Moments before the two fighters set foot in the arena—
In the stands, where what remained of Group Twelve was still gathered, they were discussing among themselves who would fight next now that the match between Nuke and Vitel had ended.
00:00:28:56
So… who should go next? — Richard asked, his face serious, though his tension was still visible.
A brief silence fell over them. Each seemed lost in their own thoughts.
I don't care about the order anymore. If Lira and I agree, we can go right now. — Kilay.
I don't know… I don't think I'm ready yet. — Lira.
Kilay simply nodded, accepting her decision.
Maybe it's our turn—mine and Richard's.
Let's just fight and get it over with. — Neale.
If y-you think so… th-then no problem. — Richard.
None of you are going this time. — Luan said, his tone almost calm, but still firm. — I'm done putting this off. It'll be me and my sister.
Fine by me. — Kilay.
Wait, Luan… are you sure? Don't you want to switch with one of us? You don't have to force yourself to fight your sister. — Lira.
I'm sure. I wouldn't be able to stay up here watching any of you throw even a single punch at my sister. I'd probably jump into the arena… and she'd do the same. That's exactly why we should settle this as a family—with our own fists. — Luan finished, and Luna stood up beside him.
Lira tried to think of something—anything—that might change their minds, but nothing came.
The others didn't interfere.
Ready, Luna? — Luan.
If my little brother is ready, then so am I. — Luna.
The twin siblings prepared themselves, stepped down from the stands, and walked toward the gate leading into the arena.
This time, it wasn't Kilay or the rest of Group Twelve who informed the instructor of their decision—
It was Neale.
At the exact moment the instructor's clock read:
00:00:11:09
Now the two siblings stood before the arena gate.
Facing the guards.
If you're carrying any kind of weapon, leave it in these chests. — Guard 1.
Neither of us uses weapons. — Luna.
Are you sure? If you're caught using any, you'll both be eliminated. — Guard 2.
Yes. — Luan.
Very well. — Guard 1.
The guards opened the gate.
The siblings stepped inside.
"Right now…" — Luan
"My goal here…" — Luna
"…is to protect…" — Luan
"…my brother." — Luna
"…my sister." — Luan
"I can't win." — Luna
"I can't win." — Luan
They walked onto the arena floor as if it were just another ordinary day, approaching the instructor.
State your names clearly and loudly. — Instructor.
Luan.
Luna.
Very well. At my signal, you may begin. — The instructor stepped back to his position.
He raised his right hand, the large ring on his finger catching attention. The drums and trumpet fell silent.
Begin! — Instructor.
In a single, lightning-fast motion, both siblings took their fighting stances, immediately capturing the attention of the entire audience.
Even that simple movement made everyone expect a great fight.
Luan initiated with a strike aimed at his sister—
But without real intent to hit her.
As Luna was about to be struck, she defended herself, but not before stepping into the attack, just before Luan could reduce its force.
As she blocked, she countered, throwing a strike toward her brother's face.
After both felt the impact, they stepped back.
Why did you step into my attack like that? You could've dodged it. — Luna.
I could ask you the same thing, sis. — Luan.
"We thought the same thing…" — Luna
"Sorry… but I won't…" — Luan
"…let you lose." — Luna
Luan quickly repositioned, returning to his stance and launching another attack, combining it with a circular leg motion as he spun using both hands for support.
Luna stepped into the strike again, blocking with her forearm and countering his legs, forcing his body to spin further until he landed on his feet, now slightly to her left, leaving her right side more open.
She used that space to rotate and deliver a lateral spinning kick at his torso.
Luan dodged by leaning his upper body backward, bending his knees and stopping himself before his back touched the ground.
As soon as his hands hit the arena floor, he launched his lower body upward, attempting two consecutive kicks toward her torso or jaw, using the motion to stand back up.
Luna dodged by reflex.
"Damn… reflex…" — Luan
"I dodged…" — Luna
"…without even thinking." — Luan
In the elite stands—
The four Houses watched the twins with clear interest.
Especially Kássia D. Apolodoro.
I found it… looks like I finally found what the House of Cleopatra has been looking for. — Kássia said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Indeed, their fighting style seems exactly like something expected from your House. — Igor Xen Don Crates.
To me, it looks more like a dance than a fight. What stands out are the movements, not the strikes. — Vastos S. Agiades.
Of course you'd see it that way. This is clearly an elegant fight full of refined movements. — Matteo F. Mouro.
A fight should look like a fight. — Vastos replied, biting harshly into an apple.
For a brief moment, Igor activated his Righteous Wrath through his eyes, a pale blue energy flickering like countless tiny particles.
He noticed something—
The siblings were always reducing the force and speed of their blows just before hitting each other.
"For now… I'll just observe." — Igor thought.
Back in the arena—
The twins now fought more with their hands, focusing more on defense than offense.
Luna targeted openings with precise strikes, always slowing them before impact.
Luan defended using elbows and open-hand redirects, striking back with the backs of his hands.
Luan, straighten your foot. Your weight is too far back… balance first.
Luna, rotate your hips more. Let the movement flow—don't block it.
They both froze.
They recognized that voice.
"Master…?" — Luan
"Master…?" — Luna
As Luan instinctively adjusted his stance—
He struck his sister's jaw with full force.
At the same moment, Luna, fully releasing her movement—
Landed a powerful blow on his chin.
Both hits connected simultaneously.
They dropped to their knees, dizzy.
Now that's more like it… my students.