The moment the elder's voice rang out, the tension snapped.
Cole moved first.
Fire erupted from his palms, roaring to life in three spiraling lances. They shot forward at blistering speed, twisting through the air like spears of molten destruction.
Riven barely twitched.
His abyssal flames pulsed to life, flickering in the depths of his shadow before rising to his fingertips. With a flick of his wrist, tendrils of dark fire surged forth.
The moment the fire lances met his abyssal flames, they vanished.
Not dissipated.
Not countered.
Devoured.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Riven's lips curled into a lazy smirk. "That all?"
Cole's crimson eyes darkened. Without hesitation, he lunged, his mana surging violently.
The stone beneath his feet cracked as he shot forward, fire bursting from his limbs to propel him. His fist, wreathed in explosive flames, cut through the air, aiming for Riven's ribs.
Riven didn't move until the last moment.
Then—he sidestepped.
