I. The Last Echo Before the Storm
Twilight fell over the Citadel, draping it in aquamarine reflections. The platforms vibrated with the energy of previous encounters, but the air was now different: expectant, solemn, as if the clan itself were holding its breath.
The System announced:
[Next Duel:
Elian, Song of the River (Transcendence Stage 9, Water/Flow Control, Morningstar Minor Branch)
vs.
Lirael, Moon Blade (Transcendence Stage 9, Blade/Light, Morningstar Descendant)]
At the edges of the plaza, disciples and elders gathered, aware they were witnessing the closing of a cycle. Kael, Violeta, and Eris stood shoulder to shoulder, proud of the roots that had bloomed. Samael, from on high, observed it all: the brotherhood, the effort, and the price of every advancement.
II. Greeting and Promise
Elian ascended first. His blue and white robes billowed like water currents, his gaze serene yet determined. In his hand, he held a short staff made of willow wood. Lirael followed, almost floating—silver hair, feline gaze. She carried a single sword, reflecting the day's last light.
They met in the center of the platform. —"I know you come from the forgotten branch, Elian," Lirael whispered. "Today, you are not just a river; you are the tide that can change the course of history."
Elian smiled, his voice as soft as water: —"And you are the moon, Lirael. Without the moon, no river dreams of the tide."
Both bowed their heads, and the gong sounded. The final duel began.
III. First Bout: Flow and Flash
Elian was the first to attack. —"River Art: Hidden Current."
Water surged beneath his feet, covering the platform in a slippery, shimmering film. Lirael, instead of retreating, ran forward, her sword spinning in circles. —"Moon Art: Surge Blades."
With every spin, her edge cut the air, launching beams of light and water toward Elian. The crowd saw flashes crossing the platform like meteors. Elian dodged, jumping from one current to another. With a gesture, he raised a wave, enveloping Lirael and seeking to trap her in a liquid prison.
Lirael closed her eyes, channeling her Qi. —"Moon Reflection." Silver light sliced the wave, dividing it into droplets that floated in the air. Elian smiled: this would be the fight of his life.
IV. Second Bout: Strategy and Adaptation
Elian modified his flow, sending pressurized water jets to corner Lirael. —"Dance of the River: Hidden Whirlpool."
The platform spun beneath Lirael's feet, causing her to stumble. But Lirael, without losing her balance, leapt toward the wall of water, using her sword to channel the current and launch herself like a dolphin through the whirlpool.
Upon landing, she lunged with a sequence of thrusts. Elian retreated, but every impact of the sword seemed to vanish into water. —"You are slippery, River," Lirael teased. "But the moon always finds its reflection." Elian, sweating, nodded. —"Then, find me."
Suddenly, the water beneath Lirael's feet solidified into ice, and Elian appeared behind her, launching a burst of Qi that propelled her forward.
V. Third Bout: The Limit of the Current and the Edge
Lirael, kneeling, looked at her reflection in the ice. —"I am not just the moon… I am the blade that cuts the night." She raised her sword, channeling the light of the moon that was already appearing. —"Final Art: Dawn Cut."
A wave of light split the ice, releasing steam that turned back into water. Elian, cornered, used the current to slide along the edge of the platform, reappearing at Lirael's back. —"Supreme Art: Silent River Waltz."
Both combatants spun in a dance: edge against water, light against tide, moon against river. It was minutes of pure martial art, every movement as beautiful as it was dangerous. The audience did not breathe: it was all flash and current, reflection and shadow.
Suddenly, both stood face to face, so close they could feel each other's breath. —"I am not going to back down," Lirael said, her voice trembling but firm. —"Neither am I," Elian whispered.
VI. Climax: The Meeting of the Tide and the Moon
Both launched their final attack. Lirael: —"Total Moon Cut!" Elian: —"Eternal Waterfall!"
The platform filled with light and water. The clash was a silent explosion, a miniature aurora. For an instant, both seemed to float in the air, caught in the collision of Qi and will. Upon falling, both rolled to the edge of the platform, gasping and bleeding, but smiling. Elian leaned on his staff and Lirael on her sword. They shared a look of mutual respect.
VII. Judgment and Brotherhood
The System shone:
[Result: Draw Declared.
Sequence Status:
Elian retains Rank 19 (Song of the River).
Lirael rises to Rank 20 (Moon Blade).
Shared Unlock: "Aurora Tide"—a group defense and support technique.
Both: Spiritual advancement; understanding of the cycle between water and light.]
Kael and Eris leapt to the center, lifting the combatants. Violeta, through tears, embraced Lirael. Lys wiped the blood from Elian. Samael descended, placing a hand on each shoulder. —"Today the river and the moon have sealed the legend. The Morningstar lineage does not fear the darkness because it knows that every tide returns, and every night is conquered by the aurora."
The audience roared, knowing that not only was a tournament ending, but an era was being born.
VIII. The Sky Darkens – The Sect of the Purple Light
As the clan dispersed, exhausted and happy, the sky over the Citadel darkened. It was no natural storm: a Large-Scale Transportation Formation was tearing through the clouds. A flying ship, three times larger than the Herald of the Void and decorated with purple lightning, descended amidst thunderous roars. The emblem of the Sect of the Purple Light waved fearlessly.
The roar of the plaza died down. The Top 20 and the disciples instinctively reached for their weapons, Qi swirling. Samael raised his hand, firm and serene. —"Sheathe your steel," he ordered, his voice full of authority. "Today they do not come to fight. They come to demand. And I want them to see that their demands are worth nothing here."
A cold laugh descended from the ship. From the bow, a figure in purple robes, face covered by a mask of lightning, projected his voice with magic: —"By order of the Northern Alliance, the Morningstar Clan must hand over the 'Child of Black Destiny' and submit to inspection. Open your barriers or be purged!"
The silence was so absolute that the wind itself stopped. Samael walked forward, each step heavy with history and power, and ascended, floating until he was face to face with the enemy battleship. —"Purged?" he repeated, his voice calm and amplified by the Void. "You are late. The trash was swept away long ago. Descend if you dare."
The response from the plaza was a roar. The Morningstars, shoulder to shoulder, raised their auras as a single being. No one retreated. No one trembled. The Sect of the Purple Light hesitated for an instant.
And so, under the split sky, the second legend of the Morningstar aurora began.
[End of Chapter 84]