Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 86: Names, Part Fifteen

Enverna watched the remaining semifinal matches from the middle of the stadium, her head tilted up as she stared at the ceiling screen.

Zura was currently fighting. Her opponent, a man dual-wielding axes, tried desperately to cleave her body in two, but none of his attacks landed. Either they’d bounce off her shield harmlessly or Zura would simply dodge them.

Having seen her fighting back when she and Lianna traveled with Zura to a mission, Enverna was a little confused.

[She’s faster than I remember... Did she truly make so much progress in so little time?]

The arena’s simulated environment flickered. The screen went white, signifying the conclusion of Zura’s intense battle.

Enverna’s eyes remained fixed on the screen, witnessing the culmination of Zura’s skill and determination.

Potential presidential assassination aside, she was impressed.

As the final blow was struck, pixelated remnants of the defeated opponent dissolved into the air.

A hush fell over the stadium, soon replaced by the thunderous applause of the crowd. Enverna stood amidst the cheers, a mix of pride and curiosity playing across her features.

Zura, bathed in the glow of her triumph, raised a clenched fist in acknowledgment.

The announcement echoed through the arena, the voice of the virtual commentator reaching every corner of the stadium.

"And with that impressive display, Watchful rookie Zura Hellan secures her place in the finals! A true force to be reckoned with!"

The towering ceiling screen shifted its focus to display the upcoming match.

Enverna versus Zura.

It almost felt hard to breathe. Given what was at stake, the fight wasn’t really what was on Enverna’s mind.

[How are we going to get that amulet off her?]

Apparently, Lianna had a plan.

"Envy," she called out to her fiance as she stood in the field, waiting for the intermission to end. "I thought of something!"

[Thank Saren.]

With a sigh of relief, Enverna turned toward her partner.

"Here’s what we should do. So, you know how..."

---

The announcer’s voice resonated once more, cutting through the cheers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed adventurers and avid spectators, brace yourselves for the grand finale! The ultimate showdown is upon us!"

The digital world shimmered, transitioning from the battlefield to a platform at the center of the stadium.

Enverna found herself standing opposite Zura, their virtual avatars facing each other in readiness. The stadium’s ambiance dimmed, focusing the spotlight on the impending confrontation.

"Two Watchful members, Zura Hellan and Enverna Alteri! Make some noise for our finalists!"

As the audience roared, a bit of a twist was announced.

"As tradition dictates, before the grand finale commences, our finalists will have a moment to address the audience directly. A minute each to declare their goals, aspirations, and what drives them as adventurers! Let’s hear from our combatants!"

Enverna’s gaze shifted to the virtual microphone that then appeared before her.

"Zura Hellan, how about you go first? Tell us about yourself!"

"..."

Silence snuffed out any sound in the air as Zura stood stoic, refusing to grasp the floating microphone before her.

The device lingered, suspended in midair, as if waiting patiently for a declaration that would never come. The audience, which Enverna could hear from within the simulation, held its breath.

Enverna’s eyes darted between the silent Zura and the discarded microphone. A murmur rippled through the crowd.

With a deliberate motion, Zura flung the microphone aside. The crowd gasped.

"U-Um, I suppose that is a statement in itself!" The announcer declared. "Mrs. Alteri, how about you?"

Undeterred, Enverna stepped forward to claim the discarded microphone.

The silence morphed into anticipation as Enverna raised the device to her lips.

"Zura," Enverna began, her voice carrying a blend of empathy and understanding, "chooses to let her actions speak louder than words. I can respect that."

The audience listened, captivated by Enverna’s words.

The atmosphere shifted, a subtle acknowledgment of the unspoken language of battle that Zura embraced. Enverna, however, seized the moment to channel her thoughts into words, directing them toward a singular purpose.

"Now, as we stand on the precipice of the grand finale," Enverna continued, her gaze fixed on the imaginary horizon of the digital arena, "I dedicate my every strike, my every move, to someone who fuels the fire within me. Lianna, my partner, and confidante, whose..."

