"I lost… to a fairy," Svlyara murmured, her voice barely audible over the din of the cheering crowd. Her tone carried disbelief, frustration, and perhaps a hint of begrudging respect.
Aeliana, equally bruised and battered, overheard her words as she leaned against Lucian for support. Her pointed ears twitched slightly, and she narrowed her eyes at Svlyara. "I heard that," Aeliana said, her voice sharper than the blade she had wielded moments ago. "And for your information, I'm an elf, not a fairy."
Svlyara blinked and looked up at her, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite her pain. "Elf, fairy, whatever. You're still ridiculously small for someone who fights so ferociously."
"Small doesn't mean weak," Aeliana countered, her emerald eyes blazing with determination. "I may not have your size or your years of experience, but I've got heart. And that's what won today."