Zarek lay on the ground, defeated, his health bar completely depleted. For a moment, the clearing was silent except for the faint crackle of residual energy from Lyra’s spell. She stood over him, her chest heaving from the exertion of the battle.

“Guess you’re not just talk,” Zarek grumbled, pushing himself up to a sitting position. Despite his loss, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’ve got some real skill.”

Lyra didn’t respond immediately. She was too busy processing the relief of victory. The rush of adrenaline was still pumping through her veins. But there was something else—something more rewarding than just winning. It was the fact that she had proven herself, not just to Zarek but to all the players who had doubted her.

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“You’re not bad either,” Lyra said after a moment, extending a hand to help him up.

Zarek accepted the gesture, brushing off the dirt from his leather armor. “Next time, though, I’ll be the one standing over you.”

“We’ll see about that,” Lyra replied with a grin.

Before he left, Zarek shot her a glance, something unreadable in his gaze. “If you’re ever looking for an ally instead of an opponent, look me up.”

With that, he vanished into the trees, leaving Lyra standing alone in the clearing. She wasn’t sure if his offer was genuine or if it was just another mind game. Either way, it was something to consider. In a world as ruthless as Eldoria, it didn’t hurt to have strong allies.