MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Anthony's knee, aimed with devastating precision, collided not with Orion's skull, but with the sharp shaft of a spear.

For the first time since the beginning of the Starborn Tournament, Orion's body finally moved during battle.

Orion's body shifted fluidly, his hands moving with practiced grace.

The butt of the spear shot upward from below, aimed directly at Anthony's jaw with deadly intent.

Anthony's eyes flicked to the incoming attack, and with an almost imperceptible movement, he became a blur of motion, vanishing from his previous position in an instant.

He reappeared a distance away, his eyes never leaving the weapon in Orion's hand.

A smile tugged at the corner of Anthony's lips.

His ring, once a simple ornament, transformed in an instant into a spear, its shaft gleaming with the promise of deadly force. Stay updated with empire

He had always planned to face each opponent with the weapon they specialized in, intending to make each battle more exhilarating, more challenging.

But now, it seemed fate had other plans.

Whether it was luck or misfortune, Anthony had yet to face a true challenge, until now.

The tension in the air was palpable, as if the very atmosphere had grown thick in anticipation of the impending clash.

Neither spoke a word.

No taunts, no threats, just the pure focus of two masters of their craft.

Their bodies were poised, spears gripped tightly in their hands, every muscle prepared for the violence about to unfold.

Then, in an instant, they vanished.

Orion appeared first, his spear already slashing downward, aimed with unerring accuracy at the vulnerable point where Anthony's throat met his collarbone.

The strike was so fast it seemed like an extension of his body, the spear's sharp tip a silver streak in the air.

But Anthony was faster still, his spear whipped upward to meet the oncoming assault, the blades clashing with a sound that could only be described as thunderous.

The shockwave rippled through the air, sending a tremor down their arms, but neither fighter faltered.

With a quick twist of his wrist, Anthony deflected Orion's spear, sending it wide to the left.

Using the opening, he spun his own spear in a smooth, calculated arc, aiming for Orion's ribcage.

The motion was fluid, the strike swift, targeting the heart, the most vital of points.

Orion, however, anticipated the move.

His body shifted like water, effortlessly sidestepping Anthony's thrust, and in the same fluid motion, his spear lashed out, seeking Anthony's right shoulder, aiming for the vulnerable joint.

Anthony responded with a quick backpedal, his movements fluid and controlled, avoiding the strike with effortless grace.

The tip of Orion's spear narrowly missed, the air whipping past Anthony's shoulder as he sidestepped.

In the same fluid motion, Anthony's spear snapped forward, the tip darting for Orion's exposed side.

The strike was precise, aimed at the ribs, and landed with a sharp jab.

The force of the blow caused Orion to stagger slightly, a faint red mark appearing along his side

Orion's expression remained impassive as he glanced at the injury, and with a single thought from him, the wound closed up as though it had never existed.

He was already pressing forward again, his spear now coming from the side, angled for Anthony's head.

Anthony's focus narrowed as the thrust came at him, fast and lethal.

His spear met Orion's with a heavy, metallic sound.

The power behind Orion's strike was immense, but Anthony's control over his spear was flawless.

With a fluid motion, he twisted his spear and guided the momentum away, redirecting the blow.

The clash sent vibrations down their arms, but Anthony didn't hesitate, his foot slid back, and with a sudden step, he pivoted to the side, bringing his spear back around in a counterstrike aimed at Orion's knee, trying to cripple his movement.

Orion's legs shifted, and his body flowed with the spear's motion, a fluid movement almost too graceful to follow.

His own spear shot out to intercept Anthony's attack, deflecting the thrust with a sharp crack of metal.

With his spear now in position, he spun it, his body flowing with the motion, and aimed a brutal thrust for Anthony's exposed side.

The attack was meant to puncture his ribs, to make him falter.

But Anthony was no stranger to the dance of combat.

His feet shifted with unnatural speed, and his spear whirled upward to meet Orion's thrust.

