The stillness between them evaporated in a heartbeat.
Astrid and Kuro blurred into motion — two shadows dancing at godspeed, blades colliding like thunder claps.
The audience erupted into cheers, stomping feet, gasps, and shouts. No one could look away.
"NOW THIS IS WHAT I CAME FOR!" someone in the crowd screamed.
Kuro lunged in, sword arcing low, Astrid twisted mid-air, flipping over him, spinning with her twin blades as they slashed toward his back — he ducked beneath the steel, dragging his dagger upward toward her shoulder.
CLANG!
She blocked it behind her back.
Astrid landed, rolled, then flung a razor-thin throwing knife toward Kuro's neck — he caught it with two fingers.
"Try harder," he said coolly.
Astrid smirked.
"I plan to."
Dust swirled around their feet. Mana-infused sparks flared from every clash of steel. The flag loomed in the center — glowing softly, untouched.
The two warriors became a blur of motion again.
Kuro dashed sideways, slashing twice, feinting a third — Astrid backstepped, caught the rhythm, and vaulted upward, landing with catlike grace on a tall pillar of stone that had emerged from the transforming arena.
"You're fast," she said, catching her breath.
"You're clever," he replied, eyes tracking her.
"Good," she whispered. "Then let's make this interesting."
Astrid launched herself off the pillar.
Kuro met her midair.
For a split second — time seemed to freeze.
Their weapons collided in the sky, shattering a gust of force so strong it pushed the arena floor back into dust waves.
Then they spun past each other and landed opposite sides again — now scratched, bruised, breathing harder.
Astrid's Inner Thoughts
I'm faster than I've ever been.Sharper. Clearer. This is the first time someone actually fought me like I mattered…
No more hiding behind my name. No more lonely towers.
She charged again.
Kuro suddenly vanished.
Shunk!
A deep slash appeared across Astrid's shoulder — blood flicked into the air.
"My technique," Kuro said, standing behind her again, "is called Phantom Echo."
He wiped his blade clean.
"Every step you see me take… is already in the past."
Astrid hissed, tightening her grip on her swords.
"Good," she said through grit teeth. "Because my next move… will write your future."
She spun her weapons.
"Heavenbreaker Stance: Falling Moon Bloom."
They clashed again — shockwaves cracked the floor. Dust exploded into mushroom clouds. The announcer was screaming in joy and panic.
"WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!"
Neither Kuro nor Astrid held back anymore.
She was everywhere at once — spinning, flipping, dashing, slashing.
He was precise — dodging by inches, countering, fading into steps that didn't exist.
Then—
She kicked off the wall of a crumbling stone spire.
She aimed not at Kuro…
But at the flag.
In a burst of silver wind, Astrid landed with one hand on the pole, the other already slicing upward.
The cloth shimmered in the wind.
Her hand gripped it.
The flag was hers.
Timer Begins
BEEEEEP."FLAG HAS BEEN CLAIMED. TIMER START: 60 SECONDS."
Kuro skidded to a halt.
Astrid stood tall atop the pedestal, flag waving behind her, silver hair catching the sunlight.
The crowd went insane.
"NO WAY!! ASTRID CLAIMS THE FIRST FLAG OF THE MATCH!!"
Kuro looked up at her, eyes gleaming.
Astrid smirked.
"Come and get it, Phantom Boy."
He grinned back.
"Don't blink."
The timer ticked.
59...
58...
The dust began to rise again as Kuro took a step forward.
Astrid braced herself.
And the next storm...
was about to begin.
TO BE CONTINUED.