The Close of Round Two

Kieran lay on the stone bench in the waiting room, staring at the cracks in the ceiling. His body still ached from the intense battles of the past two rounds, but his mind was sharper than ever. The faint hum of the crowd outside echoed through the stone walls, constant reminder of the expectations he carried.

The morning light filtered through the small window, casting a gold hue on the room. As Kieran prepared himself for his match, he heard footsteps echoing in the hallway. Turning, he came face to face with Selric.

"So it's you. I was hoping to face you sooner or later. Guess the judges saved the best for last."

Selric said, his tone dripping with confidence. Kieran blinked, the revelation catching him off guard.

"You're my opponent?"

Selric grinned, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"Didn't you check the lineup? Or were you too busy basking in your previous victory?"

Kieran frowned. He had intentionally avoided looking at the updated brackets, preferring to focus on his own preparation.

"I guess I'll see you in the arena then."

Selric's smirk widened.

"Don't disappoint me."

He walked away, his footsteps fading into the corridor.

The announcer's voice boomed over the arena.

"The final match of Round Two is finally here! Kieran Veyra vs Selric Thalor! Fighters, to the stage!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as Kieran stepped into the arena, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. Across from him stood Selric, his imposing figure exuding confidence. The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble as the tension between them grew.

"Fighters, begin!

The announcer declared, and the gong sounded.

Selric wasted no time, charging forward with the force of a battering ram. His blade, infused with the power of the Stone Path, swung with immense strength. Kieran parried, but the sheer force of the blow sent vibrations through his arms.

Selric pressed his advantage, each strike a calculated mix of power and precision. Kieran danced around him, relying on his agility to avoid direct hits. He countered where he could, his blade glancing off Selric's hardened defenses.

"You can't win this, Kieran!"

Selric taunted, his voice carrying over the clash of steel.

"The Stone Path makes me untouchable!"

Kieran gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow. Each swing from Selric felt like a landslide, unrelenting and overwhelming. As he struggled to keep up, a memory of his master's teachings surfaced in his mind.

"Adapt, Kieran. The blade is more than steel—it is your will."

Selric lunged, and Kieran barely dodged in time. His body screamed in protest, his stamina nearing its limit. Just as despair began to creep in, something within him shifted. A sudden gust of wind swirled around him, followed by a flicker of heat.

Kieran's movements became faster, his strikes sharper. The winds of the Tempest Path surrounded him, guiding his blade with unparalleled speed. At the same time, embers danced along the edge of his sword, burning with the power of the Ember Path.

Selric's eyes widened in disbelief. 

"What... how are you doing that?!"

Kieran didn't have an answer. His body moved instinctively, his blade a blur of wind and fire. He pushed Selric back, the crowd roaring in astonishment.

With a final, decisive strike, Kieran's blade shattered Selric's defenses. He fell to one knee, his sword slipping from his grasp. The gong sounded, signaling the end of the match.

"Kieran is the winner!"

The announcer declared, and the arena erupted in cheers.

Kieran stumbled back to the waiting room, his body trembling from exhaustion. Liora and Theron rushed to his side, their faces a mix of concern and confusion.

"That was incredible!"

Liora exclaimed.

"But... Kieran, how did you use both the Tempest and Ember Paths?!"

"I... I don't know."

Kieran admitted, his voice shaky.

"It just happened. I didn't even realize I was doing it until it was already over."

Theron frowned, his arms crossed.

"Mastering even one path takes years of training. To awaken two in the middle of a fight..."

"It doesn't make sense. But whatever it is, it's extraordinary."

Liora added. Kieran leaned back against the wall, his thoughts swirling. The memory of the bandit who killed his master flashed through his mind, their Ember Path techniques hauntingly similar to his own. Was this connected somehow?

As his companions continued to speculate, Kieran remained silent, his mind racing. The tournament had pushed him to his limits, but it had also awakened something deep within him—something he didn't yet understand. And as final round of the tournament loomed, one this was clear: his journey was far from over.