The temperature spiked. Everyone started to sweat. "Why is it so hot?" Kaede remarked. "It's coming from him." I answered. Why is it so hot? Makoto looked around. Atsushi slowly stood up. It's. Coming from him!

Atsushi's mouth started to create a smile.

Atsushi's body began to glow with intense heat, the air around him warping and shimmering. His amber eyes burned with determination, the pressure in the arena rising with every passing second. As his chi surged, the temperature skyrocketed, sending waves of heat that scorched the very ground beneath his feet. His wild, dark brown hair seemed to catch fire, flickering with embers as the molten energy poured through his veins.

Makoto stepped back, eyes wide. The change was palpable. "So that's your true power, huh?" he said, his voice strained, sweat starting to bead on his forehead.

Atsushi's chest heaved as he stood tall, his muscles tense. "Don't think this is over," he growled, his voice hoarse but unwavering. The heat radiating from him was now unbearable, the very air crackling with raw energy.

Makoto wasn't about to back down. His grip on the Lightning Bolt tightened, and his body blurred into motion. "We'll see about that!" he shouted, his voice crackling with determination as he launched himself forward with incredible speed, aiming for Atsushi's side with a lightning-fast strike.

Atsushi's eyes flared as he turned to face Makoto, his war hammer lifted in a fluid arc. "Magma Burst!" With a fierce roar, the hammer swung downward, releasing a devastating burst of molten energy that surged toward Makoto with blinding intensity. Quick! Dodge it.

Makoto reacted just in time, barely managing to dodge the wave of molten rock as it surged toward him. The searing heat whipped past his face, his skin prickling from the intensity. He grimaced, already feeling the strain in his muscles as he spun mid-air, landing with practiced grace. "Not bad, Atsushi," he called out, his voice tinged with adrenaline, his eyes locked onto his opponent. He wasted no time, his whip cracking through the air as he lashed out. A bolt of electricity shot forward, crackling with raw power.

But Atsushi was faster now. The heat surrounding his body sharpened his movements, his muscles burning with energy. "Infernal Arc!" he shouted, his voice raw as he swung his hammer. A wave of molten rock shot forward, tearing through the earth with unstoppable force, headed straight for Makoto once again.

Makoto's eyes widened, the realization hitting him just a moment too late. He barely had time to leap into the air, the molten wave grazing the earth beneath him, scorching the ground where he had been only seconds before. As the heat rushed past, Makoto twisted in mid-air, landing with a flip. "Storm Whip!" he shouted, releasing a flurry of electrified arcs from his whip, each crackling with intensity as they sped toward Atsushi.

But Atsushi didn't flinch. His molten aura flared up, his body becoming a furnace of heat and power. With a snarl, he swung his hammer again. "Lava Shield!" The ground trembled as molten energy exploded outward, forming a protective barrier that absorbed Makoto's lightning. The collision of fire and electricity sent a shockwave through the arena, rattling the very ground beneath their feet.

Makoto staggered back, his breath heavy, his heart racing. The heat was oppressive, and the strain of constant movement was starting to take its toll on him. He cracked his neck and grinned, shaking the sweat from his brow. "Not bad, Atsushi, but you're going to have to do better than that." His body crackled with renewed energy, his stance shifting as he prepared for his next strike. "Volt Snare!" His whip lashed forward, tendrils of electricity shooting out to entangle Atsushi.

Atsushi's amber eyes flickered with fierce determination. As the tendrils closed in on him, he grunted, raising his hammer high. "Molten Breaker!" he roared, slamming his weapon into the earth with explosive force. The ground shattered beneath the impact, and molten shards erupted in every direction, dissipating Makoto's attack in a flash. The force of the blast knocked Makoto off balance, but he regained his footing, eyes narrowed.

But something had changed in Atsushi. Makoto could feel it—he could see the flicker in Atsushi's molten aura, the strain showing in his opponent's stance. Atsushi's breath came in ragged gasps, his body covered in sweat, his once-flaring heat now flickering like a dying flame. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his focus. "I can't... let up... now..." he muttered, his voice barely audible through the strain.

