A Light To Call Home 2 ?Genshin Impact?

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My name is Akemi ፪*ረነቹዪጎ*ክ.

I like watching cats and the calm of nature, but I really come to hate lightning and the sight of dogs...

My favourite food used to be a dish called Mapo Tofu- it bought me a sense of warmth.

But now... none of that matters.

Because I refuse to kill anyone, even if the world demands it of me.

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The arena roared like a living beast, its voice a thunderous blend of cheers that bounced off the ancient stone walls. Heat waves shimmered in the midday sun, painting the air above the sandy battlefield in a restless, feverish haze. Dust swirled with every step taken by the fighters, clinging to their skin like a second layer. Above it all, perched in private balconies carved into the stone, the elite watched with glittering eyes, savouring the violence below. 

Akemi moved like a shadow brought to life, her steel scythe carving through the air in fluid arcs, deadly and hypnotic. The crimson glow of her narrowed eyes betrayed no emotion, only a cold, calculating focus. Her black hair, damp from sweat and streaked with dirt, framed her soft features. Though her body ached, her movements betrayed no sign of fatigue. She was like a storm contained in human form, waiting to unleash itself. 

Her opponent, a wiry boy barely older than she, gritted his teeth, desperation etched into every line of his face. His water-infused sword glimmered in the sunlight, but its wielder's confidence was waning. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his movements erratic as panic seeped into his breaths. He lunged forward with a wild swing, the blade releasing a torrent of water aimed directly at her.  

Akemi sidestepped with ease, the water grazing past her in an arc that sprayed harmlessly against the far wall. Her counterattack was swift-a shallow slice across his shoulder that sent him reeling back with a cry of pain. Blood bloomed through his tattered shirt, and his grip on the sword faltered. 

Yet, even then she held back, her strikes precise but merciful. 

The crowd roared in displeasure at her restraint. They hadn't come to see mercy; they wanted blood. 

"You're holding back!" the boy spat, his voice shaking. He tried to summon the remnants of his courage, tightening his grip on the sword. "You think you're better than me?" 

Akemi's lips pressed into a thin line, her silence cutting deeper than any words could. She remained poised, waiting. Her stillness wasn't born of arrogance- it was discipline honed through years of cruelty. She had no desire to kill him, though she knew it was expected of her.

The boy didn't understand. He couldn't. 

Rage flickered in his eyes as he raised his sword high. The water swirling around the blade grew darker, a churning vortex of liquid power that hissed and writhed like a caged beast. The air around him turned frigid, and for a moment, the cheers of the arena quieted. All eyes were on him. 

He roared as he released the attack, a massive sphere of water exploding toward Akemi with devastating force. It tore through the air, the battlefield trembling under its might. Sand and debris erupted into the sky as the wave struck her, engulfing her in a maelstrom of power. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, silencing the crowd. 

As the dust and water began to settle, the battlefield remained eerily still. Steam hissed and rose in thick, curling plumes, obscuring the centre of the arena. The boy staggered, his chest heaving as he leaned on his sword for support. His triumphant smirk faltered as the silence stretched on, uneasy murmurs spreading through the audience.