CHAPTER 85: THE CRYSTAL ARENA

"Light Drive!"

BOOM.

A surge of radiant magic burst from Ari, shaking the prison walls. Without warning, she vanished from view and reappeared right in front of Vice General Cris, her blade flashing toward his chest.

Cris reacted quickly.

"Crystal Magic: Crystal Shatter Shield!"

A translucent barrier of sharp crystal erupted in front of him—but it wasn't enough.

CLANG—CRACK!

Ari's sword sliced straight through the shield, sending fragments flying.

Cris growled and jumped back.

"Crystal Magic: Spire Bloom!"

Jagged crystal pillars erupted violently from the ground beneath Ari. She dodged most, but one spire slashed her arm, forcing her to drop her blade. Blood dripped onto the crystalized floor.

"Damn it—!" she hissed, reaching for her weapon, but—

"Crystal Magic: Crystal Platform."

The ground beneath her feet gleamed and turned solid. In seconds, thick crystal locked around her ankles, trapping her. She struggled to break free, but without her sword, her regular light magic wasn't strong enough.

Across the battlefield, Cris raised his hand again.

"Crystal Magic: Blade of Destruction."

From the ground, a black crystal blade emerged—massive, twisted, radiating raw killing intent. Cris began walking slowly toward the immobilized Ari, blade in hand, ready to finish her.

Ezren, watching nearby, surged forward.

"Ari!!"

But before he could reach her, the second Vice General stepped in his path.

"I'm your opponent."

"Lightning Magic: Storm Step – Quad Phase!"

Ezren's eyes widened as the Vice General split into four lightning-cloaked clones, surrounding him instantly. It was clear now—they weren't here just to stop a prison break. They were here to capture Ari, and they would stop anyone who tried to help her.

Cris raised his blade, now inches away from Ari—

BOOM!

A sudden quake shattered the silence, and a giant beast came crashing in from the side, tackling Cris and sending him flying across the crystal floor.

"Ashenfang!!" Tracey shouted, charging in behind him.

He skidded to a stop, grabbed Ari's fallen sword, and tossed it to her.

"Here!"

Chains burst from the floor, grabbing and crushing the lightning clones harassing Ezren.

Mirae stepped in, her hair flowing with energy. "Bind magic—complete."

Ari caught her sword and immediately slashed the crystal trapping her legs, shattering it. She stood up, bruised but determined.

"Sorry we're late," Tracey said, panting. "We had to clear through waves of soldiers on the lower floors. Some CA members are still holding them off so we could reach you."

Mirae gave a sly smile. "Looks like the mighty commander of Pyronis is struggling."

Ezren smirked back. "You're not much better. Took your sweet time."

Ashenfang roared and launched a massive fireball at Cris, who barely recovered from the beast's charge.

Cris grunted, raised his blade, and deflected the beast's flame with a single swing—sending Ashenfang crashing into a wall.

Meanwhile, Ari took a moment to heal herself, golden light washing over her. Tracey shielded her with a flame barrier, buying time.

Once she was stable, Tracey commanded Ashenfang again.

"Let's go, partner!"

Ashenfang roared, his body wrapped in a swirling flame shield. With a blinding burst of speed, he tackled the Vice General once more—but this time disappeared mid-charge, reappearing behind him.

The Vice General snarled, sensing the surprise attack, but before Ashenfang could strike—

CRACK!

Spikes of crystal erupted from the ground, slamming into the beast and knocking him back.

Jack appeared behind them, hand raised. "Too risky. Had to teleport him out."

But the combo failed to land a solid hit.

Jack exhaled heavily. "Teleporting this many people today… It's taking a toll."

Ari turned to him, her voice calm but firm.

"Jack, rest. Imperial might give the signal anytime. You'll need to teleport us all back to the ship."

Jack nodded and stumbled to safety.

Tracey gave one final command. "Ashenfang, Inferno Flame!"

A giant beam of flame erupted from the beast's mouth, blasting toward Cris.

Cris laughed coldly. "You foolish child. You really think this can scratch me?"

"Crystal Magic: Crystal Walls."

Multiple thick layers of crystal rose up in front of him, shielding him from the inferno.

From the corner of the battlefield, Jack tossed a small stone at Cris.

Cris scoffed. "A distraction? Really?"

The stone landed at his feet—and began to glow.

BOOM!

Inferno flames burst upward from the ground beneath him, thanks to Jack's teleport trap.

Cris was consumed in flames.

When the smoke cleared—

He stood there.

Unharmed.

His entire body encased in shimmering crystal armor.

He raised his blade and, in a flash, struck Jack—sending him flying with a grunt of pain.

"Jack!!" Tracey and Ari shouted in unison.

Tracey moved to retaliate—but sharp crystal spikes burst from the ground, impaling the area around him. He was hit, staggering.

Ashenfang was also struck and completely covered in crystal, frozen mid-movement.

Tracey collapsed to one knee, exhausted from earlier battles.

"I'm… I'm out of strength."

Ari placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You did enough. I'm fully healed now. Take Ashenfang and back off. I'll finish this."

Reluctantly, Tracey nodded and pulled back, dragging Ashenfang's crystallized form with him.

Now, only Ari and Vice General Cris remained.

They charged—blades colliding in a flurry of strikes so fast they blurred.

"Crystal Blade Magic: Dismantle!"

"Light Blade Magic: Heavenly Departure!"

Their weapons didn't even make contact—yet the impact of their magic clashing sent shockwaves tearing through the floor. The tremor was felt even outside the prison, where Imperial and others battled.

Ari gritted her teeth.

"I don't know if I can do this again… but I have to try."

"Light Drive!"

Her aura surged again, but she could feel it—her magic was being resisted.

She stared at Cris, his body protected by an ever-growing wall of crystal.

"I need to break through that defense."

She raised her sword—

"Light Magic: Eternal Blade."

Her blade dimmed—light magic condensing to its purest form. A wisp of smoke rose from the hilt, the magic burning so hot it turned invisible.

She charged, swinging.

Cris raised crystal walls—but her slash broke through the first, then the second.

The third wall barely slowed it.

Cris parried—but her speed overtook him.

Her blade sliced cleanly through his weapon—breaking it in two.

Before he could react, she slashed again, aiming for his arm.

Thick crystal walls grew to intercept, but she cut through part of them. Her blade nicked his forearm—blood gushed from the wound.

Cris staggered, then smirked.

"You truly are as strong as Lady Celestia claimed."

"But I didn't come to kill you, Ari Hale. I came to capture you."

He raised both hands.

"Magic Zone!"

VOSHHHH—

A circle of energy formed under his feet, spreading outward.

Ari found herself inside a glowing, circular barrier made of shimmering crystal. Walls erupted around her, creating a small crystal dome—a hollow battlefield, an arena under his control.

Ari slashed with her sword—but it only left a scratch.

She remembered her old master's words:

"The Magic Zone is a powerful technique. Within it, your magic is enhanced… but your opponent's may be weakened."

Ari clenched her fist.

This wasn't just a battlefield.

It was his domain.

She was inside his trap—and her magic was already starting to weaken.

Now, it was a fight for survival…

Inside his arena