Dragon's Pursuit didn't wait a split second.
Valdor moved first.
The arena exploded.
The impact of his foot on the stone sent out a shockwave that scattered dust and heat into the air. The dragon's aura flashed for a moment, as if someone had lit a torch in the heart of the arena. The audience howled, instinctively recoiling.
— IT'S STARTED! — shouted the commentator. — DRAGON'S PURSUIT IS ATTACKING LIKE LIGHTNING!
Wolf's Edge responded immediately. Their formation broke apart smoothly, without chaos. Each warrior found their target as if they had practiced this moment hundreds of times.
High up in the stands, above the roar of the crowd, a hooded figure appeared.
Sylpha.
She stood motionless, leaning against the stone balustrade. Her hood cast a shadow over her face, but her silver eyes flashed from beneath it. Her gaze followed only one spot in the arena.
Valdor.
— So this is the end... — she whispered. — Let's see how far you've gotten.
***
On the left side of the arena, four figures clashed.
— Arwen, left! — Mayuri shouted.
Nebuko raised her hand. The air in front of her trembled as if someone had cut it with an invisible blade. Swords began to form out of pure magic. One, two, three... dozens of blades hung in the air, pointing toward Arwen.
— I'll tear you to pieces.. — Nebuko said with a broad smile. — Like a wolf in a trap.
— Try it. — Arwen growled, lowering her center of gravity. Her fingers tightened on the dagger hilts.
Nebuko made a brief gesture.
The swords moved simultaneously.
Mayuri appeared before Arwen in the blink of an eye. She struck the ground with her staff, and a translucent energy shield shot out in front of them.
— Follow me! — she shouted.
The blades struck the barrier... and suddenly twisted.
— What...? — Mayuri's eyes widened.
Nebuko smiled even wider.
— Did you think it would be that easy?
The swords changed course and flew behind the shield, cutting off their escape route.
At that moment, Arwen grabbed Mayuri by the hip.
— Hold on.
She pushed off with one foot. Both of them disappeared from the point of impact. The blades slammed into the ground with a dull thud... then shattered into a sparkling mist.
They landed a few meters away.
— Good reactions — said a new voice.
Azazel stood before them.
A two-handed sword rested on his shoulder. With one movement, he took it down and swung it powerfully.
Arwen crossed her daggers.
The clash was brutal. Metal screeched, and Arwen took half a step back, but she didn't fall.
— Hah. — Azazel smiled crookedly. — You have courage. But that's all.
— You talk too much. — Arwen hissed.
— And you are too weak.
Nebuko stood next to him, folding her arms.
— Don't kill her yet. I want to have some fun.
Azazel snorted and withdrew his sword.
— As you wish.
Tension hung in the air.
***
On the other side of the arena, Noah and Kael were just finishing an exchange with another opponent when a massive figure landed with a thud in front of them.
Azazel.
— What, do you miss me already? — he asked, reaching behind his back.
He drew his scythe.
The black blade curved in the light of the arena, and the air around it began to tremble.
— I'll give you a head start. — he said calmly. — Two against one.
Noah clenched his fists.
— Kael...
— I know — Kael replied, raising his sword. — We can do this.
Azazel swung his scythe around him. The blade cut through the air with a whistle.
— I'll cut you to pieces.
And off he went.