Chapter 61: Mara, Eddie and Felix

Felix and his opponent circled each other like predators, both drenched in sweat, their movements precise and calculated. Each strike Felix delivered was met with an equally powerful counter. The audience watching on the massive screen leaned forward in their seats, unable to look away from the evenly matched battle.

Felix's eyes gleamed with focus, his mind racing as he analyzed every step, every slight shift in his opponent's stance. The burly warrior from the Flame Lotus Clan grinned through gritted teeth, his fiery aura flaring as he lunged forward with a blazing punch. Felix sidestepped just in time, his movements smooth yet deliberate.

For a moment, Felix paused, gauging the flow of energy in the arena. He knew he needed to end this quickly—before his opponent could gain any momentum. He stepped back, taking a deep breath, and then, with a loud bellow, Felix shouted: "Sandstorm Fifth Form: Shards of Sand!"

The ground beneath them trembled as Felix's spiritual energy surged. A powerful whirlwind of sand erupted around him, swirling with incredible speed. Razor-sharp shards of sand formed within the storm, glinting like steel in the light as they shot toward his opponent with unrelenting force.

The Flame Lotus warrior's fiery defenses burned brightly as he tried to repel the onslaught, but the sandstorm proved too overwhelming. The sharp grains pierced his aura and armor, leaving gashes across his body. His confidence faltered, replaced by a grimace of pain and desperation.

In a blur of motion, Felix appeared behind his opponent as the storm settled, his breathing heavy but his composure unbroken. His opponent stood frozen, struggling to maintain his footing. Felix's voice was calm, yet commanding, as he said: "Yield. There's no point in continuing."

The Flame Lotus warrior hesitated, his pride warring with the reality of his battered body. Finally, with a pained nod, he raised his hand in surrender. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, clearly impressed by Felix's display of power and strategy.

Xavier, watching from the main hall, raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "When did he learn that move?" he muttered to himself, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

Jessica glanced at him, equally astonished. "Looks like our clan members have been keeping secrets. He's gotten stronger."

The arena buzzed with energy as the announcer called Mara's name, followed by her opponent, Robert Rain, a 12th-level Earth-ranked warrior infamous across Vice-Land for his ruthlessness and strength. The crowd erupted in cheers and murmurs, with many betting heavily on Robert Rain.

As the two stepped into the arena, Robert smirked, his cocky demeanor on full display. "I have to fight a girl?" he sneered, licking his lips. "This will be over before it begins."

Mara, unphased, tightened her grip on her twin daggers, her eyes narrowing with focus. She didn't respond to his taunt, instead letting her actions do the talking.

Before Robert could even finish his boast, Mara vanished from his view. A sharp gust of wind signaled her rapid movement, and by the time he turned his head, she was already behind him, her daggers flashing. The first strike came at his side, forcing him to retreat hastily.

From that moment, Mara didn't let up. She pressed her attack relentlessly, darting in and out like a phantom, her movements precise and calculated. She didn't rely solely on brute force—instead, she exploited every weakness in Robert's technique, dissecting his defenses with surgical precision.

Robert growled in frustration, swinging his massive sword in wide arcs, but Mara's agility made her untouchable. "Stand still, you little—" he roared, only to be cut off as one of Mara's daggers grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.

The crowd watched in awe, many of them stunned to see the infamous Robert Rain being dismantled so thoroughly. Mara's strategy was masterful; she identified flaws in his footwork, anticipated his attacks, and used his overconfidence against him.

Finally, after a grueling display of speed and skill, Mara landed a decisive blow, disarming Robert and forcing him to his knees. With one dagger poised at his neck, she whispered, "Yield. This fight was over before it began."

Begrudgingly, Robert raised his hand in surrender, his pride shattered. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, many unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Mara calmly sheathed her daggers and walked back to her team's section, her composure unbroken.

Back in the main hall, Xavier watched with pride as Mara secured their second victory. But something else caught his attention. Activating his Dragon Eye to scan the warriors displayed on the massive screen, Xavier didn't see their spiritual energy as expected. Instead, he saw a point system—numbers hovering beside the clans' names.

For the Soul Clan, the display read 2/3.

Xavier leaned closer, his eyes narrowing in thought. Turning to Jessica, he said, "I think I've figured it out. This tournament isn't just about winning or losing; it's based on a point system. Every clan needs three participants for this round, and every fight counts—win, lose, or draw. Eddie's fight will likely determine whether we advance."

Jessica nodded, her expression serious. "Then Eddie has to bring it home. Let's hope he's ready."

The atmosphere grew tense as they waited for Eddie's name to be called. Meanwhile, the other clans were taking note of the Soul Clan's unexpected strength, murmurs spreading through the crowd. Xavier's team had made a strong impression, but the real challenge was still ahead.

Eddie stepped into the arena, his heart steady but his mind racing as his name echoed through the hall. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as his opponent was announced: Katherine Carmichael, a name synonymous with grace and lethality. She entered the arena with an ethereal presence, her beauty captivating the audience like an angel descending from the heavens.

Eddie took a deep breath, trying to steel himself. Her reputation wasn't just for her strength—it was her ability to disarm her opponents mentally, using her charm as a weapon just as sharp as her blade.

The fight began. Katherine moved with fluidity, her every motion a mesmerizing dance. Eddie, despite his best efforts, found himself drawn to her, his focus slipping as he hesitated. Katherine took full advantage, landing a series of swift strikes, her blade grazing his arms and legs. Each cut was a reminder of his momentary lapse, and yet, her smile remained disarmingly kind.

"What's the matter, Eddie?" she teased, her voice like a melody. "Can't keep up?"

Eddie gritted his teeth, shaking his head in frustration, but each time he tried to attack, Katherine's charm drew him in, clouding his judgment. More cuts followed, and the crowd murmured as blood began to stain his tunic.

But then, something shifted. As Katherine moved in for another strike, Eddie's gaze hardened, his breathing steadying. His mind cleared as though a fog had been lifted, and his stance grew firm.

In that moment, it was as if Eddie entered a trance. His movements became sharp and precise, no longer hindered by Katherine's allure. He began to anticipate her strikes, deflecting them with ease. Katherine's confidence faltered as Eddie closed the distance between them.

With a burst of speed, Eddie maneuvered behind her, his blade pressed lightly against her back. "Yield," he said, his voice calm but resolute.

Katherine froze, her eyes wide in disbelief. After a moment's hesitation, she let her weapon drop to the ground, raising her hands in surrender. "I yield," she said softly, her earlier confidence replaced by quiet respect.

The crowd erupted in applause, marveling at Eddie's comeback. Despite the cuts and bruises, Eddie stood tall, his victory hard-earned.

As the announcer declared Eddie the winner, a shimmering portal appeared behind the Soul Clan team, signaling their return. With a nod of acknowledgment to Katherine, Eddie stepped back through the portal, rejoining his team.

Back in the main hall, Xavier greeted Eddie with a proud smile. "You did well, Eddie," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. Jessica handed Eddie a healing pill, which he gratefully accepted.

As the Soul Clan regrouped, the screen displayed their final score for the first round: 3/3.

Though other fights continued to play out, the Soul Clan had made their mark. Their performance solidified their place in the next round, and Xavier knew the challenges ahead would only grow more intense. But for now, he allowed himself a small moment of satisfaction. They were ready for whatever came next.