Astra sat cross-legged in the center of his private waiting room, his breathing steady, his eyes closed. The mana around him pulsed like a living thing, coursing through his veins, coiling in his core. He could feel the vastness of it, the power lurking just beyond his reach.
The stars called to him.
Distant, ethereal voices whispering in the back of his mind, beckoning him toward their endless light. A siren song of infinity, of mysteries untold. His inner star hummed in resonance, urging him to listen.
He ignored it.
Instead, he turned inward, toward the shadows. They danced at his presence, swirling and shifting in reverence, eager to obey his will. They clung to him like devoted acolytes, waiting for his command. And then—
The water pulled at him.
A faint tug, cool and insistent, rippling through his body. He could feel it in the sweat on his skin, the moisture in the air, the unseen particles that weaved through existence.
And then the light—
Ever so slight, shifting as dust fell from the ceiling, particles catching in the artificial glow. Astra could feel the momentary shift in illumination, a testament to his ever-growing awareness.
Beyond his room, the muffled roar of the coliseum pulsed through the walls. The distant screams of the crowd, the booming voice of the announcer, the rhythmic pounding of the drums—it was a symphony of anticipation.
Slowly, Astra opened his eyes.
A screen in the corner of the room flickered to life, broadcasting the outside world. But Astra wasn't alone.
His room was bustling.
Healers, magicians, cooks, analysts—all from House Shadow, all here for him. They worked tirelessly, ensuring he was in peak condition. Some monitored his mana levels, others analyzed Lucien Solaris's past fights, dissecting his patterns and weaknesses.
A woman with deep purple hair and pale skin stepped forward. Her dark blue eyes gleamed as she addressed him. She was a rank three knight.
"Be careful, Astra," she warned, her tone crisp. "Lucien's Light and Sun Magic are innately powerful. However, he is at a disadvantage."
Astra tilted his head slightly, listening.
"The warriors of House Dawn are strongest at noon and daytime. But we are hours away from dawn. He is at his weakest."
She pointed to the screen, where various calculations and fight projections flickered.
"His mana expenditure will be significantly higher in these conditions, but do not underestimate him. He can summon a miniature sun. He is both a spellcaster and a swordsman excelling at enhancement, domain casting and long distance powerful spells, wielding three blades styles :the Sword of Light, the Sword of Dawn—and if you push him far enough, his House's trump card… the Sword of the Morning."
Astra exhaled. That wasn't reassuring.
"He is wary of you, as he should be" she continued smiling. "Murmurs are spreading. And I can feel your shadows growing restless… eager. That is good."
She studied him for a moment, then smirked.
"You can freeform the shadows incredibly well. Was too well, honestly. You're already close to a breakthrough in Domain Magic. It won't be easy, and I wouldn't even bring this up on the eve of such a bout if I didn't think you can manage, I cant exactly tell you how but...exert your will and hold it, the shadows already revere you...and if you push yourself…the results will be incredible as you'll put quite a scare on him"
Astra nodded, absorbing her words. He was close to a breakthrough. Close to stepping into something greater as his curiosity surged and a part of his brain began to piece some pieces together.
"Something to think about," she finished, before stepping back. "Now, go. Bring glory to our House, Astra."
Astra smiled. "Yes, ma'am."
He didn't bother looking at her reaction as he turned to the screen. His breath hitched slightly.
Lucien Solaris was walking out.
Blonde, golden locks.
Tall. Incredibly handsome.
Pale skin dusted with freckles, golden eyes that seemed to glow.
Astra exhaled through his nose.
"What a handsome bastard," he muttered.
It was an idle thought, but a nagging one. Astra had always been described as pretty, with delicate, almost ethereal features—more feminine than masculine. Meanwhile, Lucien looked like he had been sculpted by the gods themselves. A walking ray of sunshine.
Astra chuckled, though there was a tinge of unease in his smile.
The announcer's voice boomed over the coliseum's speakers.
"From the land of the sun—the second seed, the proud Prince, LUCIEN SOLARIS OF DAWN!"
The crowd erupted.
Thunderous cheers shook the stadium as Lucien strode into the arena, his golden aura blazing against the night.
Astra stood, stretching his arms as the weight of expectation settled on him.
A man entered his room, giving him a thumbs-up.
Astra smiled, nodding toward the people around him. "Thank you," he said simply.
They responded with cheers of their own.
"Show them the shadows!"
"Bring glory to the night!"
that last one really resonated with Astra
"Glory to the Night huh.."
