Impending Omen

In the grand arena, the deafening roar of the crowd echoes across the stands as they buzz with excitement from Serephira's impressive performance from before. The spotlight has now shifts to Bracket C, where the second round unfolds in dramatic fashion.

Thane, drenched and battered, stands in the center of the arena. His clothes were clinging to him, its weighed down by the constant splashes of water. His face was streaked with sweat and grime, reflecting his exhaustion. His breaths come in ragged gasps, and every movement he makes seems labored.

His opponent was a young woman representing Thalorian Academy, she moves with a fluid grace that contrasts starkly with Thane's struggles. She stands with a poised, almost ethereal presence. Her long, wavy hair flows like a silken waterfall, glistening with droplets of water. Her attire was a sleek, aqua-blue tunic adorned with intricate patterns that shimmer like rippling water, accentuates her control over her Veil of Water.

As Thane lunges toward her, his efforts to close the distance are thwarted by her power. She manipulates her Veil of Water with expert precision. Whenever Thane makes a move, she creates a sudden surge of water to push him back. A quick whip of her hand can conjure a crashing wave that knocks him off balance or form a defensive barrier of swirling water that redirects his attacks.

For instance, as Thane charges, she raises her hand, summoning a wall of water that absorbs and disperses his forceful blow. In another instant, she might create a whirlpool under his feet, causing him to stumble and fall, making him vulnerable to her counterattacks.

Thane's desperation grows with each failed attempt to breach her defenses. His movements become increasingly sluggish, and his strength was slowly waning as the relentless tide of her Veil of Water wears him down.

As Thane faced the relentless onslaught of water, he realized that if this kept up, the constant hydration might be his downfall. He muttered to himself in frustration

"Shit!"

He then summoned his trusty claymore via the power of his Aetherforge.

The girl, watching him with a hint of bemusement, said to Thane:

"You'll only tire yourself out more with that big weapon of yours, you know."

Thane shot her with a determined smile showing on his face.

"Yeah, thanks for the advice."

With a deep breath, Thane made a grandiose stance and hurled the massive claymore toward her. The weapon flew with surprising speed, cutting through the air despite the awkwardness of his throw. The girl, reacting instinctively, raised her hand to form another barrier of water.

But just as the claymore was inches from the water barrier, it vanished in an instant, leaving her stunned. She turned to search for any sign of Thane, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, from the very shadow at her feet, Thane emerged with the claymore in his hand. He swung the weapon sideways with powerful precision. The force of the blow sent her crashing across the arena, causing her to land heavily, unable to rise.

Thane watched her struggle and said with a smirk:

"Finally! I was waiting for the sun to set in a position that'll cast your shadow in the right place, you know."

***

Gravis ascended to the top of a tall building. He narrowed his eyes as he looked down at the grand arena below. A woman was waiting for him with a calm and commanding presence. As he approached her, she spoke without turning around.

"The Grandmaster?"

Gravis stepped closer, his tone was measured as he replied:

"Rodan is handling him."

Liora gave a slight nod, understanding the situation. Without another word, she began to rise, hovering effortlessly high above the kingdom. Reaching out with both hands, she cast:

"Mirari"

A faint wave of energy rippled outward, spreading across the entire kingdom.

Slowly, Liora descended back to the rooftop, her task was complete. Gravis, watching her with a sinister smile, knew it was his time to act. With a powerful leap, he launched himself into the air, rising high above the arena and the kingdom.

As he hung in the sky, he prepared to unleash his power, chanting a single, commanding word:

"Meteora."

***

Right outside of the main gate of the kingdom, the scene is grim. Kaelen, who was barely conscious and wounded, hears a low, familiar voice piercing through the haze of pain and darkness. With great effort, he slowly opens his eyes to see Rogue, resting and leaning on a nearby trees, and the two guards still laying unconscious on the ground.

Kaelen, despite his own injuries, stumbles toward Rogue with a determined expression.

"Fuck! Is there anything I can do? I should call for help for you and the guards."

With a weak voice, rogue shakes his head slightly.

"Forget about us. We'll manage. You need to focus on something more important."

Kaelen's brows furrow in concern.

"What are you talking about?"

Rogue, struggling to keep his eyes open, insists

"You need to get to the capital. The intruders... they're there. We don't have much time."

Kaelen hesitates at first, he can felt the weight of Rogue's words pressing heavily on him.

"But you—"

"Go!" Rogue interrupts him with his firm voice despite his weakened state.

"We can't afford to lose any more time. Find them before it's too late."

With a nod, Kaelen steels himself, pushing through the pain. He takes one last look at Rogue and the unconscious guards, he then turns and makes his way toward the capital. The roads were relatively empty, probably because most of the people are in the Grand Arena, watching the ongoing tournament now. Each movement he make sent waves of agony through his injuries, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let the pain slow him down.

'Shit! how can i find them?'

He immediately jumped to the tallest building he could find, hoping for a better view to spot the intruder. As he landed on the rooftop, he staggered slightly, feeling the sharp sting of his wounds.

As Kaelen scanned the capital below, his eyes were drawn to the sky where something massive and terrifying came into view. His breath caught in his throat as he saw it—a colossal meteor, half the size of the entire kingdom's diameter, slowly descending from the sky. Its surface was burned with an eerie glow, casting a fiery light across the landscape.

"What the hell is that?!"