The arena was quiet… too quiet. Broken pillars and scorched ground told the story of the previous battles, but the air itself seemed heavy with anticipation. Akira's crimson aura flickered faintly, her body still humming from the last fight. She flexed her fingers around her blade, alert to every sound.
Temaki hovered beside her, eyes scanning the shadows. "Something's off," he muttered. "I can feel it—someone's watching."
Akira's eyes narrowed. "Then let them watch. I'm not here to play games."
From the corner of the arena, a soft shimmer appeared—a figure stepping from the shadows. Not fully armored, but radiating power. Her smile was calm, but her eyes sparkled with intent.
"You must be Akira," the newcomer said. "I've heard… tales."
Akira's hand rested on her blade instinctively. "And you are?"
"I'm someone who's going to change your rules," the girl said, taking a slow step forward. Her aura pulsed with something unfamiliar—something Akira couldn't immediately classify.
Temaki's voice cut in, cautious but tinged with curiosity. "She's strong… and clever. Watch your guard."
The girl's gaze flicked to Temaki, then back to Akira. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm dealing with. And I've come… to claim what's already mine."
Akira's blood surged, crimson fire igniting around her. "We'll see about that," she growled. She lunged, blade flashing like a streak of fire, energy rippling with each strike.
The newcomer met her head-on, parrying every attack with precision and grace. Sparks erupted from their clash, and the arena trembled as their auras collided.
Temaki's hands clenched. "Akira… be careful. She's not just powerful—she's… different."
Akira's glare sharpened, fury fueling her movements. "I don't care how different she is. No one threatens this arena while I'm standing."
The girl smiled, almost teasing. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that. Let's see how far you'll go."
A shockwave erupted from their clash, sending both fighters skidding across the rubble. Dust choked the arena, but their eyes never wavered from each other.
Temaki's chest tightened, torn between staying back and rushing in. He could sense the tension rising—not just from the fight, but from something deeper, unspoken between Akira and the intruder.
The girl's laughter echoed softly through the arena, melodic yet sinister. "You think you're ready… but this is only the beginning."
Akira's crimson aura flared higher, her teeth gritted, and her blade poised. "Then bring it. I'm ready for anything."
The shadows deepened, the arena trembling beneath the weight of their power, and somewhere in the distance, a faint whisper of violet energy pulsed like a heartbeat: a warning of what was coming next.