The arena fell silent after the previous fight, but there was something heavy in the silence, as if the entire audience was holding its breath before the next clash. A gust of hot air stirred up dust, and after a moment, the commentator returned to the platform, his shoes tapping on the wood.
— Ladies and gentlemen! — his voice echoed. — The duel that many of you feared, and even more eagerly awaited, is about to begin! On the left side of the arena... the warriors of the desert wastelands! BURNING SAND! Captain Kiyoshi and his team!
The crowd erupted in cheers. Kiyoshi raised his hand in a welcoming gesture. He wasn't overly charismatic, but when he looked ahead, he did so with such confidence that it was as if he could see the outcome before the fight had even begun.
Lya nudged him with her elbow.
— Hey, Captain. You look like you're already planning your victory speech.
Kiyoshi didn't even look at her.
— I don't plan speeches. Just results
Zahim laughed briefly.
— So, we do all the work, and then you just stand there looking cool?
Ishra replied calmly:
— You know him. For him, "looking cool" is already a plan.
Kiyoshi sighed, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
On the other side of the arena, shadows began to thicken. The commentator cleared his throat, as if the cold had tightened his throat.
— And on the right... Black Runes. Captain Malken... Vika... Sartho... Dark.
When they entered, the audience fell silent. It was as if an invisible veil had been drawn over the entire stands. Vika smiled maliciously, Dark moved like a silent shadow, and Sartho scanned his opponents like a predator before pouncing.
Malken stopped in front of Kiyoshi.
— It's been a long time since I've seen your team in action. — he said in a low, hard tone. — Desert methods... dirty, they say, but effective.
— You don't have to believe the rumors. — Kiyoshi replied calmly — You'll see the truth soon enough.
Vika burst out laughing.
— That cool tone... Do all captains have to pretend they don't feel fear?
Lya took a step forward.
— I, on the other hand, feel nothing but irritation when I hear your voice.
Vika raised an eyebrow.
— Oh? How bold.
— No. Just honest.
The Gong Struck.
Zahim moved first, and the sand beneath his boots scattered like a wave. Sartho made a quick gesture with his hand.
— "Shadow, crush his bones."
Black energy shot from his fingers, but Zahim dodged it by jumping over the beam.
— Too slow! — he shouted.
They collided with a crash, and Sartho was thrown backward.
Lya and Vika started fighting immediately. Their conversation sounded like a clash between two opposing forces.
— Dance with me, desert maiden! — cried Vika, casting a series of spells.
— I'd rather dance on your grave. — Lya retorted, jumping over successive pulses.
Dark and Ishra fought in silence. Dark appeared and disappeared.
— Finally, someone who doesn't yell. — Ishra muttered.
Dark spoke for the first time, his voice low and hollow:
— Yelling won't change anything.
— Fighting too, if you do it wrong.
The clash of weapons sparked a flash of light.
The captains locked eyes.
— All right, captain of the desert — whispered Malken. — Show me if your name means anything.
He reached out his hand, and black runes began to leak out of the air.
Kiyoshi replied curtly:
— I would prefer you not to regret what you are about to see.
Malken made a quick move. The energy split into three beams.
Kiyoshi slammed his fist on the ground.
— "Arise."
The pillar of sand exploded beneath him and shattered the attack like porcelain.
— Sand tricks — Malken growled. — Old. I've seen worse.
— That's good. — replied Kiyoshi. — Because now there will be something better.
He lunged forward, and the wave of wind propelled by the energy of the desert nearly knocked Malken off his feet.
The fight lasted longer than anyone had anticipated. Lya and Vika cursed each other, casting spells and spinning to break up energy accumulations. Ishra anticipated Dark's every move, even though he appeared behind him like a shadow.
— You're stubborn. — Dark whispered.
— I'm focused. — Ishra replied.
Zahim threw Sartho to the ground for the second time.
— Really? That's all? — he asked.
— No... — hissed Sartho. — This is just the beginning.
But he no longer had the strength to get up.
The captains were responsible for finishing the fight.
Malken raised his hands, creating a huge black ball of energy.
— You can't stop this! — he shouted.
Kiyoshi straightened up.
— I will stop it. Because I am not fighting alone.
Behind him, Lya, Zahim, and Ishra formed their hands into a desert triad formation. Sand in the arena swirled high, surrounding Kiyoshi in a spiral.
— Now! — he yelled.
The blast of sand cut through the air and struck Malkena squarely.
The explosion was powerful. When the dust settled, Malken lay on the ground, unconscious.
GONG.
— THE WINNERS! — the commentator shouted, his voice hoarse with excitement. — BURNING SAND!!
The arena roared louder than before.
Kiyoshi turned to the team.
Lya gasped.
— Tell me it was at least a little difficult.
— A little. — he replied.
Zahim burst out laughing.
— You're lying. I know your "a little."
Ishra added:
— His "a little" means "I'm almost bored".
Kiyoshi looked at them seriously.
— I'm not saying anything.
But as they walked away, he smiled to himself.
The commentator stepped back onto the podium.
— We officially announce the semifinals! — announced the commentator with obvious excitement.
— Dragon's Pursuit will face off against Forest Shield! Get ready for a clash that will shake the arena!
— Burning Sand versus Wolf's Blade! This will be a duel that will be talked about for a long time!
The audience howled with excitement.
The tournament was entering a stage where every mistake was fatal.