Clash of Light and Dark?

Like a bell that had been struck by its hammer, their clash resounded fiercely.

The air rolled over from their collision—bursting outwards with them in the centre.

Lillian's hair ruffled from the strong winds, her hand raised to shield her face from the strong currents.

She then summoned a familiar bottle of red liquid—her hand tightly gripping it with a solemn look.

The clash between the Second Prince and the Lady of Roses is reflected in her eyes.

The metal scrapes of their blades screeched like nails on a chalkboard. It was both uncomforting and attention-grabbing.

The radiant Prince pushed against her guandao—his feet digging up the ground.

The same could be said for the Lady of Roses, who still remained stoic.

"I've always wanted to know what would be the outcome between people with our backgrounds. Someone of Royal Blood and the other created with inexplicable means..."

Marionette huffed at his words, "If the Prince desires it, I shall not make this fight boring."

With saying that, she pushed him back—knocking him away.

She then followed after him—following up with her earlier attack with another ruthless swing with her sharp polearm.

The steadfast prince—unhurriedly raised his blade and blocked it—his expression changing ever so slightly at the force behind the blow.

His arm, which held the hilt of his blade, shook as it struggled to repel back the single-edged blade polearm.

His interest was soaring even higher compared to before.

Using his free hand—he aimed his open palm. The daunting light that appeared in his hand shined brilliantly.

The Lady of Roses felt alarms ringing inside her mind. She then elusively evaded his attack. In a split second, it went off.

A beam the size of her head erupted out of it—shooting towards a distant tree and piercing a hole through it.

The Second Prince watched her avoid his attack without breaking a sweat. His majestic eyes locked in on her.

"You're fast. However..."

His body then soon to blur as a bright light shone over him.

"Can your speed surpass that of my light?"

The Second Prince appeared beside her, his arm pulled back—his hand gripping his sword tightly.

THWOOP!

With a lethal thrust—the tip of his blade passed through the side of Marionette's head and exited on the other side.

Her face momently expressed that of shock before slowly morphing back to her neutral expression.

"Who knows..."

The Lady of Roses's eyes met the Prince's. Her cunning eyes filled with deceit.

"... Can your light escape my darkness?"

The woman standing before him soon became clad in a dark shadowy mist—her body soon becoming hidden from his watchful eyes.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as their blades met once more—shooting around them like fireworks.

Marionette had appeared by his side as he had done with her.

With one hand each on their weapons, they continued to push against each other's weapon—intending to win over the other in the contest of strength.

"Just like you said. Who knows... but what I do know is that... only one of us can win this duel."

"It would seem so..."

In the corner of the Prince's eyes, he noticed Lillian's attempt to try and sneak away.

He then recognised that the broken arm she had sustained had been healed.

'A healing trait? Element? Or perhaps she used a health potion...'

Millis watched their duel with an entertained expression. She would then receive a look from the Second Prince.

He would then mouth out to her:

"Go after her."

She raised an eye at that before realising what he meant. She then turned her head towards Lillian to see her sneaking behind the trees.

"Hold it right there, Lillian!"

Lillian's body stiffened and froze. Without turning her head back, she made a beeline away from them. (3)

Millis charged after her.

The Lady of Roses and the Second Prince watched this calmly exit the clearing before turning their attention back to one another.

"Let's continue this dance of ours, shall we?" The Second Prince asked—receiving a brief nod from her.

"Mhm..."