Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 424: Netra vs Belma

Pausing to keep the crowd under control, Slazza exclaimed, “Who will come out victorious? Will Belma prove to be an impossible challenge, or will Netra, a fellow student of our first finalist, surpass the unyielding obstacle to join the final match? Belma, Netra, enter the arena!”

Both contestants grinned and shared a nod. Again, the candidates said nothing to each other while in the stands but they each showed a respectful smile.

Once in the arena, Belma beat Netra to the bow. “Thank you for the chance to fight a perfect candidate and test myself.”

“I may be a perfect candidate, but I’m only a low-elder. Thank you for allowing me to face such a mighty foe and learn from you,” replied Netra, bowing as well.

When the ladies finished their pre-battle greeting, Slazza announced, “Belma, Netra, are you ready? ... FIGHT!”

FWOOSH!

CRUNCH! THUD!

.....

“IT’S OVER!”

Everyone spectating was on their feet. Most everyone rubbed their eyes to see if their vision was lying to them. When they discovered it was real, they were beyond speechless as the fox before their eyes vanished and the mighty dragon crashed into the ground the moment she took off.

Slazza rushed to Belma’s side, filling her with light essence before the true Netra could appear and remove her arm from Belma’s underbelly.

There was blood all over Netra, and some of it was hers. Even though she had struck right away to keep Belma from taking to the sky, the dragon had still managed to put up a quick essence defense. The jagged earthen armor tore up Netra’s arm and shoulder but wasn’t enough to stop her direct attack.

Belma chuckled while letting the warmth heal her collapsed lung. “... Netra, thank you for this lesson. I’ll never forget this. This is the third time I’ve lost to a perfect candidate... But it’s the first time I’ve been dominated so thoroughly with a single strike.”

“All I can do are single, powerful strikes from the shadows. If you were allowed to start drilling through the air, it would’ve certainly been your victory.” Netra presented the many gashes along her arm, sighing, “See? You did nothing but I was already injured. I was just lucky to strike first.”

While the girls chatted and chuckled about their hasty duel, Slazza declared, “IT’S HAPPENED AGAIN! Netra, the Vanishing-night Fox has overcome the impenetrable defenses of the Razor-hide Dragon with minimal injuries! As the second finalist, Netra will move on to fight her fellow pupil in the last match of this exhibition! She’s a true shadow beast from Toxic-shadow Prefecture!”

As Belma was healed and shared a few last, warm words with Netra, the prefecture lords were all taken aback.

“Treeda... Congratulations...” In disbelief, Warak sighed. “The last thing I was expecting before today was watching your candidate overcome my granddaughter. And to see another candidate of yours kill Hathal, that was... even more so...”

Treeda nodded along. “Thank you, Warak. But, again, I’m just a little lucky to have such a great batch this year, and that Kartzal didn’t allow his son to fight at full strength.”

“I’m glad you can admit that,” sighed Peimar, trying his best to feel better. “Now, the question is whether they’ll actually fight. Considering they’re fellow pupils, don’t they know who’s stronger?”

But Treeda shook her head. “They’ve fought before, but that was before Vant became her fellow pupil. Since Netra became a low-elder and Vant a mid-elder, they’ve never fought or sparred.”

“So you think we’ll get a good show?”

Shrugging some more, Treeda laughed, “Sorry, Kartzal, but I have no idea. Knowing Vant... I have an idea what will happen.”

Soon, Netra was fully healed by Slazza and a healing salve. She was also given an essence-restoring potion just in case. Yet Belma was stopped before heading up to the stands.

“It’s now time to determine the third and fourth place candidates! Hathal, come down and stand before Belma!”

Slazza’s shout caught everyone off guard but stoked their excitement all the same.

Netra departed with a final nod to the friendly dragon, passing Hathal on the stairs. She could sense his irritation and see the pent-up frustration on his face. But she was surprised to see him drop that expression momentarily in order to give Netra a slight bow of the head.

“I wish I could face you... But your fellow pupil has already taught me enough, sadly...” Hathal humbly grumbled before continuing down the steps and resuming his irritated expression.

“I was also hoping to face you, such an outstanding candidate,” Netra replied, bowing as well.

They parted ways and they each were greeted at their new destinations. Netra was welcomed by Zelsh, the other kings, and her new friends of Toxic-shadow. Hathal was welcomed by Slazza and a bowing dragon.

“We have the private candidate, Hathal, a man who’s only been touched a single time, losing his match only by a split second! And against him is Belma, the granddaughter of the Razor Prefecture Lord and the pride of the Razor-hide Dragon Clan!” announced Slazza. “Who will emerge victorious? Will Hathal continue to show his usual dominance or will Belma’s defenses stand strong in the end?”

“It’s an honor to face you again, Hathal, though I’m surprised to see you like this.”

Bowing his head to the dragon, Hathal inhaled a sharp breath. “You’re welcome, Belma. Show me if you’ve improved.”

“Hathal, Belma, are you two ready? ... FIGHT!”

Right away, Belma dove into a drilling charge, learning from her most recent loss.

But Hathal evaded with ease and even ran alongside the dragon. His casual hand strikes lacerated the air, hurling wind blades into the mighty beast.

CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

Belma rushed from side to side to evade the attacks. She quickly dove into the sky, but Hathal continued to follow her and never let up a single moment.

CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUUUNCH!!!

“IT’S OVER!” Slazza called the match, letting the contestants return to the ground on their own accord. “The victor, coming in third place, is Hathal, the quadrant’s private candidate! Despite Belma’s domineering attacks, she was unable to land anything against her faster, more agile opponent! Yet Hathal was able to continually lacerate Belma’s defenses, eventually leaving long gashes in her sides! A true battle and a true victory among powerful candidates!”