"Start!" As James signaled the start of the match, a surge of mana erupted from the ground, conjuring mana circles that swiftly coalesced into twisting, thorny vines.
"Allen, deal with the others," Alvara commanded, her control over the plant-like entities evident.
"But, elder sister—" Allen began to protest.
"Oh dear, consider it an order, Allen," Alvara interrupted, her voice chillingly authoritative, prompting Allen to obey and direct his attention towards Leire and Martin, accompanied by his fellow groupmates.
"You're underestimating us," I retorted, evading the encroaching vegetation with agile movements.
Alicia, wielding her burning blade with practiced skill, attempted to incinerate the advancing plants, but they continued to proliferate relentlessly.
"I have to first 'estimate' someone before 'underestimating' them," Alvara replied, her smile fading into a cold expression.
Suddenly, a massive thorny maw erupted from beneath me, threatening to engulf me whole.
Instinctively, I summoned the power of Vysindra, manifesting a mana circle beneath me and calling forth a fiery projectile.
"Fireball of Vysindra!"
But as the flame hurtled towards the gaping maw, a sinister green aura coalesced within it—a sign of Prana.
The collision of Prana with my Fireball sent me careening backwards, disoriented.
Before I could regain my bearings, I found myself ensnared by a multitude of thorny vines, each imbued with Ruah and pulsating with Prana.
Focusing Prana into my limbs, scales materialized around my arms as I unleashed a powerful strike.
"Burning Claws of Vysindra!"
A sphere of fire enveloped me as I attempted to repel the vines, but many still managed to pierce through my defenses, tearing flesh and drawing blood.
I could feel her Ruah penetrating my defenses, while the Prana inflicted its damage through my Ruah-reinforced body. Before I knew it, a larger vine emerged, coiling around my throat with its thorns digging in, constricting my airway. Blood trickled from the wounds as I hovered above the ground, helpless in its grip.
Alvara remained unmoved, merely directing her hands in silent commands, while Alicia struggled against the onslaught of carnivorous plants.
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I attempted to sear the vine constricting my throat, only to find myself ensnared further as two thick vines coiled around my arms, stretching them taut. More vines entwined around my legs, crushing them mercilessly.
Summoning every ounce of mana I could muster, I called upon Samara's unseen hands to tear the vines away from me, granting me a brief respite as I fell to the ground.
Clicking my tongue, I conjured a blazing purple sword and propelled myself towards Alvara. Yet, the onslaught of thorny vines seemed endless, surrounding me from every angle. I slashed furiously with my sword, cutting through the Prana and Ruah-infused vines, but more sprouted in their place, hemming me in on all sides.
Summoning another blazing sword with a swift motion, I began a relentless assault, the repetitive motion almost becoming instinctual as I carved through the vines. Though the effort was draining, I pushed forward, inching closer to Alvara with each swing.
She had been preoccupied with Alicia until now, but as I neared, her gaze turned towards me. Her greenish-yellow eyes flickered briefly before she raised her hand, a surge of mana pulsating around her as a colossal mana circle materialized behind her.
From the colossal mana circle emerged a towering plant, resembling a cylindrical structure with an open lid, pulsating with a thick layer of Prana. Even its mere breath seemed to exude Prana.
Suddenly, a sharp, cutting wind filled the air, and slender vines sprouted forth in all directions, lashing out towards both Alicia and me.
Alicia attempted to incinerate the vines with her blood, but to her astonishment, a viscous, slippery liquid coated the vines, smothering her flames.
"I-Impossible..." Alicia's expression mirrored her disbelief as she struggled against the ensnaring vines, only to be swiftly dragged towards the towering plant.
"What in the world is that?" I exclaimed, channeling the power of Anathema's Fire, but to little avail against Alvara's new creation. Even my tried-and-tested technique seemed ineffective against her plant.
My only recourse was to concentrate my fire onto my blazing swords, yet the exertion drained my mana reserves rapidly.
"Shit!" I cursed as one of the vines coiled around my arm, the contact of a thick green liquid causing my clothes to melt away.
Poison? This was dire indeed.
"Vysindra's Giant Fireball!" Gathering a huge amount of mana, I conjured a massive fireball with my remaining hand, directing it towards Alvara.
Alvara merely smiled and waved her hand dismissively.
Her towering plant bent its form, its gaping maw wide open, ready to consume my fireball.
I watched in disbelief as my attack was effortlessly devoured by her plant.
Meanwhile, two thorny vines ensnared my body, dragging me forcefully towards Alvara's other creation.
She had neutralized my Anathemas Fire entirely.
Relying on it would only deplete my mana further.
I thought I held the elemental advantage, but it seemed Alvara had prepared for even the likes of my fire—perhaps especially so.
Refusing to surrender to defeat, I focused my energy, summoning white sand to coil around my arm.
I wanted to see how far she could go against me…
Alvara's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed my actions, her hand outstretched.
A colossal thorny maw erupted from the ground below me, attempting to engulf me, but it was too late.
With a flick of my finger, I gathered the white sand into a sharp blade at the tip of my index finger and sliced through Alvara's vines. Then, pinching my thumb with my index finger, I flicked it powerfully towards the thorny mouth below me.
A strange sound reverberated as the white sand engulfed the thorny mouth, exploding into sandy particles that dispersed into the air.
But as I turned around, I was met with the sight of Alvara floating in front of me, her expression unreadable as she reached out towards my throat without physical contact. More thorny vines emerged, ensnaring each of my limbs until I was completely immobilized. Try as I might, I couldn't summon the white sand to my aid amidst the overwhelming mass of vines constricting my body.
"Scorching Raven's Blade!" Alicia's voice echoed from behind Alvara as she attempted to launch an attack, but Alvara remained unfazed, her attention solely focused on me as her towering plant moved to intercept Alicia, overpowering her effortlessly.
I was painfully aware of that fact.
But I couldn't even muster the strength to move a single finger.
The greenish liquid oozing from the vines coiled around me seeped into my body, clouding my senses and leaving me utterly helpless.
Amidst the encroaching darkness as my consciousness began to fade—
A thunderous explosion reverberated throughout the stadium, shaking its very foundations. The stands trembled, and even the arenas where our battles were waged quivered under the immense force.
The voice, neutral yet commanding, echoed resoundingly around us, cutting through the chaos.
A looming shadow, hovering ominously above us, positioned directly in front of the VIP box where the King sat.