The contestants set off immediately, both moving steadily towards the lakebed’s center. Despite Iesa’s bravado before heading down, none of it showed as she worked her way forward. Her face was filled with intense concentration as she moved, her head swiveling slightly from side to side as she watched for any sign of her opponent.

Starting from the opposite side of the basin, Koti seemed much more at ease. She walked smoothly through the lakebed’s uneven terrain, and Tirr found his eyes drawn towards the way the young woman moved. He watched her closely, his eyes narrowing as he thought to Dun’s warning words.

Koti seemed to glide through her surroundings like mist, leaving no trace of her presence as she weaved through twisted trunks and scraggly bushes that marked the lakebed’s floor. Her smooth advance made Iesa straightforward march appear almost clumsy. For the first time since the competition started, Tirr could feel the difference of a home-field advantage.

Still, Though, Tirr thought as he glanced back towards Iesa. Around the basin the Crowd was gasping in shock as Iesa, figuring that she was close to the center, unleashed her blessing. Flames rose around her, flickering through her dark hair and traveling over her arms as she drew her sword. Her steps left the ground singed as she started up the center hill.

The audience quieted, waiting in bated breath as the two fighters grew closer, yet Koti suddenly stopped. She stood deathly still for a moment, before suddenly swinging to the right. Her body crouched and she seemed to transform from the easy-going young woman she had appeared as, to a dangerous predator on the hunt, spear held lightly as she moved through the sand and grass.

Iesa reached the top of the hill with quick confident steps, the fire in her hand spinning itself into a small sphere, ready to launch. Yet as she tensed herself for combat, she found nothing but sand and shrubbery stretching towards the other slope. Iesa stopped, confused for a moment, her eyes searching the side of the basin that her opponent had started at but finding nothing. She hesitated, obviously thinking of whether she should push forward or wait for her opponent to arrive…

The crowd, however, knew that Koti had already arrived, stealthy moving around Iesa without the other girl even knowing. They watched as the tribeswoman tracked Iesa carefully, observing her before sliding again across the lakebed just as Iesa turned, scratching her head in wonder.

The flame disciple, still not seeing anyone, was looking around curiously when a stone whistled through the air at her. She turned in a rush, her sword flashing as the projectile was knocked away. Her hand reached out right afterward, and the ball of flame rushed out, growing in size as it flew furiously towards the source of the stone.

Yells of fear and surprise came from the crowd as the ball exploded, throwing smoke and dirt while leaving a small crater of burnt weeds and glass. Thankfully, Koti had left the spot ages before, launching the stone from a distance while watching her target's reaction. However, from the expression on her face, this wasn’t what she expected…

Tirr felt his eye twitch as he looked at the destruction. Dun leaned close, whispering in a concerned voice, “She knows she can’t kill right?”

“She held back…” Tirr responded sincerely, “it wouldn’t have killed her… probably…”

Dun winced but didn’t say anything more, turning back to watch as Koti moved away again, her movements a bit stiffer than just before.

Iesa had rushed forward eagerly and was disappointed to find that her opponent had escaped. She waited for form a moment expecting another surprise attack, but frowned when nothing came…The flame follower searched the area cautiously and even called out for the other young woman to show herself. There was no reply though, and the crowd couldn’t help but think only an idiot would reveal themselves after seeing something like that.

Iesa clicked her tongue in annoyance but decided it was better to wait once again. Tirr had reminded her enough of how foolhardy it was to rush in unprepared. So, for now, she would keep watch… Waiting for a proper chance to fight...

Koti watched all this carefully from where she crouched among the brush, her mind whirling as she thought. She closed her eyes for a moment… The power she had seen was too frightening… A single mistake might just get her killed, regardless of the rules…

She thought back to her mother’s words. And soon her eyes opened, filled with new determination as she moved quietly once more…