As if responding to an invisible command, the luxury box expanded, glowing runes on its surface creating additional seats and tables for the uninvited guests. Persuaded by Pangubox, Nightfall agreed to sit, though she continually blew kisses Eunid’s way. Eunid rolled his eyes, shaking his head in exasperation.
Nora, curious about the enigmatic girl, turned to Old Fang. "Who is the Mistress of the Night?"
Old Fang’s expression was serious. "She is soone not even the patriarch of our family can afford to offend. She has taken a particular liking to Eunid."
Back on the fighting arena, Arid frowned at Eunid. "You’re trash, Eunid. Not even the good luck charm of the Night Mistress can save you."
Nightfall heard this but rely smirked, uninterested in engaging further. She was here to watch.
Eunid and Arid took their positions on opposite sides of the huge arena. Gates opened, and five hundred puppets on each side stepped out, so wielding weapons, others controlling spiritual energy, and many adorned in armor. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, and the flags of each combatant—Eunid’s blue and Arid’s red—stood as symbols of their resolve.
Mulligan, standing tall despite his illness, raised a hand to signal the start of the duel. "Begin!"
Instead of commanding his puppets to attack, Arid surprised everyone by drawing his sword and rushing ahead of his army, aiming directly for Eunid’s head. The crowd gasped at his audacity and boldness.
The sound of Arid’s footsteps echoed through the arena, the tallic clinking of his armor harmonizing with the shouts of the audience. His expression was one of fierce determination, eyes locked onto Eunid with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers. Dust swirled around his feet as he sprinted, the sun glinting off his blade, which glead with deadly promise.
Eunid, unfazed by the sudden assault, stood his ground. The air was thick with tension, the anticipation palpable. The puppets on both sides remained eerily still, awaiting their commands, while the spectators held their breath, waiting to see the outco of this unexpected move.
As Arid closed the distance, the ground beneath him seed to tremble, each step resonating with the weight of his resolve.
Eunid smirked as he saw Arid charging toward him. He knew his cousin well—Arid was the bold type, always eager to prove his superiority.
This audacious move was no surprise. But Eunid also knew the difference in their power. Unlike Arid, Eunid respected the nuances of strength and weakness. For one to win in war, understanding one’s own capabilities was key.
As Arid closed in, Eunid’s smirk widened. With a confident wave of his hand, he commanded his puppets, "Shields!"
Instantly, the puppets responded, their shields rising high in the air. Runes etched onto the shields glowed with a mystical light, forming a barrier just in ti to et Arid’s descending blade. The explosion was fierce, the impact of the blade against the shields sending shockwaves through the arena. Dust and debris flew as the clash reverberated, and a few puppets were smashed by the powerful attack.
But Eunid had anticipated this. He waved his hand again, his voice calm and commanding, "Encircle!"
Imdiately, his puppets reacted with precision. Backing up their shield-bearing comrades, they ford a tight formation with spears at the ready, creating an unyielding barrier around Arid. The spears glinted nacingly, their tips aid at Arid from all directions. Trapped within this encircling formation, Arid struggled to break through, his initial montum fading as the coordinated defense took hold.
The elders watching from the luxury box reacted with a mix of admiration and concern.
"Impressive strategy," murmured one elder, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Eunid’s tactical acun. "He anticipated Arid’s move and countered it perfectly."
Another elder nodded in agreent. "Eunid has always been a thinker. He understands the importance of preparation and adaptability in battle."
Yet another elder, known for his stern deanor, couldn’t help but show a hint of approval. "Arid’s boldness is comndable, but it lacks the foresight that Eunid possesses. This battle will be a true test of their strengths."
In the arena, Arid’s frustration was palpable. He swung his sword with all his might, but the encircling puppets held firm. Each strike was t with unwavering resistance, the spears and shields forming an impenetrable wall. Sweat dripped down Arid’s brow as he realized that brute force alone wouldn’t be enough to overco Eunid’s well-coordinated defense.