Astra turned back toward the exit. The camera crew outside flicked on their recording devices, and the world went live.
He took his first step toward the tunnel of the coliseum.
His thoughts raced.
Billions would be watching.
Hundreds of thousands were present in the stadium.
The weight of House Shadow—of his ancestors—pressed down on him.
And yet, beneath all of it, his curiosity burned.
To witness Sun Magic.
To clash against the second seed.
His excitement grew.
The shadows around him deepened.
The air grew heavier.
This is it.
Astra walked ever so closer to the stage, the arena shaking dust falling, and the sound of people growing and growing as his pulse quickened..... he stepped out onto the grand stage, and the world erupted.
The crowd's voices merged into a deafening storm, and the announcer's voice boomed over it all.
"FROM THE SHADOWS... THE UPCOMING STAR… THE SEVENTH SEED… ASTRA OF SHADOW!"
The chanting began. Saharans a lot of them all proud of the two warriors from their realm competing and showing off their prowess.
"Sand and sun, fire and fate
, Death Night, Cold Certainty
Two blades rise, none shall break!
O warriors bold, O hearts untamed,
Glory is won, not merely claimed!
Shahara's might, above them all!
"One shall stand, one shall kneel,
Both shall forge the warrior's steel!
By sweat, by blood, by victors way,
Shahara thrives this very day!"
Astra smiled and bowed. Lucien smiled and bowed. This was an honor.
....
Astra stood, a warrior clad in darkness, his armor an abyss that devoured the light. Shadows clung to him like a second skin, drawn to his presence, deepening with each breath. His long curls framed his sharp, elegant features—lashes too long, eyes too striking. Violet irises gleamed like distant stars, cold and unreadable, their glow piercing through the visor of his summoned helm. At his side hung a long, dark sword, its metal swallowing the light rather than reflecting it. It seemed less a weapon and more an extension of the void itself, a harbinger of the abyss made steel, A blade forged by an Angel.
The air grew heavier as his aura surged. The arena darkened, shadows stretching and twisting, obeying their master's call. The weight of his presence pressed against the world, a silent declaration of his strength. And yet, across from him, Lucien Solaris stood—a radiant counterpart, a prince of light.
Golden armor adorned with intricate carvings glowed beneath the arena lights, a sun etched into the chestplate, gleaming like dawn incarnate. His golden locks framed a face sculpted with noble perfection, freckled, bright-eyed, effortlessly regal. In his grip, a long bastard sword of polished steel gleamed, gold filigree running along its length, a burning sun set into the hilt. It was a weapon meant to be seen, meant to shine.
Lucien raised a hand, summoning his helm. Gold and silver intertwined in its craftsmanship, elegant engravings marking its surface, and atop it sat a silver crown, a symbol of his lineage, his pride. When his golden eyes locked onto Astra's, they burned like twin suns, bright and unwavering.
Then his aura expanded.
Suddenly, the world grew warmer. The cold grasp of shadow recoiled as light flooded the arena, golden radiance pushing against the abyssal depths of Astra's presence. It was like standing under the noonday sun, oppressive yet invigorating. Astra felt his own mana resist, his shadows shuddering for but a moment before stabilizing.
"What magical prowess… He's like Vesper," Astra murmured under his breath, feeling the difference as he felt the light get drawn to towards him. Lucien's aura was potent, refined, and radiant in a way that was rare, even among the elite.
A Rank Four mediator stepped forward, clad in ceremonial robes, his expression unreadable. A lesser rank might not have been enough—this battle had the potential to be lethal, given the sheer nature of their magic.
The bishop smiled, his voice calm yet resonant. Infused with mana, his words carried through the arena, shaking the very air itself.
"Fight till you can't. Best of luck. Bring honor to this tournament."
And then, silence.
On one side, a warrior of shadow—a living abyss clad in dark steel, his sword humming with restrained malice. The world around him had dimmed, colder, the darkness thick with anticipation.
On the other, a prince of the sun—golden and proud, his presence a beacon of warmth and power. The air shimmered around him, as if dawn itself had stepped into the ring.
The moment stretched, the tension thick enough to cut.
Then the mighty horn blared.
And the battle began.
Astra stepped forward, his sword raised in a high stance, shadows swirling beneath him like an ethereal cloak. The air hummed with the electric tension of the arena, the crowd's roars a distant echo in his mind. His violet eyes locked onto Lucien, who stood across from him with a golden, almost arrogant air, his own sword poised in a seemingly unguarded stance, a fools stance, Lucien was testing him, Astra could feel it—a challenge in every subtle shift of his form. "Don't over commit", Astra reminded himself, knowing that every move would be a lesson.