[This is embarrassing... And it’s only going to get more embarrassing, huh.]

"... love and support were crucial in getting me this far. Thank you. Zura, let’s do our best."

The virtual stadium echoed with renewed energy, the audience responding to Enverna’s dedication.

That declaration itself had been a suggestion on Lianna’s behalf.

[Agh, I get that she wants me to fool any spectators into thinking I’m committed to this, but... Still, my blood just won’t leave my face after that.]

Still, Enverna was sticking to the plan. And, that had been the first step.

[... I’m going to have to time this well.]

The grand finale commenced with an electrifying tension that echoed through the stadium.

The digital arena materialized around Enverna and Zura, a stage for their intense confrontation. The audience’s cheers and the virtual commentator’s voice blended into a symphony of anticipation that was soon drowned out as the atmosphere changed.

Once again, Enverna was back in that colorful realm. Once again, she was set to fight.

Enverna tightened her grip on Storm, her spear glinting with a muted luminescence. Zura silently stood opposite her, wielding a sturdy mace and a formidable shield.

Enverna inhaled slowly. Then, she charged forward.

The clash of weapons resonated in the air as the duel began. Enverna launched the first strike. She lunged forward with calculated precision, aiming at Zura’s shield in an attempt to test her defenses.

Zura’s response was swift. With her shield raised, she deftly parried Enverna’s spear, the impact ringing out in a resounding clash.

The force of the parry sent a shockwave through Enverna’s arms and Enverna quickly retreated, preparing for the next exchange.

[... So far, so good.]

The dance of blades and shields continued, each movement a delicate interplay of offense and defense.

Zura proved to be a formidable opponent, even without her strangely enhanced physical attributes. Her attacks were methodical, aimed at finding openings in Enverna’s defenses. Enverna, in turn, focused on agility and precision, seeking an opportunity to exploit Zura’s guard.

Enverna’s spear whirled through the air in a series of strikes, seeking vulnerabilities in Zura’s defense.

Zura, resolute and unyielding, countered each assault with calculated efficiency, the mace swinging with authoritative force.

[She’s strong,] Enverna thought as she parried a powerful blow from Zura’s mace, the impact reverberating through her wrists. [This won’t be easy, but... It’ll probably make the plan more believable.]

Their movements became a fluid exchange of attacks and counters. Enverna attempted to exploit Zura’s blind spots, aiming for the gaps between the shield and mace.

Zura, aware of the strategy, adjusted her defenses with a seasoned skill that left little room for error.

Despite Enverna’s efforts, she found it challenging to breach Zura’s defenses.

Her shield, a steadfast barrier, absorbed the impact of Storm’s strikes. Zura’s movements were disciplined, her shield always positioned to intercept Enverna’s attacks.

Zura pressed the attack, launching a relentless assault with her mace. Enverna evaded the swings with agile sidesteps and precise dodges. The arena echoed with the rhythmic clashing of weapons, a mesmerizing display of skill and determination.

Lianna did not offer any advice like she had before. There was no need.

The battle intensified as the combatants pushed each other to their limits.

Enverna’s spear became an extension of her will, a dance of calculated strikes and evasions, though she hadn’t used her Instinct yet.

Zura, unwavering in her resolve, countered each move with a resolute defense and aggressive strikes of her own.

In the midst of the clash, Zura’s hits finally landed.

Her mace struck Enverna’s right leg hard. Enverna winced, backing off.

[Agh! They couldn’t have turned the pain inhibitors up a little!?]

Smelling blood, Zura dashed forward. Enverna’s moves were all echoes of her intentions from this moment on, ensuring that every move contributed to the desired outcome she and Lianna had agreed upon.

Zura bashed Enverna back with her shield. Enverna’s rhythm was disrupted, but she adapted, using the momentum to launch a swift counterattack. Her spear whistled through the air, aiming for Zura’s side.

Showing a momentary lapse in defense, Zura took the hit.

