The air in the stadium was thick with anticipation as the crowd settled down from Lyra's dramatic victory. The tension in the arena was palpable—every student, spectator, and instructor eagerly awaited the announcement of the final match of the tournament.
Rynhara sat in the waiting room, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently. Her katana rested against the wall beside her, glinting faintly in the light. She had watched the semi-finals closely, analyzing her potential opponents.
"Lyra, huh?" she muttered to herself. "Cool, precise, and annoying as frostbite. She'll be tricky."
Kael, sitting on the opposite bench nursing a bandaged arm, chuckled weakly. "She's good, alright. But you're the Dragon Princess. I'd bet my claymore on you."
Rynhara shot him a glance. "You'd better not. It's not like I've got this in the bag. Did you see how she countered everything you threw at her?"
Kael shrugged. "She's all about finesse. Just hit her before she gets a rhythm."
Before Rynhara could respond, a booming announcement interrupted.
---
The Announcement
"Ladies and gentlemen, what a tournament it has been!" The announcer's voice echoed across the arena. "But now, it's time for the moment you've all been waiting for. The finalists are decided!"
The massive crystal screen in the arena lit up, showing portraits of Rynhara and Lyra.
"On one side, the ferocious Rynhara Draconis, the Darkness Dragon Princess, known for her devastating scythe techniques and her unpredictable combat style!"
A mix of cheers and boos erupted from the audience. Rynhara rolled her eyes. "Villainess reputation strikes again," she muttered.
"And on the other side, the icy prodigy, Lyra Wintersong! A master of frost magic and precision combat, she has chilled the hearts of her opponents and the crowd alike!"
The applause for Lyra was deafening. Rynhara scowled, muttering under her breath. "Frost Queen's got fans, huh?"
The announcer continued, "These two will face off tomorrow in the grand finale of the International Academy Tournament! Who will rise victorious? Stay tuned to find out!"
---
Post-Semi-Final Chaos
As the audience began to disperse, the contestants were ushered back to their respective quarters. Rynhara barely made it to the hallway when she was swarmed by her attendants and classmates.
Kaelira, her ever-loyal maid, was the first to rush to her side. "Princess Rynhara, congratulations on making it to the finals! I knew you'd crush everyone!"
"Thanks, Kaelira," Rynhara said, patting her maid's head absently. "But don't start celebrating yet. There's still one fight left."
Sir Eryndor, her combat instructor, approached with a proud but serious expression. "Your matches so far have been impressive, Princess. But Lyra isn't someone to underestimate. Her control over her element is unparalleled."
Rynhara sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. She's cool, I'm chaotic, blah blah. I'll figure it out."
---
Meanwhile, in Lyra's Quarters
Lyra sat cross-legged in her private room, surrounded by a thin mist of frost. Her rapier rested on her lap as she closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing.
"Tomorrow is the day," she whispered to herself.
The door opened, and one of her attendants entered. "Lady Lyra, the headmaster sent his regards and reminded you to rest well for the match tomorrow."
Lyra nodded but didn't open her eyes. "Thank you. Let him know I'm prepared."
The attendant hesitated. "If I may… your opponent is formidable. She's unpredictable and—"
"I know," Lyra interrupted, finally opening her eyes. "Rynhara Draconis is a monster on the battlefield. But monsters can be slain."
---
The Night Before
Back in Rynhara's room, she sat on her bed, staring at the moonlit window. Her katana rested against the wall, but her scythe was propped up nearby, its blade shimmering faintly with magical energy.
Kaelira brought her a cup of tea. "Are you nervous, Princess?"
Rynhara took the cup and sipped thoughtfully. "Not really. I just… I don't want to lose. Not to her, not in front of everyone."
Kaelira smiled softly. "You won't lose. You're the daughter of the Dragon Queen. If anyone can win, it's you."
Rynhara chuckled. "Thanks, Kaelira. You're not half bad as a cheerleader."
The two shared a laugh before the room fell silent again.
"Tomorrow's going to be interesting," Rynhara said, her eyes narrowing. "Lyra doesn't know what she's up against."
Unbeknownst to either finalist, a group of shadowy figures watched from the edge of the arena. Their faces obscured by a hood, they muttered to themselves.
"The final match… the perfect time to test her. Let's see if the Darkness Dragon Princess lives up to her name."
The figures vanished into the night, leaving behind only the faint scent of smoke.