The Eminence of a True Monarch of the Shadows

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Are you sure she's going to be alright?" Esil asked worriedly, her gaze fixed on Claire, who stood firm in front of Baran. Claire's sword was raised, her eyes locked onto her opponent with unwavering focus. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Nope," Cid said casually, shaking his head. His tone was disturbingly nonchalant. "She's going to struggle—a lot. Honestly, there's a real chance she could lose here."

Esil's head snapped toward Cid, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Then why would you—"

"Because it's funny, isn't it?" Cid interrupted with a chuckle, an amused glint in his eyes.

Esil gawked at him, her mouth hanging open in sheer shock.

Claire didn't wait for the tension to build further. She charged forward, her sword glowing faintly as arcs of black lightning trailed behind her. Her movements were swift and precise, but Baran, the Demon Lord himself, met her attack with a calm and practiced block.

The clash of their blades sent sparks flying. The two combatants moved at a speed almost too fast to track, their swords a blur as they engaged in a deadly dance of skill and precision. Each strike rang out like thunder, the impact echoing in the vast arena.

Baran, however, was the first to escalate. With an uppercut with his fist aimed at Claire's abdomen, his strength became apparent. Claire reacted instantly, attempting to block with her palm, but the sheer power of Baran's strike overwhelmed her defenses.

A pained grunt escaped her lips as the back of her hand slammed against her own stomach, the force sending her skidding back. But before she could be thrown further, she caught hold of Baran's wrist in a desperate maneuver.

Seizing the opportunity, she swung her sword at his face, but Baran anticipated the move. He leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blade's edge, his movements as fluid as water.

Claire's missed strike turned into a feint. As Baran straightened, he retaliated with a slash aimed at her neck. Claire released his wrist and ducked in a fluid motion, her reflexes keeping her alive. From her crouched position, she spun, her leg sweeping out in a powerful kick that connected with Baran's side.

The impact forced Baran to slide backward. He slammed his sword into the ground to halt his momentum, his stance remaining firm despite the setback.

"I thought you said Claire was going to struggle," Esil remarked, her tone skeptical as she observed Claire holding her own. "She's doing just fine."

Cid smirked knowingly. "That's because they're testing each other. Notice how neither of them is using their full abilities? They're only fighting with skill right now. Things are about to get interesting."

A sudden shift in the atmosphere proved him right. Baran unleashed an overwhelming pressure that shattered the ground beneath him, sending chunks of earth flying. He charged forward, disappearing from sight only to reappear before Claire in an instant. His face was shrouded in shadow, save for his glowing white eyes that burned with malice.

Claire raised her sword defensively, gripping the back of the blade with her free hand as Baran's attack came crashing down. The impact created a crater beneath her feet, her knees buckling under the immense force.

Before she could recover, Baran's knee slammed into her face with brutal precision, sending blood splattering into the air. Claire was launched backward like a ragdoll, but she twisted midair, stabbing her sword into the ground to stop herself.

Sliding to a halt on one knee, Claire wiped the blood trickling from her nose with the back of her hand. Her expression remained calm, almost defiant, as she flicked the blood aside without so much as a glance.

A surge of black lightning erupted from her body, crackling with raw energy. She raised her sword high, the arcs of electricity coiling around the blade like living serpents.

Baran didn't give her the chance to strike. He charged, his speed blinding, but Claire was faster. She unleashed her attack, the ground splitting open in its wake. A massive wave of black energy roared toward Baran, who responded by lowering his stance and slashing at the incoming force.

To his surprise, Claire's attack pushed him back, his feet digging into the ground as he struggled against its power. With a final effort, he cut through the energy, dispersing it. A thin, bloody line appeared on his cheek, his expression darkening with rage.

Claire didn't let up. She vanished in a flash of black lightning, reappearing behind Baran in an instant. Her sword struck, but Baran blocked without even turning. She disappeared again, attacking from another angle. Sparks erupted as Baran parried each blow, his movements precise and unyielding.

From Esil's perspective, Claire was nothing more than a flickering black blur, darting around Baran like a storm of shadows. Yet Baran stood firm, his instincts and experience keeping him one step ahead.

"Why can't Claire land a hit?" Esil asked, her brow furrowed as she struggled to follow the fight.

"Baran's instincts and experience far surpasses Claire's. Baran has been in a war with the Rulers for millennia. He has far more experience in combat than Claire who's barely 18 years old. One of the major problem Claire is going to have is making a difference with nothing but power" Cid explained. 

"Then why doesn't she just use one of her big attacks? Wasn't she able to obliterate floors much earlier today?" 

"Because Baran is still healthy and full of energy. Baran would most likely survive that attack so she's trying to dwindle down his strength. If she used a large attack it would consume a lot of her energy leaving her vulnerable so she's playing the long game and conserving her energy" Cid explained.

Baran suddenly extended a hand, catching Claire by the throat mid-attack. He lifted her effortlessly, disdain in his voice as he sneered, "The problem with you mortals is how predictable you are."

Claire choked but managed a defiant smirk. "I could say the same about you," she rasped.

Wrapping her legs around his arm, Claire gripped his wrist tightly. Black lightning surged from her body, engulfing Baran in a storm of pain.

Baran roared, swinging Claire downward with immense force. She hit the ground hard, coughing up blood as she released her hold.

Baran staggered back, smoke rising from his scorched body. His glowing eyes narrowed as arcs of black lightning danced across his skin.

Claire stood, spitting blood to the side. Despite the punishment she'd taken, a wild grin spread across her face. The fight was far from over.