Realm Lord

Arthur stood frozen for a heartbeat, staring at the massive fissure his blade had carved through the training platform. The crack ran like a jagged scar across the entire length of the platform, a testament to the devastating power he had unleashed—and completely wasted on empty air. Dust and debris settled around him as the echoes of his failed strike faded into an uncomfortable silence.

Myah stared from near the platform with her shock practically exploding off her face ’holy crap... s-so much power in just once strike!’ she gulped as sweat began to build on her hands ’how did such a weak and cowardly boy become... this!?’

"Impressive power," came Cara’s voice from directly behind him, her tone carrying a mixture of genuine appreciation and subtle mockery. "But what good is strength if you can’t hit your target?"

Arthur spun around, his shadow-wreathed form moving with fluid grace as he brought his odachi up in a defensive position. There she stood, not even breathing heavily, her radiant form untouched by the dust that had been kicked up by his attack. The casual way she held her sword, as if it weighed nothing at all, sent a clear message—she was still in complete control of this fight.

"You’re fast," Arthur admitted. "But I’m just getting started."

Cara’s smirk widened, and for a moment, her luminous eyes seemed to sparkle with genuine amusement. "Good. I’d hate for this to end too quickly."

Without another word, Arthur launched himself forward again, this time keeping his approach lower and more controlled. He had learned from his mistake—raw power meant nothing if he couldn’t land a hit. His speed carried him across the broken platform in a blur of darkness, his blade sweeping in a horizontal arc designed to catch her regardless of which direction she might dodge.

But Cara was already moving, her light-wreathed form dancing backward with an almost ethereal grace. Her sword came up to meet his in a shower of sparks, light and shadow clashing in a display that painted the air in stark contrasts of brilliant white and absolute black. The impact sent vibrations through both their weapons, but neither fighter gave ground.

Arthur pressed his advantage, following up with a rapid series of strikes that forced Cara to give ground for the first time since the fight began. His odachi moved like liquid shadow, each swing trailing ribbons of darkness that seemed to devour the light around them. Left, right, overhead, diagonal—he varied his attacks to prevent her from establishing a rhythm, his enhanced strength putting visible strain on her defensive posture.