The battle raged on with even greater intensity. Chala's newfound speed and agility kept Mui on her toes. The two clashed with incredible ferocity.

  Chala pressed her advantage, delivering a series of swift slashes that Mui struggled to avoid. Each of Chala's attacks was like a bolt of lightning, her strikes too quick for Mui to react in time.

  The first strike left a gash on Mui's arm, followed by a second strike that grazed her side. Chala continued her relentless assault, landing a third hit on Mui's shoulder and a fourth on her thigh. Mui's armor was now marked with cuts and burns. Her movements became sluggish.

  Chala then spoke confidently. "Mui, your Kyosa can overturn many things, but it can't keep up with the lightning's speed," Chala declared, slashing diagonally. “You didn’t even question why I would choose to end my sword magic. Why is that? You were so focused on adapting to my attacks, you didn’t think about the strategy behind them.”

  She followed it up with a horizontal slash. “By ending my sword magic, I created a vulnerability that you focused on, only to turn it into a trap. I slowed down your Kyosa's effects and drastically increased my speed."

  Chala continued her relentless barrage, delivering a series of lightning-fast strikes. "By marking you with a lightning strike, I ensured that you'd become the conductor that would lead me to victory. All I needed, was one good slash!"

  Chala cut across Mui's chest, leaving a searing mark. "Your strength, your power, your strategies…. After being broken, they are nothing against the Thunder Dragon's fury!"

  With each slash, she pushed Mui further back, forcing her to the brink. Chala's blade, charged with the power of Sanda Collosus, crackled with electrifying energy.

  "Feel the weight of my lightning," Chala proclaimed, "and know that you can’t overturn the inevitable!"

  Chala delivered a decisive blow that sent Mui crashing to the ground. The arena quaked with the impact as Chala's attack shattered Mui's defenses.

  Chala stood over the fallen Mui. The arena was bathed in a vibrant, electric. “I’m not done yet..!”

  Chala raised her blade and then shouted, "YELLOW, DRAGON, STRIKE!!”

  A surge of yellowish energy burst from her blade, forming the shape of a fierce dragon that engulfed Mui. The impact was cataclysmic, creating a shockwave that sent ripples of energy throughout the arena. Mui was lifted off the ground and shrouded in a blinding explosion of yellow light.

  When the dust settled, Mui’s body lay motionless on the ground. Afterwards, the countdown began for her.

  "Sixty... fifty-nine... fifty-eight..."

  The crowd watched with bated breath.

  "Forty-three... forty-two... forty-one..."

  Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle were intently watching from their seats. Roselle’s eyes were wide awe. Her fingers gripped on the edge of her seat. Risebelle seemed to be analyzing the battle with a strategic mind. Runebelle, despite her usual gloom, was visibly engrossed.

  "Thirty... twenty-nine... twenty-eight..."

  Chalcon, standing at the sidelines with his arms folded, watched with a critical eye.

  "Twenty... nineteen... eighteen..."

  The announcer, after her initial shock, composed herself and addressed the audience. “It looks like we’re comin’ up on the grand finale of this high-stakes battle! Will Mui, one of the Western Kingdom’s finest Elite Guards, find a way to rise up and keep fightin’, or will Chala claim victory?”

  "Ten... nine... eight..."

  Chala sheathed her sword with a deep breath. She took a step back, her focus momentarily drifting from Mui.

  However, a sudden sensation tugged at her senses, and she swiftly turned her gaze toward her fallen opponent. Mui was rising with a weak laughter that went out through the arena.

  Chala's eyes narrowed.

  "I underestimated you, Chala," Mui said with a smirk, though she strained in her speech. "But don't think this is over just yet."

  The announcer, still in disbelief, called out, " I can hardly believe my eyes, folks! It looks like the battle ain’t over just yet! Mui, that tough-as-nails Elite Guard, has dug deep and found herself a second wind!”

