Kaida sat in her small barracks room, staring at the items her mother had given her. The elixir and pill glowed faintly in the dim light, promising strength but warning of the dangers ahead.

Her daggers rested on the table beside her, their blades polished and sharp. She traced a finger along one, her thoughts racing as she tried to prepare herself mentally.

“I’ll succeed,” she whispered, clenching her fists. “I have to.”

Outside, the night was quiet except for the distant murmurs of disciples discussing the upcoming competition. The tension in the air was thick, with everyone eagerly anticipating the events of the next day.

Kaida closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her mind replayed Sho-Nuff’s words, each task more daunting than the last.

Morning of the Trial

The sun had barely risen when Kaida made her way to the courtyard. Chang was already waiting for her, his arms crossed as he watched her approach.

“You’re on time,” he said, his tone neutral. “That’s a good start.”

Kaida nodded, her grip tightening on her daggers. “I’m ready.”

Chang gestured toward the path leading out of the compound. “Your first task is at the Abyss Cliffs. You know what you need to do.”

Kaida didn’t hesitate, turning toward the path. “I’ll bring back the Night Lotus.”

Chang’s gaze followed her as she walked away, his expression unreadable. “Don’t underestimate the cliffs, Kaida,” he called out. “Speed alone won’t save you.”

She didn’t respond, her focus entirely on the journey ahead.

The Competition Begins

Back in the compound, the disciples gathered in the courtyard for the long-awaited competition. Outer Core disciples lined the edges, whispering excitedly as they watched the three contenders step forward.

Chang stood at the center, his presence commanding silence. “Today, we determine who will claim the #10 rank,” he said, his voice firm. “Sakura, Zuko, Jaren—step into the circle.”

The three contestants moved into the center, each one radiating confidence. Sakura’s sharp eyes darted between her opponents, calculating their weaknesses.

Zuko cracked his knuckles, his muscles rippling under his uniform. “Let’s get this over with,” he said, his tone laced with impatience.

Jaren stood quietly, his expression calm but focused. He didn’t say a word, his attention fully on the challenge ahead.

Chang raised his hand, signaling for silence. “This is a free-for-all. The last one standing wins. Begin.”

Sakura moved first, darting toward Zuko with lightning speed. Her strikes were quick and precise, forcing him to go on the defensive.

Zuko growled, swinging a heavy fist that barely missed her. “You’re fast, but speed won’t help if I catch you.”

Jaren used the distraction to attack from behind, his blade slicing toward Zuko’s side. Zuko turned just in time to block, his strength forcing Jaren back.

Sakura grinned, taking advantage of the chaos. She lunged at Jaren, her dagger stopping inches from his throat.

“Yield,” she said, her voice cold.

Jaren smirked, twisting to deflect her blade and counter with his own. The two exchanged a flurry of blows, their movements sharp and controlled.

Meanwhile, Zuko charged, his strength driving both opponents apart. “Enough games,” he growled, swinging his blade in a wide arc.

The fight raged on, each contender pushing themselves to their limits. The crowd watched in awe, their cheers growing louder with every clash of steel.

Kaida’s First Trial

At the Abyss Cliffs, Kaida stood at the edge, staring down at the mist-covered path below. The wind whipped at her hair, carrying the faint growls of spirit beasts from the shadows.

She took a deep breath, gripping her daggers tightly. “No turning back now,” she muttered.

The narrow path was treacherous, the rocks slick with moisture. Each step felt like a gamble as she moved cautiously, her eyes scanning for danger.

A low growl echoed from the mist, freezing her in place. Two glowing eyes appeared ahead, followed by the hulking form of a spirit beast.

Kaida tightened her grip on her blades, her heart pounding. The beast lunged, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision.

She rolled to the side, her movements swift and fluid. Her dagger struck the beast’s side, drawing a roar of pain and anger.

The fight was brutal, the beast’s strength pushing her to her limits. But Kaida’s speed and precision gave her the edge she needed.

With a final strike, she drove her dagger into the beast’s neck. It collapsed with a heavy thud, the mist swallowing its lifeless body.

Kaida exhaled, her chest heaving as she wiped blood from her blade. “One down,” she muttered, her eyes flicking toward the faint glow of the Night Lotus further down the path.

The Competition’s Final Moments

Back at the compound, the competition had reached its climax. Sakura and Zuko stood in the center of the circle, their breaths heavy as they faced each other.

Jaren lay on the ground nearby, his weapon out of reach. He had fought hard, but his strength wasn’t enough to keep him in the fight.

Sakura’s speed kept her ahead, her strikes landing faster than Zuko could block. But Zuko’s strength and endurance allowed him to stay standing, even as her attacks chipped away at his defenses.

“You’re tough,” Sakura said, her voice laced with respect. “But toughness only gets you so far.”

Zuko grinned, swinging his blade in a wide arc. “Let’s see if your speed can save you again.”

Sakura dodged, her movements precise. She darted forward, her blade slicing through the air toward Zuko’s exposed side.

The blow landed, forcing Zuko to drop to one knee. “I yield,” he said, his voice strained.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Sakura stood tall, her victory clear. Chang stepped forward, raising his hand for silence.

“Sakura is the new #10 disciple,” he announced. “Well done.”

Bolo’s Scheme

In the shadows of the compound, Bolo met with Zane and Jace. The three disciples huddled together, their voices low and secretive.

“This is our chance,” Bolo said, his tone sharp. “With Kaida out on her trial, the timing is perfect.”

Zane leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. “What’s your plan?”

Bolo smirked, his eyes gleaming with ambition. “We create chaos. Make her fail. If she stumbles, the #2 spot will be mine.”

Jace chuckled, his grin widening. “I like it. She won’t see it coming.”

The three exchanged knowing looks, their plan solidifying in the quiet.Bolo’s voice cutting through the silence.

“Get ready,” he said, his tone cold. “Her fall starts now.”