The undead army continued to reappear after each of her powerful attacks. Something about this situation felt off to Rawna. She channeled her magical energy into her spear of destruction once more. The dark energy radiated from the weapon with greater intensity. "Fine," she muttered to herself. "If Kael wants to play with forces he can't control, then I'll show him just how heartless I can be."

  As Rawna channeled her magical energy into the spear of destruction, a deep, eerie laughter echoed through the arena that only she could hear. Rawna could swear the laughter was taunting her, mocking her struggle.

  Her arm, already glowing with dark energy from the spear, began to ache intensely. The power that radiated from the spear started to envelop her entire arm. The dark energy twisted and coiled like serpents around her.

  Rawna’s gaze hardened. Her focus shifted entirely from the tournament to her singular goal: to destroy Kael and his undead army. Rawna jumped up high in the air and then hurled the spear downward with a force that defied reason. The weapon descended like a meteor.

  The sheer force of the impact created a blinding explosion that engulfed the entire arena. The shockwave rippled outwards, causing the ground to quake and sending debris and dust into the air. The spectators in the stands could do nothing but try to hold onto their seats.

  The announcer, who had been observing the battle gasped in shock and disbelief. She stammered, “I can barely get the words out… Rawna’s done it again, folks! She’s turned the Grand Arena into a heap of rubble! This is somethin’ I’d never have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes!”

  Stronberg, the guardian of the barrier around the arena, found himself in a dire situation. Rawna's powerful attack had not only obliterated the Grand Arena but also threatened the integrity of his barrier. He struggled to repair the damaged magical defenses that held the explosion at bay.

  The barrier crackled had many cracks and and showed signs of instability. Stronberg's orange uniform was adorned with sweat. He channeled his magic into the barrier, fighting to restore its protective strength.

  The Grand Arena lay in ruins, with debris and dust clouding the once-pristine battleground. Kael stood amidst the chaos with his army of the undead destroyed once more.

  Rawna, who had been high above, descended to the ground. She observed carefully. There was something amiss and she now knew it.

  When the dust and debris settled over the ruined Grand Arena, Kael stood amidst the wreckage, his figure emerging from the haze. He looked battered and worn, but a faint, eerie light began to emanate from his body. The injuries he sustained from Rawna’s devastating attack seemed to heal slowly. A dark aura knitted the wounds back together.

  Rawna looked at him with disdain. Her thoughts raced. ‘Kael should have been finished off by that last attack. Something is seriously wrong here.’

  Kael, weakly but with a twisted grin, chuckled. “Surprise, surprise…You want to see something, Darlin?”

  Without waiting for a response, Kael began chanting again. The air around him glowed with dark magic and to Rawna’s disbelief, the undead army reappeared once more. This time, the skeletal soldiers seemed even more powerful. Their bones held a dark glow around them.

  Rawna's eyes narrowed in frustration. “Kael’s power has been inconsistent. First, he utilizes some sort of healing ability, then he brings back the undead, and each time they come back, they appear to be stronger. He’s running on empty—he should not have survived my attack!”

  Her gaze turned to Kael. “Kael, you have ‘it,’ don’t you?”

  Kael grinned. “It took you long enough, Rawna. Bravo.”

  Kael removed his dark cape, revealing the hidden item within. The item was a golden circular shield. Its surface was adorned with an array of mystical symbols that seemed to have a soft, e glow of light. The symbols etched to it had a silverish color.

  In the center of the shield, a magnificent and ornate emblem stood out. The emblem depicted a resplendent, multi-faceted gem, which appeared to shift and change color every second.

  The announcer boomed, "Well, hold the phone, folks! What we’re lookin’ at here is none other than the legendary Shield of Creation! Now, let me tell ya, this ain’t just any ol’ artifact. It was created by our Goddess herself, rumor has it this very shield has been used to craft mystical creatures—critters so wild they’re usually kept far outside our barriers. And if that ain’t enough, it’s been known to unleash a whole mess of chaos right within our Kingdoms!

  And here’s the kicker—there’s a bounty out for the one who wields this shield, courtesy of the Western Elite Guards!”

  Muiler G’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the golden shield in Kael’s possession. Her recent defeat at the hands of Chala weighed heavily on her, but the appearance of the legendary Shield of Creation ignited a sense of duty with her as an Elite Guard. She placed one hand on her sheathe and was She was ready to take action.

  Rawna remained staring coldly at Kael. "Is this true?"

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  Kael responded with a wicked smile. "Guilty as charged, Rawna. I've harnessed the power of darkness. Now,you could walk the same path as I do. Join me, Rawna, and together, we can bring these kingdoms to their knees. With your Spear of Destruction, nothing can stand in our way."

  Rawna responded instantly. “I am not like you, Kael. I have no reason to destroy the kingdoms. I want peace and prosperity for our people."

  Kael raised an eyebrow. “‘Peace’? How can you say that when you've shown nothing but heartlessness? You've left a trail of destruction in your wake. The lives you've taken, the people you've walked over, the darkness you've embraced, and yet…your goal is peace? What nonsense!"

  Rawna attempted to explain, "I was forced to do those things by my mother, the Witch and leader of the South. She gave the orders, and I had no choice."

  Kael, with a sinister grin, retorted, "But your mother didn't carry out those orders, did she? You did, Rawna. Your heart has grown dark, and you can't deny it."

  Rawna looked surprised by Kael's words. Kael continued, "And there's no reason for peace, especially not with 'Dark Whirlwind' out there."