  The crowd's excitement was mirrored by the face of spectators in the stands. Roselle and Risebelle wore looks of surprise. Runebelle's face showed a deeper sadness than usual.

  Kintovar and Juliana exchanged thoughtful glances. Haras, with her unique bubblegum-colored hair, sat munching on popcorn with incredible speed. A single piece of popcorn cascaded down her hair.

  Chalcon's observed the continuation of the battle with a scowl. "You gotta be kidding me..."

  Mui's aura exploded into a vast, menacing wave that extended toward the arena’s barrier. It radiated with a dark intensity, causing the air around it to crackle and hum.

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  With a commanding presence, Mui held up her sword and declared, “Sword God Form!”

  Mui’s aura intensified, becoming a swirling maelstrom of dark energy that surged with unprecedented power. The barrier surrounding the arena trembled under the pressure coming from Mui.

  Chala’s eyes snapped open in realization. 'Of course! I forgot about that,’ she thought to herself. A grin spread across her face despite the mounting challenge. ‘Mui’s been holding back this entire time. And I’ve expended nearly all my stamina. If this increases her power drastically…’

  Chala's grin widened. “So be it!”

  Mui chuckled softly. After a seriously hard stare towards Chala, she briefly closed her eyes and then opened them with a serene smile. Her overwhelming aura began to dissipate.

  “I give up,” Mui said.

  In the stands, Roselle’s eyes widened in confusion. “What? Did she just…?”

  Risebelle’s analytical mind struggled to process the turn of events. “Is this some sort of strategy? No…It doesn’t make sense…unless…hmmm….”

  Runebelle, despite her usual gloom, mirrored her sisters’ bewilderment. “What just happened?”

  Chalcon folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  The entire arena erupted in a unified shout of disbelief. “What?!”

  Chala blinked in bewilderment. She tilted her head slightly, looking at Mui while thinking, ‘This… this is a joke, right? She’s not ‘really’ doing this right now…’

  Mui raised her hand and addressed the arena. “Oh my, it looks like I’ve lost everyone. I give up.”

  The announcer was at a loss for words for a moment before managing to exclaim, “Well, folks, I reckon this is the most unexpected twist we’ve seen all day! Mui’s throwin’ in the towel, and with that, we’re handin’ the victory over to Chala!

  The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and applause.

  Chala lowered her arms almost to the ground. Her eyes darted between Mui and the crowd."I don't get it! What just happened?!"

  Mui began to walk away calmly despite the chaos that had just unfolded. Chala, still bewildered, dashed after her and caught up just as Mui was about to exit the arena.

  “Hey, wait a minute!” Chala called out, grabbing Mui’s shoulder. “What was that all about? If you used your Sword God Form, you might have been able to…. Urgh… Why did you surrender when you had a clear advantage over me?”

  Mui paused, turning to face Chala with a chuckle. “Oh, Chala….We’re all going to be participating in the Eastern Annual Tournament in just a few days. Why should I reveal all my tricks now?”

  Chala’s confusion gave way to a serene smile. “You’re such a tease, Mui.”

  Mui smiled widely. “The beautiful ones always are.”

  With a final wink, Mui continued her walk, leaving Chala standing there in admiration.

  Chalcon approached Chala with curiousity. “What did you say to Mui?”

  Chala grinned at her younger brother, shaking her head. “Nothing important,” she replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

  Chalcon frowned. He had his eyes fixed on the spot where Mui had disappeared. “I don’t like how she just gave up. I wanted that fight to go to the end.”

  Chala laughed softly and placed a hand on Chalcon’s shoulder. “I know, Chalcon. I feel the same way, but that Mui… She loves to keep people guessing. Besides, the Eastern Annual Tournament is going to be full of surprises. You’ll see her go all out there.”

  "Well, howdy, folks! We’ve reached the grand finale of Round 2 in the Western Practice Tournament, and let me tell ya, this is one showdown you won’t wanna miss!

