Roselle watched the battle with concern. She remarked, "Mui turned things around just like that. Her Kyosa is an incredible ability."
Risebelle nodded. “That’s the power Runebelle lost to. Mui's Kyosa has the ability to overturn situations. It allows her to reverse the effects of abilities and even power itself. It's a powerful sword magic to say the least."
Roselle responded with her concern growing. “You’re right. I know Chala is the champion and all, but can she handle something like this?”
Risebelle glanced at Roselle with narrowing eyes. “What about you, Roselle? Could you handle something like that?”
Roselle chuckled nervously, shaking her head. “I don’t know…. I …haven’t thought about that...”
Runebelle, who had been silent until now, spoke up with her usual gloom. “Everything has a weakness. Chala just needs to find it.”
Roselle and Risebelle exchanged surprised glances at Runebelle’s unexpected input. Roselle nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, Runebelle. There’s always a way to overcome even the most daunting challenges.”
Risebelle gave Runebelle a rare smile. “Let’s see if Chala can find that weakness before it’s too late.”
When Chala slashed at Mui, her opponent mirrored her earlier agile movements. Mui's blade struck Chala across the chest, and she was sent staggering backward. Mui's words cut through the tension, "What's the matter, Chala? It seems your movements have slowed down ever since I released my sword. Remember, my Kyosa doesn't enhance my speed, you know?"
Chala growled towards Mui.
Chalcon watched the intense battle unfold from the sidelines with a furrowed brow. When Mui gained the upper hand, his frustration boiled over. "What the hell does Chala think she's doing out there? She's not supposed to be losing like this!"
Chala's mind raced. ‘This isn’t good, she thought. I need to figure out how Kyosa’s overturn ability works or I’m done for. ‘She took a moment to carefully observe Mui’s movements.
‘That’s what she’s doing,’ Chala realized. Mui was mimicking the speed, power, and even the posture of Chala’s previous moves. A sly smirk began to form on Chala’s lips. ‘So, she’s using my own movements against me.’
With a renewed sense of strategy, Chala decided to shift her approach. She began to pull back and avoid slashes rather than clash with them.
Mui tilted her head slightly. “What’s she up to now,” she muttered.
Chala launched herself to circle around the arena. She sent four long-ranged lightning waves streaking toward Mui. Mui, immediately began to counter with her own dark waves, trying to clash with and neutralize Chala’s attacks.
But Chala wasn’t finished yet. With a shout, she tossed her blade into the air and cried, “Lightning Extension!” The blade began to elongate. It’s size increased dramatically and the blade came down upon Mui.
Mui’s eyes widened in surprise. She quickly raised her own blade to block the incoming extension, bracing herself for the impact. The clash of energy was intense, and the force of the collision pushed Mui back slightly.
Seizing the moment of Mui’s shock, Chala performed a graceful flip through the air, catching her extended blade in a fluid motion. With a swift and powerful swing, she brought the sword down upon Mui.
Mui struggled to defend herself. Her blade strained against the overwhelming pressure of Chala’s assault. Her footing slipped slightly, but she tried to maintain her stance.
Chala’s eyes charged with thunder. “How’s this for a twist?”
Mui’s smirked. “You’ve definitely earned your spot as champion. If I weren’t here, this would be a beautfiful way to win. But…”
In a swift and unexpected move, Mui’s sword, previously poised to defend, began to elongate, mirroring Chala’s earlier tactic. The blade stretched with dark energy, extending toward Chala. Meanwhile, Chala’s sword reverted to it’s regular size.
Chala’s eyes widened in shock. “No way…!”
Mui’s eyes locked onto Chala’s. “Do you understand now?” Before Chala could respond, Mui brought her extended blade crashing down with decisive force.
The impact was overwhelming. The blade slashed across Chala’s chest, sending her flying across the arena. Chala hit the ground hard. She lay there, looking nearly out cold. Her breaths came in ragged gasps.
The announcer rang out with authoritative clarity. “Well, folks, it looks like Chala is down for the count! The countdown begins now! Sixty seconds on the clock!”
The countdown clock appeared, ticking down from sixty seconds. At the thirty-second mark, Chala's eyes snapped open with fierce intensity. She propelled herself upwards with a swift, fluid motion, landing firmly on her feet despite the visible injuries that marred her form.
Chala’s chest heaved with a single powerful breath. She let out a roar that echoed through the arena, a sound reminiscent of a dragon’s might.
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“Ah, yes!” Chala shouted with exhilaration. “I love a good fight! This is what I live for!”
Her eyes sparkled with a renewed fire upon meeting Mui’s gaze. “I’m going to enjoy this!”
After that declaration, Chala closed her eyes and took a stance with her blade. Mui's eyes narrowed with curiosity, watching her opponent closely.
Then, in an explosion of yellowish magical energy, Chala's aura flared to life. It enveloped her like a vibrant storm.
"Open your heart, Sanda Colossus!"
A tremendous surge of magical energy burst forth from Chala. The energy radiated with electrifying force.
The announcer boomed through the arena. “ That electrifyin’ surge of magic is lightin’ up the Grand Arena, and it’s clear we’re seein’ somethin’ mighty special here. It’s like watchin’ the same Sword Magic we saw earlier from Chalcon in his fight against Myra!”
In the stands, Roselle's curiosity was piqued. She leaned in to ask Kintovar, “Hey Dr.Kintovar, isn't that the same sword magic as Chalcon’s? What's going on? Do you know?"
Kintovar, despite her limited knowledge of Sword Magic, attempted to provide an answer, saying, “Chalcon’s Sword Magic was powerful, but Chala’s version seems to have its own distinct flair. It’s like she’s taken the core principles of that magic and added her unique touch. We’re witnessing her interpretation of the same magical essence.”
