Chapter 116: lyra vs selene
The swirling blizzard around them thickened, cutting off their view of the larger battlefield. Within this cocoon of wind and snow, Lyra and Selene faced each other across ten paces of bloodstained ground.
Selene’s mercury-like water pulsed with that organic light, shifting and flowing around her arms like living tattoos. "You fight well for someone untested by true war," she said, her voice carrying easily through the storm. "But you’ve only seen parlor tricks."
Lyra rolled her shoulders, water already gathering around her fists. "Then stop wasting my time with yours," she shot back, her tone carrying the same edge it had when facing down bullies in training yards. "I didn’t come here to listen to lectures."
’Arrogant bitch thinks she can intimidate me with fancy water tricks. I’ve been underestimated before—usually right before I prove them wrong.’
"Silence would serve you better," Selene said coolly. "Words are wasted on the dead."
She struck without warning, her mercury-water lashing out in three separate streams that moved independently, each seeking a different target. Lyra didn’t retreat—instead, she charged forward, using the first stream’s momentum to spin herself aside while her water met the second attack head-on.
The collision sent spray in all directions, droplets freezing instantly in the frigid air. Lyra felt the impact through her bones, but pressed forward anyway. The third stream curved around toward her back, but she had anticipated it. She dropped into a crouch, letting it pass overhead, then launched herself upward with water-boosted momentum, driving her knee toward Selene’s face.
Selene twisted away with fluid grace, but not before Lyra’s water-clad fist caught her across the jaw. The royal guard stumbled back, touching her split lip with genuine surprise.
"First blood to me," Lyra said with savage satisfaction, flexing her fingers to work out the sting of impact. "Thought you said I was untested?"
’She’s fast, but not untouchable. Just have to be faster, hit harder, never give her a moment to think.’
Selene’s mercury-water wrapped around Lyra’s extended arm like a serpent, burning where it touched skin. The pain was sharp and immediate, but instead of pulling away, Lyra grabbed onto the strange substance with her free hand, using it as an anchor to yank herself closer to her opponent.