The battles went on, each one more aggressive than the last, as if everyone had something to prove, something to settle between each other. The intensity only grew, until it was time for Ariana and Mina.

Unlike the others, they seemed nervous—anxiety lingering in the air—while Day and Scraps bantered back and forth about how they would’ve crushed everyone in the previous fights.

They made their way down to the arena entrance. The crowd was eerily silent, the only sound the gravel crunching beneath their feet as they walked.

Day and Scraps transformed into their weapon forms, and Ariana gripped Day’s handle. His voice echoed in her head, steady and reassuring. “I ain’t gonna let anything bad happen.”

They stepped out into the center of the arena, where Kai and Elena were already waiting.

Elena’s gaze flickered to Day’s axe form before locking eyes with Ariana. She smirked, then spoke, her voice sharp. “How about we make this interesting? If I win, I’ll take Day from you.”

Ariana’s grip on Day tightened, her knuckles going white as she rejected the challenge. “I don’t need your weapon. I have Day. That’s all I need.”

Elena’s smirk widened, but she didn’t say another word. Instead, she and Kai walked to their respective sides of the arena, Elena taking the same spot the girl with the bow had occupied earlier.

Ariana’s heart raced as she realized she had never seen Elena’s weapon before. She focused, trying to get a sense of what she was up against.

Suddenly, a gleam from across the arena caught her attention—a scope. Before she could react, a beam of light shot past her ear, narrowly missing her. It felt as though her body moved on its own, instinctively dodging the attack.

She quickly glanced over at Mina, only to see her already clashing with Kai in the distance.

The tension in the arena was suffocating as Ariana steadied her breathing, her grip tightening on Day’s handle. His voice echoed reassuringly in her mind.

“Stay calm. I’ve got your back. No one’s taking me away from you.”

Ariana’s heart pounded as she locked eyes with Elena, who stood poised with a smug grin. The beam of light that had narrowly missed her was no accident—Elena wasn’t here to play around. Ariana’s instincts were sharper now, her body moving before her mind could fully process the attack.

“Focus, Ariana!” Day’s voice rang in her head, snapping her back to reality.

She turned to see Mina already engaged with Kai. Sparks flew as Scrap clashed against Kai’s weapon, the two trading fierce blows in a blur of movement. Mina was holding her ground, but the battle was intense, their auras flaring violently with every strike.

Ariana’s attention snapped back to Elena as another beam of light seared past her shoulder. Her eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the attack, and she finally spotted it—a sniper rifle. Elena’s weapon wasn’t just a long-range advantage; it was a precision instrument of destruction.

“Keep moving!” Day shouted. “She’ll pick you off if you stand still!”

Ariana sprinted to the side, weaving through the arena to avoid the relentless beams of light. Each shot carved deep marks into the ground, leaving smoking craters in their wake.

“She's trying to keep you on the defensive!” Day warned. “We need to close the gap. Trust me!”

Ariana nodded, determination setting in. She adjusted her grip on Day, feeling their connection grow stronger.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

With a deep breath, she dashed forward, zigzagging to throw off Elena’s aim. The sniper rifle transformed briefly, the barrel shifting into a sleek blade as Elena charged toward her.

“You’re predictable,” Elena sneered, swinging her weapon in a wide arc.

Ariana barely managed to block the attack, the clash sending vibrations up her arms. The force was overwhelming, but Day’s reassuring presence kept her grounded.

“Push back!” he urged.

Ariana gritted her teeth, shoving Elena off balance before delivering a counter-swing. Elena stepped back, her weapon transforming again into a sniper rifle as she leaped away, gaining distance.

Ariana crouched low, her eyes scanning for her next move. “Mina!” she called out.

Mina glanced over, noticing Ariana’s struggle. With a quick parry against Kai, Mina shouted, “I’ll cover you!”

Ariana nodded and charged again, this time using Mina’s distraction to close the gap. Day’s aura began to flare, a faint purple glow surrounding the axe as Ariana swung with all her might.

