Everly's match came right after Eden's, but just like the latter, she was able to win in a single shot, knocking out Iris. The result was expected yet disappointing, so the crowd was hoping that the next match would be a bit more exciting.
As Aelina's voice echoed, announcing the next match, the anticipation surged anew.
"Skye vs. Selene! Get up here!" she declared.
The very atmosphere seemed to vibrate with energy as Skye walked confidently into the arena. Standing tall, her azure eyes sparkled with excitement. Her weapon of choice was a majestic black sword with a purple hilt called "Sovereign's Edge", something she obtained in the Secret Realm.
Skye's bloodline was that of the Azure Drake, a lesser version of the Azure Dragon. This gave her skin a very faint blue sheen, as one could make out tiny scales under her skin, and allowed her the ability to manipulate both water and wind elements.
This duality was complemented by her physique - the Divine Ocean Tempest Physique, which strengthened her affinity for storms, both in the air and water.
As for her techniques, she primarily used the [Azure Dragon's Wrath] technique, which allowed her to harness the combined might of wind and water in her sword strikes. While she wasn't exactly a "Dragon" yet, she had the potential to be one in the future.
Selene, on the other hand, was more reserved in her entrance. Her eyes darted around the arena before finally landing on Skye, her raven-black hair contrasting sharply with her silver-gray eyes. In her hand was a glaive, intricately carved with lunar sigils.
Her bloodline, while not as prominent as Skye's Azure Drake, was of the Night Owl. This allowed her to hone her senses in the dark, gave her a slight advantage in low-light conditions, and enhanced her Darkness Affinity. Her physique, the Divine Twilight Physique, enabled her to blend seamlessly with the shadows and even gave her an affinity for Ice.
As the protective barrier encapsulated them, the crowd held its collective breath. The two combatants locked eyes before Selene opened her mouth.
"How'd you make it this far, Sister Skye? You were just an Outer Disciple before the competition. How'd you improve so much that you were able to gather enough tokens to stand with some of the strongest in the Sect today?" She couldn't help but ask.
Skye thought back on her time in the Secret Realm, a shiver running down her spine. Every second of every minute on every single island was like a battle to the death. Everyone was stronger than her, and she wasn't allowed a single break due to all the people chasing her down.
At first, she could only tackle weaker participants and pick up the scraps, but as she searched, pleaded, and fought for opportunities, eventually, some were granted, and she started to pick up some momentum.
Gulping down a mouthful of saliva, Skye answered, "...I swallowed my token and put my life on the line for everything. I decided that this was my chance, and I had to bank everything on it. I would either become someone special, or I would die. There was no other option. This is just the fruit of my surviving."
"...I see…" Selene slowly nodded as the way she looked at Skye changed to admiration. "...You're amazing."
Skye smiled and nodded. "You're amazing too, Sister Selene! I'm surprised that Inner Court Disciples were even able to make the Top 32!"
"Hehehe~ I just did what I could." Selene chuckled shyly.
"Anyways, we can talk later," Skye said, her voice becoming serious as she lowered her sword into position. "Let's not keep the audience waiting."
Selene nodded and steadied herself as well.
She took the initiative, using her [Lunar Dance] technique. Selene moved gracefully as her glaive cut through the air, sending crescent-shaped energy projectiles towards Skye.
However, Skye confronted the challenge head-on.
Channeling her [Azure Dragon's Wrath], she swung "Sovereign's Edge," creating a whirlwind of water and air that easily deflected Selene's projectiles. The intensity of Skye's attack left pools of water and cyclones in its wake as the ground cracked under her might.
Selene, realizing her initial approach was ineffective, opted for stealth. Using her Twilight Physique, she began to blend into the shadows, attempting to launch a surprise assault.
Skye, however, was prepared. Calling upon her Ocean Tempest Physique, she infused her surroundings with a thin mist. This disrupted Selene's stealth, revealing her silhouette in the foggy environment.
With swift precision, Skye lunged forward, her sword gleaming with the combined energy of wind and water. The arena echoed with the clash of metal as Selene barely deflected the attack with her glaive.
