Kiera Valen moved like a shadow—fast, precise, and utterly lethal.
Selene barely had time to react before Kiera's blade came for her. She twisted, parrying just in time, the clash of steel ringing through the arena. Sparks flew as their swords met again and again, each strike more ruthless than the last.
The Shadowborn leader was relentless. Every movement was calculated, every attack meant to break Selene's defenses.
But Selene wasn't just defending.
She was learning.
The Rhythm of the Fight
Kiera fought with a dancer's grace, but there was an unmistakable aggression behind each strike.
Selene adjusted, shifting her stance. Speed wasn't the answer here—timing was.
She dodged left when Kiera expected her to block. She feinted when Kiera thought she would counter. Slowly, she forced Kiera to react rather than lead.
The watching Shadowborn murmured in interest.
Kiera's smirk flickered for the first time.
"Clever," she admitted. "But not clever enough."
She changed her approach, pressing forward in a whirlwind of strikes. Selene barely kept up, her arms aching from the sheer force of each blow.
Then—a misstep.
Selene's foot slipped against the uneven stone. Kiera seized the opening, slamming her hilt into Selene's ribs and sending her to the ground.
Cassius took a step forward, but Orion held him back.
"This is her fight."
The Breaking Point
Selene coughed, pushing herself up. Pain burned through her side, but she refused to stay down.
Kiera circled her. "Most would surrender by now."
Selene wiped blood from her lip. "I'm not most people."
She launched forward.
Kiera met her head-on, but this time, Selene wasn't fighting to endure.
She was fighting to win.
Their blades clashed in a furious exchange—fast, brutal. Then, in a single swift motion, Selene pivoted.
She caught Kiera's wrist, twisting her sword arm just enough to throw her balance off. Then, she knocked Kiera's blade from her hand and leveled her sword at her throat.
The arena went silent.
Kiera looked up at Selene.
And then—she laughed.
A slow, knowing chuckle.
She raised her hands in surrender. "I yield."
The Shadowborn's Decision
Selene stepped back, her breath coming hard.
Kiera rose, retrieving her sword with an approving nod.
"You fight like someone with nothing to lose."
Selene met her gaze. "I fight like someone who refuses to lose."
Kiera smirked. "Then perhaps you are worthy."
She turned to her warriors.
"The Shadowborn will stand with the Moonborn."
A roar of approval rose from the gathered fighters.
Selene exhaled, relief washing over her. They had won more than a fight—they had won an army.
Orion clapped Cassius on the back. "Looks like we're not alone anymore."
Cassius grinned. "About time."
Riven simply nodded. "Now, we have a real chance."
Selene looked to the horizon.
Saren would come for them soon.
But now, they were ready.