"TIME REMAINING: 38 SECONDS."
Kuro's boots slammed into the arena floor as he bolted toward Astrid, who stood gripping the white flag like it was her soul. The crowd held their breath.
Astrid's eyes sharpened.
"He's faster than before…"
Kuro didn't even raise his blade — he just moved. A blur of dark steps, a blink, and he was right in front of her.
She barely had time to react—
CLANG!
Their weapons collided in a flash of silver and steel.
Astrid grunted, reeling back from the sheer force. Her grip loosened.
"No—!"
The flag flew from her hand.
Kuro snatched it midair.
The timer reset.
BEEP— 60 SECONDS STARTED.
"AND KURO HAS TAKEN THE FLAG! UNBELIEVABLE!" the announcer howled. "Only 21 seconds from Astrid—CAN SHE TAKE IT BACK?!"
Kuro now danced around her, slipping through her attacks, his body flowing like smoke and shadow.
"You impressed me," he said calmly, "but I warned you. You can't catch what doesn't exist."
Astrid's breathing grew sharp. Sweat trickled down her cheek.
50 seconds…
I need… to wait. He's too focused. Too locked in…
Her eyes narrowed. Unless... that's what I want.
She backed away. On purpose.
Kuro raised an eyebrow. Running now?
"You look tired.""I'm not the one sweating," she snapped back.
They traded words while circling like predators.
35 seconds…
Astrid dropped her blade.
The crowd gasped.
Even Kuro froze.
"You yield?" he asked.
"No," she whispered. "I trap."
Suddenly — a ripple of mana glyphs burst beneath her boots.
"What—?!"
Kuro's foot lit up with an invisible sigil — a delayed enchantment. She'd etched it mid-fight when dragging her blade earlier, embedding her mana into the ground itself.
"I never needed to catch you," she said, stepping forward."I needed you to stop running."
20 seconds.
Kuro tried to dash—Nothing.
His legs gave out, his speed magic disrupted by the runes. He stumbled.
"HOLD ON! DID SHE—DID SHE PLAN THIS?!"
Astrid's eyes gleamed.
"Moonveil Secret Technique...""Whispered Bloom."
She appeared behind Kuro in a gust of petals.
"Give it back."
With a clean strike of her palm to his wrist, the flag launched upward again.
Astrid somersaulted, spun midair, and caught it.
The timer reset.
BEEP — FLAG CLAIMED — 60 SECONDS REMAINING.
Kuro lay on the ground, blinking up in disbelief as Astrid hovered above him on a rising stone pillar.
"You think I'd come this far without a trick or two?" she said, panting hard."You inspired me, Kuro. But this flag… this flag is mine."
Kuro slowly stood, chuckling.
"...Good."
He grinned, his teeth bloodied.
"Then don't lose it."
The final seconds ticked down.
...10…
Kuro rushed up the side of the pillar.
...7…
Astrid leapt off, flipping backward.
...5…
He reached out, their fingers nearly touching.
...3…
"I'll remember this fight," Astrid said."Me too," Kuro whispered.
...2…
She planted her feet.
...1…
BEEP.
Victory
"ASTRID HAS DONE IT!!" the announcer roared."WHAT A MATCH! WHAT A COMEBACK! WHAT A FIGHT!!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
Kuro sat down, breathing hard.
Astrid held the flag to her chest and smiled, chest heaving, bruised, bloody, and victorious.
As she walked past Kuro, he looked up and nodded.
"You're strong."
"You're terrifying."
They both chuckled.
"I guess we're even."
TO BE CONTINUED.