~Aurora~

　　There was some time more until the next, final and deciding round will come to tick on the clock. Something in my thoughts made me feel the warmth in my chest. It wasn't a good feeling.

　　The final round...

　　The end of it all...

　　I'm going to clash with Odin Blackwood.

　　My chest has never felt so tight, despite me having to fight Odin countless of times. We practiced everything together. We learned each other's moves. Ultimately...we have to use them on each other.

　　The tug of war in my mind was heavy. He is my friend. I can't battle against him. The chances of me winning against him would be 50-50...

　　But at the same time, Odin Blackwood is a Heir to a prominent and strong pack. The Stormchaser pack has no deficit of any resources. Him having to claim my pack - which I'm a natural Heir to - is pointless for them. Unless they wish to know more about the artifact and...

　　No. I'm overthinking this.

　　This fight will be a competitive, friendly one. Where we as friends would never betray each other nor show each other down. That is utterly derogatory for me, or him as well. For one, I'm not going to back down from giving him a good fight.

　　If anything, he's at an advantage of having a wolf.

　　The wolf...

　　I never asked the name of his wolf...

　　Shutting my eyes tightly, I shook my head to release all my inner tension and looked at the screen in front of me. There was a countdown announced from the healer. It was twenty eight minutes, precisely. In under twenty eight minutes, Odin would be healed by the prime healer assigned for him. He will be at 100% health and will be ready for the next duel, with me.

　　This is not necessarily stressing me out.

　　I'm happy that we both came this far, and one of us will be the runner up! Although, there is no such concept of runner ups in this Kingdom. It's either you win and take home what's a decided reward for you, or you're a loser.

　　The kingdom of Whispering Pines of Lycans is renowned all over the world for a reason.

　　Twenty eight minutes have passed. These minutes were the most nerve wrecking minutes of my entire life. Never have I ever felt this kind of pull back and stress on my head. Even if I tell myself not to stress out so much, it so happens very naturally.

　　"It's time, Lady Fangborn. All the best," I watched with slightly widened eyes.

　　"Where are you going?" I asked the assistant who was beginning to leave. Taking his spectacles off, he smiled softly and said, "My job for this year is done, Lady Fangborn. All the best to you. And don't try to bring me down," winking at me, the man left. I was left speechless.

　　He had wished me Good luck in the best way possible!

　　"ODIN BLACKWOOD HAS ENTERED THE RING!" The announcement was heard as clear as the day. I opened my eyes, the sound of creaking gates being pulled up brought me back to reality.

　　"AURORA FANGBORN HAS ENTERED THE RING AS WELL. WE WISH YOU BOTH BEST OF LUCK!"

　　Dun...dun...dun...

　　With each step I took towards Odin, I felt something shattering in me,

　　'You know, Aurora...

　　Every time you touch my wolf's fur, I feel it as a human. Your touch has been the most gentle of all. It speaks a lot about you as a person...

　　Maybe that's why I wanted to have a friend like you...'

　　Suddenly, those words from memory started ringing in my ears out of the blue. I was perplexed. Was my mind trying to play games with me once again?

　　Odin had the helmet on him, the protective gear. As soon as he saw me, we made eye contact. Staring into each other's souls. Everything else faded into oblivion. My perception was focused only towards him. Facing each other, their distance between us slowly closed in, and now we were only several feet apart.

　　The excited crowd's screams finally started sinking into my ears as I lift my gaze up. As I did so, I caught my glance with Prince Emeric. He gave me a curt nod, one which only I was able to see.

　　And with that, I turned to look at Odin, with a smile.

　　"Are you ready, Odin?" I mouthed to him slowly. The countdown had begun. He, out of the blue, smiled and removed his helmet while keeping his stance steady. He nodded softly.

　　"All the best," Mouthing that as well, the sound of the final countdown blared into our ears!

　　"Ha!" Taking advantage of his dense look and stance, I made the first attack on him. He dodged my attack just like he would if he was in a play fight! But, as I could see it, I had given him an opening to hit me back within a split second! He didn't, he didn't use that opportunity at all.

　　Confused, I looked up at him and immediately stepped back. Once again, I tried punching his face. He didn't have the helmet on, hence he shouldn't risk taking a punch directly to his face. He dodged that with ease as well...but he didn't hit me back! This was turning into a one sided fight, which I wasn't really appreciating!

　　A few more of his dodging without hitting me back, I was getting frustrated.

　　"Fight, goddammit!" I seethed through my teeth. Instead...he smiled at me!

　　"Don't you fucking smile, Odin! Fight me back!" I yelled, desperately. The only response I got from him was a shake in his head. What does he mean by that!?

　　Frustration was getting over me. I suddenly pounced on him and beat him on his chest with fists open. Almost like nudging him, but even harsher than that.

　　"FIGHT ME BACK, ODIN!"

　　I didn't know why, but I felt as though my worst fears were coming true.