Their spears locked for a heartbeat, both warriors pushing with everything they had.

The force of their combined pressure sent a shockwave through the air, but neither gave ground.

Anthony pushed his spear upward with all his strength, breaking the lock, and spun it down toward Orion's leg, seeking to strike the soft muscle just behind his knee.

Orion's body shifted yet again, moving with an elegance that defied the power behind Anthony's thrust.

His spear deflected the attack with a swift and practiced parry, sending Anthony's spear wide.

Orion, sensing the opening, launched himself forward, his spear aimed straight for Anthony's exposed throat.

Time seemed to slow as the attack came.

Anthony's senses flared, and his aura ignited around him like a storm.

He twisted his body, his spear arcing upward in a quick, powerful motion, just barely deflecting the lethal thrust aimed at his neck.

The force of the impact sent a ripple through his muscles, but he remained steady, his body coiling like a spring.

Without hesitation, he snapped his spear down again, this time aiming for Orion's lower back, hoping to exploit the brief opening created by his own deflection.

Orion's body bent with fluidity, his spear slicing through the air to meet Anthony's.

The strike landed with a heavy thud, their spears locked once more, each man pushing with their full strength.

For a brief moment, neither could move, their faces inches apart, their breath steady and focused.

Then, with a sudden shift of his hips, Orion broke the lock, his spear snapping to the side and aiming once more at Anthony's ribs.

Anthony's reaction was immediate.

His body twisted, narrowly avoiding the strike, and his spear flashed outward, aiming once again for Orion's heart.

Orion's spear met his with a quick parry, but Anthony was relentless.

His spear swung downward in a fluid, deadly arc, aiming for the soft flesh beneath Orion's arm, a strike meant to disable him.

Orion sidestepped with a grace that seemed almost supernatural, his spear flashing forward once again, this time aimed for Anthony's wrist, intending to disarm him.

Anthony's grip tightened, his aura flaring once again, the energy fueling his strength.

With a sharp twist of his body, he blocked the attack, using his spear to deflect Orion's blow and redirect his momentum.

Without wasting a second, Anthony's spear came back in a rapid, whirling motion, this time aimed for Orion's knee.

But Orion was already anticipating the move. His feet shifted, and his spear moved to meet Anthony's.

Their weapons clashed, the sound of steel grinding against steel filling the air. The impact sent a tremor through their arms, but neither faltered.

For a moment, they were locked in place again, both of their bodies coiled with tension. Neither warrior gave any indication of fatigue, their focus unwavering as they sought any opportunity to strike.

The space between them was an arena of motion, their bodies and spears moving in perfect synchronization with the rhythm of the battle.

With a sudden shift, Orion's spear shot out, aiming for Anthony's right shoulder in a sharp thrust.

Anthony reacted almost instinctively, his spear flashing upward to meet the blow.

The clash of their spears echoed, but before Orion could follow through with another strike, Anthony's spear was already in motion again, aimed for Orion's side.

The attack was swift, deadly, and precise, a blow meant to leave Orion open.

Orion's response was as swift as ever.

His spear moved with fluid speed, blocking the strike with minimal effort, his body swaying with the motion like water.

Without a break in the rhythm of his movement, he brought his spear down in a crushing blow aimed for Anthony's collarbone, hoping to end the duel with a single, devastating strike.

Anthony's body swerved, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the pressure from the collision pushed him back, his feet sliding across the molten ground beneath him.

In the same motion, he spun, his spear slicing downward in a brutal counterattack aimed for Orion's exposed neck.

But Orion's spear was already in motion.

With a quick flick of his wrist, the spear twisted and met Anthony's, their weapons locked in a deadly grip once more.

Neither fighter gave an inch, their bodies taut with the strain of the battle.

The air around them hummed with energy, their aura crackling with power, but there was no sign of exhaustion, no sign of slowing.

This was no mere battle.

This was a contest of wills, an exchange of skill and mastery that neither was willing to surrender.