The battlefield remained alive with chaos. The ruins of Vedangiri, once a sacred ground for training, were now a war zone. Smoke and blood filled the air, but the young warriors stood their ground.
Riya gritted her teeth, her hands glowing with raw magic as she faced off against the assassin before her. Unlike the others, this one was different. He wore a long cloak embroidered with strange runes, his fingers crackling with arcane energy. His mask covered his entire face except for his glowing red eyes.
"A mage-assassin," Riya muttered. "Great."
The assassin smirked beneath his mask. "I expected more fear."
Riya twirled her staff, her magic surging to life. "Fear? You're standing in front of the wrong person for that."
The assassin raised his hands. A burst of electric-blue magic shot toward Riya. She barely managed to summon a barrier in time, but the impact sent shockwaves through her body. She skidded back, her boots digging into the ground.
"Fast," she admitted.
