The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

No one attacked.

Aeric and Luna both stood at opposing sides, the tension inside the transparent dome was growing and it was suffocating. And outside, where the Daughters were, the air was thick with anticipation.

"Who do you think is going to win this one?" Nyx whispered to Nyssa. "I would have bet on Luna, but it's not wise to bet against Mr. 200% Affinity for Divinity here. At least his track record says so."

Nyssa raised an eyebrow at her twin sister. "You think he could win?"

Nyx shrugged. "I'm just saying."

"There is nothing to say."

"Mhm?" Both girls looked to their left where Daughter Faeryn was, staring into the dome with cold eyes.

"Aeric has the potential. But he doesn't stand a chance," Faeryn spoke. "Luna was wrong to challenge him. Even though I want to blame him for accepting, I don't think he had much of a choice."

Nyx downturned her lips. "And apparently you don't think he has much of a chance either."

Faeryn turned to her silently and responded. "I've fought side by side with Luna. There's a reason they call her the killer of the sun and bringer of the moon."

The twin sister glanced at each other, feeling chills run through their skin as they returned their gaze to the battle square.

Melina appeared nervous. Celestia was silent but her heart was pumping in her chest. Phoebe looked genuinely angry, like she was going to take on Luna herself for her master's sake.

As they all watched, they saw the time getting nearer, and knew that the two of them would soon clash.

Luna's silver scythe gleamed like a crescent moon, a beacon of her resolve, while Aeric's steel blade hung low, deceptively unassuming.

The two combatants remained in their eyelock, each silently measuring the other. Luna's measurements were swift, she knew there was no way that Aeric would defeat her.

Aeric, on the other hand, was searching for a way to defeat her.

The magical dome shimmered faintly, isolating them in their own world of conflict, silently reminding them of the stakes.

Aeric exhaled slowly, gripping the hilt of his sword. His inner will had already selected the [Infuse] Skill of his now Declared [Swordbearer] Class. This was the only Skill he was publicly allowed to use.

His mind raced, formulating strategies. 'I can't overpower her. That part is certain. Luna is faster, stronger, and more experienced. She's at the Platinum Rank for a reason, her accomplishments are many, and for her to be at the Grandmaster Level then her control over Divinity must be second to none.'

He narrowed his eyes. 'My only chance. The only chance I have is to outthink her.'

Pew!

Aeric's eyes widened. "Haaa!" Luna had just cleared the space between them with one single footstep. 'What kind of speed is that?!'

She was right in front of him now, her scythe carving an arc of silver light through the air. The sound of its swing made a whispering song in the air as the blade aimed directly for Aeric's chest.

Catching himself in time, he was able to sidestep, narrowly avoiding the lethal arc.

But Luna spun the blade into another attack before the first attack even ended. Aeric wasn't fast enough to stop this one too, and so the scythe's blade grazed his shoulder, its divine energy tearing through his clothing and searing his flesh.

He winced but countered immediately, slashing his sword toward Luna's exposed side. She spun effortlessly, using her scythe to intercept his blade — clang! — as she back tumbled in the air, then spun the scythe above her and landed catly on the ground like a helicopter.

"You will learn to respect the Moonlight, Son Aeric?" Luna sneered, disdain filling her sharp and shrieky voice. She aimed the scythe at him like a bazooka and pushed out a blast of silver Divinity with a surge of strength.

This forced Aeric to skid across the smooth floor, spin around and quickly manifest a crimson shield. The shield was only strong enough to save him from the blast, and it shattered to pieces after it connected.

Aeric tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes narrowing. "Didn't you hear that I'm notorious at skipping classes?"

He activated [Infuse], channeling fire into his sword. The blade ignited in a burst of orange and red, flames licking hungrily at the air.

Aeric couldn't allow her to take him by surprise once again with that sudden move, and so he dashed forward, his movements calculated and swift, aiming a fiery slash at Luna's waist.

Even with Divinity channelled and activated in his legs, increasing his speed, Luna was still faster.

She advanced and struck his flaming sword with her scythe, then leapt into the air, causing an outward burst of silver energy.

Aeric was pushed backwards, and when lifted his gaze to see, he saw her high up, her scythe spinning above her like a silver whirlwind. Then, behind her, a silver crescent moon appeared, and she pointed her scythe at him.

Aeric's eyes widened. A blast of divine energy erupted from the weapon, and came heading straight for him.

~ ~ ~

He barely had time to react. Moving as quickly as he could, Aeric dropped to the floor, rolled out of the way as the powerful blast struck the ground where he'd stood, leaving a smoking crater.

The heat from his infused blade crackled in the air, and Aeric sprang to his feet, charging Luna again.

"Arrgghh!!!" he cried as he leapt high to meet her up there. This time, he feigned a horizontal slash, forcing her to block. Once their weapons clashed, Aeric twisted his wrist, redirecting his blade into an upward strike. Stay connected with empire

"Ughh!!" Luna yelled. The fiery edge has grazed her armor, slightly tearing through, burning her skin and leaving a scorched mark.

Aeric saw an opening, and once he landed on the ground, he jumped once again to attack, flaming sword raised high.

Clang!

Luna stopped the sword with her armoured hand. Her expression darkened as she stared into Aeric's eyes. "Clever," she admitted, "but still not enough."