THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

Cauis' grin widened as he clenched his fists, Aetherglow wrapping around his arms in brilliant spirals of energy. "Don't hold back, Dylan. I want to see everything you've got."

Dylan's eyes darkened just slightly, a hint of his hidden power flashing in his gaze. He cracked his knuckles, his stance loose but ready. "Careful what you wish for, Cauis."

The crowd held its breath as the tension built, a storm of energy swirling between the two. Then, with a simultaneous burst of power, they launched at each other Dylan's fist meeting Cauis' glowing strike in an explosion of force that sent shockwaves rippling across the arena.

Cauis rolled his shoulders, his usual grin growing sharper. "It really has been a while. Don't hold back, Dylan. Let's make this interesting."

The two circled each other, the arena growing still as anticipation hung in the air. Without warning, Cauis launched the first strike a quick jab aimed at Dylan's ribs. Dylan sidestepped, catching Cauis's wrist and countering with a swift hook aimed at his jaw. Cauis blocked it with his forearm, the force of the impact reverberating through his arm.

"You've gotten faster," Dylan said, eyes narrowing in approval.Cauis chuckled. "And you're still annoying."

Their fists flew, each strike blocked or dodged with precision. The crowd watched in awe as the two warriors moved like seasoned fighters, trading blows with fluidity and skill that surpassed what most expected. Neither relied on magic at first it was pure martial prowess.

The spectators erupted in cheers, their excitement mounting with every clash. Gasps echoed through the arena as the fight intensified many were shocked at the sheer speed and skill the two displayed. These weren't just ordinary warriors; they were the legendary heroes of Drakmire, summoned from another world.

"I didn't know they were this strong!" one spectator exclaimed, eyes wide in awe.

"Look at their control! They're holding back, but even their basics are beyond what most of us can manage," another muttered, gripping the edge of their seat.

As Dylan and Cauis exchanged rapid strikes, the crowd became a blur of motion some leaning forward, others on their feet, shouting encouragement. A group of young mages marveled at the seamless transition between swordplay and magic.

"They're fighting like it's a duel of equals," someone whispered."Not just equals rivals," another corrected, captivated by the spectacle.

Cheers reached a fever pitch when the magic phase began, the arena lit by flashes of fire and wind. Even seasoned adventurers in the crowd watched in stunned silence, impressed by the heroes' prowess.

"They're more powerful than I imagined," a veteran swordsman muttered, his eyes never leaving the arena.

Izzy leaned over to Axel, smirking. "I'd hate to be caught in the middle of that fight."

Axel crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, those two are holding back, but they still look like they could tear the place down if they wanted."

In the center of it all, Dylan and Cauis remained focused, their competitive grins showing how much they enjoyed the challenge. Neither wanted to lose not in front of the king, and certainly not in front of each other.

The fight raged on as dark clouds rolled in, and soon raindrops began to fall, pattering gently at first before growing into a steady downpour. The arena floor quickly became slick, water splashing beneath their feet as Dylan and Cauis continued their relentless assault.

The ground beneath them cracked slightly as they disengaged, catching their breath. The tension between them crackled like static.

Cauis reached for the sword on his back, drawing the gleaming steel in one smooth motion. Dylan followed suit, summoning a sword with a simple flick of his hand.

They clashed again, steel ringing out with every strike. Sparks flew as their blades met, the sound echoing across the arena.

Cauis pushed forward with a series of aggressive strikes, his attacks relentless and powerful. Dylan parried each blow, his movements calculated and calm, waiting for an opening.

Finally, Dylan sidestepped a heavy strike and delivered a sweeping kick, knocking Cauis slightly off balance.

Taking advantage of the moment, Dylan pressed in with a flurry of sword strikes, forcing Cauis to retreat.

"Nice try," Cauis said, grinning. "But you're not getting rid of me that easily."

With a sudden burst of speed, Cauis closed the distance, locking their swords together in a power struggle. Their eyes met, both of them smiling despite the intensity.

The rain poured harder now, washing away the sweat and dirt but doing nothing to cool the fire in their hearts. The crowd, mesmerized, leaned forward, their cheers almost drowned out by the sound of the storm.

Every movement of the two warriors seemed larger than life, like gods battling under the storm's gaze.

The swords clashed one last time before they both leaped back, putting some distance between themselves.

"Should we turn it up a notch?" Dylan asked, extending his hand. "Basic spells only," Cauis warned, his eyes glinting mischievously. "I don't want to blow up the arena yet."

Dylan summoned crackling arcs of lightning in his palm, the electricity illuminating the rain as it danced across his fingers. With a swift motion, he hurled the bolt toward Cauis.

Cauis dodged, the lightning striking the ground behind him with a deafening crack, sending sparks and water flying into the air.

"You're getting serious now, huh?" Cauis smirked, wind swirling around him as he countered with a powerful gust, the rain twisting into a miniature cyclone.

Dylan planted his feet, electricity surging around him to stabilize his stance. He raised his hand, calling another bolt of lightning from the sky, its light splitting the dark clouds above.

Their magic clashed in a dazzling display, wind and lightning colliding in a chaotic storm of raw power. The ground sizzled beneath their feet as water evaporated where the lightning struck, steam rising around them like a misty battlefield.

"Not bad," Dylan said, his voice calm despite the intensity. "But I'm just getting started."

