The arena finally fell silent after the chaos of battle.
Dust and fragments of stone drifted through the air, settling over the shattered floor.
Riku, was still radiating the remnants of his vampire aura, folded his wings, and turned toward his fallen comrade.
With steady resolve, he lifted Rajin onto his shoulder, carrying him out of the battlefield.
The crowd watched in awe, half in fear of Riku's overwhelming power, half in admiration of the duo's victory.
As they crossed the threshold of the arena gates, Paulo stepped forward.
His aura was different than usual, less violent, but heavy, like the hum of nuclear energy contained within a human form.
His eyes glowed faintly, reflecting both pride and authority.
"You two were incredible," Paulo said, his voice resonating with quiet power. "You fought beyond expectation, and you proved yourselves worthy of the semi-finals. But strength without recovery is wasted. Heal your wounds, restore your energy. The finals will demand even more from you."
Riku gave a faint smirk, his crimson eyes dimming as his vampire form began to fade.
Rajin, though weak, managed a nod of acknowledgment.
The weight of Paulo's words carried more than encouragement, it was a reminder that their journey was far from over.
With that, Paulo turned away, his cloak trailing behind him as he ascended toward the monarch stands.
The elevated platform was reserved for the rulers of elemental dominions, where the other monarchs sat in solemn anticipation, watching the battles unfold.
From there, they would judge, strategize, and prepare for the grand finale.
The semi-final match was over, but the tension in the coliseum only grew.
The monarchs awaited the next clash, and the victors, Riku and Rajin, were now marked as warriors destined for the ultimate trial.
***
The arena gates creaked open once more, the sound echoing like a drumbeat of anticipation.
The large crowd, who still was excited and buzzing from the chaos of the first semi-final match, turned their attention to the next warriors who would step into the battlefield.
Dust hung in the atmosphere from the last match, illuminated by the glow of the arena lights, as four figures emerged from the shadows.
First came Sai Fukuda, his presence sharp and commanding.
Flames flickered faintly around his hands, not in aggression but as a natural extension of his aura.
His eyes burned with focus, scanning the battlefield with the calm precision of a seasoned captain.
Beside him walked Kane Eguchi, his movements deliberate, almost timeless.
The air around him seemed to ripple, as though reality itself bent in subtle waves at his command.
His expression was unreadable, a mask of discipline and authority, yet his mere presence carried a weight that silenced even the loudest spectators.
Following them was Ban Nakajima, his body a fusion of dragon and skeleton, humanoid yet monstrous in its design.
His bone-like armour gleamed under the arena lights, while faint embers glowed from within his chest.
Each step he took reverberated with primal strength, his gaze locked forward with unwavering determination.
Finally, Yoi Ohara emerged, his aura darker than the others.
Shadows clung to him like a second skin, twisting and shifting as though alive.
Poisonous mist lingered faintly around his form, and his skeletal features combined with Oni heritage gave him a fearsome, otherworldly visage.
His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light; a predator's stare fixed on the battlefield ahead.
Together, the four warriors advanced into the arena, their footsteps echoing against the stone floor.
The crowd roared with anticipation, sensing the clash of titans that was about to unfold.
The monarchs in their elevated stands leaned forward, their eyes sharp, eager to witness the outcome of this decisive match.
The air grew heavy, charged with tension.
The arena itself seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the storm to break.
Riku and Rajin, still recovering from their brutal victory, watched as their new opponents took their positions.
The second semi-final was about to begin, and the battlefield was set for a confrontation that would shake the very foundations of the coliseum.