Makoto's eyes locked onto the signs of exhaustion, a flash of understanding crossing his mind. "You're running on empty, Atsushi," he said, his tone no longer taunting, but sharp with the truth of the moment. "You won't be able to keep this up."

Atsushi's fists clenched, his body shaking with effort. He raised his hammer again, the fire around it was burning brighter than ever, but Makoto could tell it wasn't going to be enough.

The temperature surged even higher; the air thick with unbearable heat. "Ugh. I feel like I'm in an oven," Kaede muttered from the sidelines, her voice filled with discomfort as she wiped her brow.

Atsushi's knees trembled as he swung his hammer, his body faltering. His focus was slipping, his energy drained beyond recovery. He swung with everything left in him, but halfway through the motion, his body couldn't keep up. The hammer fell from his grasp, the fire sputtering, and Atsushi collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The molten glow around him flickered and dimmed, leaving the arena in a heavy silence. "I won't stop!"

The ground started to tremble, again. It cracked. Lava spewed like geyser. The air got even hotter. This time I am not joking when I say we were starting to smoke. Hey, I would like to order 1 plate of smoked a Akarui medium rare with a side of some grilled Kaede please.

Makoto stood still for a moment; his whip lowered. He watched Atsushi for a brief second, the fiery figure now reduced to a crumpled heap on the ground. His body released smoke. He pushed himself too far. If he just lasted 1 more second. I would have been a goner.

"Match 9 Makoto Yamaguchi wins!" Mr. Sigan exclaimed.

Atsushi stood up. Using his hammer for support. "I failed." He picked up his hammer and walked back to the bleachers.

"Round 1's Finale. Reina Okada vs. Sayaka Morita"

Reina Okada stood across from Sayaka Morita, both of them exuding an air of unspoken intensity, their appearances standing out against the crowd. Reina and Sayake stood up and walked to the circle.

Reina Okada stood across from Sayaka Morita, her expression calm and collected as she prepared for the fight. She was 15, with messy, spiky purple hair that framed her face and a pair of sharp amber eyes. Her skin was fair, and she had a slender yet athletic build. She wore a loose, black hoodie with a faded logo on the front and sleeves that were rolled up to her elbows. Her cargo pants were dark green, baggy, and practical, ending just above her worn black boots. A silver chain dangled from her neck, adding a bit of personal flair to her outfit. She held her chain blade in her hands, the weapon looking light and well-used. The chain was 60 cm long.

Sayaka Morita, also 15, stood confidently on the other side. Her long, straight black hair fell just past her shoulders, tied back loosely into a ponytail. Her eyes were a striking shade of dark brown, and her skin tone was a light tan. She had a tall, slender build and was dressed in a dark grey, fitted shirt that clung to her frame but allowed for quick movement. Over the shirt, she wore a slightly oversized, worn denim jacket with frayed cuffs and faded patches. Her ripped jeans were tucked into black high-top sneakers, the shoes designed for both style and practicality. She carried a sleek glaive, its long handle decorated with intricate designs.

They both face each other. "Start!"

Reina's muscles tense as she steadies her stance, feeling the weight of the chain blade in her hands. The tension in the air is thick, and she can practically taste it. The crowd's murmur grows faint, drowned out by the thumping in her chest. She meets Sayaka's eyes, studying her for a brief moment before deciding to make the first move.

Without warning, Reina whips the chain blade through the air in a tight arc. The chains snap and rattle like an incoming storm, their speed a blur. The links of the chain flicker in the sunlight as they spiral toward Sayaka, aiming for her legs in a calculated strike.

"Here we go!" Reina calls out with a grin, her eyes glinting with challenge.

Sayaka's expression doesn't change. She watches the blade approach, but instead of flinching or backing away, she shifts her weight, her body already in motion. With a graceful twist, she sidesteps the chain just inches from her body, letting it pass by without even breaking her calm composure.

"Not bad," Sayaka comments, her voice steady.

Reina smirks, unbothered by the near miss. "You're going to have to do better than that."