The blade connected with Elena’s weapon, sending a shockwave through the arena. Elena’s smirk faltered as the strength behind Ariana’s attack forced her to take a step back.

“You’re stronger than you look,” Elena admitted, her tone laced with annoyance.

“And you underestimate me,” Ariana shot back, her confidence growing.

Meanwhile, Mina managed to push Kai back toward Elena, forcing them to regroup. The two teams stared each other down, the intensity of the battle leaving the crowd on edge.

Day’s voice broke the silence in Ariana’s mind. “We’ve got this."

Ariana’s heart pounded as she swung Day down toward Elena with all her strength. The sheer force behind the blow sent a wave of energy pulsing through the arena. Day’s aura flared, growing brighter, hotter, as Ariana's emotions surged. The intense heat radiated off the blade, scorching the ground beneath her. The sound of metal meeting metal rang out as Elena barely managed to block, the impact reverberating through her arms.

“You’re not getting away with this!” Elena spat, her eyes narrowing.

Ariana didn’t respond, her focus locked on the fight. Every strike was calculated, her body moving in perfect sync with Day’s aura. With each swing, Day’s power seemed to grow, the purple flame-like energy enveloping her. She could feel it—the deep connection between her and Day, as if they were becoming one, their wills intertwined in the heat of the battle.

Across the arena, Mina was a blur of motion, her and Scrap’s power combining in a dazzling display of electricity. The air crackled as arcs of lightning shot out from Scrap’s form, striking the ground and sending sparks flying. Kai struggled to keep up, blocking and dodging the surging energy. Scrap’s aura was a storm of lightning, sharp and unpredictable. Mina grinned as she pushed Kai back further, her confidence growing with every strike.

“Elena, cover me!” Kai called out, frustration clear in his voice.

But Elena was too focused on Ariana, determined not to let her opponent get the upper hand. She dodged another powerful strike from Day, rolling to the side before turning her sniper rifle into a blade once more, swinging at Ariana with expert precision.

Ariana met the strike with Day’s axe, the clash sending a shockwave through the arena. She gritted her teeth, barely holding her ground as Elena pushed forward, her strength and skill evident. But Ariana wasn’t about to back down.

Ariana’s muscles burned with each strike as she clashed with Elena. The heat from Day’s aura surged through her veins, amplifying every movement. She swung again, the weight of the axe almost too much to handle, but she kept pushing, determined not to let Elena take the lead. Elena danced around her with fluid grace, her sniper rifle flashing into a deadly blade at the last moment, narrowly missing Ariana’s side.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Elena taunted, spinning away and delivering a swift, cutting blow at Ariana’s midsection.

Ariana blocked just in time, feeling the force of the strike rattle through her bones. Day’s aura flared in response, crackling with fury as Ariana’s body swayed with the impact. She could feel Day, their connection growing stronger, the power coursing through them both. She tightened her grip on the handle of the axe, refusing to let Elena’s taunts throw her off balance.

Across the arena, Mina’s fight with Kai was reaching its peak. Kai’s bruised face showed his frustration as Scrap’s electrified aura surged through the air, arcing dangerously close to him. Kai blocked another strike, his brass knuckles glowing with a faint golden light, but he was being pushed back step by step.

“A little slower than usual, huh?” Mina teased, a wicked grin spreading across her face as Scrap’s electrical pulses lit up the space around her. She darted forward, moving like a bolt of lightning, catching Kai off guard as she struck him with a flurry of electric punches.

Kai retaliated quickly, swinging a wild haymaker at Mina. She sidestepped, and his fist slammed into the ground instead, leaving a crack in the arena floor. Mina laughed, her confidence growing. “You’re way off, Kai! Focus!”

But even as she fought with Kai, her attention remained split. She kept an eye on Ariana and Elena, knowing her friend was in the thick of it. Ariana was relentless, swinging Day’s axe down with all her might, each strike shaking the arena. Elena expertly dodged, her eyes sharp, calculating her next move as she shifted from one position to another, her weapon flashing from rifle to blade and back again.

