Éclipse

Chapter 3: The Semi-finals

The arena of Eclipse Academy is packed with spectators eagerly awaiting the semi-final matches of the tournament. The first finalists to face off are Shiro and Hina. The tension in the air is palpable, as both fighters prepare to give it their all.

Neru, the instructor, announces the start of the fight.

- Let the match begin!

Hina wastes no time and rushes toward Shiro, launching a series of rapid punches. Shiro dodges skillfully, stepping back under her pressure. Hina intensifies her strikes, adding powerful kicks to her attack. Shiro takes a few hits, showing signs of the battle on his body. He quickly regains his composure and decides to use magic.

A dark aura surrounds Shiro's hands, and he launches an attack of dark energy toward Hina. She laughs as she sees the attack.

- Is that all you've got? You know that kind of attack doesn't work on me!

However, Shiro abruptly stops his attack and focuses his power. A blue flame appears in his hand. Without hesitation, he charges at Hina. She prepares to block, but Shiro suddenly changes direction, catching Hina off guard.

She tries to react, but a strange dark energy paralyzes her. Unable to move, Hina watches helplessly as Shiro delivers several direct blows. Trapped by his magic, she endures the hits before managing to break free.

She grabs Shiro's head and starts a series of knee strikes, targeting his head and stomach. Shiro manages to pull away but is immediately hit by a right punch that sends him staggering back. Hina doesn't give him any respite and follows up with a powerful hook. Shiro dodges, but Hina follows with a knee strike that lands squarely. He steps back, wiping the blood from his lip.

- Hurts, doesn't it? Hina taunts.

- Seems like it, Shiro responds with a smile.

As he prepares to counterattack, Hina surprises him with another rapid strike. Shiro deploys a dark magic barrier that blocks her next attack. Hina feels the intensity of Shiro's hits increasing.

- I'm done blocking. It's time for me to attack, Shiro declares.

- Can't wait to see it! Hina responds eagerly.

Shiro unleashes a flurry of attacks with his dark energy. Hina, surprised by this unfamiliar power, realizes she is starting to take damage. She retaliates with an uppercut, but Shiro dodges skillfully.

- Sorry about this, Shiro says as a dark blade materializes in his hand.

- Damn it! Hina exclaims, instinctively stepping back.

She tries to evade his strikes but ends up with several scratches. Panting, she catches her breath. Shiro suddenly appears behind her.

- You shouldn't have let your guard down, he remarks with a smirk.

Hina quickly reacts, kicking Shiro's arm and forcing him to retreat. She sighs in relief, but suddenly falls to the ground, feeling a sharp pain in her arm. Turning her head, she sees her arm has been severed.

- You bastard... You didn't have to go that far, she says weakly before collapsing.

- I already said I'm sorry, Shiro mutters as he sits down on the ground.

Neru announces the victor.

- The winner is Shiro!

Xalia, stunned by the outcome, charges at Shiro, but Raiden steps in to stop her.

- Don't worry. Thanks to new technology, we can restore Hina's arm.

Xalia calms down and follows the medics as they take Hina to the infirmary.

The next match is about to start, with Yuta and Sera stepping into the arena. Both fighters smile confidently at each other.

- Ready? Yuta asks.

- Always, Sera replies.

The fight begins. Sera is the first to attack, launching a series of quick strikes that Yuta skillfully dodges. He counters with a powerful kick, but Sera manages to block it and immediately goes on the offensive with a barrage of punches.

Yuta parries each blow, his face showing no signs of strain. He then jumps back, creating some distance between them. Sera charges in again, but Yuta quickly gathers his energy and unleashes a burst of lightning magic.

A streak of light shoots towards Sera. She narrowly dodges, feeling the crackling of the energy as it passes by her.

- Impressive, Yuta. But you'll need more than that to beat me, Sera taunts.

Yuta smirks, focusing his lightning magic into his fists.

- Then I won’t hold back, he declares.

He rushes at her, fists crackling with electricity. The two engage in a close-combat exchange, punches and kicks flying with incredible speed. Each impact sends shockwaves through the arena.

Sera takes a step back, realizing that Yuta's power is greater than she expected. She quickly conjures a barrier of wind to push him away, creating a brief moment of separation.

- Not bad, Yuta admits. But it won’t be enough.

He raises his hand, and a spear of pure lightning forms above him. With a swift motion, he hurls it at Sera. The spear travels at blinding speed, but Sera is ready. She gathers her wind magic, forming a shield that deflects the spear upward into the sky.

- Nice try, Sera smirks.

However, she is caught off guard when Yuta appears right in front of her, having used the distraction to close the gap. He lands a heavy punch infused with lightning into her stomach, sending her flying back. She crashes to the ground, panting heavily.

- You’ve improved, Yuta admits.

- I’m not done yet, Sera says, struggling to her feet.

Yuta watches her, a look of respect on his face.

- It’s over, Sera, he says calmly.

She hesitates for a moment before finally dropping to her knees, unable to continue.

Neru raises his hand.

- The winner is Yuta!

The crowd erupts into cheers. Yuta walks over to Sera and offers her a hand. She takes it, smiling.

- Good fight, she says.

- You too, Yuta replies with a grin.

As the crowd's applause fades, Neru steps forward with a serious expression.

- The final match will be between Yuta and Shiro!

Meanwhile, at the academy's infirmary, Hina begins to regain consciousness. As she slowly opens her eyes, a voice speaks to her.

- So, little sister, how are you feeling? I heard your brother defeated you.

Hina, still groggy, tries to make sense of the situation. She looks up and sees a mysterious figure standing near her bed.

Xalia, who was beside Hina, immediately reacts.

- Who are you? she demands.

The mysterious person smiles faintly, looking directly at Hina, who is now fully awake but confused.