The sun hung low, bleeding orange light across the training ground. Dust still lingered from the first battle, and the air hummed with energy.
The second round was about to begin.
Genzo's voice boomed through the field.
"Second match-Riku, Hana, and Kazuto versus Kaito, Reika, and Masaki!"
The six hunters took their positions. The crowd of spectators-trainees and elders alike-fell into a tense hush.
Riku rolled his shoulders, gripping his dual blades. Kaito stood opposite him, calm as a lake, katana drawn and glinting in the sun. They locked eyes, the silence between them heavier than the heat itself.
"Don't hold back this time," Riku said, lips curling into a half-smile.
Kaito's voice was steady. "I never do."
Genzo raised his hand.
"Begin!"
A burst of movement-then steel met steel.
The sound was deafening, each clash ringing through the field.
Riku's dual swords cut fast, a blur of slashes aimed at Kaito's neck, ribs, and legs. Kaito parried every strike, his form precise, almost elegant.
Their footwork was poetry-sidesteps, pivots, sudden reversals. Sand exploded under their boots. Riku's blades flickered in a deadly rhythm, each swing building momentum.
Kaito's katana caught both swords in a single arc, locking them. He looked Riku in the eyes.
"You rely too much on speed."
Riku gritted his teeth. "And you rely too much on being perfect."
He twisted, breaking the lock, then dropped low and kicked Kaito's leg. Kaito staggered back, surprised but not off-balance.
Riku lunged again, bringing both blades down in a cross slash. Sparks burst as Kaito deflected with a clean block and spun, his katana slicing across Riku's side. The impact sent Riku sprawling into the dust.
"Damn it..." Riku hissed, pressing a hand against the shallow wound. Blood dripped through his fingers. "Not bad."
Kaito adjusted his grip, breathing steady. "You've improved. But this isn't a street fight."
Riku smirked, eyes burning. "Then I'll make it one."
He exploded forward again-faster this time, every muscle screaming. The swords blurred, forming arcs of silver and light. Kaito's katana met them perfectly until-
Riku feinted.
He dropped one blade, grabbed Kaito's wrist, and drove his knee into his chest.
The hit landed hard, knocking the wind out of Kaito. Riku followed with an uppercut slash that grazed Kaito's cheek.
Blood spattered the sand.
Kaito exhaled slowly, then smiled-a calm, dangerous smile.
"Good move."
In one fluid motion, he sheathed his sword-and vanished.
Riku blinked.
Then Kaito reappeared right behind him, the sheath strike slamming into his ribs like a hammer.
"Iaidō." Kaito whispered.
Riku collapsed, gasping. His blades fell from his hands, clattering onto the stone.
Genzo's voice echoed, "Kaito-point."
The crowd murmured, impressed. Even Riku laughed weakly, clutching his ribs.
"Guess I'm still catching up."
Kaito offered him a hand. "You're faster than I expected. That's good."
Riku took it, smirking. "Yeah... but next time, I'm the one standing."
---
On the other side of the field, Hana faced Reika.
Hana's flames flickered along her arms, crackling like lightning. "Don't think I'll go easy just 'cause you hide behind toys."
Reika gave a faint smile, her fingers twitching. "Toys? Let's see if you still call them that after this."
The ground behind her shifted as five puppets rose from the dust-each carved from dark wood and metal. Their eyes glowed crimson.
Hana cracked her knuckles. "Come on, then."
The puppets rushed forward, blades extending from their arms. Hana ducked beneath one's swing and slammed her palm into its chest.
A surge of fire exploded outward, melting the puppet into molten fragments.
But the others swarmed her immediately. One grabbed her leg, another her arm.
She growled, fire bursting from her body in a flash that threw them back.
Reika's eyes narrowed. "Not bad. But brute force has limits."
Thin strings glimmered between her fingers. The remaining puppets jerked into new positions, their movements suddenly sharper, coordinated.
They formed a circle around Hana, attacking in perfect synchronization.
Hana blocked one strike, dodged another-but a third blade grazed her shoulder, and a fourth slammed into her gut, sending her sprawling backward. She rolled and came up again, coughing.
"Cheap trick..." she muttered, wiping blood from her lip.
Reika's tone was calm, almost kind. "Adapt, Hana. Or die."
Hana's fire dimmed for a moment-then blazed back to life, hotter and more intense.
"Fine. Let's see how you handle this."
She thrust her hands into the air. Flames roared upward, twisting into the shape of a serpent.
The fiery creature lunged, wrapping around the puppets and burning their strings away. The air shimmered from the heat.
Reika tried to reform her control-but the flames surged higher. The serpent roared, swallowing the last puppet whole before bursting apart in a shockwave of embers.
Reika fell to one knee, smoke rising from her gloves. "You've... gotten stronger."
Hana smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. "You talk too much."
But just as Hana lowered her guard, one last puppet-small, unnoticed-sprang from behind her and struck.
It hit her across the neck with a blunt blow, and Hana fell unconscious before hitting the ground.
Reika sighed, retrieving the puppet with careful control. "Still too reckless."
---
At the center of the field, Kazuto stood surrounded by glowing symbols carved into the dirt.
Opposite him, Masaki, the holy father, gripped his radiant sword, light shimmering across his armor.
Kazuto began to chant, his voice low and steady. "O spirits of the earth, rise and bind-"
Green sigils spread outward, wrapping around Masaki's legs.
Masaki lifted his sword high. "Light dispels all deceit!"
The holy blade blazed, cutting through the bindings like paper. Kazuto's expression didn't change-he whispered faster, summoning a spectral warrior behind him. The ghostly general raised a massive axe and swung.
Masaki turned, blocking the ethereal strike. The impact shook the ground.
Kazuto's eyes glowed faintly. "You can't fight both of us."
Masaki smiled calmly. "Then I'll strike both."
He dropped his sword's point into the ground-and light exploded outward in a dome.
The spectral general evaporated instantly, Kazuto's runes flickering like dying embers.
Kazuto gasped. "A divine burst...?"
Masaki stepped forward, sword still glowing. "Faith over fear, my friend."
He tapped the flag's post with the blade-the symbol of victory.
Genzo's voice thundered again. "Second round-Kaito's team wins."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Riku sat on the sidelines, breathing hard, watching Kaito sheathe his blade again.
"You really are a monster," he muttered.
Kaito smiled faintly. "Only when I have to be."
Hana groaned from where Reika was helping her stand. "You and your damn puppets..."
Reika chuckled softly. "And you with your temper."
The heat faded from the ground, leaving only scorched earth and the smell of smoke.
Both sides knew this wasn't over.
Genzo stepped forward. "Final round. Winner takes all."
The sun dipped lower. Shadows stretched across the field like claws.
The next match would decide everything.