Elena took a step back, her eyes narrowing as she studied Ariana’s movements. “You’re stronger than I thought," she remarked. "But that won't be enough.”

Ariana’s heartbeat quickened, the words fueling her determination. With a fierce cry, she rushed forward again, slamming Day’s axe into the ground. The shockwave of energy reverberated across the arena, sending dust and debris flying.

Elena reacted just in time, but the shockwave caught her off guard, throwing her off balance. She staggered, just enough for Ariana to press her advantage. She swung Day’s axe horizontally, aiming directly at Elena’s midsection.

But Elena was faster. With a swift motion, she blocked the axe with her weapon, the sound of the two blades clashing echoing through the arena like thunder. Her rifle snapped into position once again, the scope gleaming coldly under the harsh lights.

Ariana lunged forward, her entire body moving as one with Day’s aura. She focused everything she had into this final strike, her vision narrowing to Elena’s every move. The world seemed to slow as the two fighters locked eyes—Elena calculating, Ariana determined.

And then, in a split second, Elena’s sniper rifle transformed into a thin, razor-sharp blade once more, slashing toward Ariana’s exposed side. But Ariana was ready. She sidestepped, ducking under the strike with a quick twist of her body, and with a roar, she slammed Day’s axe into the ground in front of her, sending a burst of energy flying forward. The force of it was enough to knock Elena off her feet.

Ariana wasted no time, stepping forward and aiming another blow at Elena’s weapon. This time, Elena wasn’t fast enough. The blow landed squarely on her blade, knocking it out of her hands with a sharp clang, the weapon skidding across the ground.

Elena’s eyes blazed with fury as she swung her bare hands towards Ariana punching her in the nose knocking her off balance dropping Day

The punch landed with a sickening thud, sending Ariana stumbling backward, her vision momentarily swimming as pain radiated from her nose. She tasted blood, and for a split second, everything seemed to blur together—her senses overwhelmed. But the anger in Elena’s eyes, the burning determination to win, snapped her back to reality. Ariana’s grip faltered for a second as Day slipped from her hand and hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Don’t think you’re done yet,” Elena hissed, her fists raised and ready for more. She moved in like a predator closing in on her prey, her eyes cold and calculating.

Ariana’s heart pounded in her chest, but she could feel Day’s aura, still there, urging her to fight back. With a growl, she shook off the dizziness, forcing herself to her feet. The blood from her nose was already starting to drip down her chin, but she couldn’t afford to focus on it. Elena was pressing forward, too fast, too relentless.

She reached down, her fingers brushing the cold handle of Day’s axe. The moment she touched it, she felt a surge of power, the familiar warmth of Day’s aura flooding through her. She could feel their bond, their connection reigniting as she gripped the handle tightly.

“I’m not done yet either,” Ariana muttered to herself, her voice firm.

With a sharp breath, she swung Day’s axe forward, the energy from their bond fueling her every move. The weapon felt lighter now, more in sync with her. The heat from Day’s aura flared around her, and as she swung, the ground beneath her feet cracked, the shockwave from the impact reverberating across the arena.

Elena was quick to dodge, but Ariana was already one step ahead. She charged forward, her footfalls heavy against the arena floor as she swung once more. This time, Elena was forced to retreat, her eyes flicking back and forth, trying to find an opening.

The crowd was silent now, watching with bated breath as the two fighters danced around each other, the fight growing more intense by the second.

“You can’t beat me with that weak resolve,” Elena sneered, but Ariana didn’t flinch. She was beyond words now. This wasn’t about proving anything to Elena; it was about surviving. About showing everyone that she, with Day by her side, was unstoppable.

With a final roar, Ariana pushed forward again, her strikes coming faster and harder, each one burning with the intensity of Day’s aura. Elena blocked and dodged, but the weight of the blows was too much. The arena seemed to shake with the force of their battle, each movement echoing with power.

