Yara, Dev, and Jolan each had front row seats to the battle, as the terms of their trial would be dictated based on the outcome of this match. They waited anxiously for the horn that would announce the start of the fight. The suspense and tension in the air that surrounded them was almost palpable. 

Dragonflies flitted about, recording the upcoming battle for spectators to watch on hovering crystalline screens spaced throughout the viewing area. The arena was set up as an open clearing, with towering structures of twisted spires in the surroundings. 

Most of the fighting would be kept to the circular section, free of obstacles and the like, but there was no true “out-of-bounds” area, because the dragonflies were mobile enough to keep up with the fighters. Apparently since the buildings were constructed out of magicite and/or arcana, they were more easily repaired, even after taking heavy damage. The spectacle was more important to the Summer Fae than the eventual clean-up or time costs. Some of the buildings were unfinished, as a substantial portion of the neighboring nexus was being redeveloped to match more modern fae styles. That was one thing she had learned about Lucinia—was that the city was constantly adapting and progressing toward a more advanced future. It made Yara wonder if anyone would be left behind in pursuit of that vision. 

The dragonflies focused on Titania first as the announcer introduced her. Her raven hair flowed down her back in long locks, the ends capped with finely-worked gilded thread. Cast in a gold hue, the irises of her sharp eyes held a strong glow to them, leaving a gentle light that diffused across her russet-brown skin. Her charisma was unmistakable, and she possessed a confidence that could be felt even through the screen. Strapped to her wide hips were two carved ivory flintlocks—fitted with brass-gold decorations and grips to complement the expertly crafted barrel and sights. These firearms were designed to focus her glamor into deadly illusory bullets, and surpassed the firing-rate of human-equivalent weaponry of the time. 

Her main attraction, a lengthy spear that floated behind her. The haft was built from a strong metal—probably infused with magicite—and the tip looked razor-sharp. There were runes or grooves built into the weapon, which allowed arcana flow throughout it to enhance its strength. Both opponents were required to display their arsenal to the spectators before the fight, after which they could use them as they please. 

“Fighting on behalf of King Oberon, TITANIA,” the announcer yelled. “The first queen of the fae, and the undefeated champion since the inception of the combat trials. We will now show you a recording of Titania during one of the major battles against the Spring Court.” 

The screens flickered for a moment, before going to the proposed scene. 

The Elder Wyrd tree stood tall above the world, and Titania just as high, thousands of feet off the ground. In front of her, over a thousand floating fae folk—each armed to the teeth with illusory hand-cannons, snipers, and bows. The Spring Fae were dressed in light green and white colors, bright leaves sprouting from their wooden antennae-like structures attached to their heads. Their illusionary weapons seemed to emit a different color—similar in hue to their clothing, possessing a verdant glow. 

They prepared their weapons, then expended all their ammunition at once, sending thousands upon thousands of illusory bullets and arrows at her. The yellow and green energies raced through the air, right toward Titania—but she had already left her position. She weaved between the shots gracefully, spinning her spear to deflect the bullets as she dashed forward. Within moments, she had crossed a gap of a mile, and she was upon the Spring Army. 

She slashed and sliced through the fae who struggled to bring out their physical weapons in time. Even though she was flying extremely fast, she struck the enemies around her with accuracy, slicing some in half and decapitating others, their blood falling through the air like drops of rain. 

Her hands and her spear were such a blur that the dragonflies that followed her could not even record it with enough clarity. What they did capture, however, was the look of fear on the enemy’s faces before they were cut down mercilessly. 

“It was here that Titania destroyed an entire army, ahead of her reinforcements,” the announcer said as the feed continued. 

When the backline began to retreat, she simply floated there and watched, covered in blood from head to toe, so much so that one could see nothing else other than the satisfied grin across her face.  “Run so that you may live,” Titania declared.  “Run so that you may tell the story of Queen Titania to your children, knowing that you will never dare to cross me again. For if you do—” she pointed her spear, and her enemies’ blood dripped off the edge slowly. “I will not spare a single one of you.” 

The feeds switched back to the live view of the arena. “But Titania rarely opts to use her spear during single combat. If you see her bring out her physical weapon, then you know that she is taking her opponent seriously.” 

Yara laughed nervously. “You know, the Summer Court doesn’t sound too bad right now. I’m less afraid of a bunch of old fae than Queen Titania.” 

“I would have to agree with you,” Jolan responded. “But we cannot go back on our decision. We must put all our faith in Lumi and her efforts to represent us.” 

“Mhm. I believe in her. She doesn’t seem nervous at all, actually.” 

The dragonfly drones switched their focus to Lumi. They hovered above her and she looked small from the angle. Her hair looked brilliant in the midday sun’s light, shimmering like the purest snow on a mountaintop. She stood there quietly, with no specific expression on her face. Her claymore was in her hand, the thin layer of ice across the blade sparkling with myriad prismatic colors from the surroundings. 

“And representing The Sixth Prince of the Summer Court, Prince Devesh, is Lumi,” the announcer said. “She hails from the Winter Court…”

Jeers erupted from the crowd at that moment, which startled Yara. 

“There is no love for the other courts here in Lucinia,” Jolan said. “Nor do the other courts have love for Lucinia.”

Yara glanced askance at Jolan, then spoke apprehensively. “But you’re all fae in the end, aren’t you? Why should the court you come from matter?” 

“I assume it’s the same in the Elvish Houses. One house hates the other, and the other hates another. Would you say that’s correct?” Jolan asked.

“…Yes. Those without magicks are second class citizens and those that can wield magic are divided into houses based on their skill and ranking.” From an outsider’s perspective, the Elven focus on magical capability must have seemed authoritarian. Even Yara had dealt with the consequences of not being as strong as her sisters, so she should have known better than to ask silly questions like that. There would always be ways to point fingers and to create artificial divides between groups. 

Lumi did not have a long intro. The announcer had no previous battles to showcase for her. Even if she had participated in battles on behalf of the Winter Court, there would not have been Summer drones present to capture the moment. It all felt extremely one-sided to Yara, but she had expected that. It was essentially a battle between an outcast and the reigning deity of the land. 

She couldn’t help but admire Lumi’s resolve. The fae showed no sign of fear, no hint of indecision. She was present, and ready to see the battle through, no matter the cost. 

Yara snuck a look at Dev, who had his head down and his hands covering his eyes, his knee shaking at a steady pace. She wanted to talk to him and see how he was holding up. He would be the party most affected by the outcome of this duel, so he must have been feeling nervous. The prince was good at maintaining his composure, but he had been keeping to himself more than he usually did, which made her think that something was going on in that head of his.

The fluttering of wings sounded out. “And the duel soon begins…” Jolan raised a finger and pointed upward as a pair of fae flew into the air above them. They held sizable curved horns in their hands, preparing to give the signal to start. 

Their fates were in the hands of one small, but strong, girl from the Winter Court, and Yara held her faith steady. Even though her opponent was the most powerful of the Summer Fae—Lumi’s resolve inspired Yara to become just as strong. The previous duels had lasted less than a minute—and if this Winter Fae could go toe-to-toe with Titania and somehow stay in the fight even longer—then that would prove to all of Lucinia that someone’s origin didn’t matter. Judging based on appearance, what court they belonged to, would have proved useless in determining who is truly a competent and capable fighter.

What Yara wanted the most out of this, was for Lumi’s name to be met with cheers instead of mockery. Oh, and to live, of course. That was probably the goal of highest importance.