I. The Glow of Dawn and Storm
The moon and the sun shared the sky over the Morningstar Citadel, and the air vibrated with the energy of the previous duels. The crowd whispered in low tones: Maren, the lightning strategist, would face Lys, the enlightened healer. It was the synthesis of power and hope, of attack and containment, of the storm and the aurora.
The System announced:
[Next Duel:
Maren, Aurora of Lightning (Transcendence Stage 9, Lightning/Strategy)
vs.
Lys, Flower of Dawn (Origin Stage 1, Light/Healing, Morningstar Minor Branch)]
Maren stepped onto the platform, his gaze focused and his hair ruffled by static. He wore his blue tunic with silver filaments, thunder runes running across his forearms. Every step was an echo of a storm. Lys, for her part, seemed like a haven of peace. She was dressed in white and gold, her wrists and ankles adorned with jade bracelets. A lotus flower shimmered in her hair. But beneath her serenity, an indomitable fire burned in her eyes.
Among the crowd, Xylia and Tamsin cheered for Maren, while Lyra and Elowen chanted for Lys. It was a duel without hatred, only respect and the will to prove the worth of their paths.
II. Words of Dawn and Thunder
In the center, both stopped. —"Are you afraid?" Maren asked in a low voice. Lys shook her head, smiling. —"Only of not being able to heal all that your lightning wounds."
Maren nodded, his Qi bubbling. —"Then I shall show no mercy." —"I expect nothing less," Lys said, bowing her head with respect.
Samael, from above, spun his Odachi. —"Let the aurora and the storm meet. Let the clan learn to shine and to endure." The gong sounded.
III. First Bout: Lightning and Petals
Maren was the first to move, raising his hand. —"Thunder Art: Dawn Net."
From his fingers sprouted dozens of electrical filaments, like a web of lightning that encircled the platform. The audience felt their hair stand on end. Lys raised both hands: —"Dawn Art: Protective Lotus."
A shield of luminous petals erupted around her, each spinning to intercept the bolts. The first filaments impacted and exploded, but Lys endured, her lotus spinning at a higher speed. Maren offered a side-smile. —"You cannot protect yourself forever."
He vanished in a flash, reappearing behind Lys and launching a spear of lightning directly at her back. Lys, without turning, let a petal absorb the impact. —"No, but I can protect myself enough."
With a spin, she threw petals into the air, each shining with a warm, blinding light. Maren was forced to retreat, covering his eyes.
IV. Second Bout: Strategy, Hope, and Pain
Maren, frustrated, shifted his tactics. —"Thunder Body: Wandering Lightning."
His body erupted in speed, running in circles around Lys, each step leaving a crackling trail. The ground creaked at every contact. Lys closed her eyes, centering her Qi in her heart. —"Dawn Art: Healing Essence."
The lotus opened, releasing an invisible fragrance that filled the air. Wherever the lightning touched the fragrance, it dissipated, receiving—for the first time in the duel—the caress of the light. Maren, slowed down, felt the pressure. —"You cannot heal what you don't see coming!"
He appeared above Lys, diving down. —"Lightning of the Aurora." A golden bolt descended, but Lys, instead of defending, leapt to meet the attack with both palms forward. The clash was brutal: sparks, light, the crackle of the air. Both fell to the platform, rolling and gasping.
V. Third Bout: The Limit of Lightning
Maren, wounded in the arm, rose first. —"You are no longer just a healer. You have learned to fight." Lys, bleeding from her forehead, smiled. —"And you, to care for the heart behind the thunder."
Maren raised his Qi to the maximum. —"Supreme Mandate: Aurora of Lightning." The air vibrated. From the sky, a column of lightning descended, enveloping Maren's body. Everything around him was light and electricity. The audience fell silent. Lys, standing tall, channeled all the energy into her core. —"Final Dawn Art: Resurrection Lotus."
The roots of the lotus sank into the platform. With every bolt that fell, a flower sprouted around her, spinning and absorbing the power. At the climax, Maren leapt, launching the most powerful lightning spear of his life. Lys, instead of dodging, ran toward the attack, gathered within the aura of her lotus.
The final clash was silent—an implosion of white and blue light, petals and sparks flying throughout the Pavilion.
VI. Climax: Aurora and Hope
When the light dissipated, both were in the center of the platform, on their knees, one hand on the other's shoulder. —"I cannot defeat you," Maren whispered with a shaky laugh. —"Nor I you," Lys replied, tears in her eyes. "But together… I believe we could save everything."
The System shone:
[Result: Draw Declared.
Sequence Status:
Maren retains Rank 15 (Aurora of Lightning).
Lys rises to Rank 12 (Flower of Dawn).
Shared Unlock: "Lightning Lotus" – a combined healing and team-attack technique.
Maren: Advancement to Origin Realm, Stage 1; mastery of the Mandate of the Aurora.
Lys: Advanced mastery of Luminous Healing.]
The audience erupted in an explosion of emotion. Xylia embraced Maren, while Lyra and Elowen hugged Lys.
VII. The Clan Celebrates and the Dawn Ascends
Samael descended to the platform, standing between the two. —"Today you have proven that thunder and hope can dance together. That strength and healing are two sides of the same dawn."
Elara and Aylin distributed water and bandages. Lys, still weeping, whispered: —"Thank you, Maren. For forcing me to shine." Maren, blushing, replied: —"Thank you for reminding me that thunder without hope is just noise."
High above, the elders nodded. —"Now," Lilith said, smiling, "the clan is complete."
VIII. Epilogue: A New Day
On the balconies, the spy from the Sect of the Purple Light gritted his teeth. —"It is not just power… it is the fact that even in pain, they push each other to grow."
The moon retreated. Dawn broke over the citadel, and the Morningstars knew that with every duel, a bond was woven that no storm could tear away. In the plaza, Lys and Maren took each other's hands, closing their eyes under the rising light.
The entire clan, silent, watched as the aurora shone… and knew it was invincible.
[End of Chapter 83]