Felicia leaned toward Lihanna, who sat with a contemplative gaze. "Lihanna, are you taking part in the Martial Display Tournament?" Felicia's voice carried a teasing lilt. "It's a decent amount for the reward—20,000 credits—but if you're in, that's an easy bag for you."
Lihanna, resting her chin on her hand, glanced at Felicia with a sly smile. "Noo, the survival race is the real kicker. That event is for us—these are just for the amateurs, so I won't steal their light." Her tone was playful yet firm, her eyes scanning the arena.
The host's voice crackled through the environment, a grand broadcast echoing off the crystalline spires. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Martial Display Tournament! Prepare for a showcase of combat prowess, with 20,000 credits for the winner, 10,000 for second, and 5,000 for third. Let the battles begin!"
Felicia turned back to Lihanna. "Seems like it's starting already! It's been thirty minutes since the archery—let's go watch. Neve's on the field, and I think she's about to perform something epic!"
Lihanna nodded, rising with a grin. "Sure, let's go."
They navigated the stands, arriving just as the arena lights dimmed dramatically, plunging the space into darkness save for the moon's silvery sheen and the scattered stars above. Felicia pointed eagerly. "We're here, and there she is—she hasn't started yet!"
Lihanna smirked, settling in. "That's because you rushed us here like it was an emergency. Now we just have to wait." She cupped her hands and shouted, "NEVEEE!" Her voice carried over the crowd.
Neve looked up from the arena floor, her radiant presence unmistakable, and waved back with a bright smile. Felicia waved enthusiastically, then elbowed Lihanna. "You sound like such a fangirl, ahaha!"
Felicia sighed, leaning back with a mock huff. "I'm just saying hi to let her know we're here. Oh, look over there—Lihanna, Tyrone's at the side of the arena! Aren't you going to scream his name?"
Lihanna shook her head, her expression amused. "Why would I? We chose to be up here when we could've gone down there if we wanted. No point in that. Also, Lihanna, do you think that Ayane girl will take part?"
Lihanna glanced at her knees, her mind drifting. "She'd need a team for the survival race, so I have no clue if she will."
Felicia's face lit up with sudden realization. "OH?! Lihanna, who's your partner for the survival race?!"
Lihanna pointed toward the arena's edge, where Tyrone stood. "The same guy you showed me—Tyrone." Felicia followed her gaze and nodded. "Ohh, Tyrone. Yeah, I'll partner with my love for this event—it'll be our first time too. But what about you, Felicia? Are you taking part in it?"
Felicia waved her hands dismissively. "Me? No, no, no. I'm not taking part in any of these events—I'm just here to watch. Look, it's about to start—let's see what Neve's about to do!"
The stadium lights extinguished fully, the darkness enveloping the crowd, broken only by the moon's ethereal glow and the twinkling stars. Lihanna leaned forward. "Uhh, I can't see—why'd everything go dark all of a sudden?"
"Just watch," Lihanna replied, her voice low with anticipation.
In the center of the arena, Neve stood poised, her hands clasped together. A radiant energy pulsed from her, ice flowing like liquid light. She raised her head, and with a graceful motion, ice pillars erupted from the ground, adorned with delicate blue ice flowers that bloomed with tiny, glistening droplets. The audience's eyes widened, gasps rippling through the stands as her power unfurled. With fluid movements, she left traces of cold energy, shaping a heart that blossomed into a stunning flower, its petals shimmering in the moonlight.
Felicia clapped, her voice filled with awe. "Woww, Neve's ice is different—it almost looked like lunar energy!"
Lihanna nodded, her gaze fixed on the display. "We're learning the roots of Vrasnians—everyone's evolved, including our Vandors. I'll admit, Neve's power is beautiful. It's like an ice version of mine, and it seems she's pushing that love narrative—pure emotions representing love. But what love is that? Even so, the display was stunning."
"Wait," Felicia interjected, her eyes widening. "She isn't done yet."
Neve's energy surged, cold liquid flowing around her hands, pulsing outward until the entire arena could feel its chill. With a snap of her fingers, an army of shooting stars—crafted from ice—streaked across the night sky above, a breathtaking cascade of light and frost. Felicia stared, her jaw dropping. "NO WAYYY! That's so cool—she did that with her ice to display it in the atmosphere!"
Neve's eyes locked onto Kazimir and Riah in the stands, her performance a silent dedication. Tyrone, at the arena's edge, watched in amazement, his admiration evident. Jessie applauded with vigor, while Kamaki and Raijin leaned against the railing, chill and unimpressed yet intrigued. Ayane, nearby, was blown away, her purple hair framing a face of pure astonishment. "I've never seen ice energy do that before," she whispered, her mind racing with possibilities.
The crowd erupted in cheers, the martial tournament's opening now a spectacle of beauty and power, setting the stage for the battles to come under Vrasnia's eternal night.