Without hesitation, Astra blurred into motion, closing the distance in an instant. His blade met Lucien's with a sound like thunder, a clash of steel and force. The impact reverberated through his arms, but he maintained his focus, pushing against Lucien's strength. There was a fluidity to Lucien's movements—almost as if his sword and body were extensions of one another. Astra could feel the weight of that, as Lucien shifted with a practiced ease, riposting after the initial clash. His sword spun in a graceful arc, aiming to cut upward at Astra's guard, the motion smooth, natural.
Astra's instincts took over. He stepped in close, using his body to force the clash into a bind. For a split second, their swords locked, pressing against each other with an intensity that could have shattered a lesser blade. Lucien's golden eyes met Astra's through the visor of his helmet full of playfulness, Lucien wasn't using his full strength yet. He was still testing Astra's abilities.
Before Astra could react, Lucien's blade snapped back, his riposte quick and precise, aimed for Astra's head. Astra stepped back, narrowly dodging, but Lucien wasn't done. With a sharp twist of his hips, Lucien's sword came down in a vertical strike, a movement that was both lethal and elegant, built on the foundation of years of perfecting his technique. Astra barely had time to adjust, his own blade raised defensively to block, but Lucien's speed was unnerving.
Astra shifted his weight, leaning back to avoid the full force of the blow, but Lucien's blade scraped down his armor, leaving a gash. Damn it, Astra thought, frustration flickering across his mind. His body was still adjusting, but Lucien was already in motion, his sword arcing again with perfect precision. Astra's mind raced, calculating his next move, as his instincts told him to strike at Lucien's side.
But Lucien was faster. He spun away, his sword slicing through the air like a beam of light, just grazing the edge of Astra's cloak of shadows. The shadows around Astra quivered, reluctant to obey, recoiling from the intense light emanating from Lucien's sword.
Astra could feel the weight of the situation—the pressure mounting as Lucien's golden blade flashed in the air with every move, his technique flawless, each strike a lesson in precision. Astra's thoughts flickered—What a swordsman. How can someone so young possess this much skill?
He felt there was a deeper magic at play here—something beyond just swordsmanship. Lucien was using something more than just his sword. But Astra couldn't afford to be distracted.
His shadows surged as he called upon them again, his blade cutting through the air as he lunged forward, a horizontal strike meant to break Lucien's guard. But Lucien was already ahead, his golden blade swinging in a wide arc, countering Astra's strike effortlessly. Astra felt the force of the blow, but his training kept him in motion, using the recoil to pivot and deliver a quick thrust aimed at Lucien's chest.
But Lucien dodged, his body swaying gracefully like a dancer. And then, before Astra could recover, Lucien's fist crashed into his face, sending him stumbling back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Astra could feel the heat in his body rise as frustration boiled within him. Shit... I need to push harder. He's just toying with me.
The arena around them seemed to grow warmer with every movement Lucien made. Astra called upon water and shadow as he shot out a water ball, a treacherous attack, meant to give him room to breathe and to maybe cut Lucien. But Lucien simply cut the ball then danced around the shadows that lashed out afterwards with elegant grace, his movements fluid and effortless, his golden sword cutting through Astra's shadows as if they were nothing more than smoke. Astra's frustration grew. I can't keep up with him like this.
His body ached. His muscles burned. The lights—the heat—everything was pressing down on him. The curse… the star magic, it was tugging at him, wanting to be unleashed, to do something to even the odds. But Astra knew he couldn't. Not here. Not now. If he did, he'd risk everything—the curse would tear him apart. He had to hide it. But even so, the magic called to him from deep within, the pulse of the stars beckoning.
Lucien's voice broke through his thoughts. "Not too bad... oh shadow, you are quite skilled…" he said, almost in a mocking tone. "But let me show you... the sword of light."
Astra's eyes widened. His sword raised defensively, but he could already see what was happening—the bastard sword in Lucien's hands began to glow. At first, it was subtle, just a faint light, but then it blazed, brighter and brighter, like it was becoming one with the very essence of the sun. The shadows recoiled violently, unwilling to be near the light. Astra had never faced anything like this before. Lucien was bringing his magic to bear, something more than just a sword technique.
