The roots of the World Tree twisted through the arena like divine veins, pulsing faintly with ethereal light. Deep in the heart of Gurren, beneath the shimmering boughs of the ancient tree, the World Tree Arena stood as a sacred site—where the chosen trained not just their strength, but their will.
Vaelion stood shirtless in the center of the stone arena, wrapped in bandages from neck to waist. Sunlight filtered through the giant canopy above, and the chants of distant monks echoed faintly like forgotten prayers.
Lunaria's voice rang across the sparring circle. "No daggers. No Spell Gift. You're learning to survive when everything is taken from you—except instinct and resolve."
Kurumi stretched lazily on a branch above the ring, her legs swaying. "I give him five seconds before he gets knocked into next week."
Mai leaned against the base of the tree, jotting notes. "Three seconds if Miora goes full tomboy mode."
And speaking of her—
Miora walked into the ring with zero grace and maximum confidence. Combat boots, black sleeveless top, a white jacket tied around her waist, and silver hair tied in a double braid that whipped behind her like sharp blades. Her violet eyes gleamed with mischief—and intent to destroy.
"Alright, dagger boy," she cracked her knuckles. "Time to see what all that talk about 'Divine Scar' actually means."
Vaelion raised a hand. "This is still sparring, right? As in, non-lethal?"
She grinned. "I'll try."
The gong echoed.
In an instant, Miora blurred forward. Her foot slammed into the stone where Vaelion had stood a breath earlier. He twisted behind her with "Echo Mind" flashing, predicting her elbow—but not the feint that followed.
"Too slow."
She spun, catching his arm and slamming him into the ground. He grunted, rolled, and kicked off the wall, darting back to his feet. Sweat poured down his temple.
Miora charged again—this time aiming for his midsection.
He side-stepped—
She slipped on a loose stone—
And then it happened.
Their lips met.
It was accidental. A fluke. A celestial misalignment of fate.
Time froze.
Even the World Tree's light seemed to pause.
Kurumi choked on her tea above. "Wait, did he just—"
Mai blinked. "That wasn't in my script."
Miora's brain short-circuited. Her face turned volcanic.
"I'm sorry!" Vaelion yelled, backing away. "It was—!"
BOOM!
A punch faster than thunder, charged by her Skill Gift, slammed him straight into the stone wall.
Then another.
Then a spinning kick that sent him flying through the wooden barrier of the outer ring, crashing into the sacred bath barrels behind the arena.
Steam rose. His dignity did not.
Miora stomped out, fists still clenched. "Next time, dodge with your damn face!"
Kurumi wiped a tear. "That's the best fight I've ever seen."
Mai giggled, drawing a heart in her notes labeled: Miora + Vaelion accidental kiss arc – Potential?
Lunaria sighed. "Idiots. All of them."
From the rubble, Vaelion groaned, "...still counts as training... right?"
To be continued...