The mist clung to the forest floor as the remaining fighters stood on high alert. Each participant’s breaths were labored, their eyes sharp and unwavering as they assessed the battlefield. Renjiro scanned the field, noticing Kairro across the clearing, who, despite his usual smirk, wore a focused intensity. Goro remained nearby, his usual grin replaced with raw determination, while Yumeru watched with her quiet, unreadable expression. They had all come so far, and now, with the numbers dwindling, the tension reached its peak.

Without another signal or word, the fights resumed.

Kairro vs. Emi

Emi’s heart raced as she squared off against Kairro, whose stance radiated raw, unshaken power. Emi had reached this point by using her mind and precision, outwitting rather than overpowering, but Kairro was unlike her previous opponents. His Lumina energy pulsed around him, each step seeming to ground him deeper into the earth.

"Emi," Kairro called out, his tone dripping with arrogance, “you’ve got skill, but you’re out of your depth here.”

Emi’s gaze hardened. She darted forward, her movements quick and calculated, aiming at Kairro’s exposed sides. Her Lumina-infused punches struck his midsection and shoulders, but Kairro barely flinched. With a dismissive swat, he deflected her strikes, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

Kairro’s amusement was cut short as Emi continued her assault, her attacks more focused and relentless. She aimed a final punch at his ribs, but Kairro anticipated her move, sidestepping and countering with a crushing blow. His fist, blazing with Lumina, crashed into the ground near her, sending a shockwave that forced her backward.

Emi landed hard against a nearby tree, her energy flickering. She struggled to rise, but Kairro stepped closer, delivering one final strike that left her slumped against the tree, breathless and defeated.

"You fought well," Kairro murmured coldly as he turned away, leaving Emi eliminated.

Thyros vs. Nira

Thyros lumbered through the forest, his heavy footsteps echoing in the silence. Nira was quick, darting in and out of sight, her movements a ghostly blur among the trees. Thyros, however, was unfazed; he had the strength, and if he could get his hands on her, the fight would end swiftly.

Nira dashed in, her Lumina-infused strikes aimed at Thyros’s flanks. But her blows, though precise, seemed to have little effect against his imposing frame. Thyros swung at her, each strike carrying enough force to shake the trees, but she evaded him with practiced agility.

Finally, growing impatient, Thyros allowed her to come just close enough before he pivoted sharply, seizing her by the arm mid-strike. With a triumphant roar, he lifted her and slammed her into the ground, his Lumina strength sending cracks through the forest floor.

Nira gasped, stunned, as Thyros lifted her and hurled her against a nearby rock. She slumped to the ground, eliminated. Thyros stood over her, exhaling in satisfaction. “Stay in the shadows next time,” he muttered, moving on.

Renjiro vs. Thyros

Renjiro’s muscles ached from his previous battles, but as Thyros turned toward him, a spark of determination flared in Renjiro’s chest. Thyros was formidable, his strength unmatched, but Renjiro’s training with Rei had prepared him for this moment. He steadied himself, Lumina energy crackling through his limbs.

“I’ve been waiting for a real challenge,” Thyros grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes.”

Renjiro met his gaze, saying nothing. As Thyros charged forward, his massive fists glowing with Lumina, Renjiro darted to the side, narrowly evading the impact that shattered the ground where he’d been standing.

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Thyros was relentless, his strikes blurring with speed, each one powerful enough to break through solid rock. Renjiro ducked and weaved, his movements smooth and agile. He knew he couldn’t rely on brute strength; he needed to outlast Thyros, waiting for the right moment to strike.

“Running won’t save you!” Thyros roared, swinging his fist, only for Renjiro to sidestep it in time.

As Thyros overextended, Renjiro seized his chance. Channeling Lumina into his legs, he leaped high, landing a powerful blow to Thyros’s shoulder. The impact staggered Thyros, but he quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing in frustration.

“You’ll need to hit harder than that!” Thyros bellowed, charging again.

