The Phoenix's Nest buzzed with an electric energy that seemed to seep into the very walls, making the air almost crackle with anticipation.

  Despite the late hour, the place was packed with a motley crowd of spectators, each more animated than the next. Eyes were glued to the large screen dominating one side of the room, the focal point of tonight's gathering.

  The Olympus Summit was in full swing, and tonight's match had the entire room on edge, every conversation punctuated with nervous excitement and speculative murmurs.

  Ellis sat at a corner table, still reeling from his encounter with Valen and the strange new power he had unleashed. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear, the memory of that power coursing through his veins still vivid and unsettling.

  He tried to focus on the match, hoping the distraction would calm his racing thoughts. Carmila sat across from him, her gaze flickering between the screen and Ellis, concern etched in her features. She could see the turmoil in his eyes, the way his fingers drummed restlessly on the table, and it worried her.

  The screen showed a grand stadium, filled with thousands of spectators. The atmosphere was electric, a palpable tension in the air as the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, introducing the two contestants for the next bout.

  "In the red corner, representing Hungary, the master of sanguine sorcery—The Count!" The camera panned to a tall, gaunt figure clad in dark, flowing robes. His skin was pallid, almost translucent, and his eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light.

  The Count raised his arms, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, a wave of sound that seemed to wash over the entire stadium. The anticipation was almost tangible, a living, breathing entity that fed off the energy of the spectators.

  "And in the blue corner, representing Switzerland, the indomitable defender—The Amethyst!" The camera shifted to a shorter, stockier figure dressed in gleaming silver armor adorned with intricate amethyst gemstones. The Amethyst stood confidently, seven ethereal shields hovering in a circle around him, each a different color of the rainbow.

  The contrast between the two combatants was stark, a visual representation of light versus darkness, defense versus attack.

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  Ellis leaned forward, intrigued. He had heard of The Amethyst's legendary defense and The Count's formidable control over blood, but seeing them in action was something else entirely.

  The screen's high-definition clarity made every detail pop, from the intricate designs on The Amethyst's armor to the eerie glow of The Count's eyes.

  The match began with a deafening roar from the crowd. The Count wasted no time, summoning a torrent of blood from thin air, shaping it into razor-sharp spears that hurtled toward The Amethyst.

  The Swiss hero responded swiftly, his red shield materializing to intercept the attack. The spears collided with the shield, splattering harmlessly against its surface, the crimson droplets sparkling in the stadium lights before vanishing.

  But The Count was relentless. He manipulated the blood into a massive, swirling vortex, aiming to overwhelm The Amethyst.

  Ellis watched in awe as the Swiss hero deftly cycled through his shields, using the orange, yellow, and green shields in rapid succession to deflect and absorb the brunt of the attack. Each shield seemed to pulse with its own energy, resonating with the force of The Count's assault.

  "He's fast," Ellis murmured, impressed by The Amethyst's agility and strategic use of his shields. The way he moved was almost balletic, each motion fluid and precise, a dance of defense that was both beautiful and deadly.

  Carmila nodded, her eyes never leaving the screen. "The Count's no slouch either. Look how he's adapting, trying to find a weakness in the defense." Her voice was tense, the admiration tinged with anxiety.

  She knew the stakes of the Olympus Summit, how every match was not just a test of skill but a battle of wills.

  The battle raged on, each hero pushing their abilities to the limit. The Count's relentless assault seemed never-ending, but The Amethyst held his ground, using his shields with precision and skill.

  Ellis felt his heart pound in his chest, the intensity of the match mirroring the turmoil within him. Each clash of power on the screen seemed to echo the conflict in his soul, the struggle to understand and control the new force within him.

  Finally, The Count unleashed a desperate, all-out attack. He summoned a massive wave of blood, forming it into a colossal hammer that he brought crashing down on The Amethyst. The Swiss hero's violet shield, the densest and strongest, materialized just in time to absorb the impact. The shield cracked but held firm, and as the hammer dissipated, The Count staggered, visibly exhausted. The effort had taken its toll, his earlier confidence now replaced with a grim determination.

  The Amethyst seized the opportunity. He summoned all seven shields, sending them hurtling toward The Count in a coordinated barrage. The red shield struck first, quickly followed by the others in a dazzling display of color and power.

  The Count tried to summon a defense, but his strength was spent. The shields broke through, and with a final, decisive blow from the violet shield, The Count was sent sprawling to the ground, unconscious.

  The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and gasps. The announcer's voice boomed, "And the winner is... The Amethyst!"

  The Phoenix's Nest exploded with applause and shouts of excitement. Ellis found himself swept up in the energy, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten. He glanced at Carmila, who was clapping enthusiastically.

  For a moment, everything felt normal, like they were just two friends enjoying a night they’ll never forget. The tension between them eased, replaced by a shared exhilaration, a brief respite from the uncertainties of the future.

  The match had been a spectacle, a reminder of the power of determination and resilience, themes that resonated deeply with Ellis in that moment.