Eunid’s eyes glead with determination as he watched Arid struggle. He knew that victory in this duel would not co from raw power but from strategic brilliance. His respect for the complexities of combat had given him the upper hand, and he intended to maintain it.
The crowd watched in rapt attention, the air filled with anticipation.
The clash of tal, the glow of runes, and the intensity of the fighters created an atmosphere charged with excitent and tension. Each move, each command, was evidence to the skill and cunning of the combatants, and the audience could feel the weight of the battle unfolding before them.
As the encircling puppets pressed in closer, Arid’s expression hardened. He knew he had to find a way to break free, to reclaim the montum he had lost.
Arid, caught within the encircling formation of Eunid’s puppets, remained undeterred. He swiftly issued a command, his voice resolute, "Fire arrows!"
In response, his troops outside the encirclent launched a volley of arrows, each one charged with spirit energy. The air crackled with power as the arrows flew toward their target. Despite being within enemy ranks, Arid maintained a confident smirk, a testant to his audacity and belief in his own strength.
Eunid frowned, recognizing the imminent danger. He quickly commanded his puppets, "Raise shields!"
The puppets responded, their shields lifting to form a protective barrier overhead. However, this defensive move created an opening in their formation, precisely what Arid had anticipated. With a fierce roar, Arid charged forward, his muscles straining as he bulldozed through the ranks of Eunid’s puppets. The sheer force of his onslaught scattered the puppets, breaking their encircling formation.
Eunid watched the scene unfold, frustration etched on his face. He wanted to act, to regain control, but the arrows were monts away from landing. His mind raced, calculating the best course of action.
anwhile, Mistress Nightfall, observing from the luxury box, frowned deeply. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Eunid’s predicant. Despite her playful deanor, she supported Eunid, and the current turn of events displeased her.
anwhile, the atmosphere in the arena was electric. After all, such was War, subject to change at any ti.
The audience gasped as Arid broke through the encirclent, their eyes wide with anticipation. The elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of admiration and concern.
"Arid’s boldness is impressive," one elder comnted, his tone grudgingly respectful. "He’s willing to risk everything for victory."
"But it’s reckless," another elder countered. "Eunid’s strategy was sound, but he must adapt quickly if he hopes to win."
As the spirit energy-charged arrows descended, Eunid made a split-second decision. "Scatter!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. The puppets dispersed, their movents swift and precise. The arrows struck the ground, their impact sending shockwaves through the arena but causing minimal damage to Eunid’s forces.
In the midst of the confusion, Arid’s montum carried him forward. He aid directly for Eunid, his blade gleaming with lethal intent. Eunid braced himself, his mind focused on the battle ahead. The clash of their weapons echoed through the arena, a testant to their skill and determination.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the intensity of the battle captivating their attention. Every move, every strike was a display of power and strategy. The outco of this duel would determine not just the heir to the Diligence family but also the respect and admiration of all who witnessed it.
As the dust settled, both combatants faced each other, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. Eunid’s mind worked furiously, seeking the next strategic advantage. Arid’s confidence remained unshaken, his belief in his own strength unwavering.
"Not Bad! you were able to block that." Arid complinted.
However, Eunid wiped the blood that trailed down the side of his lips.
Although he did not like the complint by his cousin, it was true.
Earlier on, what he had done was a big risk, but those that had eyes had seen it. Old fang and surprisingly, Nora, had seen it clearly. What he did was simple.
By commanding for his army to give way, he was enabling arid easily reach him, but at the sa ti, he was betting on the probability that the flying arrows would reach Arid first.
In this last clash, Arid had to split his energy. The first was to quickly attack Eunid and the second was to block the incoming attack from his own puppets.
"That was impressive!" Nora complinted, "he did not do it just to split Arid’s energy but because he wanted to test himself and see if he could actually block the attack."
Old fang paused...
Reviews
All reviews (0)