SWNOVELXO Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Cassius vs Emma
Chapter 11: Cassius vs. Emma
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The arena was packed with students, all excited to watch the next match. Everyone was talking about it—it was Cassius, the vampire prince from Red Castle, going up against Emma, the underdog nobody expected to make it this far.
Damian leaned against a wall at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. He didn't care much about these matches, but this one was different. Cassius was no joke. He wasn't just another strong student; he was royalty, and the confidence he carried made that obvious. His piercing red eyes scanned the arena like he already knew he'd won.
Emma stood on the other side, small compared to Cassius but calm. Damian respected that about her. She wasn't noble or powerful like him, but she was smart. And that could be just as dangerous.
"Do you think Emma has a chance?" Oliver asked, adjusting his glasses. He always seemed nervous.
Damian shrugged. "If she plays it right. Guys like Cassius always think they're unbeatable. She can use that."
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The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, and the match began. Cassius moved first, casually stepping forward like he wasn't even trying. Shadows swirled around him, twisting and turning as if they were alive. With a flick of his hand, the shadows lashed out, sharp and fast.
Emma dodged, barely staying ahead of the attacks. She didn't panic, though. Instead, she used her magic—light magic—to blast bursts of bright energy into the shadows. The light forced them back, and for a moment, Cassius winced, shielding his eyes.
"You dare try to blind me?" Cassius snarled, his voice cold and sharp. "I'll show you why they call me the Shadow Prince."
He moved faster, and the shadows grew bigger, forming a massive claw that slammed down toward Emma. She rolled out of the way just in time, firing a beam of light straight at him. It hit him in the chest, forcing him back a step.
The crowd gasped.
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Damian's eyes narrowed as he watched. Cassius was strong, no doubt about it. But he wasn't as perfect as he thought he was.
"She's messing with him," Damian said quietly.
Oliver looked at him, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Damian didn't look away from the fight. "He's getting sloppy. She's making him waste energy."
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The battle went on, with Emma pushing Cassius more than anyone expected. She didn't fight him head-on—she couldn't—but she kept him on the defensive, dodging and striking when he least expected it.
But Cassius wasn't just strong; he was ruthless.
"Enough!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the arena. The shadows around him exploded outward, covering the entire area in darkness. Emma's light flickered, struggling to hold the shadows back.
The crowd went silent, straining to see what was happening. Suddenly, a flash of light broke through the darkness, forcing Cassius to stumble back. Emma had made her move.
For a moment, it looked like she might win. But Cassius wasn't holding back anymore. He gathered the shadows around him, forming a cage that wrapped around Emma, pinning her to the ground.
"You fought well," Cassius said, standing over her. His fangs gleamed as he smirked. "But you were never going to win."
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The match ended, and Cassius was declared the winner. The crowd clapped, but it wasn't the usual loud cheer. A lot of them had been rooting for Emma, and even though she lost, they were impressed by how far she had pushed Cassius.
Damian watched as Emma was helped off the field. She looked tired, but not defeated.
"She exposed his flaws," Damian said to no one in particular.
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Flaws? What flaws? He just crushed her."
Damian smirked. "He doesn't know how to handle someone who doesn't fear him. That'll come back to bite him."
As the crowd started to leave, Cassius glanced at Damian. Their eyes met for a split second—Cassius's arrogant and full of pride, Damian's calm and calculating.
Damian turned away. Cassius thought he was untouchable. That was fine. It just made taking him down later all the more satisfying.