Chapter 49 — Wings of Fire, Spirit of Ash
The cheers from Cedric and Corin's brutal clash still echoed through the coliseum when Elizabeth Evercrest finally allowed herself to breathe.
From the healer's platform, she watched Corin being carried away on a stretcher of woven earth and light. His chest rose and fell steadily now, healed—but exhausted.
Elizabeth clasped her hands in front of her chest.
You fought well, she thought quietly. You didn't lose because you were weak.
A soft smile curved her lips.
Then the smile faded.
Because now—it was her turn.
---
Elizabeth's Resolve
Elizabeth stepped away from the platform, her long crimson hair swaying behind her. Unlike her siblings, she did not carry herself with overt confidence or arrogance. Her movements were calm. Measured. Almost gentle.
But beneath that gentleness burned something fierce.
As she walked toward the arena gate, memories stirred.
Mother…
Her mother, Rhea—gentle, quiet, and feared in whispers. The woman who never wielded fire or lightning, yet made seasoned mages step back with unease.
"Not all power roars," her mother had once said, placing a warm hand over Elizabeth's heart.
"Some power watches… and waits."
Elizabeth exhaled slowly.
I won't hide anymore.
She lifted her eyes toward the opposite gate.
---
Lyra's Fire
From the other side, Princess Lyra Evercrest bounced on her heels, flames flickering playfully around her fingers.
Her eyes shone with excitement.
"This is going to be FUN," she laughed, rolling her shoulders. "Finally! I get to go all out!"
Wind curled around her boots. Sparks crackled in her hair.
She grinned wildly as she spotted Elizabeth.
"Oii, Liz!" Lyra called out loudly. "Give the people a DAMN good show, yeah?"
Elizabeth met her gaze.
Then nodded once.
"Yes," she replied softly. "I will."
---
The Horn
The ceremonial horn was raised once more.
The entire coliseum leaned forward.
"BWOOOOOOOOOH—!"
The sound tore through the sky.
The match began.
---
Thunder Unleashed
Lyra moved instantly.
"STORM STEP!"
FWOOOSH—CRAAACK—!
Wind exploded beneath her feet, launching her forward in a blur. Fire and air intertwined, compressing—
"THUNDER STRIKE!"
ZZZZRAAAAK—!
A bolt of lightning screamed across the arena, splitting the air apart.
Elizabeth did not panic.
She raised one hand.
"Spirit—Awaken."
The ground beneath her shimmered.
FWOOOM—!
A circle of pale-golden light expanded outward.
The lightning struck—
—and curved, deflected as if it had struck an invisible wing.
The crowd gasped.
"What the—?!"
"That wasn't elemental magic!"
Lyra skidded to a halt, eyes widening.
"Oh?" She laughed, delighted. "You're interesting!"
She spun, flames spiraling.
"FIRE TORNADO!"
FWOOOOOOOSH—!
A roaring column of flame surged toward Elizabeth, heat warping the stone.
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
Her mana pulsed.
Soft.
Deep.
Ancient.
---
The Phoenix Awakens
The light circle ignited.
FWAAAAAASH—!
Flames—not wild, not chaotic—rose in the shape of wings.
A cry echoed through the coliseum.
KRRRRREEEEEAAAAHHHH—!
A massive phoenix of radiant fire and spirit burst forth, feathers blazing gold and crimson, eyes burning with immortal will.
The fire tornado disintegrated on contact.
The crowd fell into stunned silence.
"…Spirit magic," someone whispered.
"No—summoning?"
"That's not elemental fire…"
Above the thrones, Queen Lysandra's eyes widened slightly.
"…A phoenix spirit," she murmured. "Rare. Extremely rare."
Emperor Harkon leaned forward, interest piqued.
King Orean stiffened.
Elizabeth opened her eyes.
Behind her, the phoenix spread its wings, heat and pressure flooding the arena.
"I fight," Elizabeth said calmly, "with my mother's power."
---
Overwhelming Might
Lyra's grin faltered—just a little.
"…So that's it."
She slammed her hands together.
"THUNDER DOMINION!"
ZZZZZRAAAAK—BOOOOM—!
Lightning erupted in every direction, arcs slamming into the arena floor, pillars exploding, air screaming.
The phoenix screamed back.
KRRRRRAAAAAH—!
It surged forward, wings beating once—
FWOOOOOM—!
A wave of spirit fire washed over the lightning, devouring it whole.
Lyra cried out, forced backward.
"WIND SHIELD!"
FWOOOSH—!
Air barriers shattered instantly.
"FIRE BURST!"
BOOM—!
The phoenix passed through it untouched.
Elizabeth lifted her hand slightly.
"Burn."
The phoenix dove.
SHRRRRRAAAAAASH—!
It struck Lyra head-on.
The explosion rocked the coliseum.
BOOOOOOOOOOM—!
Dust, fire, and light swallowed everything.
---
The End
When the smoke cleared—
Lyra lay on her back, singed, armor cracked, eyes staring at the sky.
The phoenix hovered above her, wings spread.
Elizabeth stood untouched.
The horn sounded.
"BWOOOOOH—!"
"WINNER: PRINCESS ELIZABETH EVERCREST!"
For a heartbeat—
Silence.
Then—
The coliseum erupted.
ROOOOOAAAAAAR—!
People stood, screaming, clapping, stomping.
"She dominated her!"
"That wasn't even close!"
"A spirit phoenix—by the gods!"
High above, Queen Lysandra smiled faintly.
"If I had a son," she said softly, "I would have asked for her hand."
Beside her, Jennifer and Yennifer leaned forward, eyes blazing.
"I want to fight her," Jennifer muttered.
"Me first," Yennifer added.
---
Aftermath
Healers rushed in.
Elizabeth waved the phoenix away.
FWOOOSH—!
It dissolved into sparks.
She knelt beside Lyra.
"You fought beautifully," Elizabeth said sincerely.
Light flowed from her hands.
Lyra groaned—then laughed.
"Haha… damn, sis," she said as her burns faded. "That power is TERRIFYING… but cool."
Elizabeth smiled.
"Thank you."
They stood together as the crowd cheered.
High above, First Queen Althea's nails dug into her armrest.
"That girl…" she hissed. "She hid that from me."
Her influence—threatened.
Very threatened.
---
The Next Match
King Orean rose once more.
"People of Valoria," he announced, voice steady, "you have witnessed the strength of our blood."
Cheers answered him.
"Now," he continued, "we move to the third eliminator."
The crystal shifted.
The names burned into the air.
Princess Elara Evercrest.
Prince Daniel Evercrest.
Water genius.
Light rookie.
The crowd buzzed.
"Light?"
"Against Elara?"
"Poor boy…"
In the waiting area, Daniel inhaled slowly.
Sensei's voice was calm.
"This is where they underestimate you."
Daniel's eyes narrowed—not with fear, but focus.
Good.
He stepped toward the arena.
And somewhere, far beyond the coliseum walls—
Mysterious Group with loads of Followers Waiting for this moment..
Watching Daniel's Every move