The storm of fire and wind slowly faded. Heat still lingered in the air, and the arena floor was cracked and scorched in multiple places.
The barrier around the ring, which protects the crowd from the spells and attacks shimmered faintly, strained from the harsh impact.
Both of them stood.
Elizabeth lowered her hand slightly, her breathing steady but heavier than before. Flames still danced faintly around her body, wrapping her like a second skin.
Across from her, Elowen remained calm.
Not a single strand of her white hair was out of place. Wind moved gently around her, invisible yet ever-present, like a silent guardian.
Then, Elizabeth moved again.
She raised her hand, as this time, the flames did not explode outward, instead they gathered and condensed.
The fire around her body began shrinking, compressing into her palm. The temperature in the arena rose sharply as all that heat focused into a single point.
The crowd grew quiet.
