The fog that cloaked the arena was thick—unnaturally thick.
Sohan squinted, trying to make out any shape in front of him. He could hear faint breathing, steady footsteps, but see nothing. His katana hummed in his grip, and the elemental energy within it pulsed in rhythm with his heart.
The battlefield had changed. Gone were the open grounds of earlier tests. Now, they stood in a mist-filled, enchanted dome. A new environment, a new challenge.
And this time, it was one-on-one.
He wasn't sure who his opponent would be yet. They were all randomly assigned. But one thing was certain: only one would win.
A familiar voice echoed through the fog.
"Don't hesitate, Sohan. They won't."
It was the voice of Instructor Miran, projected into the air. A reminder.
Sohan took a deep breath. His elemental core buzzed as he activated the Breath of Wind – First Form: Gale Step.
A sudden surge of wind blasted around him, clearing a small circle in the fog. And just in time—his opponent had already lunged forward.
Clang!
Sohan blocked a downward slash with his katana. Sparks flew.
His attacker was quick—twin daggers flashing in rapid motion. For a moment, Sohan thought it might be Rajib, but no—this person was taller, leaner, and moved with a different rhythm.
"You're fast," the stranger said, stepping back into the mist. "But let's see if you're smart."
Sohan's heart pounded. He shifted into a defensive stance. He needed to learn his opponent's style fast.
Suddenly, a dagger came flying from the side.
Sohan barely tilted his head in time. The blade grazed his cheek and embedded into the barrier wall behind him. Another came from behind, and another from above.
"They're using the fog to hide their throws," he realized. "They're using sound, bouncing footsteps off the walls—trying to confuse me."
He closed his eyes. Breathing slowly.
Inhale. Exhale.
He visualized the arena around him, the air currents, the pressure shifts. Just like his father had once taught him… before he vanished.
And then he moved.
Breath of Wind – Second Form: Whirling Dance
His katana sliced in a wide circle, summoning a spinning wave of air. The mist was blown back momentarily, revealing a tall girl in a black cloak holding five daggers between her fingers.
She smiled.
"Found me, huh?"
Sohan didn't respond. He dashed forward, aiming a clean strike toward her arm. But she twirled away, leaving behind an afterimage—a clone made of fog.
"Illusionist?"
Before he could react, a real dagger slashed across his shoulder. He winced, stumbled forward, and rolled to the side.
From somewhere behind him, the voice came again. "You rely too much on vision."
Sohan clenched his teeth. Blood trickled down his arm, but he ignored it.
He summoned the element of fire into his katana. It ignited in a crimson blaze.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's light things up."
Breath of Fire – First Form: Ember Fang
He slashed downward, sending a wave of fire through the mist. The fog hissed and parted. For a split second, he saw her standing unprotected.
He leapt.
But she dropped low, spun, and sliced at his legs. Sohan flipped midair, just narrowly dodging.
Both fighters landed and backed away. Breathing hard.
"You're good," she said. "Better than most. But your style is still… raw."
Sohan smiled despite the tension.
"Guess I'll learn by fighting you, then."
She tilted her head. "You're not angry?"
"Nah. You're pushing me. That's good."
For a moment, she looked almost… surprised.
Then her expression hardened. "Let's finish this."
Sohan's grip on his katana tightened. His body ached, but his heart beat stronger. He poured both wind and fire into the blade.
Dual Nature Activation: Flame Cyclone
He spun the sword in an arc, summoning a tornado of fire that erupted outward, consuming the mist in all directions. The heat forced his opponent to retreat.
She tried to throw daggers through the flame wall, but they melted before they reached him.
It was his opening.
He dashed forward—Blitz Step—and appeared behind her.
Blade stopped. Just inches from her neck.
She froze. The mist was gone. Her dagger had fallen. Her clone was down.
The match was over.
But Sohan didn't land the blow.
He pulled back.
"…You win," she said, lowering her hand.
Sohan grinned. "We'll call it a draw."
Just then, Miran's voice boomed through the arena.
"Test complete. Sohan advances to the next round."
The girl turned to him. "What's your name?"
"Sohan. You?"
"Neira," she said with a smirk. "Don't die before we meet again."
He laughed. "Not planning to."
As she faded into the exit path, Sohan exhaled, lowering his sword.
That was close.
But he felt good. Stronger.
And somewhere deep inside, the elements within him whispered in unison.
This is just the beginning.