Targus rose from the ground and slammed his warhammer-axe into his palm with force. His eyes locked onto Aurelia's.
No words. No hesitation.
The giant charged forward — like a predator sensing weakness in its prey.
"Skill Activated: [Starfall Retribution]" — echoed through the space.
Above Aurelia, golden circles flared to life in the sky.
Hundreds of energy beams and spears launched downward, aiming for Targus's chest.
But the Viking just grinned.
"That's not enough to beat me!" he roared.
He began smashing through the projectiles like they were made of glass.
Each of his steps cracked the stone floor beneath him, and his hammer strikes left trails of golden energy bursting apart.
"Skill Activated: [Blood of the Jotun]", the system declared.
A blue aura erupted around his body.
His hair rose, glowing as if engulfed in blue fire—
And then… he vanished.
The world froze.
Targus dashed — so fast that his silhouette seemed to lag in the air.
He appeared beside Aurelia, ready to strike—
But at that moment, the Shieldbearer stood between them, blocking the blow.
"Skill Activated: [Heavenly Guard]," summoned Aurelia.
One by one, warriors of light appeared around her.
The Spearman instantly stabbed Targus in the side — he dodged and lunged for him—
But then, a brutal kick landed on his face — the Swordsman.
Targus's face twisted in rage. He grabbed the Swordsman by the leg, ready to smash him into the ground—
But—
Boom!
A thick blast of dark energy hit his head — the Mage.
Then — a heavy thud as the Shieldbearer smashed his face, shrouding him in dust.
All five warriors stood in front of Aurelia, shoulder to shoulder.
A line of light, refusing to budge.
"I'll crush you like bugs!!" Targus roared, charging like a living avalanche.
The Swordsman rushed to meet him.
Their steps rumbled like thunder.
And then — at the last moment before impact —
Targus leapt into the air, raised his weapon high—
"Skill Activated: [Thunder Anchor]!"
The arena trembled.
Air thickened.
Space itself seemed to collapse toward a single point.
The warriors of light were dragged in — feet off the ground, bodies pulled toward Targus.
He was waiting.
Swing.
Impact.
Everything exploded in light and sound.
A single strike — and the battlefield lit up with a blinding flash.
Golden dust rose into the sky.
The warriors were gone.
Ash.
Light.
Silence.
Targus stood alone.
His gaze slowly shifted toward Aurelia.
She had already taken on her final form — the Astral Valkyrie.
Her last hope.
Strength nearly gone, breath short,
But her eyes still burned with unwavering resolve.
She charged forward.
Targus did too.
Their weapons clashed with explosive force, sparks flying everywhere.
One strike. Then another.
Aurelia soared upward — then, a sharp sweep of her spear —
A gravitational wave slammed the Viking to the ground.
Without giving him a second to recover, she swept again —
Targus was thrown sideways, his massive body crashing into the arena wall.
"He's insanely durable… tough like stone," Aurelia thought, gasping for air.
But before she could take another step—
The Viking appeared in front of her again.
"What?! How is he moving so fast?!" she thought, barely deflecting one hit.
Then another.
Both were exhausted.
Even the spectators could feel the tension.
"Curious to see who'll win…" Akito whispered from the sideline.
"Go, Aurelia!" Kasumi yelled from below, raising her hands.
Aurelia made a decisive move.
A wave of golden energy swept across Targus's left side —
His stance faltered.
She dashed forward, her spear aimed at his ribs—
Then—
Clang.
The tip struck a shield that suddenly appeared.
"Skill Activated: [Brunhild's Shield]," the air echoed.
But Aurelia didn't stop.
Her spear began spinning — faster and faster — like before, when she'd shattered the barrier.
But this time, Targus was ready.
A lightning-quick blow from his warhammer-axe struck her from the side.
Aurelia flew through the air, landed hard on the arena floor, sliding to a stop.
Dust rose slowly into the air.
She opened her eyes.
Above her — the Viking's silhouette, his hammer raised high.
"You lost. Surrender," Targus said in a low voice.
Aurelia slowly lifted her head… and looked down.
"I surrender."
Silence.
A soft breeze.
"The second finalist is Targus!" Akito's voice rang out.
"And the final match…" he added with a faint smile, "will be a special challenge—
Between Targus and Arden."
"A rematch," Arden muttered to himself as he stood up.
"I never expected the tournament to turn out this way," Akito thought.
"So, it's Ears versus the Model," Kenshi said lazily. "Should be fun."
"Arden, I believe in you!" Elian shouted, pumping his fist.
Targus and Aurelia, covered in dust and fading energy, returned to the others.
The Valkyrie's armor had faded, and the Viking's shoulders trembled from exhaustion — but both held themselves with pride.
"Little Fox," Targus smirked, stepping up to Arden. "We meet again.
This time… go all out. Surpass your old limit."
Arden nodded silently.
His eyes already blazed — calm, but unstoppable.
They rested briefly, then without wasting a second, returned to the arena.
The crowd fell silent. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Akito stepped forward.
His gaze landed first on Arden — standing like a rock, composed, focused.
Then on Targus — confident as ever. The Viking radiated determination to finish this tournament victorious.
They stood face to face.
One — fists raised in a fighter's stance.
The other — holding a warhammer-axe, like an ancient god of war.
"On my signal," Akito said. "You may begin."
A pause.
A moment.
A breath.
"Fight!" he commanded.
The final battle had begun.
[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!