A flash of light, and suddenly, Lucien was there—right in front of Astra, his sword thrusting for his chest. Astra barely had time to react, his sword coming up in a desperate block, but Lucien's strike was overwhelming. He was too fast. The light of his blade shone like the sun itself, searing through Astra's defenses.
"Shit!" Astra cursed, twisting his body to avoid the full force of the thrust, but the tip of Lucien's sword scraped across his side, tearing into his armor. Astra staggered, blood trickling down.
The crowd roared, but the sound was distant, muffled. Astra's thoughts raced—I can't do this. Not like this. He's too strong. His swordplay, his magic—there's no way I can match him. I need to find a way. I need to—
Lucien's voice broke through his thoughts again shaking the mana and heating up the arena, this time dripping with disappointment as he pressed on and on.
"Is this really all you can do, Astra of the Shadows?"
A vicious downward slash, Astras arms burned
"You...a prodigy of shadow,I thought you were supposed to be special."
Then a a kick sending astra barreling back
"Yet this is all you can show me...really?"
Astra's body burned from exhaustion, his lungs struggling for air. His muscles felt like lead, and the oppressive heat that Lucien had begun radiating was choking the life from him. His mana reserves were dwindling fast. Shadows recoiled from Lucien's blazing aura as if fearing the lights touch. Astra was being countered at every turn—Lucien wasn't even using his full magic yet, just pure swordplay and enhancement as his figure glowed.
"This needs to change....and Now!" Astra panicked
Suddenly deep within, Astra's star core burned brighter, gnawing at his thoughts. It called to him, a siren song in the back of his mind, urging him to tap into its power. No, Astra thought frantically. I can't... I'll die, Not yet. I need to hide just for a little longer…
But Lucien didn't let up. He pressed the attack, moving with the grace of a dancer and the precision of a master. His sword flashed again, slicing into Astra's armor. Blood dripped from the fresh wound, and Astra's heart sank.
Luciens words lingering in the back of his mind, words that stung like a slap to the face, louder than any physical blow. Astra could feel the weight of Lucien's gaze, like a spotlight forcing him to face the truth—he was struggling.
The curse pulsed, "such power and sword play, damn...my ancestors really faced this...but he is only a rank one just what level of swordplay do Angels posses", Astra thought curiously as he tried to dissect his sword style....he was distracted, "Damn Blessing!" Astra cursed as he got cut badly by Lucien, The light around Lucien seemed to intensify as his figure became ever so brighter incandescent, and with it, the pressure on Astras body and mind grew unbearable. He could feel himself unraveling, collapsing.
He felt the suffocating pressure, The damned heat, The crowd growing ever more viscous, Luciens tireless onslaught, His inner star calling out pleading with him , His Blessing, pulling and tugging at his thoughts drowning him in insane curiosity and distractions as he saw chaotic threads.
Astra felt like he was drowning.
The pull from his star was irresistible and his curse made it ever so stronger...."what if I unleashed all my might, I bet that smug bastard and those assholes in the crowd will be real shocked" astra thought as the his star core flickered, mocking him with its brilliance, but Astra fought against it.
"No...I cant,"
He reached out deep within, the star pulsing
"No..Stopp...stop...no."
The celestial mana within stirred almost awakening from a long slumber
"...no...NO."
The star refused to be ignored. It was relentless, its pulsing echoing in his veins. As Lucien's next strike descended upon him, Astras mind roared, as his voice boomed and reverberated with thick malice his mana cutting through the tension like a blade.
"ENOUGH!"
The shadows surged in response, as if answering their master's call. They shuddered, defying the brilliance of the Sword of Light, and with a force that stunned the entire arena
Astra half stepped in fast as he punched Lucien. His fist collided with his chest, pushing him back as the shadows roared and pulsed around him, deep and obedient. The light recoiled, and the arena dimmed, the pressure lifting off of for now Astra as his shadows deepened and darkened, the arena grew slightly colder.
Astra wiped blood from his armor, his aura surging violently. His violet eyes gleamed with something darker now, something potent. The shadows, ever restless, circled around him, flickering as they tried to match the intensity of his fury. The crowd erupted in cheers, thinking the battle was about to end, but Astra knew better. This fight had only just begun.
a couple steps ahead Lucien rolled back as he got back to his feet, his golden eyes shone with intrigue. as Luciens golden gaze met Astra's violet one. "Oh yes, good....good," Lucien said as he tilted his head in amusement. "You aren't so weak after all."
