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The oppressive blackness of Elliot's Shadow Domain blanketed the arena, swallowing the field in an eerie silence. Only the soft shuffle of boots and the faintest intake of breath pierced the darkness.
Inside the void, Elliot and Zane stood shoulder to shoulder, facing down the last three opponents of Unit 02: Lexa, Talon, and Eira. Their breaths were steady, hearts pounding beneath the veil of shadows.
Lexa's eyes glinted as her Light Soul ignited, sending piercing beams that sliced through the darkness like blades of pure energy. She called out precise orders, her voice a sharp contrast to the silence. "Talon, strike from the left! Eira, freeze their paths! We break them here."
Talon obeyed immediately, slamming his fists into the ground. The earth trembled as jagged spikes erupted beneath Zane's feet. Zane reacted instantly, his Scorch Fang erupting in a roaring wave of flames that incinerated the spikes mere moments before Talon could land a crushing blow.
Eira's icy fingers stretched outward, cold and relentless, aiming to freeze Elliot in place. But Elliot was already one with the shadows. He dissolved into darkness, disappearing without a trace. The ice sliced through empty air before Elliot reappeared behind Talon, his blade flashing in the dim light as he unleashed a devastating Shadow Slash. Talon staggered, the force of the strike knocking him off balance.
Zane roared, sending another torrent of fire toward Eira, their powers colliding in a fierce duel of elements — flames licking at ice as sparks flew. Eira struggled but was forced to retreat, the fire burning away her icy defenses.
But the true danger lay in Elliot's mastery of the Shadow Domain. The darkness bent and twisted at his will, moving faster than any light could reach. He struck and vanished, a phantom in the night.
Lexa's formation began to crumble under the unyielding assault. She barked more commands, but her team faltered. Talon's strikes grew sluggish, and Eira's icy blasts lost their edge.
Desperation crept into Lexa's voice as she gathered her remaining light, focusing it into a brilliant spear of energy aimed straight at Elliot. The shadows reached out, claws of darkness enveloping the light in a suffocating grip. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, the spear and shadows fought for dominance.
Then, with a sharp, decisive movement, Elliot shattered the light with a devastating Shadow Slash, sending Lexa stumbling back, breathless and defeated.
The domain contracted, forcing all combatants into a tightening circle of darkness and power. Talon and Eira, exhausted and overwhelmed, succumbed to their injuries, collapsing to the ground.
Only Elliot and Zane remained standing, their breathing heavy but steady.
Outside the Shadow Domain, the arena was silent. The commentators strained to keep pace with a battle they could neither see nor predict.
In the inspector lounge, Leo's eyes burned with relief. Finally."
Travis scoffed but was quiet for once, a grudging respect creeping into his tone. "They fought well... this time."
As the Shadow Domain faded, light returned to the battlefield, revealing the battered but victorious Unit 06.
Elliot and Zane exchanged a glance — a silent acknowledgment of the hard-fought victory.
The fresher tournament's brutal battles were far from over, but this Battle had carved their names into the annals of Vanguard Academy.
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