  The mention of 'Dark Whirlwind' sent a shock through the stands. Roselle's eyes widened, but her anger flared at the mere mention of the name. Roselle clenched her fist tightly and she gritted her teeth, but Risebelle used a soothing pat to console her, though she was just as upset.

  Kael continued, "Dark Whirlwind wants destruction. She wants to show everyone that no force can rival her power, not technology or magic. But with these Goddess items, we can change that. We can challenge the dominance of Dark Whirlwind and assert our own power over the world.

  The Shield of Creation is a unique and powerful Goddess item. While I may have no magical energy left at the moment, it allows me to manipulate the very essence of existence itself!"

  Kael continued while holding out his hands, "The power of re-creation is one of it’s capabilities. With this shield, I can recreate that which has been destroyed. My Undead Army, the chaos they've sown, it can all be brought back into existence better, stronger and with more power."

  Kael's eyes glittered with a malevolent gleam."I joined this practice tournament to test the Shield of Creation's power, and I have not been disappointed. With it, we can reshape the world, wield dominion over life and death. Imagine what we could achieve, Rawna."

  He leaned in closer towards her direction. "Join me, and together, we can harness the power of the Goddess items and shape the world to our desires."

  Rawna’s eyes hardened with conflicting emotions. The world had been unkind to her, and the heavy burdens placed upon her by her mother had left her feeling trapped. Kael’s offer, though sinister, was a tempting prospect of change.

  Just when Rawna was about to respond, a commanding voice rang out from the entrance of the arena.

  “Do not even think about it.”

  Prince Vuldo strode into the arena. A wave of enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. The crowd roared out loudly.

  “Prince Vuldo!” they chanted throughout the ruins of the Grand Arena.

  Vuldo’s presence was commanding, and his regal posture only heightened the crowd's excitement. His gaze remained focused on Kael and Rawna, but the roar of approval from the spectators seemed to bolster his resolve.

  Vuldo’s gaze swept across the arena, finally settling on Kael and Rawna. “Kael, you dare to wield a Goddess item for such vile purposes. And Rawna, you would consider aligning yourself with this darkness?”

  Vuldo's gaze was sharp onto Kael. “As you all know, the wielder of the Shield of Creation has been sought by the Elite Guards. A bounty was placed on this individual, and now, it seems the identity of this person has been revealed. I had hoped that the one who held such a powerful artifact would not turn out to be someone filled with such malice.”

  Kael's eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. “Ah, Prince Vuldo. I see you’ve arrived just in time to witness the full extent of my power. And yes, I am the one with the Shield of Creation. But it’s a shame that you, like Rawna, fail to see the potential for greatness in this power.”

  Vuldo turned his gaze to address Rawna with a stern yet slightly concerned look. “Rawna, the world has been harsh, and you have had to face your own trials with little aid, but joining Kael in his quest for dominion will not bring about the peace and prosperity you’re looking for. His goals are far removed from any true vision of harmony.”

  Rawna’s conflicted look deepened. “Nggh…!”

  Kael’s smirk faltered slightly when he saw Rawna’s hesitation. “Prince Vuldo The power of the Shield of Creation is mine, and it will reshape the world as I see fit. You and your ideals of ‘peace’ are outdated.”

  Muiler G, one of the four Elite Guards, stood beside Vuldo, ready to assist in Kael's arrest.

  Kael's laughter filled the arena. "You think the Western Guards can stop me? I have the Shield of Creation, a goddess item. I was merely testing its power, and you've only seen a glimpse of what it can do."

  Kael raised the Shield of Creation. It's surface radiated with a light aura.

  "I've unlocked the ability to create new spells," he declared. While speaking, a swirling energy began to form around him, shaping into an intricate pattern of symbols and runes.

  The crowd watched in awe as Kael completed the incantation. Suddenly, a surge of raw, uncontrolled energy erupted from the shield, manifesting a devastating vortex of dark power. The very fabric of reality began distorting.

  Kael spoke with disdain. “Look at this world, Rawna. It’s nothing but a pit of despair and broken dreams. There’s nothing sweet about it. We just live in fear of Dark Whirlwind and do nothing to stop them and rule over the world. Join me, and we can wipe the slate clean. Together, we’ll create a new world from the ashes of the old. We will rule it all.”

  Rawna’s resolve crumbled under Kael’s words. She dropped to her knees. Her hands clutched her face, and she struggled with the tormenting temptation to embrace Kael’s dark vision. Her breaths became ragged.

  In the stands, Roselle’s frustration bubbled over. “That does it! I’m going down there.”

  Roselle got up, but Risebelle grabbed Roselle’s arm, holding her back with a firm grip. “No, Roselle! This isn’t our fight. We can’t intervene in this.”

  Roselle’s gaze was locked on the arena. Her fists clenched. “But we can’t just stand by and let Rawna be swayed like this!”

  Kintovar interjected. "Risebelle is right, Roselle. We came here to showcase the potential of Technology and prove its worth in this territory. Interfering in these conflicts could lead to dire consequences."

  Juliana added, "Even I haven't managed to obtain one of these goddess items in all my years. Our best opportunity to acquire one would be at the Eastern Annual Tournament. Attempting to interfere and seize one now, before the tournament is a risky move without the proper preparation."

  Roselle, despite her strong desire to act, shook her head in understanding.

  Kael's lips curled into an evil smirk. Roselle growled at him while looking downwards.