Clash of the Tides
1178 Words
The first rays of sunlight painted the Ocean Tide Pack in shades of gold and blue.
The palace training grounds were already alive.
Young warriors sparred across circular arenas built over flowing water. Others practiced archery while healers stood nearby, ready to treat injuries. Every movement was disciplined, every strike controlled.
Astera walked quietly through the training grounds in her new identity as Ariana Tidewell.
The tiny dragon peeked out from inside her backpack before climbing onto her shoulder.
Astera gently tapped its nose.
"You stay out of trouble."
The little creature made a soft chirping sound before curling around her neck like a fluffy scarf.
As she stepped into the largest arena, dozens of young warriors turned toward her.
"So that's Ariana..."
"The Alpha's special guest."
"I heard she's joining the Royal Alpha University."
"She'll represent our pack in the Moon Challenge."
Curious eyes followed her from every direction.
Some looked welcoming.
Others carried doubt.
Nerina walked into the arena a few moments later.
She wore the official Ocean Tide combat uniform, her long ocean-blue hair tied into a high ponytail. A silver trident emblem gleamed on her shoulder, marking her as the Alpha's daughter.
She smiled confidently when she saw Astera.
"You actually came."
Astera met her gaze.
"I said I would."
Nerina twirled a practice sword in her hand.
"Good."
"I don't enjoy waiting."
Commander Orion stepped into the center of the arena.
"The rules are simple."
"This is a friendly spar."
"No killing intent."
"No shifting."
"No elemental powers."
"No outside interference."
He looked at both young women.
"Victory is achieved when your opponent can no longer continue."
The surrounding trainees quickly gathered around the arena.
Even Alpha [Uncle's Name] arrived, quietly taking his place among the instructors.
Everyone wanted to see what the Alpha's mysterious guest could do.
Orion raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Without hesitation, Nerina charged.
She was incredibly fast.
Her sword flashed like flowing water as it cut through the air.
Clang!
Astera barely blocked the first strike.
The impact sent a sharp vibration through her arms.
Before she could recover—
A second attack came.
Then a third.
Nerina's movements were graceful, almost like a dance.
She never stayed in one place for more than a heartbeat.
The Ocean Tide fighting style relied on speed, balance, and precision rather than brute force.
Astera stepped backward again and again.
She wasn't afraid.
She was studying.
Watching.
Learning.
Every movement had a pattern.
Every attack flowed naturally into the next.
Nerina smiled.
"You're only defending."
Astera didn't answer.
She continued observing.
The crowd began whispering.
"I expected more."
"She's completely overwhelmed."
"Maybe the Alpha overestimated her."
Only Commander Orion remained silent.
He knew exactly what Astera was doing.
She wasn't losing.
She was collecting information.
Nerina attacked again.
This time Astera sidestepped at the last moment.
For the first time...
Their blades didn't meet.
Nerina's eyes widened slightly.
"Interesting."
Astera finally spoke.
"You always shift your weight to your left foot before attacking from the right."
Nerina blinked.
"You noticed?"
Astera gave no reply.
The next exchange began.
Nerina attacked.
Astera predicted the strike.
Blocked.
Countered.
Their wooden swords collided repeatedly.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
The spectators fell silent.
The girl who had been struggling only moments earlier was now matching Nerina's rhythm.
Commander Orion smiled to himself.
She's adapting...
Faster than I expected.
Nerina's competitive spirit awakened.
Her smile disappeared.
She increased her speed.
The arena echoed with the sound of rapid strikes.
Astera ducked beneath one swing.
Turned.
Blocked another.
Jumped backward as a powerful s***h narrowly missed her shoulder.
Her inventor's mind analyzed everything.
Distance.
Timing.
Momentum.
Angles.
She wasn't fighting with instinct.
She was fighting with calculation.
Nerina suddenly spun and aimed a strike toward Astera's side.
Astera activated the smallest function of her bracelet.
A thin metal plate unfolded just enough to redirect the sword.
The movement was so quick that almost no one noticed.
Almost.
Alpha [Uncle's Name] saw it.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
She truly is her mother's daughter...
Nerina continued attacking relentlessly.
Finally—
She found an opening.
Her practice sword struck Astera's shoulder.
The impact knocked Astera off balance.
She rolled across the arena before quickly standing again.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"She lost."
"It's over."
But Astera calmly brushed the dust from her sleeve.
"I can continue."
Nerina lowered her sword.
"You don't give up easily."
"No."
"I don't."
The two faced each other once more.
This time...
Astera attacked first.
The sudden change surprised everyone.
She used quick footwork mixed with unexpected movements that didn't resemble any wolf combat style.
She combined martial arts, engineering logic, and battlefield improvisation into one fluid style.
Nerina laughed as she defended.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"I made it."
Astera answered simply.
Nerina blinked.
"You... created your own fighting style?"
"It works for me."
The duel intensified.
Both young women pushed each other harder.
Neither wanted to lose.
One relied on years of royal combat training.
The other relied on intelligence, adaptation, and relentless determination.
Minutes passed.
Sweat covered both of them.
Their breathing became heavier.
Finally—
Their swords collided one last time.
Crack!
Both wooden blades broke in half.
Silence filled the arena.
Commander Orion stepped forward.
"Enough."
"The match is over."
Neither girl had truly won.
Neither had truly lost.
The spectators erupted into excited conversations.
"They're evenly matched!"
"I've never seen Lady Nerina pushed like that."
"Who exactly is Ariana Tidewell?"
Nerina looked at Astera before smiling broadly.
"I like you."
Astera raised an eyebrow.
"Most people don't."
Nerina laughed.
"Then they're fools."
She extended her hand.
"Let's settle this properly during the Moon Challenge."
Astera looked at the offered hand.
For a brief second...
A childhood memory surfaced.
A little girl promising to protect her forever.
The memory disappeared as quickly as it came.
Slowly...
Astera accepted the handshake.
"I'll be waiting."
Nerina grinned.
"Good."
"You'd better keep getting stronger."
"Because I don't intend to lose."
As everyone began leaving the arena, Alpha [Uncle's Name] remained standing with Commander Orion.
Orion folded his arms.
"She's improving much faster than expected."
The Alpha nodded.
"She's fighting without the one thing every wolf depends on."
"And yet..."
"She's already standing beside the strongest young warriors."
Orion looked toward Astera.
"What happens after her wolf is freed?"
The Alpha watched his niece walking away with the tiny dragon perched proudly on her shoulder.
His expression turned thoughtful.
"I don't think..."
"...the Wolf Realm is ready for that answer."
High above the palace, hidden among drifting clouds, an unseen pair of silver-white eyes watched the training arena from afar.
A faint voice echoed through the wind.
"The prophecy is moving faster than expected."
"And the Four Packs still have no idea what is coming."
The wind carried the whisper away.
Far below, Astera looked toward the distant horizon where the Royal Alpha University awaited.
Today had only been a spar.
Soon...
She would face the heirs of every great pack.
And before long...
The Moon Challenge would begin.
- Writer
