Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series-Chapter 50: Fire and Arrows [1]

The arena was alive with energy as the students gathered around, the forest looming in the distance. Aiden stood at the edge of the crowd with his hands clenched into fists, his gaze focused on the announcer standing at the center of the clearing. The air was thick with the scent of pine, damp earth, and a hint of magic as the final preparations for the duel were made.

Aiden’s stomach tightened, his heartbeat quickening as he stepped forward with purpose. He was ready. He had to be.

"As always," the announcer continued, "you are protected by the dome surrounding the battle arena. It shields you from any outside interference, including creatures from the forest. The rules are simple: the first to capture/hit the opposing flag and make it move from its place wins. If the opposing flag is hit but does not move, it is not counted. If you are struck down and unable to continue, you forfeit. You may use whatever magical abilities you have at your disposal, but remember- this is a test of skill, strategy, and control. May the best student win."

Aiden glanced at Ivara, who stood on the opposite side of the clearing. She looked calm, confident, and collected- her bow slung across her back, ready for action. Her green eyes met his, a flash of challenge passing between them.

Aiden adjusted the collar of his uniform, his palms slightly sweaty.

"You’ve got this," Adrian said, clapping Aiden on the back with a grin. "She’s good, yeah, but you’re better. You’re fire, mate. Literal fire. She’s got arrows, but you’ve got an entire arsenal at your fingertips."

Aiden glanced at him, his face set in a determined expression. "She’s precise, though. If I slip up even once, she’s got me."

Sevan smirked, leaning against a nearby tree with his arms crossed. "And that’s why you’re not going to slip up. Trust your instincts, Aiden. Besides, you’ve faced worse. Ivara’s tough, but she’s not unbeatable."

Adrian grinned. "Exactly. Just keep your cool. Well, maybe not too cool- you’re fire, after all." He gave a mock shrug, earning an eye roll from Aiden.

"Thanks for the pep talk, but I’m pretty sure I’m on my own once this starts," Aiden replied, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the tension coiling in his chest.

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"You are," Sevan said, his tone more serious now. "But remember, it’s not just about strength. Strategy wins fights like these. Think ahead. And don’t let her get inside your head."

Aiden nodded, exhaling deeply.

He couldn’t let himself overthink this. He had prepared for moments like these, even if they weren’t under such public scrutiny.

"Alright, then," he said, squaring his shoulders. "Let’s do this."

"Wait."

Aiden turned around to see Emmeranne walking towards him.

Why is she here?

"Good luck. Be safe out there."

Aiden didn’t know what to think so he simply nodded. From the corner of his eye, he could see Adrian and Sevan looking at him and Emmeranne back and forth with an amused expression.

As the horn sounded, signaling the start of the duel, Adrian called after him with a grin. "Make sure to win, or we’ll never hear the end of it!"

"Begin!"

The horn sounded, and without hesitation, Aiden darted into the trees. His feet were swift on the forest floor, his mind was laser-focused on one thing- getting to the flag before Ivara did.

Ivara had the advantage with her bow. She was quick, precise, and deadly. Aiden couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

He moved deeper into the forest, weaving between trees and hopping over fallen logs as his eyes scanned the area. He didn’t know where the flag was yet, but he had to find it first before she did.

He heard it then, a slight rustle of leaves behind him. Aiden’s instincts kicked in, and he spun around just in time to see Ivara emerging from the shadows, her bow already drawn. Her eyes locked onto him with an intensity that made the air crackle.

She didn’t waste any time.

The first arrow flew, fast and deadly. Aiden barely had time to react.

He summoned a wall of fire in front of him, but the arrow was already too close. The fire clashed with the arrow’s force, sending sparks flying in all directions. The arrow bounced off his shield, but the impact still left him reeling.

He quickly summoned more fire, his palms now glowing with heat. But Ivara had already vanished, retreating further into the trees.

Aiden gritted his teeth.

She was playing with him, drawing him in, forcing him to reveal his position. He couldn’t let her dictate the flow of the match. He had to get to the flag first.

Moving quickly, he dashed deeper into the forest, leaving his shield of flames behind. The fire flickered out as he ran, and the dense canopy above him allowed the shadows to grow deeper. The rustling of leaves continued, faint and subtle. Ivara was out there, waiting for him to make the wrong move.

But Aiden had made up his mind. He couldn’t hide in the shadows forever.

Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the air—a sharp twang—and another arrow shot toward him. Aiden reacted instinctively, summoning a ball of fire in front of him. The projectile collided with the flames, but this time, the fire flickered weakly. It wasn’t enough to block the arrow completely.

The arrow grazed his shoulder.

Aiden grunted as pain flared through his arm. His control over the fire wavered for just a second, and that was all Ivara needed.

"Are you going to hide the entire time?" Ivara’s voice was cool and mocking, and Aiden could hear the slight amusement in her tone. "Or are you going to show me something more interesting?"

He clenched his jaw. He wasn’t about to let her get under his skin.

Instead of answering, Aiden summoned more flames—this time around his body, creating a swirling aura of heat.

Without warning, he launched himself forward, flames trailing behind him like a comet. He moved with purpose, dodging around trees and aiming to get closer to the flag. He couldn’t let her get the upper hand.

But as he moved deeper into the forest, the faintest movement to the side caught his attention. He barely had time to react when Ivara’s next arrow shot through the air. Aiden barely managed to block it, the heat from his flames deflecting it just in time. But there was no time to celebrate.

She was fast...

Too fast.

He pushed himself harder, running faster, pushing his body to its limit. His breathing was heavy, but he didn’t slow down. He couldn’t afford to. He had to reach the flag.

And then, without warning, he saw it—there, just ahead, the flag. It was surrounded by trees, hidden in a small clearing. He could get to it. He just needed one clear shot.

But as he approached the clearing, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Ivara was waiting.

She stepped out from the shadows, her bow drawn and ready.

Aiden’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t stop now. He had to finish this.

"I’ll give you one chance to run," Ivara said, her voice calm, almost teasing.

He wasn’t going to back down. Not now. Not when he was this close.

"Not a chance," Aiden muttered, and with a fierce yell, he sent a wave of fire toward her.

She sidestepped, and in that split second, she released her arrow.

Aiden’s eyes widened as the arrow flew straight toward his flag. He was too late. There was nothing he could do to stop it.

The arrow hit its mark.

Everything seemed to freeze in that moment.

The flag jerked slightly, the arrow imbedding itself in the fabric.

Aiden’s heart sank. It was over.

He lost his spot.