The Finals [2]

The tension in the arena was thick, each breath from the crowd audible as they hung on the edge of anticipation.

Blood dripped onto the cracked stone floor, mixing with the dust stirred up by the violent clashes.

Xue Hua's gauntlets glowed faintly, the energy within pulsing with her erratic breaths.

Across from her, Hong Shi stood, her crimson spear gleaming like fresh blood, spinning in her grip with unnerving precision. 

"You think you can keep up with me?" Hong Shi taunted.

Xue Hua wiped her mouth, spitting a glob of blood onto the ground. "Try me."

*swoosh* Hong Shi wasted no time and with a sharp thrust, her spear shot forward, aiming directly for Xue Hua's heart.

The speed was blinding, but Xue Hua sidestepped, her gauntlet deflecting the spear with a resounding *clang*.

The impact sent sparks flying, but Hong Shi was already spinning, using the momentum to unleash a horizontal slash.