"Ugh. Your going to have to do better than that! Blah blah blah. It's always the same thing." Akira commented.

With a flick of her wrist, Reina pulls the chain blade back, reeling it in like a whip before spinning it again—this time faster, the chain blade becoming a blur of motion as it spirals toward Sayaka once more. The air hums with the force of it. But Sayaka is already moving, crouching low to the ground, evading the strike by a hair's breadth as the chain whips past above her head.

Reina narrows her eyes. "I like your style. But you can't keep dodging forever."

Reina's feet pivot as she spins the chain blade in a wide circle, the weapon a twisting blur of links. It's an art form, a demonstration of power and control, each motion calculated and precise. She can feel the chain blade vibrating in her hands, the air around her almost electric with the force of the spinning weapon.

In one fluid motion, she sends the chain slicing toward Sayaka's midsection, its speed relentless, aiming to catch her off guard. But Sayaka doesn't falter. With a sudden burst of agility, she leaps into the air, twisting her body as she dodges the chain, her hair streaming behind her like a golden ribbon.

Sayaka lands gracefully, her feet barely touching the ground before she's springing forward again, closing the gap between them with frightening speed.

"Not bad, but you'll need to do more than that to catch me!" Reina taunts, tightening her grip on the chain blade. Her wrist flicks sharply, and the weapon sails toward Sayaka in a horizontal arc, aimed at her torso.

But Sayaka is ready. She raises her glaive, the blade's surface gleaming with strange, shifting eyes that seem to watch Reina from every direction. As the chain blade nears, Sayaka slashes her glaive downward, deflecting the chain in a sharp motion. The chains rattle as they're pushed aside, but Reina isn't deterred.

"Impressive," Reina says, her voice carrying a playful edge. She quickly retracts the chain, pulling it back into her hands, spinning it in another quick circle before releasing it again.

Sayaka spins with the glaive, the eyes on its blade glimmering with a faint pulse. She moves with the precision of a dancer, every movement controlled and deliberate as she counters each of Reina's attacks with equal grace.

But Reina can feel the tension growing between them—she can see the way Sayaka is watching her, waiting, calculating. The girl is fast, and not just physically. Her mind is moving just as quickly. Reina needs to break through that composure before it's too late.

She takes a step back, her eyes narrowing as she shifts tactics. She doesn't just want to overwhelm Sayaka with speed. She wants to force her opponent into a corner, give her nowhere to move.

With a roar, Reina throws herself into the air, launching the chain blade in a wide arc that whips across the arena like a tempest. The chains slash and snap with brutal force, moving in every direction, trapping Sayaka in a net of links. Reina's grin widens as she watches her opponent's every move.

But Sayaka doesn't panic. In fact, she doesn't move at all. Instead, she stands perfectly still for a fraction of a second—then, in a flash of movement, she lunges forward, her glaive a blur of motion. She swings it expertly, cutting through the chains like they were nothing more than a flimsy barrier. The pieces of the chain break apart, falling to the ground with a metallic clatter, but Sayaka doesn't slow. She uses the opening to get closer, her glaive in hand, her eyes locked on Reina with a focused intensity.

Reina feels the weight of the moment. "I thought you'd be faster than this," she mutters under her breath, but there's no doubt in her mind that Sayaka is a worthy opponent.

Before she can react, Sayaka thrusts her glaive forward, the blade's eyes narrowing as if aware of Reina's next move. The weapon blurs toward her, and Reina can see the energy charging around it, the eyes flickering with dangerous intent.

Reina grins. "Guess it's time to really test you, huh?"

With a sharp flick, she pulls her chain blade back just in time to parry Sayaka's strike, but the force of the blow sends shockwaves through her arms. The sheer power in Sayaka's attack is more than Reina expected.

As they lock eyes, Reina can feel the battle shifting. Sayaka is no longer just defending. She's preparing something.

Reina's mind races. What's she planning?

But she doesn't have time to think. Sayaka is already moving again, the glaive spinning as she launches herself into the air, closing the distance between them once more.

Reina steels herself, ready for whatever comes next. "Bring it on," she mutters, her chain blade at the ready.