Astra didn't respond. Instead, he looked toward the shadows. and as he did they shivered. They had grown darker, thicker, more alive. Luciens eyes observed with fascination. They quivered with an unsettling energy, darker than ever before. They obeyed him completely, their fear of Lucien's light gone instead fearing more in the face of Astra's rising power. "How interesting," he said, "It seems like the shadows are scared. This… I haven't seen this before, shadows that fear their own master, its as if you are some sort of tyrant... It's almost... sad."
"Oh, Lucien," Astra growled under his breath, his voice sharp with irritation. "You really piss me off."
With a sudden burst of speed, Astra surged forward, shadows engulfing him, not daring to disobey their master. Lucien's eyes faltered, and he cast a burst of light magic to counteract the oncoming assault. To his surprise, Astra landed a blow to his side, sending the prince stumbling back.
The battle raged on, the air crackling with energy, as light and shadow continued to clash in a deadly dance. Lucien's mana grew brighter, fiercer. The brighter his sword burned and shone, the darker Astras sword and shadows became.
Astra eyes shone as he started dissecting the sword of light style, and its Intricacies, the boosting of the light, how Luciens sword gleams a certain direction before slashing, subtle weight changes, speed checks, alternating footwork, Astra saw it all, yet still...it was hard to counter, Lucien was truly a master of the sword.
but Luciens onslaught suddenly didn't seem so overwhelming, and Astra began to score some hits in clashes, to Luciens surprise and....joy?
Suddenly they stood staring at each other
Luciens golden eyes shone bright, his golden armor glowing ever more bright and incandasesnt, forcing Astra back as he watched Luciens aura slowly surge stronger and stronger... as he spoke his voice making the very air hot and hazy.
"Be honored, oh shadow, for you are about to witness… the father of all."
He raised his hand as he pointed upwards
"The Sun."
and as he did all around the arena, mana...Life mana from all directions coalesced around Lucien's head, glowing with intensity, brighter and hotter by the second. Astra's eyes widened in disbelief. This wasn't just Lucien's mana. It was ambient life mana, flowing from the very earth beneath their feet, from the air itself, feeding Lucien's spell. The ground beneath them began to steam, and the crowd's roar reached a fever pitch.
Astra could only perceive what was truly happening because of the cursed star burning within him. His vision shifted, and for a fleeting moment, he saw the threads—life mana itself, drawn from the surroundings, flowing into Lucien like rivers feeding an unrelenting sun. The light wasn't just conjured; it was stolen, siphoned from the very air, from the arena, from the land itself. The world bowed before his will, offering up its energy to fuel the growing inferno.
"h....how..." The ground steamed, heat rippling off the stone as the very air trembled beneath the force of Lucien's presence. The crowd erupted into frenzied cheers, enamored to the sheer magnitude of what was unfolding before them. To them, this was spectacle. To Astra, this was a herald of fire and death.
Lucien's voice rang out, his words carrying a weight that made the very shadows tremble.
"Oh Sun my Sun...drive out the darkness, banish the night... Nurture all that is worthy and pure.... Annihilate all that defiles the light.....as you rise upon thy eternal domain!..."
His golden sword lifted high, and the sun obeyed.
"Oh Sun my Sun"
"Oh Sun of Dawn."
Light exploded above the coliseum, an artificial Sun forming directly overhead, its brilliance oppressive, its heat suffocating. The once-dark sky, covered in twilight, now burned as though high noon had been forced into existence. Astra flinched as the sheer radiance of such a spell, no authority. flooded the battlefield, his own shadow shrinking beneath him, retreating in protest.
Then, the pressure came.
Lucien's aura surged, an overwhelming force that pressed against the world itself. His will slammed into the lingering darkness, challenging it, commanding it to submit. The shadows recoiled violently, writhing like wounded beasts. Astra could feel them—his own power—panicking, losing confidence.becoming Afraid.
The realization made his breath hitch. His shadows, his very essence, feared Lucien's light. It was unnatural. The darkness did not simply retreat—it refused to move, frozen in place, caught in the gravity of something far greater than itself. They hated this. They resented it. But more than anything... they recognized that light was their tyrant.
Lucien stood at the center of it all, bathed in golden radiance, his presence like an emperor ascending his throne.
Astra's hands tightened around his sword, his eyes wide.
"Holy shit… what power, how is he is but a mere rank one?...
And there they stood—Astra, the harbinger of shadows, his back against the wall, and Lucien, the proud prince of dawn, his very presence ready to burn away everything Astra had ever known