At that moment, Yuki felt a warm liquid trickling down from her chest to her abdomen. Right, it was her own blood. This time, Yuki's reflexes had failed to keep pace with Mariana's lethal, agile movements.
Was this the end of her life? She never for a moment expected Mariana to show mercy or spare her. Yet, there was something that made her just as special as her brother, Yusha; something that set her apart: She refused to surrender.
She had absolutely no intention of dying in this wretched hell, a place she didn't even fully recognize. Despite her bleeding and heavily battered body, she stubbornly forced herself to her feet. As she stood up, she muttered with unwavering conviction:
— In spite of you... I WILL SURVIVE!
Yuki stood fully upright. Blood was still pouring from her body, but it could no longer hold her back. She didn't even bother to bend down to retrieve her sword. Without uttering a single word, completely soundlessly, she began to channel her wind magic. In this world, casting spells without incantations—doing it silently—was deemed impossible. Yet, with that silent wave of wind, she lifted her sword from the ground and snapped it right back into her grip.
Right now, both sides were experiencing their own awakening simultaneously. On one side stood an empress born of arrogance and greed, destined to burn down the order established by the previous emperors. On the other side was another empress; one who had stood on the brink of death, defied fate, and achieved the impossible by gaining the ability to cast spells silently—a feat that would place her among the greatest mages in the world, if not the universe.
This fierce battle would determine the destiny of them both. This very moment was an absolute, irreversible turning point for either side.For a while, both sides stood completely still, waiting for the opponent to make the first move. They stared at each other with an unprecedented hatred. Suddenly, the frozen atmosphere shattered. Yuki lunged forward, amplifying his speed to its absolute limits with a silent wind spell. He held his blade tight like a spear, ready to thrust it into his target.
Mariana knew escaping this attack unharmed was impossible. But she refused to get wounded; she had to end this root and branch. Gripping her sword in a reverse position, she waited for the perfect window. She had to time her strike flawlessly, or else she would pay with her life.
Then, the unpredictable happened. The battle ended in a complete draw. Both blades stopped, mere millimeters away from piercing their marks. The clash was over. As they withdrew their weapons, the chaotic air finally began to settle.
"So, you've finally come to your senses," Yuki muttered.
"You can thank my grandmother for that," Mariana replied, and a sharp but playful banter broke out between them.
Mariana was ready to leave this cursed place. She was rising again for her Empire; she was being reborn. She was finally an Empress worthy of the throne. It was time to swallow her pride and march against their mutual enemies. Her father's vengeance was calling. They had to wage war together against those so-called heroes. Now, their sole mission was to find the Sword Hero, Yusha, and Arakawa. They needed to unite and make a plan.
As she explained her thoughts to Yuki, they walked side by side through the empty, blood-stained corridors of the palace. Yuki was actually explaining something back in the throne room, but she hadn't listened. Well... it didn't matter anymore.