The Combat Test [3]

Scion stood in the virtual arena, his heart pounding, his body tensed for the final battle. The shimmering barrier separated him from his opponent, and as it began to fade, a figure materialized before him, a breathtaking presence that held an aura of mysticism and the essence of the afterlife itself.

The woman who stood before Scion was unlike any adversary he had faced thus far. Physically, she bore an otherworldly beauty, with raven-black hair that cascaded down her back in flowing waves, accentuating her ethereal presence. Her skin, almost porcelain in its pallor, gave her an unearthly complexion.

Her attire seemed to transcend the boundaries of time itself. Cloaked in flowing robes of deep ebony, she bore intricate patterns reminiscent of hieroglyphs. The very essence of her being seemed to radiate from her, drawing others toward her with undeniable magnetism.

Scion, who had never been one to lose himself in the moment, found himself taken aback by the woman's overwhelming beauty. Her presence exuded both confidence and an uncanny aura of knowing, as though she held the mysteries of the ages in her abyss-coloured eyes.

With a voice that was as emotionless as it was captivating, she answered Scion's unspoken question, "Selene." Her eyes bore into his, a gaze that seemed to pierce the very essence of his soul. Without a hint of emotion, she turned, her lithe fingers closing around a wickedly sharp dagger.

Unwilling to be caught off guard again, Scion picked up a sword, his determination hardened by the knowledge that he couldn't afford another loss. He steadied himself, holding his weapon at the ready.

As the barrier dissipated, a few seconds before the fight began, Selene uttered three simple words to Scion, "Wish you luck." Her words held an enigmatic quality that left Scion slightly bewildered but undeterred.

The battle commenced, and this time, Scion didn't hesitate. With an almost supernatural swiftness, he closed the distance between them, his sword charged with searing solar energy. He struck with all his might, intent on making the first move count.

To his surprise, Selene deftly blocked his assault with her shadowy-infused dagger, the two opposing forces sparking and clashing as they met. The dark energy intertwined with her weapon created an effective defence, leaving Scion momentarily off balance.

Understanding that pure speed might not be the key to victory this time, Scion switched tactics, pressuring Selene with a flurry of rapid sword slashes. Her graceful movements allowed her to evade his strikes, but Scion wasn't finished. In a calculated move, he thrust his sword into the ground, channelling his mystic energy into the earth.

But Selene was no novice in combat; she dropped to the ground, finding balance and stability. Realizing that his window of opportunity was closing, Scion poured energy into his feet, launching himself at an incredible speed. His blade was poised to strike her down, but before he could land the final blow, a dark figure suddenly intervened.

A skeletal warrior, a shadow of death itself, appeared out of nowhere, raising a shield to block Scion's deadly assault. More followed zombies and goblins, each carrying weapons. The arena was suddenly filled with these nightmarish entities, summoned at Selene's command.

Scion, now overwhelmed, backpedalled, creating as much space between himself and the invading horde. The realization that Selene was a summoner struck him, a conjurer of otherworldly allies.

Mocking and uninterested, Selene dismissed Scion as if he were nothing more than the scum of previous battles. His frustration and determination continued to build, forging a resolve to win this fight, no matter the odds.

Scion launched himself into the battle once more, clashing with the summoned creatures, each strike a test of his strength and skill. While Scion possessed a marked advantage in individual strength, the sheer numbers of the undead creatures closed the power gap. The fight raged on, a dance of blades, blood, and mystic energy.

In a desperate attempt to shift the tide, Scion unleashed his Solar light, creating a blinding flash that temporarily incapacitated both his opponents and himself. In the disorienting brilliance, he managed to eliminate a portion of the summonses, but it had taken a significant toll on his energy.

As the light receded, he found Selene regarding him with a disturbing smile, as though she derived pleasure from the suffering of others. "I feel bad for you, you think you did something. Just to let you know, I can bring them back whenever I want."

His determination wavered, confronted by the possibility of endless resurrection of her ghastly allies. Desperation welled up within him. He couldn't afford to lose another battle.

The turning point came when, in a sudden and perplexing gesture, Scion touched the ground. A moment later, Selene appeared baffled, her eyes wide with confusion. After a few seconds, her gaze returned to Scion, her expression transitioning from confusion to anger.

"What have you done to my minions?" she hissed, her voice tinged with fury. Scion, not entirely sure what he had achieved, could only respond with a puzzled look.

Selene's fury intensified, and in a sudden realization, she growled, "You've permanently killed them!" Her shock was unmistakable, a revelation that left her off-guard.

Seizing the opportunity, Scion moved with renewed determination, attacking with a ferocity born of desperation. Two more of the summoned creatures fell to his blade, reducing their numbers even further.

Selene, with the odds steadily turning against her, decided to un-summon her remaining minions. Her smile became something sinister, her eyes fixed upon Scion with an air of malevolence. She had embraced her role as a tormentor, a puppeteer of nightmarish beings.

Scion's final attempt to secure victory was met with a cruel twist. Selene moved with unnatural speed, her shadowy dagger thrust into his leg. Agony surged through Scion as he cried out in pain, the relentless stabs increasing his suffering before she delivered a powerful kick, sending him sprawling across the arena.

Struggling to rise, Scion was met with Selene's sadistic words. "I don't usually acknowledge my opponents, but you're quite special. Which is why you should consider this torment a blessing. Because who knows, your parents or friends could suffer instead. Wouldn't that be nice?"

As if in response to his fury and resolve a radiant aura, the very essence of his divine nature, began to leak from Scion. It illuminated the arena, a testament to his raw potential and the untapped depths of his power.

The sinister smile on Selene's face slowly transformed into a look of intrigued astonishment. Scion was no longer just a pawn to her; he was a force to be reckoned with, a challenge she couldn't ignore.

With newfound respect, she spoke to Scion, her tone shifting from sadism to genuine interest. 

"I've found you! You're the one who'll give me a fight, you're the one who'll bet their life for their ideals. It's you!"

Scion was disgusted at Selene. The air crackled with tension as they faced each other, their wills clashing in the ethereal arena. Scion pushed to his limits and threatened to end her existence, a promise of revenge for her actions.

But the battle had taken its toll. Scion's body was battered, his injury incapacitating him. In his weakened state, he was unable to mount a successful attack. He struggled to rise, his vision blurred, his body aching.

With a final act of cruelty, Selene approached him, her hand gently caressing his face. Her voice, honeyed and cold, promised another encounter. "We'll fight again, Sun God Ra."

Scion, unable to muster the energy to respond, watched as she gradually became indistinct, fading into an ephemeral shadow. The world around him blurred, and the virtual arena began to disintegrate.

As Scion felt himself slipping away, the final words of the mysterious woman echoed in his thoughts, "Sun God Ra." It left him puzzled and disoriented. How did she know his true nature?

Then, as his consciousness began to fade, he realized that there were still many unanswered questions surrounding his existence, his powers, and the enigmatic world of the Academy. And it was a truth he was determined to uncover.

As the virtual world dissolved, Scion's senses faded, leaving him in the quiet darkness of unconsciousness, his determination unbroken but his understanding of the academy's mysteries deepened.

The echoes of eternity, lingering questions that would guide him on his journey to unveil the truth about the academy, his powers, and the enigmatic individuals who inhabited this world of mysticism and danger.