The rain had not stopped.
Thunder rolled endlessly across the skies above the Storm Shrine, shaking the ancient pillars and shattered walkways that rose from the lagoon like broken teeth.
Lightning illuminated the battlefield in blinding flashes.
At the center of the ruined bridge, Preye stood facing Commander Barator.
Around them, scattered bodies of defeated Tide Reapers lay groaning or unconscious. The remaining warriors formed a wide circle, waiting for their commander's command.
This fight was no longer theirs.
It belonged to two forces.
The Storm, and the Tide.
Barator lifted his curved blade slowly. Rain slid down the polished steel.
"The girl grows arrogant," he said calmly.
Preye rolled her shoulders, lightning flickering across her arms like restless snakes.
"And the commander talks too much."
Behind her, Timi whispered nervously to Kuro, us this the part where we run?
Kuro's eyes remained fixed on the battle.
"No."
"Why not?" Timi whispered desperately.
Kuro's voice was quiet.
"Because she will not."
Timi groaned.
Of course she won't.
On the bridge, Barator stepped forward.
The river responded instantly.
Water began to swirl around the ruins, rising slowly as if the lagoon itself was preparing for war.
You misunderstand your power, Barator said.
The storm is violent.
He swung his blade slightly.
Water rose higher behind him.
But violence fades.
The water formed a towering spiral behind him.
"The tide does not.
With a sharp motion of his blade, he released the attack.
The spiral wave surged forward like a living creature.
Preye's eyes narrowed.
Instead of retreating.
She stepped forward.
Lightning crackled violently across her body.
Kuro's eyes widened slightly.
She's testing the storm.
Timi blinked.
That sounds like a bad idea.
Preye planted her foot firmly against the wet stone.
The storm answered.
Lightning struck the sky above.
Thunder exploded across the lagoon.
Preye thrust both hands forward.
"Let's find out."
Electricity erupted from her palms.
BOOOOOOM
The lightning collided with the massive wave.
Water exploded into steam.
For a moment the battlefield vanished inside a cloud of boiling mist.
The shockwave rattled the shrine's pillars.
When the steam cleared
Both fighters still stood.
Barator's cloak fluttered slightly in the wind.
Preye's breathing had grown heavier.
But the lightning still danced around her fingers.
Barator tilted his head slightly.
"…Interesting."
He moved suddenly.
In the blink of an eye he closed the distance between them.
His blade flashed.
Preye barely blocked the strike.
Steel collided with lightning.
The impact sent sparks flying.
Barator followed with another strike.
Then another.
His movements were precise.
Controlled.
Each strike forced Preye backward across the bridge.
Timi winced.
Why does every powerful enemy move like that?
Kuro answered calmly.
"Training."
Preye dodged a slash aimed at her shoulder.
Barator pivoted instantly and struck again.
This time the blade grazed her arm.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Preye jumped back.
Barator did not chase her immediately.
Instead, he studied her again.
You rely too much on power.
Preye wiped the blood from her arm.
And you rely too much on speeches.
Lightning surged around her body again.
Barator's eyes sharpened.
"You are not ready."
Preye grinned.
Probably not.
Lightning exploded beneath her feet.
THUNDER STEP
She vanished.
Timi blinked.
Where did she—
Preye reappeared above Barator.
Lightning blazing around her fist.
She struck downward.
Barator raised his blade just in time.
CRAAAACK
Electricity exploded across the bridge.
The shockwave shattered part of the stone floor beneath them.
Barator slid backward several steps.
For the first time—
His boots scraped loudly against the stone.
Timi's jaw dropped.
"She pushed him!"
Kuro nodded slowly.
The storm grows.
Barator straightened calmly.
But something had changed.
The river behind him had grown more violent.
The water now churned like a living beast.
"You force me to respond seriously," he said.
He raised his blade toward the sky.
The river answered.
Water surged upward from every direction around the shrine.
Huge pillars of water rose from the lagoon, twisting like serpents.
Preye frowned.
…Okay.
That's a lot of water.
Timi panicked immediately.
That is definitely too much water!
Barator lowered his blade.
The pillars of water shot toward Preye.
She moved instantly.
Lightning burst beneath her feet as she dodged the first attack.
The water pillar smashed into the bridge behind her, shattering ancient stone.
Another pillar shot toward her.
Preye leaped onto a broken railing, then launched herself forward again.
Lightning crackled wildly around her.
But the attacks kept coming.
Each water strike grew faster.
Stronger.
Barator was no longer testing her.
He was trying to end the battle.
Preye skidded across the bridge as another pillar slammed down beside her.
The impact threw her off balance.
Barator saw the opening.
He lunged forward.
His blade slashed toward her chest.
Preye reacted instinctively.
Lightning exploded outward from her body.
A sudden burst of storm energy knocked Barator backward.
The blast also threw Preye across the bridge.
She crashed against a fallen pillar.
Pain shot through her ribs.
For a moment her vision blurred.
Timi shouted.
"PREYE!"
Kuro stepped forward immediately.
But Preye raised a hand weakly.
…I'm fine.
She slowly stood.
Her breathing had grown heavier now.
The lightning around her flickered.
Barator approached calmly.
You are strong.
He raised his blade again.
But strength alone cannot defeat the tide.
The river behind him roared louder.
Preye looked at the raging water.
Then she looked at the storm above.
Thunder rolled across the sky again.
Something inside her shifted.
Kuro noticed immediately.
She understands.
Timi blinked, understands what?
Kuro whispered quietly.
The storm is not just lightning.
Preye closed her eyes.
For a moment she ignored the battle.
Ignored the pain.
Ignored the river.
Instead she listened.
To the wind.
To the thunder.
To the rain.
The storm was everywhere.
Not just in her hands.
Not just in the sky.
It surrounded her.
Moved with her.
She opened her eyes.
Lightning flared again.
But this time—
Wind exploded across the bridge.
Rain spun violently around her like a spiral.
Barator's eyes narrowed.
A new trick?
Preye smiled slightly, no.
Her voice carried calm confidence now.
A better understanding.
She raised her hand.
The storm answered.
Wind roared across the battlefield.
Rain slashed sideways through the air.
Lightning crackled above them.
Timi stared in amazement.
She's controlling the weather now?
Kuro nodded slowly, she fused with the Storm.
Barator stepped forward again.
But for the first time—
He looked cautious.
Preye lowered her stance.
Lightning danced across her arms.
Wind whipped through her hair.
The storm had grown stronger.
And so had she.
Barator pointed his blade toward her.
Then come.
Preye grinned, Gladly.
Lightning erupted beneath her feet again.
The storm surged forward with her.
And the battle truly began