They shot off in opposite directions like two comets streaking across the sky. Both were ready to fight with everything they had. A subtle tension rippled through the air, as if sensing the approaching storm.
Aurelia — the embodiment of celestial power and ancient wisdom.
Kasumi — a storm in female form, unpredictable and sharp as thunder's roar.
There was no room today for feelings, memories, or fear. Today, they were Guardians. And only one could earn the chance to face the Special Trial.
"I'll defeat you… for the sake of our Lord," Kasumi said, spreading her magnificent iridescent wings.
Aurelia merely smiled gently in response.
"Fight!" Akito's voice rang out.
In a flash of light, Aurelia soared upward.
[Stellar Retribution]
Hundreds of golden blades, spears, and radiant weapons rained from the sky, streaking down toward Kasumi with star-forged precision.
But she didn't flinch. Her movements were graceful, like a dancer. She weaved through the energy storm, fluttering, darting, rising. Some projectiles pierced the ground nearby, only to shatter against the gusts of her wings.
[Heaven's Cry]!
A deafening shockwave tore from her lips, as loud as thunder. The air trembled. The wave shattered the golden blades into radiant shards.
Aurelia couldn't dodge in time — it knocked her back. And before the impact landed, she saw Kasumi already in front of her.
"Her speed… almost like Arden's [Lapet's Surge]," Akito thought in surprise.
Up on the watching platform, Arden clenched his fists.
Why couldn't I… If only I had a second chance… but that's unlikely.
The battle intensified. Kasumi struck with her wing — Aurelia dodged. But immediately, another [Heaven's Cry]. The sonic wave slammed Aurelia into the earth, shaking the ground. A second wave. A third. A fourth. The terrain cracked under the pressure.
"My turn," Aurelia exhaled hoarsely, rising.
[Astral Limit]
In an instant, they vanished from reality and entered a dome of pure cosmos. Stars rotated along the edges, light was faint, air was gone. In this realm, Kasumi's wings lost their edge — her speed dropped, her movements slowed.
Aurelia soared above her.
[Celestial Guard]
Five warriors formed from golden energy appeared before her —
A Swordsman, a Shieldbearer, an Archer, a Spearman, and a Mage — each clad in radiant armor, ready to die for their mistress.
The Archer fired first — energy arrows slicing through space. Kasumi dodged elegantly, her movement like a dance. A spear struck her side — a dull impact knocked her sideways. The Mage launched a fire core — a blazing explosion lit everything red. No smoke, just heat, light, and the shockwave.
Kasumi barely stabilized in midair, activating [Wind Cage] instantly.
Ten razor-sharp feathers shot from her wings like bullets —
But nothing happened. They flew on. No surfaces to pierce. No ground. Just space.
"You won't fool me with such a cheap trick," Aurelia said coldly.
All five warriors charged.
Kasumi realized: she couldn't win in a direct clash. She darted backward, but they chased relentlessly. The Swordsman — the fastest — nearly slashed her when—
The skill [Astral Limit] ended. They returned to Arden's arena. The summoned warriors, having missed, fell one by one like puppets with cut strings.
But Kasumi didn't waste a second.
[Wings of the Storm] — activated.
Her wings trembled and expanded fivefold, unleashing their full heavenly power. A single flap — and the five warriors were blasted by monstrous pressure. Even the spectators felt the wind's force; some nearly lost their balance.
The Mage, Spearman, and Swordsman vanished instantly. The Shieldbearer barely held his ground, shielding Aurelia with a massive three-meter-tall barrier. But even he started sliding.
Another flap — another storm.
Kasumi followed the gale, striking the Archer's back — he vanished. The Shieldbearer roared silently, but was swept away seconds later.
Now it was just her and Aurelia.
A flash of her wing — Aurelia was thrown aside. It looked like the end.
"It's over, Aurelia…" Kasumi whispered, gazing at her motionless opponent.
But then, the sky above the arena ignited.
Aurelia ascended, her body glowing with blinding light. Waves of energy radiated from her, blinding all who watched. Her hair floated upward, forming into a radiant helmet. Golden armor enveloped her body, wing-shaped pauldrons appeared on her shoulders, and in her hands — a long spear, tipped with a star.
"Is that… a transformation?" Akito muttered.
"No… this is awakening," Elian whispered.
Kasumi lunged upward, not giving her a moment. Her speed was insane. But Aurelia, in a single downward motion of her spear, sent a gravitational wave crashing down, pinning Kasumi to the ground.
The spear glowed like a burning sun, and Aurelia descended like a goddess. The blast knocked Kasumi back, though she recovered midair. Her eyes burned with fury and adrenaline.
"What is that… another form?!" Kenshi gasped from the ground.
"It's not just a form…" Elian said. "This is her true battle form."
"Aurelia… you look stunning," Akito said, narrowing his eyes. "But Kasumi… she's damn strong."
Kasumi's wings trembled again. She activated [Wind Cage] one last time, gathering everything she had left. A compressed wind storm. Dozens of feathers flew toward Aurelia, now with deadly force.
But the spear flashed like a meteor, deflecting the attack — the feathers disintegrated into dust. Aurelia raised her hand.
[Stellar Retribution] — full activation.
The sky above Arden's realm lit up with golden meteors.
They fell around Kasumi, tearing through earth, air, space itself.
She tried to dodge, but one hit clipped her wing.
"Ahhh!" she cried, spiraling downward. Wounded — but not defeated.
Aurelia stood at the edge of a crater, spear in hand, gazing straight into Kasumi's eyes — the latter still standing despite exhaustion.
"You… are a worthy opponent," she said. "But this is my fight."
Kasumi took a step forward — but her trembling legs gave out. She dropped to her knees, breathing heavily.
"I… surrender…"
The light around Aurelia softened. The spear vanished in golden sparks. The battle was over.
"The winner of the third match… is Aurelia," Akito declared — and the entire field erupted in emotion.
"That was… a god-level fight," Kasumi whispered, lying on her back with a smile.
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!