"At this rate, won't the coliseum collapse?" a spectator cried out in terror as the flaming meteor crashed into the fighting platform. Each crash sent a fiery shockwave toward the spectators, and even the building trembled.
"Nonsense! This coliseum has stood for centuries; this fight won't bring it to ruin!" another person retorted, using his hands to shield his eyes from the intense heat spreading from the fighting platform.
Though the fire fragments only crashed into the platform, the entire coliseum was in utter chaos! Whenever the golden comet descended, smoke billowed up, and heat surged out. Everyone was immediately drenched in sweat; it felt as though they were in a furnace.
The entire fighting arena was now obscured by smoke. Apart from high-level Awakened, who had good eyesight, the other mundanes and low-level Awakened could barely make out anything beyond the thick smoke and the blistering heat radiating from the battlefield. Some even retreated further up the coliseum stands, seeking respite from the intensity of the fight.
"T-this prince is really going all out," one spectator cried.
"He's lost it! What if she doesn't survive this?" another voice shouted, barely audible over the chaos. "Is he planning to kill her?"
"The runic barrier is activated. I think we have nothing to fear... but still, I must admit that she will feel quite the pain."
Seeing the devastating comets that were descending like rain from a storm, Nathan clenched his fists tightly, his gaze piercing through the thick smoke.
Within the thick smoke, Nyx was having a hard time keeping up the barrier that rippled every time the comet smashed into it with violent force. The heat was overwhelming, searing the air around her, but the shield held for the moment. Nyx gritted her teeth, pouring her remaining energy into maintaining the barrier as Ainsworth's attack raged on.
"You think that can protect you?" Ainsworth shouted as another mini sun shot into the sky. Like the first one, the sun exploded like a bomb, raining more blazing comets.
The two energies clashed! The golden fire collided with the holy white light of her shield, creating a blinding scene. For a moment, it seemed as if both forces might tear each other apart!
High above, the nobles exchanged worried glances, their previous confidence shaken. "Ainsworth needs to control this! It's getting out of hand!" one nobleman hissed, his face pale.
"Perhaps it's too late," another replied, his voice low. "If he continues this way... they'll have no choice but to intervene."
"Rules are rules... no one will intervene in this fight!" Hearing the whispers, King Aldric shouted from the royal box, finding pleasure in Nyx's torment. His voice was firm and authoritative, leaving no room for disobedience.
All that remained was that golden barrier... if Ainsworth could get rid of it, then this fight would be over. Merely imagining the scene of Nyx being enveloped in blazing judgment flames sent a surge of excitement through him.
Just then, loud chanting came from the crowd.
"Nyx! Nyx! Nyx! Show them your might!"
"Show them the might of a Cromwell!"
"Fight for your honor! Fight for your name!"
No one knew who started it, but the chant quickly spread like wildfire through the audience. Even though the majority couldn't see what was happening, they could feel Nyx's struggle. The air was thick with tension, but they understood one thing: she was fighting for all commoners, for her family, and for her future.
And most importantly... for the commoners that had wrongly been accused and slaughtered.
Since they couldn't fight alongside her, the best they could do was provide support!
"Just a little longer," Nathan murmured, a tear slipping down his cheek as he saw the support the people had for his granddaughter. He was moved. "You're stronger than you think, Nyx. Show him the strength of our family!"
"T-they're all rooting for me," Nyx thought. A tear nearly escaped her eyes as she felt the warmth of their chants wash over her like a comforting embrace, igniting a spark of determination in her heart.
Nyx had always kept her emotions in check, but this support... this support was just too overwhelming. She had built walls around herself, only allowing a few people to enter. Yet, as she stood amidst the crowd, the warmth of their unwavering support seeped into the cracks of her carefully constructed walls.
She could feel the weight of their faith in her, the sheer volume of cheers and well-wishes from people who believed in her strength. It was foreign—almost unnerving. For someone who had long believed that strength came from within, everything felt very strange... but she liked it.
For a moment, time slowed down, all the noise canceled out. From within the thick smoke, she briefly stared at everyone shouting her name and rooting for her. The barrier was flickering, showing signs of giving way. This was because the duration of her holy energy was about to come to an end.
"I won't lose this fight!" She clenched her fist, feeling intense strain in her shoulders. "I won't let them down... not again."
For some reason, the whole scenario felt like something that had happened in the past, but she couldn't wrap her head around it. It felt like déjà vu, hence she hadn't even noticed when she said the last part of her dialogue.
At that moment, someone from the crowd shouted, "Cromwell's blood runs fierce and true! Nyx, we believe in you!"
"Yes... the Cromwell blood runs deep within me..." she repeated, her eyes burning with determination. Her gaze was so fierce that it frightened Ainsworth for a moment. Then oddly, a smirk curled up on her beautiful, determined face.
Shatter! The barrier finally gave way, and as it did, Ainsworth's confidence seemed to return. He roared, summoning yet another rain of fiery blasts, the golden light swirling around him, growing brighter and more intense.
This was the time to finish her off before she pulled out any more trump cards.
With a sudden surge of power, Ainsworth directed the fire downward, fully intending to burn his opponent into oblivion. "Feel the wrath of the sun!" he shouted.
Nyx was now exposed. She felt vulnerable as she saw the flaming comets descending toward her. She grasped her blade tightly.
Bolstered by the sheer support of the audience, Nyx began to weave between the flaming blasts. She didn't activate any skill…this was just pure martial arts. Yes, Blazing Judgment was powerful, but at the end of the day, it required the user to be focused to utilize the skill to its full potential, something Ainsworth hadn't yet achieved.
His father had only given him this skill some days ago, hence he hadn't learned how to fully control it.
What was worse…there were only some seconds left before his skill entered cooldown.
'T-this is bad,' Ainsworth thought as anxiety slowly crept in.
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