Chapter 191: Shadows of Rivalry
In the shadows, the Elven Elders seethed with frustration, their gritted teeth betraying their anger. Their carefully laid plans had unraveled before their eyes.
They had secretly provided Scarlet Blood Moon with two powerful artifacts, hoping the enhanced guild would eliminate Horizon and his team at the first round.
The goal had been clear: to secure victory in the competition and curry favor with the Queen of the Kingdom of Stars, whose forces had been eliminated earlier.
But their gamble had failed spectacularly. Horizon and his team had obliterated Scarlet Blood Moon with ease, rendering the precious artifacts useless.
"This is a disaster," one elder hissed, his voice low and venomous.
"They were supposed to win, to ensure our alliance with the Kingdom of Stars," another muttered, fists clenched tightly.
Now, that alliance—along with their hopes of victory—seemed all but impossible. The artifacts, once thought to be their trump card, had proven worthless in the face of Nyx's overwhelming strength.
"They should never have been entrusted with those relics," an elder growled, his voice dripping with regret.
Their anger burned like a wildfire, but there was nothing they could do. Nyx's Guild had defied expectations, crushed their opposition, and cast a shadow over the competition. For the Elven Elders, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Nyx's guild advanced to the next round, leaving the battlefield behind amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd. Their overwhelming display of power and coordination had turned them from nameless underdogs to the most talked-about guild in the arena.
While the battles of the other guilds continued to unfold in the arena, Horizon and his team took the opportunity to assess their future competition. They settled into the observation deck, their eyes glued to the massive holographic screens that displayed the ongoing matches.
"Wingless Valkyries are up," Von remarked, leaning casually against the railing. His golden hair caught the light, but his expression was one of intense focus.
The Wingless Valkyries, a guild known for their tactical brilliance, were facing off against the Ironhowl Reavers, a notoriously aggressive guild whose strength lay in brute force rather than strategy.
On the battlefield, Seraphina, the leader of the Valkyries, stood at arena. Her crimson blade gleamed, and her presence commanded attention.
"Seraphina is no joke," Lydia said, her voice thoughtful. "She's a master of counterplay. Every move the Reavers make, she's already three steps ahead."
As they watched, Seraphina delivered a flawless finishing blow, bringing her opponent to their knees with a single strike. The crowd erupted as the Wingless Valkyries were declared victorious.
"They didn't even break a sweat," Von added, a hint of admiration in his tone as he whistled.
Lydia snorted. "Tactics are great, but they'd fall apart if they faced overwhelming power."
"They're not just tactical. Don't underestimate them," Horizon replied, his gaze never leaving the screen.
Lydia raised an eyebrow at Horizon, her curiosity piqued. Could he be one of Seraphina's admirers? It wasn't like Horizon to praise another guild so openly, let alone show interest in them. Something about his tone felt . . . different.
Next up was the Brotherhood Legion, a guild that prided itself on discipline and unity. Their leader, a towering man named Grimm, commanded the battlefield with the precision of a general. They were up against the Shadowspire Syndicate, a guild infamous for underhanded tactics and poison-infused weapons.
The battle was brutal. The Shadowspire Syndicate unleashed a barrage of traps and ambushes, but the Brotherhood Legion remained unfazed. Travis, one of their newest recruits, stood out as he tore through his opponent within seconds.
"That's Travis," Horizon said quietly, his tone unreadable.
The others turned to him, noticing the way his eyes were locked on the young warrior.
"What about him?" Von asked, raising an eyebrow.
Horizon's lips curled into a faint smirk, though there was no humor in it. "Too bad we won't be in the same stat bracket. If we were, I'd make him suffer."
Lydia frowned, sensing the edge in his voice. "Do you know him?"
"He's part of the Brotherhood Legion now, but before that . . . ," Horizon trailed off, his gaze hardening. "Let's just say there's unfinished business."
Von didn't press further, though his curiosity was evident. Instead, he leaned back and crossed his arms, a sly grin on his face. "Looks like you're looking forward to it."
The fight concluded with the Brotherhood Legion's resounding victory. Grimm raised his weapon in triumph as the crowd roared their approval. Travis stood beside him, his expression stoic, though there was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
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As the matches progressed, other guilds showcased their strength. The Crimson Raptors, known for their devastating aerial strikes, defeated their opponents with unparalleled agility.
The Frostveil Sentinels, masters of ice magic, turned the arena into a frozen wasteland as they claimed their victory.
Despite the impressive performances, Horizon and his team remained composed. They analyzed every move, noting weaknesses and strategies.
"The Wingless Valkyries are sharp, but their mage is vulnerable," Lydia observed.
"And the Brotherhood Legion relies heavily on their equipment," Von added. "Take them out, and the rest will crumble."
Horizon remained silent, his mind racing as he pieced together the puzzle of their future opponents. The matches continued, but his focus was on a certain person.
Against everything else, he mustn't loose against Brotherhood Legion.
In the shadows of the arena, rival guilds watched Nyx's team with growing unease. Their overwhelming power and seamless teamwork had sent shockwaves through the competition.
Even guilds like the Wingless Valkyries and the Brotherhood Legion, who had been confident in their abilities, now regarded Nyx's guild as a threat.
"They're just a bunch of no-names," one guild leader muttered bitterly. "How are they this strong?"
"It's not just strength," another replied. "They have high tier equipment, and every member is deadly in their own right. We underestimated them."
As Horizon and his team left the observation deck to rest for the day. The other guilds may have been watching them, but they weren't concerned.
"They're good," Silphie admitted, her voice low.
"They're good," Frigid agreed, his tone calm. "But we're better."
The battles would only grow fiercer from here, but one thing was certain—Horizon would definitely defeat Brotherhood Legion at all cost.