Sévir Is A Pariah!

The scythe retracted back to Syvne's hand. She and Noelle were still green with not a single hint of exhaustion.

This girl.. She's so unreadable, it's starting to get annoying.  her frown disappeared the moment it appeared.  Don't lose your nerve, she's just a harder obstacle. 

A smile crept up her face.  That's right.. She can still be cut down, as long as it's me.  she raised her right hand, taking in a deep breath.

"Lend me the gem that reminds my opponents they are but mortals," her hands glew red, "Earth's finest gem to date–infused with the blood, sweat and tears of the Trystas!" a magic circle conjured beneath her, glowing as red as blood. She closed her eyes as her major arteries glowed red as well.

She opened her eyes as it too, glowed red. "COME FORTH, SWORD OF THE BLOOD MOON!!!" she yelled on the top of her lungs, followed by a ray of light of the same color raining down her glowing hand.

Syvne braced herself for what was to come, as if she knew just how dangerous what she was stepping into.

To the onlookers, it was nothing short of a spectacle like Noelle's last match–the sword levitated, slowly forming within the red ray.

Syvne looked down, noticing how her own legs were trembling.

At last, the sword formed and dropped to Noelle's hand. She pointed it at Syvne across the arena, her narrowed eyes hinting hostility. "You will bleed from this very blade! Brace yourself!" she shouted to her.

.

The red-haired girl's eyes widened in horror as she watched it all unfold.. The echoes of everyone cheering in surprise and delight..  Why..?  she darted her eyes left and right.  Why are you all smiling..!?  she clenched her fists so tight.

That's not the real Sword of the Blood Moon.. IT'S ME!  as much as she wanted to stand up and scream that out loud, she knew better not to..

However, the glare and frown was ingrained within her. It was aimed at Noelle and her sword.  You two.. 

.

From afar, Sévir too, watched it all unfold. 

His eyes showed not joy, anger, sadness, nor jealousy, but neutrality.  So that's Sanguine's clone.

He observed the cheers of the crowd.  They seem to be very lively about this..  he returned his gaze to Noelle.  As a polymorph contractor, or rather how I like to say it–wielder, that thing she's holding is just weak.

He imagined Sanguinex on her longsword form, and the one Noelle was holding. They were very similar in design, with an intricate crossguard that held two red gems on both sides, and the edges covered in gold. Blood red edges shielded the design of an owl, and on top, held the Heart of the Blood Moon tight.

On top of them were the blades that curved outwards from the bottom, with a red design in the middle and blocky lines that connected to each other within the middle, up to the tip.

The only difference–while Sanguinex was dark grey in the inside of the crossguard. It was also dark grey in the owl design and the rest of the blade. Noelle's was lighter.

I can feel it.

.

Noelle went on the attack, sending strikes after strike which only got faster ever since she got hold of her sword.

Water propelled upwards as Syvne dashed backwards and raised her scythe–it grabbed onto the floating white shards that emitted the voice of the commenter and the only lights of the arena.

She swung her scythe down then the shards shattered and collapsed, denying them any light.

The whole stadium was plunged to a pit of darkness, the voices of the audience grew louder in confusion and surprise.

Yet, the only source of light at that moment was Noelle's sword–specifically, it was the red parts of the sword–the gem included.

Killing the lights, huh? Not bad.  she turned around every now and then, observing her surroundings.  I'm already in a pinch by being the light source.  she looked up.  Perhaps I can light up this whole stadium–

Before she could decide, she turned around the very moment she heard clanking of metal and defended herself–she was right on the money as that was where Syvne decided to attack.

The block was successful, but now that her attention was grabbed–Syvne went all in, attacking her here and there to apply pressure.

Noelle inched backwards every now and then–she was getting pinned by Syvne–yet, she still tried to get away.

As Syvne chased her, Noelle snapped her fingers which the former could not have anticipated, flashing a bright light that forced to shut her eyes for a moment.

Now!  she thrusted her sword up, which glowed yellow in its black lines as it travelled up to the tip, and propelled a ray of light up to the sky–though not at the speed of the light. It reached just above and emanated–bringing light to the entire stadium.

Syvne recovered from her brief state and noticed the light. Slowly, she inched backwards and sheathed her scythe, this time drawing a musket of the same color as the former.

Good lord, she can summon basically any weapon from that scabbard!

Noelle braced herself yet again and dashed forward the moment Syvne pulled the trigger.

She ducked to the latter's left and thrusted the sword with the intention of stabbing her, only for Svyne to block it off with the musket.

They struggled to push each other off, holding their places firm as they kept themselves from losing balance–it was a deadlock battle. Their arms trembled ever so slightly.

At last, Syvne pushed Noelle's sword down and thrusted the butt of the musket at Noelle. Just as she thought she could block it unscathed, Syvne clicked something.. Then a double-edged blade popped out of the butt.

Noelle gasped, yet the area to be hit glowed yellow–rendering the attack useless. She jumped on the opportunity and went to slice her belly, only for Syvne to block it yet again.

.

"Damn, they're in a deadlock!" the commenter commented–not even shattered shards could stop this man from commenting, heck, the audio was even loud and clear. If anything, it increased.

"Ms. Phoebe, wha–"

"Ask me one more time, then I'll shove this knife down your throat.." she threatened with deep seriousness.

"O-O-Okay.. I understand.."

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Though drenched in sweat like her opponent, Syvne kept adamant on giving any expressions. She caught a few close calls here and there, yet she wasn't shaken.

The sheer tenacity of this girl..  Noelle felt all the more a mix of amusement and annoyance.  I don't like people giving me a run for my money, don't you know?

The two stood at opposite sides, staring each other down–it was a complete deadlock. Although victory was in their goals, it would be safe to assume they were unsure of how to do it.

Noelle stabbed the sword to the ground, collecting her hair up to make a ponytail. When she let go, it was not held by a normal hair tie, but a red, glowing one.

She pulled the sword out after.  I really need to get serious here.  she braced herself once more–her feet glowed yellow and dashed across the arena near the literal speed of light.

Syvne anticipated the attack, but not the speed. She was fortunate enough to block it with her claymore, but lost balance and stumbled back.

Noelle twirled around and swung a kick–hitting Syvne on the cheek which forced her to the ground.

The latter caught herself from falling with her free hand and rolled herself away from Noelle's range.

She sheathed her claymore and twirled around, drawing her flintlock as she stopped and aimed at Noelle, then pulled the trigger and shot her left shoulder.

Noelle flinched.. Then forced a weak smile. "Reverti." the red gem glowed brighter–Syvne looked at her left shoulder and noticed a hole exactly like Noelle's.

Checkmate. 

Even so, Syvne did not give her any reaction.

"Hey, you might want to let it all out!" Noelle shouted from a distance and snickered, as though trying to provoke her.

Syvne sheathed her flintlock and took a deep breath.

What's she going to get from that scabbard this time?

She dashed at Noelle at similar speeds as she drew and raised her katana.

Noelle braced herself for the attack. Just as she was about to block a slice, Syvne shifted and ducked to her right and swung Noelle's belly.

She went over Noelle's back and kept her position for a second–she observed her blade, tainted with blood..

.

The commenter slammed his hands on the table and stood up, horrified. "What the…"

The onlookers were left as wide-eyed as he and Noelle, not only was her belly left with a big cut.. But her sword and right hand dropped to the ground.