Dimensional Descent

Aina suffered the first strike, blocking with a swing of her ax. But the strength was so great that it blew her hands up, almost knocking the weapon out of her hands entirely.

The second came even faster, slashing against an opening in her stomach.

Battle Ax Force bloomed and spiraled, forming a protective barrier. But that just sapped at more of Aina's stores, both her Force and her mind and focus.

Even then, it didn't work well.

The barrier shattered, slashing against her abs and leaving her military garb tattered and almost torn through entirely.

Her body flew out and she landed heavily on the ground, barely managing to resist falling to a knee as the third strike came.

"You can always give up, lady," a laughter echoed with an eerie coldness, "so long as you're willing to take the risk, that is."

If Aina lost a match, she would have to win the others in dominant fashion to have a chance. If she dragged out the battles like this, she would just have points deducted instead. By then, even if she managed to eke out nine total victories, there was no way the Stele would judge her as being worthy of the Finals.

Nothing outside of this arena would be taken into account. As far as Orion and everyone else was concerned...

This was over.

The third strike landed, and blood pooled at the edge of Aina's lip. Even with the arena entirely cracked, she could feel her heels reaching the very edge of it.

Suddenly, somehow standing in the air, Orion appeared before her.

"Haha, you didn't think I would just let you fall out, right?"

whip lashed out, and in that instant, Aina's aura

reaching out with a hand and grabbing the whip

Orion could react, Aina pulled down

pure strength, and he was driven into

in surprise, not quite understanding what just happened. How had her strength suddenly

still heaving for breath, her body radiating

it was rather that her weakness was a

sneered. "You've already exposed yourself; the next person won't make the same

didn't seem to

you've already signed

loud and clear. A cold shiver ran up Orion's spine, however he hid it with an even

think

even heard his

...

mountain of corpses. It felt like she was staring at a field of treasure and

familiar rage pooling up inside her, a furious rage that came from

time since she lost her mind in battle. In fact, the last time was the Joan Zone. It was something that she had gotten under control quite easily due

The fact she didn't get a chance

felt

using Blood Force. Well, at the very

comprehension of Vital Star Force, for one. It

she also couldn't perform too well. If she looked like she was having an easy

to toe the line, and not allow her

own battles with the tug Forces put on her. Right now, she was