As Sayaka moved in again, Reina pulled her chain blade back, spinning it in a wide arc, before suddenly stopping mid-motion.

Her gaze flicked over to Sayaka, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "You're really quick, aren't you?" she said, her voice light but tinged with a challenge. "But you haven't seen anything yet."

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With a flick of her wrist, Reina's chain blade snapped into the air, the links rattling with anticipation. She grinned, clearly enjoying the battle, but it was time to show off the full extent of her ability.

"Alright," Reina began, her tone a little more serious now, "time to show you what Chain Reaper can really do."

Sayaka's stance shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing in response to the change in Reina's energy.

Reina smirked, her fingers curling around the chain blade's hilt. She pulled the chain taut, then twisted her wrist. In an instant, the chain blade shot outward, faster than before, swirling in an almost impossible blur of motion. It looked as if the weapon itself were alive, spinning and twisting in the air with controlled chaos.

"This is my technique—Chain Reaper," Reina continued, her eyes sparkling with pride. "I can spin the chain blade at super speeds, faster than the eye can track. The faster I spin it, the more unpredictable it becomes. It's like an extension of my own will, and if I can get close enough, you won't even be able to dodge."

As Reina spoke, she demonstrated the technique. The chain blade whirled in the air; its movement so fast that it left behind a trail of blurring links. The sharp clang of metal echoed as she directed it toward Sayaka, sending a barrage of spinning strikes her way. Each attack was quicker than the last, and the force behind each slash was enough to make the air itself vibrate.

Sayaka's eyes widened as she tracked the chain's movement. She had already seen how fast it was, but now she understood why Reina had been so confident.

"I can make it cut through almost anything," Reina added with a grin, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and challenge. "You're going to need more than just speed to get past me."

With that, the battle grew even fiercer, Reina's chain blade moving like a whirlwind, forcing Sayaka to stay on the defensive. Every time she tried to make a move, the spinning chain blocked her, forcing her to think faster, to move even quicker.

Sayaka couldn't help but smirk, her voice teasing but filled with a playful edge.

"So this is your big move?" Sayaka called out, sidestepping one of the chain blade's fast strikes with a grace that made it seem effortless. "A fancy spinning trick?"

Reina's eyes flashed with determination as she hurled the chain blade again, the links whirling faster and faster. "You'd better take this seriously, Sayaka! You can't dodge this forever."

"Oh, I'm serious," Sayaka said, her voice light with amusement, but her movements were swift and sharp. She ducked under the spinning chain with a fluid roll, coming back up to her feet in one smooth motion. "But you need to have something up your sleeve if you want to catch me."

Reina growled in frustration, her chain blade twisting in the air as she sent a barrage of attacks aimed directly at Sayaka. "You won't get away so easily!"

Sayaka laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, I thought spinning chains were supposed to be scary, but you're just making me dizzy!"

Reina gritted her teeth, focusing on controlling her chain blade, keeping it spinning and unpredictable. "This isn't about being flashy, Sayaka. It's about precision. Speed. And if you don't stop playing around, you're going to get cut."

"I'm not playing around," Sayaka shot back, darting in and out of the strikes, her feet barely touching the ground as she weaved through the chain's path. "I'm just trying to keep up with your circular problem-solving skills."

With a burst of speed, Sayaka darted forward, sliding just beneath the chain blade as it swung by, her eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "Is that all you've got? I was expecting a little more."

Reina's smirk faded slightly as Sayaka effortlessly dodged another of her strikes. She readjusted her stance, focusing harder, but couldn't hide the flicker of admiration in her eyes. "I've got plenty more. You won't be so cocky when I land one of these."

"Cocky? Oh, I'm just warming up," Sayaka teased, her voice light and carefree. She shot a wink at Reina before darting in, taking advantage of a brief opening to get in close to the spinning chain. "If I wanted to really show off, I'd have to bring out my own tricks. But for now, your little whirlwind's keeping me entertained."

