"Brilliance"- that was the only word fitting to those who bore witness to the clash between Alice and Hela. As they moved across the arena their moves began to grow sharper with each passing moment.
At this moment both fighters radiated elegance, but for two strikingly different reasons. Alice's raw brawler like efficiency with her ability left no room for failure. Even the slightest mistake in offense or defense could mean defeat for any opponent daring to face her.
But it's for that reason that Hela too shines so brightly on this battle field. Her elegant movements and cold calculated counters showed no stagger in the face of Alice's might.
For those who bore witness to this fight were filled with awe as the clash between these two could be linked to the clash between Heaven and Hell. Neck and neck both fighters seemed to be even in this dispute, but sadly that wasn't the truth and only Kaiser and a few others picked up on that fact.
And after a devastating block from Hela the two fighters stood in silence before putting distance between them.
You seem worst for wear, said Hela in a somewhat mocking tone.
Yeah as if you're one to talk. You aren't doing any better than I am. But that was the truth and she knew it- throughout this entire fight so far Hela had only been on defense while she had been offense, and at that moment a pain equivalent to a knife running through her chest plagued Alice the moment a thought crossed her mind.
"Has she been holding back?"
And almost as if Hela could read her mind a devastating smile ran across her face from ear to ear followed by a dark enveloping presence oozing around her.
What's the matter Alice? Why do you stand there as if you were frozen in time? A burning star like you could never be frozen by the depths of my ice, right?
Each word that came out of Hela's mouth only had one objective: crush Alice's spirit.
And with each word that was said Alice began to fall faster and faster into the bottomless pit known as Hela.
You knew you couldn't beat me and yet you still persisted. Why is that?
Was it pride? Or maybe it was heroism.
At the sound of that word a cold and icy dagger pierced Alice's chest. Up until this point Alice didn't really have or know a reason for why she chose to challenge Hela.
But hearing the word Heroism caused her mind rush as the mental barrier that had been stationary began to crumble,
You did all of this for him didn't you? A fool playing the hero. A tragic tale at best.
And with those words Hela began to walk off the arena floor, but not before whispering something to Alice. No one could hear what she said, but the shock in Alice eyes told the story at hand.
And like that cold grasp of death Hela walked away from the area while taking a glance at Kaiser who glanced back causing their gaze to meet each other, and at that same moment Alice's body collapsed on the floor which caught Kaiser's attention.
Alice!! Alice!!
He ran up to her and before he could even reach her, he could see the deep wounds covering her body from her ripped and exposed clothing, and the moment he grabbed her his mind went into immediate shock as he could feel the heat leaving her body.
A feeling of frustration and anger mangled his face. He wanted to release his anger towards Hela, but knew that he couldn't. She wasn't the one who had started this fight and had tried multiple times to stop the fight.
But the state that Alice was in caused part of his ability to think rationally falter.
Damn it! What am I supposed to do?!
…
Don't do anything, said Alice.
Opening his eyes with astonishment Kaiser's gaze focused on Alice who was barely conscious.
Alice…
Don't do anything. I was the one who started this mess. I can own up to my own actions.
But… but why did you do this in the first place?
Her eyes darted away from Kaiser as she grew more and more silent. Uncertain of what time tell him, she decided to remain silent choosing to leave him with a select few words.
… Don't trust Hela.
These words completely crashed Kaiser thoughts leaving his mind empty and blank aside from the words "Don't trust Hela".
The more and more he thought of these words the sicker he began to feel from the feeling of nausea.
And with each passing second a darker and darker presence began to envelope around Kaiser. The intensity caused Hela's entire body to begin to sweat and shake just being near him.
And before he could ask Alice more she fainted which brought Kaiser back to his senses even if it was just momentarily.
***
"What happened over the course of a week and a half went as followed. Once the fight was over Alice was immediately called an ambulance and was taken to the hospital. None of us were taken to the hospital, but we soon all got involved further with the issue."
"Due to the depth of Alice's battle wounds an investigation was issued to take place."
"Students of the freshman class began to get interviewed on the subject, but to no one's surprise none of the freshman students were found guilty especially Hela."
"Whether it be because of the conditions Hela set for the match and Alice agreeing to them or the simple fact that Hela was the daughter of the King no one could be certain why she wasn't speculated."
Oh, and there's also the incident with Crya. After a few days Crya just stopped coming to school, and due to her continuous absence rumors began to spread.
Some said that she was becoming rebellious without Alice to guide her and others speculated that Hela had something to do with it, but of course no one had any proof of this.
As for me I just continued to play normal. I kept the same relationship that I had with Hela at least in appearance. I thought it'd be best especially with the words that Alice left me with.
"Don't trust Hela" those words continued to ring through my mind if repeat every day after that, and if those words held weight then it would be better to pretend to still favor Hela.
But as time passed on. Each day growing and dying- the school festival grew closer and the itching feeling to show my strength increased.