Back in the arena, Chala's eyes locked onto Mui's. She raised her sword high, ready to unleash her newfound might.
“Lightning Field!”
Chala unleashed the Lightning Field, which enveloped her and Mui.
Mui was undeterred by this field and swiftly moved forward. Her sword raised and dark threads which were ready for action.
Chala, on the other hand was surrounded by a vivid aura of crackling lightning. The two clashed in a flurry of strikes and parries. Lightning crackled with each clash, and sparks flew as their swords met.
Mui's dark threads wove a web of defense around herself, but Chala's relentless lightning-infused attacks broke through, pushing Mui back.
Chala pushed forward, driving Mui into the lightning field that surged around the two. The Lightning Field worked to Chala's advantage, causing lighting to strike Mui within the field which sapped at Mui's strength.
Chala twirled her blade with elegance, leaving trails of electrified aura in her wake. With each movement, she created an illusion of the Yellow Dragon that seemed to glide alongside her and mirror her actions.
Then, when Mui’s guard momentarily wavered, Chala seized the opportunity. She shouted, "Yellow Dragon Strike!" and unleashed the attack with a flourish. The Yellow Dragon materialized completely with a vivid burst of energy.
With blinding speed, Chala's attack came from an unexpected angle, catching Mui off guard. The strike landed with incredible force, sending Mui hurtling through the air. The impact against Stronberg's barrier was like a thunderclap, causing it to shudder and crack.
Even then, Chala wasn't finished. She moved with lightning speed, delivering a series of rapid slashes that were a blur of motion. Finally, Chala delivered a powerful slash which impacted Mui with unparalleled force and caused an explosion of energy throughout the Grand arena. The barrier that surrounded the arena was fractured even further.
Stronberg watched with growing concern at the cracks that were forming.
“Yall…I’m standin’ here, downright speechless! What a jaw-droppin’, edge-of-your-seat battle we’ve just witnessed!I am... I'm speechless. What an incredible battle we've witnessed here today!"
The crowd erupted into cheers after hearing the announcer’s words.
Chala landed gracefully. She held her blade at the ready and looked on through the smoke that shrouded the arena from the explosion.
When the smoke slowly cleared, it revealed the aftermath of the battle. Mui, the formidable Elite Guard of the Western Kingdom, lay on the ground, her battle attire tattered and scorched. She appeared to be unconscious, her breathing shallow. Suddenly, this Mui turned into a Mass of Dark energy.
Chala's eyes widened as Mui's form dissipated into dark purple energy. She watched in astonishment as a less-injured Mui materialized behind her.
"An illusion?" Chala mumbled in disbelief.
Mui explained, "You allowed my Kyosa to adapt to your power, Chala. It's a power that overturns, reverses effects, and adapts. The longer you fought, the more it adjusted. You should have gone for that powerful attack immediately."
Chala's eyes filled with frustration and realization. Her initial attack had been devastating, but Mui's sword magic had adapted to nullify its effects.
Chala's eyes widened with realization. She swiftly deactivated her Sanda Colossus power. The vibrant lightning aura surrounding her dissipated. Mui looked on, puzzled by Chala's sudden action, and asked, "Are you surrendering, Chala?"
Chala, however, shook her head and smiled with her eyes momentarily closed. "No, i'm just giving myself a clean slate, a fresh start."
Chala approached Mui without the benefit of her sword magic, relying solely on her raw combat skills.
Mui seized the advantage immediately. Her movements were swift and precise. Each of her attacks became more powerful than the last. Chala's blade met Mui's with a clashing sound that echoed through the arena, but the difference in their strengths was immense. Mui's speed and power overwhelmed Chala, and each hit forced Chala to retreat back.
Chala took a sharp slash to her side. In that moment, she muttered to herself, "If this keeps up, I’m going to lose. I need to land one hit… just one hit."
Chala focused intently. Despite the pain from the relentless strikes and the growing fatigue, Chala pressed on. She adjusted her stance and observed Mui’s patterns.
Mui's aggressive onslaught showed no sign of slowing. Her attacks were calculated, aimed at breaking through Chala’s defenses. Yet, Chala’s eyes were sharp, watching every movement, analyzing every strike.
Suddenly, Chala saw a tiny lapse in Mui’s guard—a slight hesitation after a particularly forceful swing.
Chala launched herself forward with a desperate lunge. Her blade, though still dull from lack of magical energy, aimed directly at the exposed spot in Mui’s defenses.
Mui’s eyes widened in surprise as Chala’s blade made contact, if only for a brief moment.
“No matter how small it is,” Chala whispered, “I can overturn the overturner!”
Chala took a deep breath and released her Sword Magic once more with the command, "Open your heart, Sanda Collosus!"
A surge of magical energy enveloped her, and she became a force of nature once again. Chala's eyes glowed with a bluish light. She sent out bolts of lightning that extended from her body like a network of electric tendrils, creating the illusion of an impending attack.
In an instant, Chala propelled herself through the lightning. She closed the gap between her and Mui in the blink of an eye, and her blade came down with a lightning-quick strike. Mui, caught off guard, barely had time to react as Chala's attack connected.
The impact sent Mui staggering back. Chala had seized the opportunity she needed, and with another burst of Lightning Speed, she closed the distance even further, moving into Mui's range before Mui could mount a defense.
Mui muttered to herself, "I didn't even take my eyes off her, yet she moved so quickly. How did she manage to close the distance in the blink of an eye?"
Chala looked at Mui with a smirk. “Puzzled, are we?”
Mui at Chala, still trying to regain her composure. Chala then struck with her blade.