  Get ready for the electrifyin’ clash between Rawna and Kael! These two have already proven they’re tougher than a two-dollar steak in the earlier rounds, and now they’re facin’ off for a chance to move on up in the tournament!

  Get ready for a battle that’s sure to keep y’all on the edge of your seats!”

  Rawna, the bearer of the spear of destruction, entered the arena confidence. Her long, violet hair cascaded down her back, adorned with seven golden rings. Her piercing gold eyes locked onto her opponent. Her dress was styled in an Arabic fashion.

  Following her, Kael made his entrance, shrouded in a dark cape that billowed around him. His resembled a necromancer from the depths of the underworld. His eyes carried an almost lifeless quality. He also had an unnaturally pale skin. The crowd was getting a feeling of shivers.

  In the stands, Roselle's gaze remained fixed on Rawna . Her eyes bore into the formidable spear-wielder, and she seemed unusually focused on this fight.

  In the midst of the crowd, various conversations and murmurs unfolded as the battle between Rawna and Kael commenced.

  "I can't decide who I want to win," one spectator commented, "Both of them give off such bad vibes. It's like choosing between two evils."

  Another person nodded in agreement, saying, "Yeah, it's hard to root for either of them. They both seem pretty sinister."

  In the distance, a hushed voice whispered, "I just hope this match ends quickly…”

  In the stands, Risebelle glanced around, taking in the crowd's reactions. "Tough crowd.”

  Roselle remained silent and continued to watch Rawna with intense concentration.

  Risebelle noticed her sister’s unusual demeanor and nudged her gently. “There she goes again,” she said, shaking her head. “Lost in her own world.”

  Runebelle eyed the arena with a resigned look. “This is going to be sad either way.”

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow at Runebelle’s comment. “Why do you say that?”

  Runebelle sighed. Her gaze drifted between the two competitors. “Rawna and Kael both have such heavy auras. It’s like watching a storm about to break...”

  Kael's pale gaze remained fixed on Rawna."Well, Rawna… I've heard all about your little spear of destruction. It can supposedly obliterate anything in its path. But you see, that's against anyone who's not... me."

  Rawna met his gaze with icy disdain. “So smug, but for how long?”

  The thought of Kael belittling a goddess item like the Spear of Destruction ignited a fire within Rawna. Every fiber of her being ached to teach him a lesson, to unleash the full power of her weapon and obliterate his arrogance. Yet, she knew that here, in the tournament, she must hold back. Displaying lethal intent was not an option.

  She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain composed. “Underestimating the power of a goddess item could cost you, Kael.”

  “Let the battle,Begin!”

  When Stronberg’s command to begin echoed through the grand arena, Kael wasted no time. He extended his hand, and with a chilling incantation, he summoned the Undead Giant. The ground trembled as a massive, rotting creature emerged, towering over Rawna.

  Rawna, however, remained unfazed. With a swift and powerful motion, Rawna hurled the spear of destruction at the Undead Giant. The giant tried to raise its decaying arm to block the incoming attack, but it was in vain. The spear pierced through its arm, shattering the creature into a cloud of dark energy and fragments.

  Kael clapped slowly. "Impressive power, but you'll find that defeating my minions is the least of your worries."

  Kael raised his arm high and chanted an incantation, "Darkness, heed my call, I beseech thee, O shadowed powers that lie beyond the veil. Bring forth the legions of the damned, my Undead Army!"

  With those words, the grand arena was shrouded in darkness. The ground trembled, and from the depths of the shadows, a horde of a thousand skeletal warriors emerged. Clad in various forms of armor and armed with a diversity of weapons, they stood at attention, ready to serve their dark master.

  Kael stepped forward, and from the ranks of the undead, a female skeletal warrior took a step closer to Kael. Her empty eye sockets locked onto Rawna.

  Kael held out his arms in an imposing manner. “Welcome to the abyss, Rawna. These are my loyal minions, and they'll gladly show you what true darkness can do."

  Rawna remained stoic. Her eyes locked onto Kael and his army.