Elena’s confidence began to falter as Ariana pressed harder, her eyes never leaving her opponent. This time, when Elena swung to strike, Ariana was ready. She ducked low, using the momentum of Elena’s strike against her. With one swift motion, Ariana raised Day’s axe high above her head and swung it down with everything she had.

The impact was thunderous.

Elena barely managed to raise her arm in defense, but it wasn’t enough. The axe collided with her weapon, sending it flying from her grip and knocking her off balance. Ariana didn’t hesitate. She moved in fast, grabbing Elena by the collar of her shirt and slamming her into the ground.

The crowd erupted into applause as the dust settled, leaving Ariana standing over Elena, breathing heavily, Day’s axe still in her grip. Elena was motionless on the floor, unable to rise.

Ariana’s chest heaved as she caught her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked down at Elena, who was still conscious but utterly defeated. She didn’t say anything—there was no need. The battle was over.

Behind her, Mina had finished with Kai. Scrap’s aura had torn through the arena, leaving Kai incapacitated on the floor, his aura completely spent. Mina walked toward Ariana with a grin, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“You did it!” Mina cheered, giving Ariana a high-five. “That was awesome!”

Ariana smiled weakly, her body still trembling with adrenaline, but she felt a surge of relief wash over her. They had won. Together.

Day, now in his human form, approached her, his eyes glowing with pride. “You were amazing,” he said quietly, his voice full of respect.

Ariana turned to him, her heart still racing. She nodded, her lips curling into a grin. “We did it. We really did it.”

Day carefully lifted Ariana into his arms, his heart pounding as he felt the faint pulse of her aura. He couldn't bear to let anyone else handle her right now—not after everything she'd been through. Her body was warm against his, but there was an undeniable weakness to her, the kind that came from pushing herself too far.

Mina stood by, watching with concern as Day ignored the nurses who tried to approach them. She wanted to help, but she could see that Day wasn’t going to let anyone take Ariana from him. He was determined to get her back to their dorm room, where he could keep a close eye on her.

"Day..." Mina called softly, stepping forward. "She needs care. You can't just take her like this."

"I know," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving Ariana’s face. "But I need her to be with me right now. She’s mine to protect."

Mina hesitated, then nodded, understanding that there was little she could say to change his mind. "Alright, just... be careful. She’s in no condition to be alone."

Day didn't respond verbally, but his grip on Ariana tightened slightly as he began to walk, moving with purpose toward their dorm. The walk felt long, but all he could think about was getting her somewhere safe, where he could make sure she was okay. His steps were steady, determined.

Once they arrived at their dorm room, Day kicked the door open and walked inside, immediately laying Ariana gently on the bed. He stayed at her side, watching over her, making sure she was breathing steadily. The room felt quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the sheets as Ariana shifted slightly in her sleep.

Sitting beside her, Day pulled a chair closer, never once taking his eyes off her. "You're going to be alright," he whispered to himself, his fingers brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "I won't let anything happen to you, Ariana."

He could feel his own heart racing, a mixture of fear and protectiveness swirling within him. Ariana had been through so much today, and though he was proud of her strength, he knew she’d pushed herself beyond her limits. The idea of losing her, even for a moment, terrified him.

Minutes passed in silence, but then Ariana stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Day’s face softened in relief as he leaned closer. "Ariana," he murmured, brushing her hair back again. "You’re okay. You’re safe."

Ariana blinked a few times, still groggy from the fight and the blood loss. Her voice was weak, but she managed to whisper, "Day...?"

"I’m here," he reassured her, his hand gently resting on hers. "Just rest. You did more than enough today. Let me take care of you now."

Ariana gave a small, tired smile, her grip on his hand tightening. She didn’t have the energy to argue, and honestly, she didn’t want to. She felt safe in his presence, like she could finally relax after everything. "Thanks... Day."

He gave her a small nod, watching as she drifted back into a more peaceful sleep. He stayed by her side, not leaving her for a second