Celestial power: the war of realms

[Clank]

A loud metallic sound clanged through the air, and instantly everyone spotted Luca, who fled and slammed against a stone pillar. He gasped for air and gazed up. Bruises bloomed on his lip, pain darting through his ribs. The wind in the middle of the stage slowed down. Dimitri appeared, standing tall and cold. His dark form emerged from the rage of the wind with confidence in his eyes.

Luca did not give up and stand up on his feet; he would fight till the end. His legs wobbled, but his grip tightened on the hilt of the sword. Dimitri smirked, swinging his sword. He dashed toward Luca with blinding speed. The sparks of the fire danced along the blade of his sword; his energy was on the top level, as if it were ready to crush Luca. Luca raised his sword, and the sound of steel exploded around. The force of the clash clattered to Luca's bone, but still his feet were digging into the ground.

"Luca, I did not expect the fight would last long."

"But I am having fun fighting with you."

Dimitri sneered, his voice taunting. Dimitri's mockery hung in the air, but Luca chose not to be agitated. He did not think Luca would fight with him this far. Luca smiled, his voice strained, hiding his nervousness. "I thought the same, but before coming here, someone told me to keep faith in myself."

As Luca finished his sentence with all his force, he pushed Dmitri.

Dimitri jumped to the other side after dodging Luca's strikes, his eyes narrowing in surprise. It was the first time Luca managed to push Dimitri back into the duel. The crowd buzzed with sound; they were all shocked to see the unexpected of the fight.

Luca was giving a challengeable duel against Dimitri. He was a normally skilled fighter but was now showing he was not an average fighter; he had the potential to be the best fighter. As they exchanged blows, the clashing of the swords echoed through the arena. Both men's movements were calculated and fierce.

Dimitri and Luca both stepped back from the force of their own strikes; they tried their best to beat each other. But suddenly, Luca's sword got a crack. Luca's sword had a crack under the pressure of Dimitri's strikes. As Luca noticed, he pushed Dimitri with his sword and stepped back.

He glanced at his cracked sword, thinking, 'How could he fight against Dimitri?'

Dimitri was stronger and more experienced than him. His sword was superior to Luca's sword as well, so victory seemed impossible for Luca.

So, it was easy for Dimitri to break Luca's sword into pieces so long ago, yet despite the clear advantages, Dimitri did not do that. Actually, he was holding back, determined to find out Luca's sudden burst of self-power. Dimitri had watched Luca's practices and fights before, but he had never seen the desperation for the win before.

Dimitri wanted to see what was driving Luca to fight.

With the cracked sword, it was impossible to fight against Dimitri. Luca's mind raced, desperately seeking a way to turn the battle. Dimitri thought Luca would surrender at that point, so he downed his sword.

But instead of surrendering, Luca made a bold choice; he raised his cracked sword and dashed toward Dimitri. His unexpected action caused the crowd to gasp in shock. Dimitri, though shocked, but he managed to raise his sword to tackle the strike.

There was a loud crack, and then everything became silent. As the two fighters stood frozen, time seemed to move at a slower pace. Luca's sword splintered totally under the pressure of Dimitri's strike, the pieces of the sword scattering on the ground.

The duel was done.

The winner was Dimitri, which was visible to everyone.

Mason stepped onto the stage and announced the winner's name. "Our first winner is Dimitri!"

And the whole arena burst out in joy and applause, just as everyone expected. Dimitri approached Luca and extended his hand. Dimitri spoke out with his steady tone, "I had never seen the determination in you before."

"It was not boring fighting with you."

Luca smiled and answered, "Actually, I thought I would give up, but before coming here, someone advised me to believe in myself. So I tried what I could." He grasped Dimitri's hand and shook it firmly.

Luca stepped down from the stage, and Dimitri stayed, his eyes locked on his way for some seconds.

As the crowd settled after Dimitri's victory, the second round started, and Mason called the next competitor.

"Max, please come on the stage."

Max came to the stage and took out a note. Mason unfolded the note and announced the competitor, "It's Oliver from the Aetheria clan."

As the name announced, the arena again buzzed with excitement. Standing in the middle of the stage, Max and Oliver bowed to one another, showing their mutual respect. Oliver was from the Aetheria clan, which was known for celestial magic, so Oliver was not going to be an easy one. They fixed their gaze on one another. The moment Mason signaled, the combat began. Max and Oliver engaged in a duel.

Max used his magical sword, which was capable of swift strikes and unpredictable attacks. Oliver did as well, but as he was from the Aetheria clan, he had some extra power, like he could use celestial magic in his sword.

Oliver's sword sparked with the celestial magic. He made his first strike, but Max was fast to move, so the strike was directly placed on the ground. The crowd gasped as Oliver swung his sword down with such an immense force.

Max leaped backward, gaining his concentration and distance. The shock rippled through the crowd.

The sword's power caused the ground to split with a tremendous impact. The stage resounded with the metallic sound of the swords and was lightened by sparks of magic. The crowd could feel the intensity of the battle. Max and Oliver continuously attacked each other; their duel became a test of strategy because they both were strong. By showing strength to each other, they could not win the challenge.

Max and Oliver's gazes pierced each other, their grips tightening on their swords. But the fighting between them did not take much time; Max defeated Oliver with his tricks and strategy to secure his victory. The crowd welcomed Max with cheers; they got another winner.

The arena was filled with applause and joy. When everyone was busy changing the stage for the next match, Antonio moved a bit closer to Ethan. Ethan touched the lace of his coat as he straightened his back to sit seriously, as if they were going to have something serious to discuss.

Antonio lowered his head slightly, trying to hide everyone's gaze, and maintained a calm look to give a normal impression.

"Master Ethan!" His voice was at the edge of a whisper.

The arena's cheers hung in the air so heavy that it was difficult to hear.

Ethan leaned slightly forward, trying to catch Antonio's voice, and replied, "Yes."

His voice was quiet but filled with wonder.

Antonio spoke in a hushed tone while hesitating, "I guess people will get to know about Sadi's secret."

"Already everyone was asking about Sadi's sudden transformation."

"We can't hide it anymore."

Ethan nodded; he had feared this moment as well, but he did not show it on his face. He replied, "Master Antonio, the truth will come sooner and later. We can't hide it forever."

In concern, Antonio asked, "But once they know, then everything will be changed."

"It already has," Ethan interrupted softly.

"Although the future is unpredictable, Sadi has the power over destiny."

"If the prophecies are true, then he will prove his power and claim what is his."

"No one can destroy it when the time comes."

"And you know the truth already—that we lost what we had. A lot of conspiracy has been happening; at any time, anyone can destroy the sky temple for the stones."

"We can't protect it anymore, and you know it too." Ethan's words hung in the air; each word of his was true. The sky temple was attacked by intruders a lot of times, and they were so powerful that they had already breached six of the magical barriers protecting the temple."

The Sky Temple, where the sacred zodiac celestial stones were kept.

The enemies were relentless, and the last barrier protecting the temple was on the brink of collapse.

Ethan's heavy words echoed in the air, "The stones may fall into the wrong hands, but Sadi... he may save the stones."