"Argh!"

She grimaced as Enverna’s spear connected before she pulled it back almost immediately. It was a calculated strike, one that didn’t win the fight for her then and there, but did likely hurt quite a bit.

Sweat fell to the ground from Enverna’s chin.

[This is quite tough. Even without taking the plan into account.]

But, she did in fact have a plan and it was time to put it in play.

As Zura staggered back, Enverna showed her exhaustion, hunching over and taking long, dramatic breaths. This allowed Zura to take the lead in the battle.

With each clash, Enverna’s urgency weighed on her as she continued to weave the intricate dance of combat. A dance she had to lead, even if Zura didn’t know it was happening.

As the climax approached, Enverna executed a final sequence of moves, a crescendo in the orchestrated performance.

Zura’s mace swung with purpose, colliding with Enverna’s spear.

And, it slipped past, landing at Enverna’s midsection.

She hit the ground, dropping Storm and curling up.

Zura went to finish her off, but Enverna beat her to the punch.

She forfeited.

"Huh?" Zura wondered, seeing a message pop up declaring her the victor.

It was done. Enverna had lost.

Lianna’s senses became hers then.

[Please, please, please...] Enverna thought as she saw herself through her fiance’s eyes, on the screen. [Turn the screen off, turn the screen off...]

And, it happened. The screen turned off, even though Zura and Enverna were still in the simulation.

[NOW!]

The virtual cheers and the vibrant digital arena faded away as Enverna was given her senses back.

The transition from the electrifying spectacle to an empty virtual space was abrupt, a moment of suspended reality before the impending conclusion.

Enverna reached into her Inventory.

She retrieved the elixir that Lianna had received from the administrator, the Strong Portable Shield. Its radiant glow cast an otherworldly shimmer in the fading virtual light.

Without a word, Enverna urgently handed the elixir to Zura. Their eyes locked, and Enverna’s gaze bore an intensity that demanded immediate action.

"Take this potion, put it in your Inventory, and drink it once you’re outside of the simulation! Okay?" She pleaded, her voice carrying a sense of urgency that echoed through the virtual silence.

Zura, momentarily startled, took the potion, her eyes questioning.

"What does it do?"

"It’s a shield potion! It’ll protect you for a short time. Just trust me, we need it!" Enverna’s words rushed out, the weight of the impending danger pressing down on her.

And with that, they were thrust out of the simulation.

Enverna and Zura emerged from the digital realm, the transition from the virtual arena to reality leaving a residual disorientation.

As they materialized in the physical world, Enverna’s hand instinctively went to her Inventory, retrieving the elixir, the Strong Portable Shield just in case she needed one for herself. The crowd’s cheering was deafening, but she stayed focused.

Zura saw her drinking an identical potion and nodded, doing the same.

Then, it was time. The moment of truth.

Enverna moved toward Zura. That damned amulet still hung around Zura’s neck. The time had come to sever its hold.

"Zura, take it off!" Enverna urged.

"What? What are you talking about?"

[Dammit. She’s not going to do it in time.]

Even though Zura had ingested the elixir, Enverna still didn’t want the explosion to happen right on top of her.

So, she ran toward the woman.

"Huh!?" Zura flinched.

Enverna’s hands deftly moved toward the amulet.

In truth, Enverna had never been more frightened.

[I... I might actually die here. But, she’s not going to take it off in time, is she?]

The stadium’s background noise, a distant echo, seemed to fade just as Enverna’s fingers touched the amulet.

Then, right as Enverna took it off, instantly, an explosive burst of light happened. The amulet detonated.

Enverna was launched all the way back to the chair she’d been sitting on during the simulation. Zura was as well.

Enverna felt like her whole body had been covered in flames.

But, she was still alive.

And, so was Zura.

"Ahk..." Zura coughed, badly hurt.

The audience’s cheers subsided, replaced by a collective, tense gasp.

Then, a different sound entered Enverna’s ears.

The sounds of people fighting behind her.