The moment Nova stepped into the clearing, the ground seemed to still.
The firelight behind them faded into the background, swallowed by the intensity of the two presences standing across from each other.
Princess Stelle adjusted her stance, her obsidian spear held in one hand like it weighed nothing.
Her crimson robes fluttered in the gentle night breeze, but her eyes were sharp and locked onto her opponent.
Nova said nothing as he rolled his shoulder, the faint shimmer of aether pulsing beneath his skin. He didn't summon his full strength.
Not because he couldn't—but because he wouldn't. Not here. Not on a newborn planet that had barely taken its first breath of life. And not against Stelle.
She felt it too. The restraint. But this time, she didn't see it as arrogance.
"I figured. You're holding back."
She said, her voice calm.
Nova didn't deny it.
A small smile touched the princess's lips.
"That's fine. Let's see how far I can push you anyway."
And then she moved.
Like a meteor, she shot forward, spear gleaming with condensed aether.
Nova slid to the side at the last second, his boots carving trenches into the soft earth as the spear missed his chest by inches.
He answered with a palm strike aimed at her ribs, but she twisted mid-step, flipping backward and using the momentum to hurl her spear like a thunderbolt.
Nova's hand shot up, catching the obsidian shaft just before it struck.
The ground behind him exploded from the pressure. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the weapon aside.
"Too slow."
He said.
Stelle grinned.
"Not done yet."
Aether erupted from her hands, pulling the spear back into her grip with a magnetic force.
She kicked off the ground, using the pull as leverage to whip herself into a spiraling strike. The air howled around her as her spear came down in a flaming arc.
Nova's arm snapped up, a shield of compressed aether forming instantly.
The two forces collided—shockwaves blasted outward, toppling trees and scattering onlookers, even as Nova remained unmoved.
"You've gotten stronger."
He admitted.
"Damn right. You're not the only one who trains like their life depends on it."
She said, flipping backward again, her spear tracing sparks in the air.
Nova stepped forward this time, fast enough to vanish from normal sight. He appeared beside her and swept a kick low.
Stelle blocked with her spear shaft, but her feet skidded back, her boots carving into the grass and soil. She lunged forward again, the butt of her spear striking for Nova's head.
He caught it with one hand.
Her eyes widened as he twisted, flipping her over his shoulder and slamming her into the ground hard enough to leave a crater.
But before she could recover, he was already gone—appearing behind her.
Stelle rolled, stabbing upward. Nova leaned just out of range.
"You're not easy to catch off guard."
She growled, sweat now forming on her brow.
"You knew that already."
She charged again, this time faster, sharper, her aether flaring like a miniature sun. Nova ducked, side-stepped, caught her wrist, and tossed her again.
But this time, Stelle twisted midair, landing on her feet and sending a blast of fiery aether toward him.
Nova raised a single finger.
The wave parted down the middle, diverted harmlessly to either side of him.
The crowd, watching from a distance, erupted into stunned murmurs. They had seen Champion Stelle destroy mountains with that technique. Nova had waved it off like an afterthought.
Stelle stared, panting lightly.
"You're playing with me."
Nova's expression was unreadable.
"I'm sparing your planet."
Her eyes narrowed, but there was no offense in them. Only understanding.
"I see. Then I'll push harder."
She said softly.
She raised her spear high, summoning all her strength. Her body glowed, runes etched into her skin beginning to pulse.
Her spear ignited with pure golden aether, its heat warping the very air.
"If you won't give it your all… then I'll force you to."
Nova tilted his head.
"You'll destroy this planet."
"Then stop me."
She charged, the spear moving too fast to follow. Nova moved too, and their weapons clashed—gold against silver, flame against calm.
Thunder cracked with each impact, the clearing shaking under the pressure. Trees collapsed. The soil cracked. Spectators ducked and shielded their eyes.
Each movement from Nova was clean, efficient, precise. He dodged, deflected, and retaliated only enough to control the fight—not to end it.
Stelle's strikes became more erratic, more desperate. But there was a strange smile on her lips.
"You really won't fight me seriously."
She panted, lunging again.
Nova parried, spinning her around and locking her spear in his arm. He pushed her down onto one knee, his other hand raised, palm glowing.
"I told you - you're strong… but this is where it ends."
He said,
Her knees buckled. Her aether flickered out. The golden light of her spear dimmed.
She collapsed onto the ground, panting and unable to move.
Nova stood over her, breathing evenly. His clothes were slightly torn, dust covering parts of his body—but he looked unshaken. Dominant. Calm.
The crowd was silent, stunned into awe.
Stelle blinked up at him.
"You didn't even break a sweat."
Nova didn't reply. He simply offered her a hand.
She took it.
As he pulled her to her feet, she smiled bitterly.
"If I didn't like you before, I'd hate you now."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Because you lost?"
"No. Because you never fought me like I was a real threat. And still won."
She said.
Nova said nothing.
"But I'm glad. This… is what I wanted. To see how far I still have to go."
She added.
He gave a small nod.
"You've got potential."
She laughed weakly.
"Don't flatter me now."
The crowd began to cheer.
But Nova's eyes turned toward the sky, narrowing.
Still lying flat on her back, Princess Stelle let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Ugh. I'm too tired. I can't move a muscle. Nova, help me up."
Nova narrowed his eyes, unmoving.
"You're not hurt."
"I said I'm tired, not injured. Can't a girl get a little help from her favorite enemy?"
She groaned, one arm draped dramatically over her face.
He didn't budge.
Her other arm flopped limply toward him.
"Come on. Don't be like that."
Nova took a cautious step forward.
"Feels like a trap."
Stelle cracked one eye open and gave him an innocent smile that was anything but.
"Me? Set a trap? Never."
Nova sighed and took her hand.
The moment he did, she yanked hard, trying to pull him down to the ground with her. He didn't even shift.
"Ugh. You're impossible. Play along."
She grumbled.
After a moment of internal debate, Nova finally gave in and allowed himself to lower to one knee beside her.
"Fine. Happy?"
He said flatly.
"Almost."
Stelle whispered.
Before he could ask what she meant, her hand shot up, grabbed the collar of his shirt, and pulled him close.
With a quick movement, she pressed a kiss to his lips—fast and decisive—before standing up like nothing had happened.
"Now I'm satisfied."
She said with a smirk.
Nova blinked once. "That was uncalled for."
"But effective. Let's call it even."
She replied, dusting off her clothes."