Cauis grinned, the wind around him intensifying. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."

The spectators gasped and murmured, awestruck by the sheer display of power. Some whispered about Dylan's lightning magic cutting through the rain like a storm incarnate, while others marveled at Cauis's mastery of wind, which seemed to dance with the storm itself.

Dylan's lightning crackled louder as the storm above seemed to respond to his growing power. He spun his sword, channeling electricity into the blade until it gleamed like a bolt of lightning in his grip. Each strike was faster, more aggressive, as he pressed Cauis back toward the edge of the arena.

Cauis, breathing hard, deflected the relentless onslaught. His boots skidded on the slick ground, water splashing up with each step.

Despite the struggle, his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Is that all you've got, Dylan?"

"You sure you want to ask that?" Dylan smirked, feinting to the left before darting to the right, his blade slicing through the air.

Cauis tried to react, but it was too late. Dylan had found his opening.

Without hesitation, Dylan swung his lightning-infused blade straight for Cauis's side. The air itself seemed to hold its breath as the blade closed the distance.

Then BOOM. A radiant, shimmering barrier of golden light erupted in front of Cauis, blocking the strike just inches before it connected.

Dylan's eyes widened. "Wait—Guardian's Grace?!"

The golden shield faded, revealing Cauis standing behind it, his grin widening. "What? I didn't say I wouldn't use my magic."

"That's cheating!" Dylan said, pointing his sword at him.

"Hey, you never said we couldn't use some magic," Cauis chuckled, giving a casual shrug. "Besides, you should've known better I always have a trick up my sleeve."

The spectators roared with laughter and cheers, the rain pouring harder as the two heroes stood in the center of the arena, both drenched but refusing to back down. Some called Cauis a genius for his clever use of defensive magic, while others yelled for Dylan to show him what lightning could really do.

The spectators roared with laughter and cheers, the rain pouring harder as the two heroes stood in the center of the arena, both drenched but refusing to back down.

Some called Cauis a genius for his clever use of defensive magic, while others yelled for Dylan to show him what lightning could really do.

Then, a golden glow began to pulse around Cauis faint at first, but growing stronger with every passing second. His movements became lighter, more fluid, as tendrils of golden energy spiraled around him like living threads.

"It's Aetherglow!" one spectator shouted, eyes wide with awe. "He's using it!"

The crowd's excitement surged. Whispers and gasps spread like wildfire as people stood on their toes, straining to get a better look.

Some leaned forward in pure disbelief, while others clapped, their voices nearly drowned out by the downpour.

"Look at that flow—flawless control!"

"He's channeling it perfectly even in the rain!"

"Dylan's going to need more than lightning to win now!"

Cauis's body shimmered with the golden aura as he locked eyes with Dylan, the rain seeming to slow around him as Aetherglow pulsed in harmony with his every breath.

"Alright then," Dylan said, lightning swirling in his eyes. "If we're playing that game... let's take this up a notch."

The air around him crackled with energy as he thrust his hand out.

A pulse of power rippled from his body, creating a shimmering dome that expanded to a meter around him. The rain slowed to a crawl within the field, droplets hovering like suspended diamonds in the air.

The ground within the field seemed to shift as time itself bent.

Cauis's confident grin faded slightly, his golden aura flickering as he took a cautious step forward.

The moment his foot crossed the edge of the temporal field, his movements slowed dramatically, like wading through thick water.

The crowd gasped in shock."What kind of magic is that?!"

"He's manipulating time?! Who are these guys?!"

Cauis struggled to adjust, his usual speed working against him in the slowed zone.

His punches, once lightning-fast, dragged in slow motion.

Dylan sidestepped with ease, tapping Cauis on the shoulder with the flat of his blade before darting away.

"Come on, Cauis," Dylan teased, smirking. "You've got to move faster than that."

Cauis narrowed his eyes, summoning a burst of Aetherglow to stabilize himself.

His golden aura surged outward, pushing against the temporal field. It shimmered, wavering under the pressure as the two powers clashed in a surreal dance of time and energy.

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, cutting through the sound of the rain.

"Unbelievable! Ladies and gentlemen, are you witnessing this?! The heroes are no longer holding back! Dylan's manipulating time itself with that temporal field, while Cauis counters with the legendary Aetherglow! We are truly seeing the full extent of their power!"

The spectators erupted into cheers and gasps, their confusion replaced by pure excitement.

"They're going all out now!" the announcer exclaimed, his voice trembling with exhilaration.

"This isn't just a tournament match anymore this is a battle worthy of legends!"

Cauis narrowed his eyes, pushing harder into the field despite the intense resistance. His glowing aura began to flare brighter, his strength and speed growing with each second.

A faint golden shield shimmered around him as his Aetherglow magic fought back against the slowing effect.

"Cheating again, huh?" Dylan smirked, his eyes sparking with mischief. "You just can't resist, can you?"

"Hey, you're bending time," Cauis shot back, grinning. "I'd call that more than fair."

The crowd roared louder as both fighters leaned into their strengths, their clash pushing the very limits of what the arena had seen before.

Each strike was more intense than the last, the rain caught in the swirling energy surrounding them, turning into a storm of water and light.

"HOW ARE THEY STILL STANDING?!" the announcer cried, barely able to keep up. "THIS IS A MATCH FOR THE AGES!"