Selene tried to counter with her [Night Owl's Scream] technique, sending sound waves intended to disorient Skye. But Skye's Azure Dragon bloodline proved superior.
With a roar, she unleashed the [Azure Dragon's Roar], which not only nullified Selene's attack but also reverberated through the arena, causing many in the audience to cover their ears.
The echoing cry dominated the atmosphere. Selene stumbled back, clutching her ears. The shadows that had served her well were now her prison, as Skye's roar kept her disoriented.
However, she was far from defeated. Summoning her Divine Twilight Physique, she created a dome of darkness around her, shielding herself from the exterior world and dampening Skye's roaring technique.
Inside the dome, Selene began to use her affinity for darkness to absorb the ambient energy and convert it to bolster her own strength.
Skye was momentarily taken aback by the sudden obsidian shield. She recognized the technique: [Moonlit Sanctuary]. An advanced spell known to a few in the sect, it provided the user with a temporary shelter to recuperate and strategize.
Understanding the potential threat, Skye didn't wait.
She began to pour her elemental energy into the Sovereign's Edge, infusing it with a water and wind vortex, and then she thrust the sword forward. The resulting attack, [Azure Vortex Strike], spiraled towards the dark dome, the swirling energies threatening to tear it apart.
Inside the [Moonlit Sanctuary], Selene could sense the impending danger. She concentrated on her glaive and initiated the [Lunar Eclipse] technique. This maneuver was designed to absorb and redirect energy, and as Skye's attack hit the dome, the absorbed energy was channeled into Selene's weapon.
The dome dissipated, revealing a reinvigorated Selene, her glaive glowing with the absorbed energy. She lunged back at Skye with increased power. The arena was filled with the brilliance of the moon as Selene unleashed crescent after crescent of energy.
Sensing the shift in momentum, Skye focused on her defense. Using the [Azure Dragon's Shield], she created a barrier of swirling water and wind. Selene's crescent attacks slammed into the barrier one after another, causing ripples of energy to cascade outwards.
The audience was on the edge of their seats, their eyes darting back and forth, following the swift exchanges between the two fighters.
Suddenly, Skye sensed a momentary lapse in Selene's rhythm.
Seizing the opportunity, she countered with her [Tempest Surge], a move that combined her Divine Ocean Tempest Physique with the might of the Azure Dragon's Wrath technique.
A massive tidal wave, surrounded by gusts of wind, surged towards Selene.
Caught off-guard, Selene tried to deflect it with her [Lunar Eclipse], but the sheer force was too much. She was engulfed by the tidal wave and sent crashing to the ground, her glaive skidding away.
The arena fell silent, save for the sound of water gently receding. Skye, breathing heavily, stood over Selene with her sword pointed downwards at her neck.
"Winner – Skye!" Aelina announced, ending the match.
Selene slowly got up, soaked and panting. She picked up her glaive and gave Skye a nod of acknowledgment. "You truly are amazing, Sister Skye."
Skye, smiling warmly, extended her hand. "And you, Sister Selene. That was a great battle. I'd love to spar with you sometime after the competition is over."
Selene took her hand and nodded. "I'd like that as well. However, before you think of that, you should probably prepare for your next battles." She said while glancing at the Core Disciples, especially Mira.
Skye's gaze also landed on Mira, who was just standing off to the side, alone.
Suddenly, Mira turned to look at her, and Skye couldn't help but freeze up as she met those blood-red eyes. Mira didn't even do anything, but she already felt like she was thrown into a bloody battlefield where a demon ran amok, chopping everything into pieces.
In that illusion, she felt her limbs get ripped off, her organs torn to shreds, and her body tossed aside like trash. Mira snorted coldly and looked away, causing the vision to end.
Skye was left standing there with sweat pouring out of her body like a broken faucet.
"...Are you okay?" Selene asked, breaking Skye out of her thoughts.
"...Y-Yeah. You're right. I definitely need to p-prepare." With that said, Skye ran off to get a breather, leaving Selene behind.
As soon as they left, Aelina then called for the next matches.