Reina narrowed her eyes, frustration growing, but there was an edge of excitement too. This wasn't just a battle; this was a game of speed, wit, and timing. And Sayaka's teasing only made her more determined to land a hit. But for now, Sayaka's taunts and agility made her a far more elusive target than Reina had anticipated.

"I'll teach you about keeping up soon enough," Reina muttered, spinning the chain blade faster. "You're not going to slip away forever."

Reina's chain blade lashed out with brutal speed, wrapping around Sayaka's limbs with precise control. In an instant, she pulled the chains tight, "Oh I forgot to tell you. The chains extend."

"You're done, Sayaka," Reina muttered through gritted teeth, focusing on her next move.

With a swift motion, Reina yanked the chains, lifting Sayaka into the air and sending her hurtling across the ring. But just as Sayaka was about to slam into the ground, her body twisted midair with a fluid grace that Reina hadn't anticipated.

What's she doing?

Sayaka's feet landed on the ground with cat-like precision, and she immediately used the momentum of the chains pulling her back toward Reina. She spun, which made the chains, pulling yank toward her.

Reina's eyes widened in shock as she was yanked off her feet, her body being dragged by the very chains she had used to throw Sayaka. Sayaka's strength was unexpected, and before Reina could react, she found herself being pulled across the ring. The crowd gasped as Reina's feet skidded along the floor.

No way. Reina's gripped tightened on the chains in an effort to stop herself.

But it was too late.

Sayaka's pull and the momentum she had built up were too strong. Reina was sent flying, and in one final, unbalanced stumble, her feet crossed the line.

Mr. Sigan immediately called out, "Sayaka Morita wins!"

Reina landed hard just past the border, her body aching from the sudden motion. She blinked, stunned by how quickly everything had changed. One second, she was in control, and the next, Sayaka had turned the tables completely.

Sayaka, still standing in her spot near the centre of the ring, flashed a teasing smile. "Guess you didn't expect me to throw you out of bounds, huh?"

Reina clenched her fists as she slowly rose, her chest heaving with the rush of adrenaline. She had underestimated Sayaka's speed and agility—and it had cost her the match.

"I'll get you next time," Reina muttered, determined.

Sayaka's grin widened. "We'll see about that."

"That is it for round 1. I'll list the winners for this round.

Match 1: Luka De Angelo

Match 2: Kaede Yoshida

Match 3: Akarui Hikaru

Match 4: Jao Pedro

Match 5: Satoshi Sato

Match 6: Daichi Tanaka

Match 7: Aiko Kato

Match 8: Chika Nishumura

Match 9: Makoto Yamagushi

Match 10: Sayaka Morita

Please go to the board to see the line up."

"Well, let's go guys." We walked towards the board. The line up was,

"1. Akarui Hikaru and Kaede Yoshida

2. Luka De Angelo and Sayaka Morita

3. Jao Pedro and Makoto Yamagushi

4. Satoshi Sato and Chika Nishumura

5. Daichi Tanaka and Aiko Kato"

"Oh, so we're up against each other, Kaede," I said, giving her a glance.

"Yeah, seems like it," Kaede replied with a casual smile, unfazed by the match.

From the sidelines, Akira piped up excitedly, "Finally! I've been waiting to see you two fight. I've been wondering who's stronger between you guys."

Sakura added, "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

Kaede just nodded, her expression calm. "Yeah, it should be interesting."

"Ok class Round 2 Match 1: Akarui Hikaru vs Kaede Yoshida!" Mr. Sigan broke the silence.

The moment Mr. Sigan called our match, I could feel the energy in the arena shift. Kaede was across from me, standing tall with a confident grin. I had trained hard for this, and I was going to make sure it showed.

"Start!" Mr. Sigan's voice rang out, and the battle began.

Kaede was quick to act, her arms extending in a fluid motion. "Light's Cyclone!" she shouted, and a vortex of radiant energy spiralled toward me with incredible force. I didn't flinch. "Not bad Kaede!"

"Shadow Portal!" I called, opening a dark rift in space and slipping through it just as the cyclone crashed where I had been standing. I reappeared behind her, ready to strike.

