The serpent gave a final hiss, and slammed Stromeon's head into the frozen ground.
THUD!
Then slowly, she began to unwind from the broken drake's body, leaving behind a steaming, panting form twitching with the last remnants of thunder.
Then Lira turned back to Kai.
Her blade at his throat.
Blood dripping.
And that terrifying calm in her eyes.
Kai gritted his teeth.
"I yield."
The crowd let out a collective breath, one they hadn't realized they'd been holding.
The from the side, Professor Lysenna's voice rang clear and calm, cutting through the stunned silence like a blade.
"Winner is Lira Elsworth."
Her words echoed for a heartbeat before the frost covering Kai's limbs cracked and dissolved with a flick of Lira's fingers.
His body dropped from the frozen stance, slumping onto the icy arena floor, his breathing was ragged.
Thud!
The sound of his fall was soft, but it felt deafening.
