Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1473 - 1472 - Demon vs Shadow

The red group of the Sovereign Tier tournament was not as rowdy or talkative as the other 3. They had been at first but then the aura of 2 of their number caused them all to fervently wish the first battles would hurry up!

A demoness that was practically a legend sat calmly in her battle leathers with 2 short swords currently being inspected by her. They were the freshly Forged weapons her husband had given her when her previous set broke.

She was saddened that they had not endured but they had reached their limit long ago. The new ones were not as comfortable to her yet, but they were still superb.

They were a darkened color and imprinted with illusive abilities to further her Art. She also checked that her armor was still in good shape as it had only needed repairs after the last fight.

She was ignoring the piercing gaze of emerald and abyss currently focused on her. They were not enemies at all, but there had been a rivalry between them.

Before Lind had lost his way, Chu had been at his side for centuries. The battles and trials they faced in the 2nd layer had laid the foundation of legends as well but none more so than Lind, himself.

Cyntilla had no issues with the woman but they were both born warriors. If not for Lind, the desire to fight to the brink of life and death would have happened long ago.

She took some delight in the fact the pressure was building but not a ripple of it was seen in her virulent yellow eyes. Her body was relaxed and had no sign of being bothered at all.

It clearly was a power play but everyone else in the waiting area desperately avoided looking at the pair. They did not want to be involved and those men that were married had the sudden urge to apologize.

"You are not looking forward to our fight?" Chu finally broke the silence but her tone belied her aura. It was calm and merely inquisitive.

Cyntilla finally smirked and held up one of her blades.

"What do you think? You never wavered when Lind tried to push us all away but you did not correct your daughter. He was wrong, without doubt, but that is no reason to break all ties with him." Chu frowned. Her fluffy ears went back on her skull as her tail stilled.

"She has the right to choose. Even Beloved told her that. He accepted the consequences. The revelation that came afterward gave her pause but she still chose to stay away. She did not stop her own children from pursuing him so accept that for what it is." The tension made sweat break out on many.

Stone cold killers suddenly wished desperately to be anywhere else while those that could usually find serenity even in storms wondered if they were being sent a trial from the Heavens.

Cyntilla frowned deeply. She also believed in allowing their children to make the choice to connect or let go, but given all they had learned about how Lind and they were manipulated, she was angry Chu did not fight harder to correct her eldest daughter.

What hurt more was Jur cut them all off as well when they chose to stay. Annabelle was the only exception until she chose to come back.

It was that facet that irritated Cyntilla.

She was about to argue more when the crystal lights of the red section began to flicker. A sigh of relief washed over everyone as it meant they should get ready.

Time was a bit slippery for Immortals but the last few months had felt like centuries only for the storm to be avoided at the last moment.

"We will decide things finally in true battle. I will become the first wife." Chu made a sudden declaration and the relief vanished as Cyntilla's aura surged. Some swore her lavender skin gained fur and her mouth fangs.

The feeling of a predator filled the chamber.

"I was his first. There will be no changing that!" It was a slight lie but not wholly inaccurate. Technically speaking, Shoti met Lind first but he was little more than a child then.

He also was far too naive for far too long. The original 4 had to essentially smack him awake. While the specifics of order were never discussed, it was true the first 4 were unchallenged as the top of the hierarchy even if Lind refused to rank them.

Chu smiled at her and was now the calm one. Her fur and scales seemed to shimmer with Qi.

"You may have started the journey, but I will claim the prize!" The rest of the contestants were looking at the final battles of the green segment with a single wish to hurry the blazes up!

As if the Heavens were listening, the final 3 pairs of the green segment finished. Some battles were quick but several of them took weeks.

The first 3 pairs of the red segment bolted for the platforms before they were even called. The judges were slightly surprised but commenced the fight.

The oddities started then. It was like they were desperate to not end the fights!

Winning meant going back into that room so strangely, no one was trying to win. Their fellows left behind had a brief reprieve but now a simmering tension built back up. They prayed to the spirits for a miracle and it sort of came true.

A demoness made a mistake that left her open. She panicked that rather than trying to win, her opponent would rush at her and intentionally get hurt to surrender honorably.

She tossed aside her weapon only to cause the human charging her to trip. His polearm then rendered her unconscious!

[Winner: Seth of Mirage Valley] Tears left the human's eyes as he bowed and then slowly returned to the waiting room.

The next pair shot out and similar incidents kept happening. They were too nervous and desperate, thus strange victories or very quick surrenders happened.

The result was that the red segment flew by in less than a week!

Half way through, the pair were finally called.

[Cynitlla Frey and Chu Frey to platform 2 please.] Unlike the others, they had waited to be called and calmly left. A large sigh of relief washed over the room as it was finally over.

It was like waking from a nightmare and they all watched in anticipation once more to see which woman would come out on top!

Cyntilla calmly stood with her hands on the pommels of her swords. It was not required to wait to draw them but she knew it would be unwise to assume her current foe would allow her usual steps.

Her Art was versatile but the woman facing her knew a lot about it.

[Reminder: Death and True Death are allowed, however, do not attack an incapacitated or surrendered foe or you will be disqualified.] The burnt orange Harmonic Dragon spoke the rules again as he too felt the tension between them. He also saw both pairs of eyes flicker to him in annoyance.

They would not dishonor themselves in such a way!

He sighed and held up his hand. He brought it down and was sent flying as both their auras exploded.

Chu transformed into the dragon tiger she was. Her dark scales had an emerald sheen over them as her mane flared outward like a weapon. She needed no tools or artifacts for the current fight as her claws would be more than enough!

Cyntilla seemed to multiply which stunned the audience. It was the Art Shoti used! Even Chu was surprised for a moment before she too executed the same Art!

Understanding flooded the crowd. The wives shared Arts and adapted them! Yet, all could see that Cyntilla was dodging rather than fighting.

The draconic claws shattered stone but it was healed by the weavings around the platform. The barriers glowed brighter for their platform than others but neither woman was going all out yet.

[STOP HOLDING BACK! FIGHT ME WITH YOUR FULL POWER!] Chu's voice shook the audience but Cyntilla only smiled as she made even more copies to confuse Chu and keep dodging.

The platform was now blurring with copies of both women. Even the displays could not pick them out well anymore!

Suddenly, the clang of metal came and Chu was sent back partially while Cyntilla rolled through the air to land on her feet. Neither was sweating or breathing heavily but they had finally clashed!

Chu glanced at her left front claw and saw a crack in it! A single clash and her claws had not come out on top.

"You are going to be first? With those pathetic tools?" The cold words nearly made Chu roar but she calmed herself. She had tamed her instincts and channeled the anger into thinking.

Cyntilla frowned as her provocation failed. In sparring it generally worked but it seemed Chu was far more serious in real battle. She pulled out her other sword and all were looking forward to the illusive Art she used.

Yet, she took a strange stance. Rather than the usual shortswords facing forward, they were pointed out in a line to either side of her. She was wide open but Chu was wary.

All could see it but not understand why. Cyntilla merely smiled as demonic Qi flowed down her body and into her swords.

"Dragon Shadow Maw Art!" It was never required to call out an Art's name to make it work but she chose to do so as her body seemed to be swallowed when a dragon's snout appeared!

The shock on Chu's face was mirrored by all. It was not like her main sword Art that gave the illusion of a wolf's head, but a true illusion Art that hid her moves!

None had heard of it nor knew of it but it existed! The next testing phase was over and the main battle had begun!