Kaede spun around, eyes flashing as she launched a barrage of glowing punches. "Light's Flash!" she exclaimed, each punch fast and powerful. I dodged the first few but one of her hits landed solidly against my side. It stung, but I didn't let it shake me.

I smirked, channelling my energy into a powerful move. "Deranged Slashes!" I slashed wildly with my dark-infused blade, attacking with a furious speed that forced Kaede to block and retreat. My strikes were unpredictable, overwhelming her guard.

Kaede grinned, then jumped back to reset the distance between us. "Nice moves," she said, breathing slightly heavier. "But watch this!"

She raised her arms and gathered energy, forming a radiant beam in her palms. "Light's Ascension!" she yelled, and the beam shot toward me, fast and deadly.

I could feel the blast coming. "Shadow Portal!" I opened another rift, stepping through just in time to avoid the attack. The ground where I'd been standing was scorched, but I had already reappeared behind her.

"You're quick," Kaede said with a grin, but I could see the determination in her eyes. She wasn't about to let me off that easy.

With a flick of her wrist, Kaede conjured a shining barrier of light. "Light's Guardian!" she shouted, and the shield appeared, blocking her from any incoming attacks.

I narrowed my eyes. "Black Hole!" I summoned a dark orb between us, pulling everything toward it with immense gravitational force. Kaede staggered as the pull yanked her barrier in, the shield cracking under the pressure. She fought to stay grounded, but the Black Hole had her on the defensive.

"Impressive," Kaede grunted, managing to stabilize herself. "But I've got more!"

Kaede dashed forward, her aura flaring as she called out, "Light's Tempest!" A whirlwind of radiant energy erupted around her, pushing me back with overwhelming force.

I grinned, unfazed. "Shadow Blade!" I summoned a blade of pure darkness in my hand, swinging it with precision to cut through the swirling light. The clash between light and shadow sparked with energy, but I powered through, getting closer to Kaede.

She gritted her teeth and launched another attack. "Light's Fury!" A series of rapid, glowing punches followed, each one landing with powerful force. I blocked most of them with my shadow blade, but one punch got past my guard, sending a shockwave of energy through my body.

I staggered but quickly regained my footing. "Deranged Slashes!" I retaliated with another brutal flurry of dark-infused strikes. Each one was faster, harder, and aimed to break through her defences.

Kaede blocked some of the slashes, but the pressure was getting to her. I could see the strain in her movements. She wasn't done yet, though.

"Not bad," I muttered, my eyes narrowing, "White hole."

I straightened my right arm. A huge white orb formed twice my size on the tip of my index finger. It blasted huge amounts of energy. It illuminated the whole place even more. Damn it! Light's fury! Kaede launched a series of barrages trying to counter the energy blast.

I summoned my katana, feeling the cold, sharp metal in my grip as the weight of the weapon grounded me in the fight.

Kaede raised her arm again. "Light's Flash!" she cried, unleashing a series of rapid punches, each one glowing with a radiant force. The energy behind them was incredible, but I was ready. With a swift movement, I stepped to the side, narrowly dodging the first few punches. As she followed up with another flurry, I twirled my katana in my hand, using the blade to deflect the glowing strikes. The clash of light against steel rang through the arena, sparks flying as the two forces collided.

This is nothing. She's strong, but I can handle this.

"Not bad!" I grinned, focusing on maintaining my balance and form. "But you're gonna need more than that!"

Without waiting for her next move, I pushed forward, using my katana in a series of precise strikes aimed at her defense. "Deranged Slashes!" I called out, my blade cutting through the air in chaotic, rapid motions. Each slash brought the darkness around me to life, infusing the strikes with overwhelming force. Kaede tried to counter with a quick series of kicks and punches, but the energy behind my slashes was too fast and relentless.

She's getting cornered. She'll slip up if I keep pushing her like this.

She stumbled back, her eyes wide as she tried to dodge. I could see the cracks in her confidence — the onslaught was working. But Kaede wasn't about to go down so easily. She summoned a shield of light, "Light's Shield!" just as I closed the distance between us.

