CHAPTER 296: THE ONE THEY WAITED FOR

Savra smirked and raised her hand.

"Now let’s start this properly."

She stepped forward and placed her palm on the ground.

[Sacred Flame Rite]

A circle of fire spread out from her feet.

The whole room lit up as red-orange lines stretched in every direction.

Symbols glowed underfoot, humming with power.

Velra narrowed her eyes.

"What is this?" she said. "A trap?"

Savra gave a playful wink.

"Not a trap. Just my stage. Be ready now, Velra."

Savra flicked her finger.

[Flame Invocation]

A small glowing symbol appeared in the air near her.

Suddenly, flame spears shot out from it, aimed at Velra’s chest and legs.

Velra didn’t panic. She stepped forward and lifted her leg.

She kicked through the first spear, then spun to avoid the others.

"Only this?" she said with a smirk.

Savra smiled calmly.

"Of course not."

She flicked again, but twice this time.

Two glowing marks appeared above and behind Velra.

[Flame Invocation]

Flame chains burst out of them, aiming to bind Velra’s arms and legs.

Velra jumped backward and spun mid-air. The chains barely missed her.

She landed softly and flipped her long hair behind her back.

"Still not enough. I expected more from the woman my master once wanted."

She placed her hand on her chest.

[Velvet Demon Zone]

A soft pink glow spread around her.

Her eyes glowed. Her body moved faster.

Her reflexes sharpened. She smiled widely.

Savra noticed it right away. The flame around her flickered.

Velra dashed in, going low, then twisted to send a kick toward Savra’s head.

But Savra was ready.

She snapped her fingers again.

[Sacred Flame Shield]

A barrier of flame burst into place between them.

Velra’s foot struck it and bounced back with a spark.

The heat licked her skin, but she didn’t flinch.

She flipped back and landed on her feet.

"Nice. You’re not just some pretty toy," Velra said.

Savra stepped forward. Her eyes narrowed, her tone cooler.

"And you’re not just some servant girl with long legs."

Their eyes met.

Velra cracked her knuckles.

"Let’s keep going then."

Savra smiled again, her flames dancing brighter.

"Gladly."

Velra narrowed her eyes and dashed forward.

She moved fast, almost a blur.

Savra raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

[Flame Invocation]

Three new flame symbols appeared in the air. Fireballs burst from them and shot toward Velra.

Velra didn’t stop. She spun to the side, dodged one, then leapt above the second. The third one exploded near her feet, but she rolled through the smoke.

She appeared behind Savra and sent a roundhouse kick toward her back.

Savra turned just in time and crossed her arms.

[Flame Shield Veil]

A thin flame barrier wrapped around her arms and blocked the kick.

Velra landed back and slid on her feet.

"Not bad," Velra said.

Savra flicked her hand again. This time, two flame snakes formed and rushed across the floor.

[Serpent Flame Bind]

The snakes split. One went for Velra’s legs, the other aimed for her arms.

Velra jumped, then spun in the air. She avoided both, but just barely. One flame snake grazed her thigh. The fire clung to her clothes.

"Tch," Velra muttered. She landed hard and slapped her leg, trying to smother the flame. It burned through part of her bodysuit.

She growled and glared at Savra.

"My turn."

Velra rushed again, but this time, her movements changed.

[Velvet Demon Mirage]

She split into three illusion copies.

All of them moved at different angles toward Savra.

Savra stood still and focused. She raised her palm and whispered.

[Sacred Flame Focus]

Her flames shifted and pulsed. They narrowed it down to her real opponent.

She aimed forward and launched a blast of pure fire.

It hit the real Velra straight in the chest.

Velra flew back and rolled across the ground. Smoke rose from her body.

She stood again, breathing heavy.

Her clothes were singed. A burn glowed red across her chest and shoulder.

She wiped her mouth and smirked.

"Still standing," she said.

But Savra suddenly bent down, holding her arm.

Velra looked closely.

Savra’s left hand was turning dark. Her flame flickered strangely.

"What’s wrong?" Velra asked.

Savra frowned. She looked at her palm. Black marks were crawling along her skin.

She realized it came from touching Velra during the last clash.

"You... you used some kind of poison ether," Savra said.

Velra smiled.

[Velvet Demon Ether]

"My flame may not be as bright, but it bites deeper."

Savra gritted her teeth. Her flame flared, trying to burn the black marks away.

Some faded, but not all.

The room filled with steam from fire and ether burning each other.

They circled again.

Velra limped slightly. Her burn hurt more than she showed.

Savra’s arm twitched from the toxin.

Both were breathing hard now.

"You’re tough," Savra said.

"So are you," Velra replied. "But don’t think I’m done."

They both charged forward at the same time.

But then—

A voice echoed through the room.

"Velra. Stand down."

The voice was calm. Deep. Cold.

Velra stopped at once. She lowered her leg mid-kick and stepped back.

"Yes, Master," she said without hesitation.

Savra paused. Her fire still burned. Her eyes narrowed.

Zelia, who had stayed quiet, suddenly tensed.

That voice.

Her body stiffened. Her heart pounded. She knew that voice.

Her lips trembled.

"It can’t be..."

She looked toward the hallway.

Savra took a step back, her own hands shaking slightly.

"That voice..." she whispered.

Velra looked at them both, still standing straight.

Zelia’s eyes were wide.

"I... I’ve heard that voice every day in my dreams," she said.

"Even after everything."

Savra looked down at her hand. Her flame went out.

"It’s really him," she whispered.

"It hasn’t even been a year since we got here," she added.

"How did he get into Supreme Island so fast?"

Zelia turned toward the hallway, her steps slow.

"If that’s really him..."

Savra followed, her eyes serious now. No more teasing. Just quiet hope.

They both waited.

Footsteps echoed in the distance.

Closer.

Slower.

A figure was coming.

Neither of them spoke. They only stared.

Velra stood at the side, a small smirk on her lips.

Then the voice came again.

"I didn’t come all this way for you two to fight."

And this time, there was no doubt.

Zelia’s eyes filled with light.

Savra’s lips curved into a small smile.

They knew.

He was here.