Amon, The lowest tier disciple in the Insanity Sect

I didn't have time to think. Ying Yue was already closing in, her black mist curling and twisting like a living thing. My side burned from the cut she'd landed, but I couldn't stop now.

She lunged, her blade aimed straight for my chest. I barely managed to parry, sparks flying as our weapons clashed. The force of her strike pushed me back, my feet skidding across the dirt.

"Getting tired?" she asked, her tone calm but mocking.

"Not even close," I lied, sweat dripping down my face.

Ying Yue didn't respond. She darted forward again, faster this time. I tried to keep up, but her movements were like a storm unpredictable and relentless. My gravity magic helped slow her down, but only for a second before she adapted.

She feinted left, and I fell for it. Her blade came from the right, grazing my arm and drawing blood. I stumbled, gripping my katana tighter to stop it from slipping.

"Focus, Amon," I muttered to myself. "You're not done yet."

Ying Yue's mist shifted, rising higher and forming sharp, dagger-like points around her. They hovered for a moment before shooting toward me all at once.

I threw myself to the side, rolling to avoid the first wave. One of the daggers sliced past my leg, leaving a shallow cut. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand.

"You're running out of tricks," she said, her voice cool.

"Yeah?" I shot back, trying to sound confident. "You haven't seen all of them yet."

I raised my free hand, channeling mana into the ground beneath us. The air around me grew heavy as I pushed my gravitational magic to its limit. The ground cracked, and Ying Yue staggered, her balance momentarily thrown off.

I didn't waste the chance. I surged forward, my katana glowing faintly with mana. I aimed for her midsection, hoping to land a decisive blow.

But she recovered faster than I expected. Her blade met mine with a resounding clash, and the impact sent a shockwave through the arena. For a brief moment, we were locked in place, our weapons pressed together.

"You've got spirit," she said, her dark eyes meeting mine. "But spirit alone won't save you."

The mist around her exploded outward, forcing me back. I shielded my face as the black tendrils lashed at me, tearing into my clothes and leaving shallow cuts across my arms and legs.

When I looked up, she was already moving again. Her blade flashed toward me, and I barely managed to block, the force of the strike sending me to one knee.

I was running out of options, out of energy. My body felt like it was made of lead, and every breath burned in my chest.

But I couldn't stop now. Not here.

As Ying Yue prepared her next attack, I closed my eyes for a split second, focusing all my remaining mana into one last move. The ground beneath us trembled as I unleashed a gravitational surge, targeting everything within a ten-foot radius.

Ying Yue hesitated, her movements faltering as the weight around her doubled, then tripled. The mist thinned, her control over it weakening.

I forced myself to stand, my katana heavy in my grip. This was my chance.

"Sorry, Shadow Lotus," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. "But this dance is over."

I lunged, putting everything I had into the strike.