It's the Living That's Hard [Part 2]

The arena was a whirlwind of chaos and energy as the next round of the Rank Wars commenced. Sofia found herself in the thick of it, her wind element swirling around her with a life of its own. She had prepared meticulously for this moment, but as she faced her opponents, the reality of the battle began to weigh heavily on her.

Her movements were fluid and precise, yet the pressure was relentless. Each strike, each manoeuvre, was met with resistance. The crowd's cheers and the roar of elemental clashes created a cacophony that threatened to overwhelm her senses. Despite her training, every step she took felt met with twice the resistance.

Sofia (internal monologue): "I've trained for this. I've prepared for every possible scenario. So why does it feel so hard now? It's like I'm fighting against a wall of wind, and it's pushing back harder than I ever imagined."

As Sofia struggled to maintain control, a memory of Dek flashed in her mind. His icy calmness, his unwavering focus—qualities that seemed so distant now. She remembered watching him train, his precise movements, and how he seemed to bend his element to his will. The thought of him made her heart ache, an unfamiliar pang of longing mixed with regret.

Sofia (internal monologue): "Why am I thinking about Dek now? I should be focusing on the fight. But… I miss him. I miss the way he used to challenge me, the way he pushed me to be better. Even when annoying, he was always there, a constant presence."

During the battle, her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. The memory of Dek's smile and his quiet determination seemed to surface with a vividness that caught her off guard. She had always admired his strength, but now, in her struggle, she realized how much she had come to care for him.

Sofia (internal monologue): "This is ridiculous. I'm in the middle of a battle, and I'm thinking about Dek. But it's not just about missing him. It's about realizing how much he meant to me and how much I relied on him. I need him here, not just as a friend but… something more."

Her opponents pressed on, taking advantage of her momentary distraction. Sofia felt herself faltering, her wind element struggling to maintain its form. The pressure was mounting, and she could feel the weight of the battle bearing down on her.

Sofia (internal monologue): "Focus, Sofia. You can't let this distract you. Dek would want you to fight through this and be strong. He always believed in pushing through the toughest moments. I have to do this—for him, for myself."

With a deep breath, Sofia centered herself, forcing her thoughts away from Dek and back onto the fight. She felt the wind around her intensify, her control over her element sharpening as she refocused. Her movements became more precise, and her attacks more calculated. The wind responded to her command, a testament to her resolve.

As the round progressed, Sofia's opponents faltered under the renewed onslaught of her wind powers. She managed to regain her footing, pushing through the fatigue and the overwhelming pressure. The crowd's cheers grew louder, a reminder of the stakes involved.

Sofia (internal monologue): "I can't afford to let my emotions get the better of me. I need to be strong to show that I can handle this. Dek's not here, but that doesn't mean I can't honor his memory by fighting with everything I've got."

The final moments of the round were a blur of action and energy. Sofia pushed herself to the limit, her wind element a powerful force that drove her opponents back. As the round came to a close, she stood victorious, her breath ragged but her spirit unbroken.

She looked around, the arena still buzzing with energy, and felt a pang of loneliness. The memory of Dek lingered in her mind, a bittersweet reminder of what she had lost and what she had come to cherish.

Sofia (internal monologue): "I made it through this round, but I need to figure out how to move forward. I must find a way to deal with these feelings and focus on what's ahead. But for now, I'll carry his memory with me and use it to push me through the toughest moments."

As Sofia left the arena, her heart was heavy with the weight of her emotions. The battle had been a test of her strength and resolve but also a journey of self-discovery. Realizing her feelings for Dek was a turning point, adding a new layer of complexity to her journey. As she walked away from the arena, she vowed to honour his memory by continuing to fight with everything she had.