the center stage. Raijin, still catching his breath from the intense spar, turned to Toto, the host, with a casual yet decisive air. "I forfeit," he declared, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "This doesn't benefit me—I just wanted to intercept Kamaki and have a spar with him. So, we're both out. Bye bye, it was fun, haha!" With a lighthearted chuckle, he slung Kamaki's arm over his shoulder, supporting the weary fighter as they slowly made their way out of the arena, their silhouettes receding into the shadows.
Toto stood frozen, the microphone hovering near his lips as he processed the unexpected turn. "Uhh… alright then," he stammered, regaining his composure. "It's a double disqualification—Raijin has forfeited the match. Very well, let us bring out our new contenders!" The crowd buzzed with curiosity, the sudden shift adding an unpredictable flair to the evening.
Felicia, perched in the stands, observed the departing duo with a knowing glance. "Looks like they realized it," she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Lihanna, seated beside her, nodded thoughtfully. "At least they did. I had no idea why they entered this—they could've saved their energy for the survival race. That event's for the extreme of the extreme."
Toto's voice boomed once more, rallying the audience's attention. "To our right, she's an Earthling not from the Prismic Gathering but hailing from the Azure Skies on a different continent—give it up for Ayane!!" The arena stirred as Ayane stepped forward, her light purple hair dancing in the night breeze, her dark purple eyes glinting with a mix of determination and nerves. She drew a deep breath, steadying herself. Alright, I'm up. I'm going to hope I win this and not embarrass myself, she thought, her grip tightening on an invisible resolve.
Toto continued, his tone shifting as he glanced at his phone. "And now, coming from the left, we have—" His words faltered as the device buzzed with a call. "Huhh? Uh oh, dang—he can't take part, he isn't here. Thanks for telling me," he muttered, hanging up with a sheepish grin. "Well, it seems he's absent, so Ayane and Raja will be pushed up to the finals and compete with each other right now! Raja, come onto this arena!"
Raja strode onto the stage, his presence commanding, the ruby-hued sword at his hip catching the moonlight. "Nice to meet you, a Vandor, I see," he said, his brown eyes assessing Ayane with curiosity. "Time to see how strong other countries' Vandors are—let's hope you're on the level of what Capriha had."
Ayane met his gaze, her confidence blooming as she summoned her bow from a swirl of ice, the weapon materializing in her hands with a crystalline shimmer. "Well, come and see then," she replied, her voice steady.
Toto stepped aside, slicing his hand downward with a dramatic flourish. "GOO!"
Raja lunged, his sword flashing toward Ayane in a swift strike. She raised her bow, the ice construct absorbing the blow with a resonant clang. Raja retreated, unleashing a crimson beam that sliced through the air toward her. Ayane advanced, charging her shot with deliberate focus. My goal is to end this with one shot—but this is the power of Ostrava's Vandors, she thought, her breath steadying. She released the arrow, a spear of ice cutting through Raja's beam, its trail of frigid energy slicing the night. The projectile struck true, blasting Raja against the arena wall and beyond its bounds with a resounding crash.
Toto's voice exploded with excitement. "WOAHH! RAJA IS ELIMINATED SO QUICKLY! He stood no chance—one piercing arrow tore through his attack, striking him blind and costing him the match! OUR WINNER OF THE MARTIAL TOURNAMENT IS AYANE!!!" The crowd roared, a tidal wave of applause and cheers washing over the arena, their admiration palpable.
Lihanna, watching from the stands, studied Ayane with a discerning eye. "So she won, hmm," she mused, her tone neutral.
Felicia, seated beside her, leaned in with a whisper. "She didn't show much on the moon, but Raja wasn't a standout in the Prismic Gathering anyway. She's a Vandor, after all, so she's strong. She wouldn't have won if Kamaki or Raijin had stayed in—there was nothing for them to gain. But for her, it does, so good for her. I won't hate."
Riah stepped onto the stage, her red-and-white striped hair catching the moonlight, her crimson-red and black eyes warm with approval. "Congratulations on winning the Martial Tournament, Ayane! You did great—you have such incredible aim. I forgot you were a Vandor, so I underestimated your capabilities. Maybe it's because you were against me back on Earth when we met."
Ayane turned to her, a flush of humility coloring her cheeks. "Thanks. You're a Satura—I don't think I stand a chance against someone so close to godhood."
Riah giggled, waving off the compliment with a playful hand. "Godhood? Well, thanks for the flattery! Here's your prize for winning the Martial Tournament," she said, handing Ayane a holographic certificate worth 20,000 credits. Turning to Raja, she added, "And for you, Raja—you didn't win, and I was rooting for you, but you still did well placing second. Good job."
Raja sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, she caught me off guard and destroyed me through my own attack. Sighh…"
Riah nodded sympathetically. "There isn't a third place, so it's just first and second."
The crowd's cheers swelled anew, and the arena's occupants rose, their gazes fixed on the victors. Raja spread his arms wide, basking in the applause, while Ayane raised her hand in a modest wave. Toto seized the microphone, his voice ringing out with finality. "In two days, we'll host the survival race—the best event, saved for last! Brace yourselves for it, and thank you all for coming. May everyone return home safely, get good rest, and fuel up with energy, because this is one you won't want to miss!"
The eternal night embraced the departing crowd, the promise of the survival race lingering like a whisper on the wind.