Renjiro moved with even more precision, landing calculated strikes to Thyros’s sides and knees, slowly wearing him down. Sweat beaded on Renjiro’s forehead, and his breaths came heavily, but he didn’t relent. Finally, he delivered a powerful Lumina-infused punch to Thyros’s chest, forcing him back several steps.

Thyros fell to one knee, gasping for breath. He struggled to stand, but his battered body betrayed him. “You win this time,” he growled, conceding.

Renjiro straightened, his chest heaving, a feeling of hard-won victory settling over him as he watched Thyros accept defeat.

Kairro vs. Goro

Goro lumbered through the forest, his powerful frame cutting an imposing figure. Kairro, who had been observing him, knew brute strength alone would not be enough against Goro. He would need precision and strategy.

Goro’s massive fists hammered the ground, shaking the earth with each swing. Kairro ducked and dodged, weaving in and out of Goro’s range, landing quick, calculated jabs to his sides and legs.

“You’re fast,” Goro grunted, swinging wildly, “but speed won’t help you forever!”

Kairro smirked, dodging another heavy strike. “I don’t need to keep this up forever. Just long enough.”

With each missed swing, Goro’s frustration grew, his movements becoming erratic. Finally, as Goro swung wide, Kairro darted in close, his fists crackling with Lumina. He struck Goro’s midsection with a powerful punch, then swept his legs from under him, sending the larger man crashing down.

Goro groaned, trying to rise, but Kairro finished him with a final Lumina-infused punch, sealing his victory and eliminating Goro from the trial.

Final Fight: Renjiro vs. Yumeru

As the mist thickened, Renjiro found himself facing Yumeru. They shared a look, and for a moment, neither moved. Yumeru’s calm eyes met his, and in them, Renjiro saw both respect and challenge.

“Good luck, Renjiro,” she said quietly, circling him slowly, her stance loose yet prepared.

“Same to you, Yumeru,” he replied, maintaining a focused, determined expression. He could feel the weight of her experience and strength, and he knew this would be no easy battle.

They began circling each other, both waiting for the right moment to strike. Renjiro moved first, his Lumina-charged fist aiming for her shoulder. She sidestepped, deflecting his strike with ease, countering with a fluid kick that forced Renjiro to stumble back.

Yumeru’s movements were precise, each one designed to assess and probe. Renjiro gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder as he launched into a rapid series of punches, testing her defenses. She countered each strike effortlessly, her control impeccable. Renjiro could feel the strain of the trial catching up to him.

Finally, Yumeru launched a swift, strong punch that landed against Renjiro’s ribs, sending him stumbling. But when she closed in for the finishing blow, she hesitated, her gaze flickering briefly, as though something held her back.

Seizing the moment, Renjiro twisted and lunged, his fist finding her shoulder. Yumeru went down, her expression flickering with something that Renjiro couldn’t quite place. As he watched her recover, he realized—the hesitation had been intentional.

Her eyes met his as she offered a faint smile. “Well done,” she murmured, accepting her defeat gracefully.

Renjiro nodded, his chest tight with the weight of her silent message. Without another word, he turned, leaving Yumeru behind, knowing that she had given him this victory.

The Final Two

As Renjiro emerged from the forest, Kairro appeared from the opposite direction, his expression coldly triumphant. They locked eyes, the unspoken rivalry between them crackling in the air, each recognizing the other as their final obstacle.

Commander Thalor and the other officials awaited them, observing with approval as the two young warriors approached.

“You are the final two,” Thalor announced, his voice carrying over the quiet forest. “Tomorrow, in the final trial, you will face each other in the arena. Rest well, for only one of you will stand victorious.”

Kairro’s smirk returned as he shot Renjiro a glance, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Renjiro held his gaze, his resolve hardening. The next fight would be decisive, and neither of them intended to hold back.

Without another word, they turned and walked away, both ready for the battle that awaited them at dawn.