Lyssandra knew there was no outrunning this. So she chose to meet it head-on. Planting her feet firmly, she crossed her blades in front of her, summoning every ounce of strength and magic in her body. The twin swords began to glow with a fierce crimson light, wisps of fiery aura coiling around Lyssandra’s form like burning fog. A deep growl issued from her throat, resonant and primal. The image of a great wolf—formed of flames and ferocity—swirled into being around her. With a defiant cry, Lyssandra uncrossed her swords and slashed outward in a final X-shaped strike, releasing all that built-up power in one focused blast.A colossal spectral wolf, born of flame and air, howled as it lunged forward from Lyssandra’s blades. The spectral wolf collided with the onrushing fissure in a blinding flash of light, fire, and flying rock. The ground shuddered violently, and for an instant, all of Carosso’s arena felt

Varian countered by slamming one dagger into the ground and intoning a quick spell. Poof! A cloud of black smoke exploded outwards, blanketing the area around him. In that same moment, his figure blurred and split—two, three, four shadowy copies of the assassin fanning out in different directions. The real Varian hid among them, footsteps silent as ghosts, making it nearly impossible to discern which was flesh and blood and which a mere illusion.Lyra’s eyes narrowed; multiple Varian silhouettes circled her, each brandishing twin daggers. The audience held their breath—this was a battle on the edge of human (and inhuman) perception, a game of shadows and razor edges. One of the Varians lunged and slashed at Lyra’s back. She spun and deflected it, but another came from the side with a low thrust. Lyra stepped back, avoiding what proved to be another ph

The air was electric with anticipation as night fell over Carosso’s Grand Arena. Torches blazed around the colosseum’s rim, casting flickering light onto the sand below. The crowd was louder than ever, energized by the two spectacular battles they had already witnessed and the promise of one final clash. In the VIP box, Emperor Ethan, Celestia, and Princess Fu Rong waited eagerly. The alliance talks were momentarily forgotten—everyone was focused on the historic duel about to unfold between Carosso’s two rising stars.By now, Lyssandra and Lyra Vespera had been given time to recuperate from their earlier fights. Saintess Seraphina herself had attended to them in the gladiators’ quarters, ensuring both were fit to fight again. Under Seraphina’s gentle glow of healing magic and a dose of the advanced potion, Lyssandra’s fatigue had melted away and the minor bruises and cuts she suffered against Bragmire were

Lyssandra struck first this time, unleashing her ultimate technique. She crossed her twin swords over her chest and closed her eyes briefly. When they opened, they shone with a burning red light, and an image of a great wolf’s head flickered behind her—an avatar of war. “Blazing Fang!” she cried, springing forward with blinding speed. Her swords cut through the air so rapidly they ignited, trailing fire. The twin slashes, augmented by Lyssandra’s fiery aura, manifested as a gigantic flaming wolf’s fang hurtling toward Lyra, scorching the very air as it flew.Lyra responded in kind with her own final gambit. She thrust both hands forward, one holding her dagger, the other brimming with dark magic, and chanted, "Midnight Dominion!" A wave of pure darkness billowed out from her, shaped like a jagged

Morning light poured into Carosso’s council chamber the day after the Grand Arena’s spectacular exhibition. Emperor Ethan sat at the head of the table, clad in his royal black and gold. Princess Fu Rong of Yanling stood opposite him, her bright-red gown catching the sunlight, and at her side were Liuyue and Leon—loyal companions from Yanling. Celestia, Ethan’s ever-present dark-winged guardian, lingered just behind his throne with arms crossed. A hush fell as Ethan rose, golden eyes sweeping over those assembled.“With yesterday’s victory in the arena, our alliance is nearly sealed,” Ethan declared, voice resonant and calm. “Yet one task remains. Yanling is threatened by Shuanglin. The safety of Yanling is our responsibility as well. I will personally lead our armies to Yanling and help repel Shuanglin&r