The roar of the crowd shook the grand colossal stadium. Thousands of voices erupted from the students in blue and silver uniforms as they cheered on the event's competitors.
The stadium itself was colossal—comparable to a modern-day football arena. Its rounded pavilion housed a staggering number of spectators, all waiting for the grand finale of the school's tournament.
Above the chaos, the voice of the announcer echoed from floating sound-crystals suspended around the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Prepare yourselves for the final battle of today's tournament... As for the first challenger, well... she needs no unimportant introductions!... But she is the sole retainer of the 7th Prince of Aureon,... The human goddess referred to some as the Ice princess,... She is...LADY... LYRA!"
"Lyra? As in senior Lyra?" a student in the crowd asked.
"Yeah, she's, like, the beauty of all beauties in this school!" another voice replied enthusiastically.
"Oh wow… she's so beautiful," came a dreamy sigh from a girl nearby.
A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd–though mostly from the overly excited fan boys–as a white-haired girl stepped into the rounded massive arena floor. Her uniform clung perfectly to her form, highlighting graceful curves balanced with the toned figure of a swordswoman.
Her long, snow-white hair danced in the wind like magic. As she walked, her crimson eyes glimmered beneath the sun, leaving nearby students mesmerized. She took her place on the field, one hand resting gently on the hilt of her sword.
Lyra sighed, barely audible over the cheers. "Let's get this over with."
Everything was going according to plan—until the panic began.
A scream rang out, cutting through the cheers like a knife, silencing the entire event.
A man stumbled into the arena, bloodied and breathless.
"M-MONSTERS!"
The stadium shook as a rumble threatened to bring it down.
"T-the monsters… its... its..." He stammered, then finally spoke up. "THE GOBLIN KING IS ON A RAMPAGE!!!"
He said as another rumble shook the ground.
"The monsters?! He's not joking right?!" asked a voice in the crowd.
"No way..."
A deafening explosion shattered the wall behind the man. Stone crumbled and dust filled the as the creature revealed itself. Its heavy steps still sending tremors through the arena.
It emerged.
A menacing creature with dark, mottled green skin and jagged yellow fangs the size of daggers.
"So that's... a Goblin King," Lyra murmured, watching the beast raise a broken wooden pillar like a weapon.
Although it's attack connected with the ground and formed a small crater, there was no blood or scream. The man wasn't there anymore.
"What's this?..." Roared the commentator excitedly. "It-its the Ice Empress!"
He roared out triumphantly. Lyra had swooped in just in time to drag the man out of harms way.
• ["But even still, not even she is strong enough to take on that monstrosity... what will she do?"] •
"GROARRRR!"
The Goblin King roared in annoyance. It's blood shot eyes burning with immense rage.
She narrowed her eyes. 'Where is he?...' Lyra asked while glancing at the large crowd around them.
From a VIP booth, a soldier made to intervene—but was halted by a simple raised hand from a shady, smiling old man.
"Don't bother," the noble said. "This battle is already over."
And then...
*BOOOOOM!!!*
Another explosion resounded in the arena arena as something crashed into it, kicking up another dust storm.
Then after a few seconds of silence, everyone feared for the worst as they heard the footsteps coming from the second crash. The silence in the stadium was enough for everyone present to hear the steps loud and clear, almost like a rhythm.
Just then, a pair golden eyes shimmered as figure walked through the dust cloud.
• [Oh!!!..... He's finally here.... The man of the hour is here to save the day!!!.] •
The steps continued as the person walked towards Lyra with a stupid grin plastered all over his handsome face, his short black hair swaying with each step and Just like all the others, he wore the school's prestigious uniform on him too.
"Yo..."
• [It's the 7th son of King Blackthorne... He is... Prince Damian!!!!. ] •
He roared as another round of cheers erupted through the stadium once more, this time around coming mostly from the female students.
"Oh my gosh its him!..."
"He's so coool"
Now standing face to face with Lyra, he just smiled. "Looking for me?..." He inquired.
"Not really," she blushed, causing another cheer to erupt from the crowd.
As if wanting to cut the romance short, The beast roared, slamming its club into the ground, forming web-like cracks beneath its feet.
"Hey old man!" Damian yelled out as he turned to look at the man in the special VIP booth. "Since this party's already gone haywire, why don't we just skip to best part?" He added while giving a thumbs up. "Let's bring out the orchestra."
"This boy..." murmured the old man as he passed on a signal to the guard beside him.
"An orchestra?... He can't possibly be serious." came a voice from the crowd.
"Maybe it's the nickname for a really strong artifact?... Probably..." Another replied.
In response to Damian's request, the wall on the Southern side of the stadium began shifting to reveal to everyone's surprise, an actual live orchestra ready to play at at any time.
"Alright news guy!" He yelled out towards the broadcaster.
• [Oh... Uh... Yes?...] •
"Give me a countdown..." Damian yelled out to the broadcaster while throwing him a casual peace sign with a smile.
"You ready?..." Damian whispered to Lyra as he reached for his sword.
• [3!...] •
"I'll take the left." Lyra replied calmly.
• [2!...] •
Damian gripped his blade. "Sure... I like the right anyway...
• [1!....] •
"Let's do this."
Immediately, the orchestra began in its vibrant play as the battle erupted. The duo charged at the lumbering goblin. Lyra slowed it's movement with her ice as Damian dashed in, slashing across its flank with blazing speed.
The monster roared in fury, starting to swing wildly.
Lyra dodge swiftly, delivering well placed counter attacks as Damian weaved through strikes, landing hit after hit. But still, the beast endured it all.
Eventually, a powerful blow hit Damian which he blocked with his blade, causing him to slide back, a line of blood streaking down his cheek.
Lyra caught up to him. "You alright?"
"Yeah... Hey Lyra... Why don't we give these people a show huh?" He grinned.
"If you say so young master..."
They nodded.
"Alright." Damian sighed as he took his stance.
Lyra held her blade tight as cold mist curled around her blade, while Damian held his sword high as it began swirling and crackling with radiant flames of red and golden.
"Khione's Swordsmanship..."
"Radiant Swordsmanship..."
They both whispered as the monstrosity charged at them.
"Shattered Silence..."
"Sun god's Wrath!!!"
In a wave of blue and a flare of red, Their blades crossed mid-air as they slashed diagonally across the Goblin King's chest, leaving it scarred with a large "X" on its body as it finally collapsed to the ground.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then— the arena exploded with cheers from the crowd.
The announcer fumbled to find his words, the teachers looked stunned. Even the nobles clenched their feet in awe.
Lyra lowered her blade. "Show-off."
Damian chuckled. "Says the one with the cool title."
She rolled her eyes. "Tch."
The two stood tall amidst the debris, fire and frost crackling around them as the crowd chanted their names while the orchestra continued with its enchanting play.
"These two are really something..." Muttered the old man from his booth. "What a way to end the school year..." He added while stroking his beard excitedly.