The arena fell silent as Cassian gathered his strength. His blade pulsed with dark energy, the shadows around him forming into a massive, swirling vortex.

Damien tightened his grip on Ebonfang, his eyes locked on his opponent. He could feel the weight of the battle, the tension in the air. This was it—the final clash.

Cassian charged, his blade slicing through the air with immense force. Damien met him head-on, their blades colliding in a blinding flash of light and shadow. The impact shook the arena, the sheer power of their clash reverberating through the ground.

The battle reached its peak as Damien and Cassian exchanged a flurry of blows. Each strike was faster, more powerful than the last. The crowd watched in awe, their breaths held as the two prodigies pushed themselves beyond their limits.

Finally, with one last surge of strength, Damien deflected Cassian’s blade and drove Ebonfang forward. The blade stopped just short of Cassian’s chest, the tip hovering mere inches away.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Cassian froze, his eyes wide with surprise. Then, slowly, he lowered his weapon and stepped back.

The referee raised a hand. “Enough!”

The arena erupted into thunderous applause, the crowd cheering for both combatants. Cassian sheathed his blade, a faint smile on his lips.

“Well fought,” he said, extending his hand. “You’ve earned my respect, Damien Ashenblade.”

Damien clasped his hand firmly. “And you’ve earned mine.”

As the crowd continued to cheer, Damien felt a sense of accomplishment and relief. He had faced the shadows and emerged victorious. But more than that, he had proven to himself—and to the great families—that he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

The path forward was clear, and Damien knew his journey was far from over.