CHAPTER 94 — THE PRICE OF VICTORY
The arena had not yet returned to normal.
After Nefaria's victory over Ranmaru, the spectators were still talking about the incredible difference in power between the two fighters.
But on the giant screen, the names of the next match appeared.
YOJURO HARIHIHO VS BLANCHE
Zayn immediately looked up.
— It's now.
Yojuro was already leaving the stands.
He did not answer.
A few minutes later, he found himself in the corridor leading to the arena.
He closed his eyes.
He thought back to his first fight against Blanche.
She had been difficult to fight.
Her ice miracle allowed her to turn almost the entire battlefield into a weapon.
Walls.
Spears.
Waves of ice.
Traps.
Prisons.
She could even make the temperature around her drop drastically.
But Yojuro had something she still did not know about.
The Kairos Eyes.
He slowly opened his eyes.
His pupils turned violet.
A strange symbol appeared at the center of his pupils.
Then he closed his eyes again.
— No need for more.
⸻
The arena doors opened.
Yojuro entered.
Then Blanche appeared on the opposite side.
The crowd applauded.
Zayn leaned over the barrier.
— Come on, Yojuro!
Kai remained silent.
He knew this fight would not simply be a rematch.
Blanche raised one hand.
Ice appeared around her.
The referee raised his arm.
— FIGHT!
Blanche attacked immediately.
FWOOSH!
A gigantic wave of ice crossed the arena.
Yojuro jumped.
The wave passed beneath his feet.
Blanche followed up.
Dozens of icy spears erupted from the ground.
SHHHK! SHHHK! SHHHK!
Yojuro dodged every single one.
Blanche snapped her fingers.
A wall of ice appeared behind him.
Then another in front.
Yojuro was trapped.
Blanche closed her hands.
The two walls began moving toward each other.
Yojuro opened his eyes.
Kairos Eyes.
His violet pupils glowed.
The walls stopped moving.
Then…
They moved backward.
Blanche's eyes widened slightly.
— That power again…
Yojuro advanced.
Blanche created a massive ice spear.
She launched it.
Yojuro looked at it.
Its trajectory reversed.
The spear flew back toward Blanche.
She dodged it.
Yojuro continued advancing.
Blanche then released all her power.
The entire floor was covered in ice.
Hundreds of spikes erupted.
Walls appeared.
A gigantic frozen storm engulfed the arena.
Zayn stood up.
— She's using everything!
But Yojuro remained perfectly calm.
Every attack that came toward him was reversed.
Every movement Blanche made became a weakness.
A spear returned toward her.
A wall she created turned against her.
A wave of ice changed direction.
Blanche stepped backward.
Yojuro appeared in front of her.
BAM!
She was sent crashing to the ground.
The referee intervened.
— BLANCHE IS OUT!
The stands erupted.
Zayn smiled.
— He completely dominated her!
Yojuro deactivated his Kairos Eyes.
His pupils returned to normal.
He looked at Blanche for a few seconds.
Then left the arena.
But he barely had time to breathe.
The giant screen changed.
Two new names appeared.
KIRA VS AKU
Yojuro stopped.
His expression changed.
He knew this fight could be dangerous.
⸻
The two fighters entered.
Aku held his weapon.
His face was serious.
Opposite him, Kira slowly walked forward.
Her miracle was already active.
A small amount of blood revolved around her hand like a ribbon.
Zayn frowned.
— She's already starting.
Yojuro watched carefully.
— Her miracle is entirely based on blood.
Kira raised her arm.
The blood around her transformed into several thin blades.
She could control her blood as a weapon.
Transform it into projectiles.
Create spikes.
Form bindings.
And even use her own blood to temporarily strengthen certain movements.
Aku placed his foot on the ground.
Roots appeared.
— Segment of the Eight Druids.
His miracle activated.
The ground trembled.
Roots emerged from the battlefield.
Plants instantly grew around him.
Kira stepped backward.
Aku extended one hand.
The roots transformed into enormous vines that charged toward her.
FWOOSH!
Kira cut through the first ones with her blood blades.
Then she created several red projectiles.
SHK! SHK! SHK!
Aku created a wooden barrier.
The projectiles embedded themselves into it.
He placed one hand on the ground.
Roots erupted behind Kira.
She turned just in time.
BAM!
She was sent flying.
But she immediately got back up.
Her blood gathered around her arm.
It formed a massive red blade.
She charged at Aku.
BOOM!
Aku blocked.
The impact shook the battlefield.
He responded by making gigantic roots grow.
Kira dodged them.
Aku followed immediately.
His miracle wasn't simply about creating plants.
He could use nature to attack, defend, immobilize his opponent, and even partially restore his strength.
Roots wrapped around her leg.
Kira used her blood.
She transformed part of it into a blade.
SHK!
She freed herself.
Then she charged.
BAM!
Aku was struck in the chest.
He staggered backward.
Kira followed up.
BAM!
Then again.
BOOM!
Aku fell to one knee.
Kira was breathing heavily.
But she was exhausted as well.
Aku slowly got back up.
Blood flowed from several wounds.
He raised one hand.
The roots throughout the entire arena began moving.
Zayn's eyes widened.
— Wait…
The ground trembled.
Dozens.
Then hundreds of roots erupted.
They gathered around Aku.
A massive plant structure formed behind him.
Kira gritted her teeth.
— Then come.
She concentrated all the blood she had available around both arms.
Two gigantic red blades appeared.
They both charged simultaneously.
BOOOOOOM!
The impact was deafening.
Kira broke through the roots.
Aku broke through her defenses.
They struck each other almost simultaneously.
BAM!
Both were sent flying.
They landed several meters apart.
Silence.
Kira tried to stand.
She managed to place one hand on the ground.
Then her body trembled.
She became still.
A devastating injury to her abdomen prevented her from continuing.
She was rapidly losing strength.
Aku, meanwhile, was barely moving either.
He had lost consciousness.
Zayn suddenly stood up.
— Kira!
The doctors immediately rushed in.
— Her condition is critical!
Another doctor treated Aku.
— He's unconscious, but alive!
The crowd had fallen silent.
Himari watched the scene in shock.
Ryo said nothing.
Azel's fists were clenched.
Even some of the fighters looked away.
Yojuro remained motionless.
His expression was unusual.
He was genuinely shocked.
Kira was barely conscious.
Her eyes slowly closed.
The doctors quickly carried her out of the arena.
Her condition was so serious that nobody could guarantee she would survive.
Aku was carried in the opposite direction.
Still unconscious.
The referee looked toward both sides of the arena.
Then the giant screen displayed:
DRAW
Nobody celebrated.
Not this time.
Zayn stared at the screen.
Then at the doors through which Kira had just disappeared.
— …
Yojuro lowered his eyes.
The Crown of Ashes continued.
But now, every participant understood one thing.
This tournament forgave no mistakes.