I collided with the shield, the sound of metal against light ringing out. The force from the impact made the ground tremble beneath us, but Kaede's shield held, only slightly faltering. The moment the shield weakened, I saw my opening. I twisted the katana in my hands, using its sharp edge to break through the barrier.

She's desperate. Her shield is cracked. One more push.

Kaede, still holding the shield, pushed forward with a burst of strength, launching herself at me with a powerful strike. "Light's Fury!" she shouted, her arms glowing with radiance as she unleashed a barrage of punches. I blocked most of the hits with my katana, but each blow shook my arms, pushing me back step by step.

I have to make distance.

"Shadow Portal!" I called out, opening a rift in space and stepping through just in time to avoid Kaede's last strike. The portal spat me out behind her, and before she could turn around, I was already swinging my katana in a wide arc.

"Deranged Slashes!" I roared again, my blade cutting through the air with overwhelming speed. Kaede barely managed to twist out of the way in time, but the force of the slashes sent ripples of energy across the battlefield. I didn't give her any room to breathe — every slash was designed to force her into a defensive position, overwhelming her with the dark energy.

She's losing ground. Keep up the pressure.

She managed to create a defensive barrier again, "Light's Guardian!" But I could see the cracks forming in her defence. I wasn't about to let up. My katana, infused with darkness, became an extension of my will, slicing through her barrier piece by piece.

It's time to end this.

With a sharp breath, I focused, and in an instant, I invoked my realm. "Realm: Eternal Night!" I declared, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

The world around us shifted. The arena we had been fighting in was suddenly plunged into complete darkness. The only light came from molten rivers of energy that crackled and sputtered beneath the floor, casting eerie orange and red glows. The ground beneath us felt softer, almost alive, the mist curling and swirling with every movement I made. Every step I took echoed in the silence, amplifying the weight of my presence.

I could feel the darkness around me pressing in from every angle, wrapping itself around my body like a cloak. The energy in the air surged, a powerful, oppressive force that seemed to feed me strength. I could feel my muscles tense, every fiber of my being charged with the power of the realm itself.

Kaede's face twisted in confusion and frustration as she looked around, clearly disoriented by the sudden shift in her surroundings. She took a cautious step forward, but the darkness made it impossible for her to see me clearly.

She's vulnerable. I can feel it.

Kaede gripped her fists tighter, her glowing form flickering in the shadows, and I could hear her voice cutting through the silence. "What is this?!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the unseen walls of the realm. "I can't see anything!"

Her eyes darted around, searching for me, but she couldn't track my movements. The Realm itself was disorienting her, clouding her senses. I could feel it — the darkness was thick, almost alive, bending around my every command. It made me faster, stronger.

This is my advantage.

I could see Kaede trying to adjust, attempting to bring her attacks into focus. Her body glowed brightly in the pitch-black space, but it was no use — the darkness around her made every movement sluggish. I moved silently through the mist, my body blending in with the surroundings, the molten glow from the ground lighting my path.

"Deranged Slashes!" I called out, my katana crackling with dark energy as I slashed through the air. The strikes came in a flurry, fast and unrelenting, each one amplified by the darkness that surrounded me. I could feel my power building with every move I made, the Realm feeding my every strike.

Kaede tried to block, but her glowing form was too easy to track in this endless void. I struck again, this time landing a solid blow on her arm, knocking her off balance. She staggered, her eyes widening with surprise.

"Not bad," I muttered under my breath, feeling the overwhelming surge of energy coursing through me. She's definitely struggling.

I pushed forward, the shadows swirling around me as I moved in for another strike. The darkness seemed to respond to my will, empowering my every attack. Kaede barely managed to bring her guard up in time, the light around her flickering and flashing in desperation. But the realm was mine, and it made every movement of mine quicker, more precise.

"Shadow Portal!" I yelled, opening another rift behind her. I stepped through, moving with the speed and silence that the darkness gave me. As I appeared behind her, I raised my katana high.

"Deranged Slashes!" I roared, striking down as Kaede turned too late, my blade cutting through the air with lethal precision.