The silence of the arena chilled Ophelia’s blood. Time was anchored in place as an enormous almost inhuman wall of muscles and armor jumped from the waterfall. The Vex shine was muted, and even the slight of the waterfall had bowed to the awesome presence. Pantheon seemed to quake to each step the titan took. "Come out Ophelia!” Shaxx roared. “These Neo Iron Lords couldn’t shed a candles light to Saladin, Jolder, or any of the true Iron Lords. I hope you fare better!” Ophelia was motionless, hiding in plain sight. The thin sheet of water was at best translucent, Shaxx needed only to turn his head. Her eyes widened and her teeth clenched as she watched the monster approach the Vex cube in the center of the arena. Shaxx clenched his fist. Sparks of white lightning erupted from the pressure. Sizzling electrons shot in all directions seeming to melt even the air it. He pulled his arm back, muscles bulging and bending even the armor designed to protect the spongy flesh. Arcs of lightning climbed the titan’s arms culminating into an orb of white light. Faster than she could track, the orb raced down to Shaxx’s fist as he released a devastating strike into the Vex cube. In a flash of lighting and a crash of thunder it disintegrated. “Ophelia I know you can hear me!” Shaxx roared once more. “There are certain rules the Crucible teaches every guardian.” Ophelia let out a long and desperate exhale, her vision blurring and took in quick shallow breaths. “Watch your back, there are time no one else will!” She weakly stood took the assault rifle from its magnetic holster on her back. "Engage and execute ALL targets, show NO mercy!” She looked down taking a step under the waterfall, the clear liquid cooling her body through the armor. “I am the best, guardian, do you think you can match me?” She tossed aside her rifle and took one last deep breath. Exhaling slowly and regaining focus a single question remained, why am I here? She took another step outside the waterfall and stared at the immovable object before her. Seven feet of muscle covered in armor bending to the flesh underneath. No weapons. Shaxx’s helmet had a golden visor shattered at two points at the top, white light bursting from the holes. His thick oak branch arms eternally flexed at the elbow sparked with white lightning. His chest, a thousand-year-old oak trunk, was broad and the plate barely fit over it. His legs were firmly planted in the ground, roots to the massive tree. The air around him seemed to warp, electricity melting apart the bonds holding the space together. Ophelia had her answer and focused her own light. Holding her arm out brilliant, dazzling, white flame encompassed her body. Forging a hammer at the strike of an anvil, beautiful wings of fire erupted and the water flash evaporated into a halo of steam. “Honor is earned not given, SO COME EARN IT!” Shaxx readied himself, a grin so obvious it was visible through his helmet. Ophelia charged her flames burning to ash everything they touched. When fire and lightning collided an energy bubble burst so powerful it ruptured the arena floor and tore a chunk of roof asunder. Rubble fell around them but was instantly disintegrated, it didn’t touch the ground. Shaxx moved first, wrapping his arms around Ophelia, arching his back and slamming her face first into the ground. Picking her up by the heels, he swung her around and into a pillar. She melted the stone through and through. She spat blood onto her visor and shook off the impending black out. Rage fueled her motions as she stood. Straining every muscle to the point of tearing she lobbed her hammer at Shaxx. The light forged instrument bellowed through the air but was knocked aside by monstrous power. He clenched his fists, flexing every muscle in his body. Leaping into the air he hovered for no more than a second before rocketing toward Ophelia. She dove out of the way debris peppering her from the pillar of white lighting that tore the rock asunder. Ophelia countered jumping at the recovering titan. She raised her hammer over her head crying out as the hammer glowed brighter. It cast a harsh piercing light below. Crashing it down, Shaxx caught it. The hammer smoldered and sparks flew as the temperatures collided in epic fashion. She pressed with every ounce of strength she had, determination and will fueling her adrenal system. Her fiery wings spread engulfing the foliage ten meters away in burning light. His might was supreme, yet evenly matched. Sparks from the hammer and fists were flaring in every direction. Screams and hisses of the light rang in their ears. The burning white light fuming from Shaxx’s helmet grew with intensity as he pushed up with as much might as he could muster. A grin visible through his visor creased his lips as his body invigorated itself. Beads of sweat poured from every pore in his body, the pure intensity of Ophelia’s fire overwhelming the cooling system of his armor. His heart pounded and his breathing was erratic. Slowly he pushed back, inching Ophelia off him. The hammer burned brighter, white light going from harsh to oppressive. Ophelia had to give way inch by inch. She panted as the constant vibrations of the electric light shocked her to the bone. Her hands were numb and the harder she bit her lip the more iron she tasted. She forced and strained muscles she did not even know she had as Shaxx gained a knee. Then it was two, until they stood. The hammer shrieked as it shattered. The slight stumble forward was too quick of an opening to be taken advantage of and Ophelia was able to regain a foothold. Their hands met, interlocking fingers, another standoff. He stood head and shoulders above her, staring down at his adversary. She met his gaze with a stone cold, blood chilling glare. I’m going to win no matter what, she thought. She cried out buckling her knees. I need to beat him, she thought. For breaking my record. Shaxx stumbled and she pushed up lifting the mountain of meat over her shoulders. She arched back and slammed him into the ground this time. Taking him by the ankles she swung him over her head and slammed into the ground again and again. One final time Ophelia smashed her adversary into the ground. Shaxx spat blood into his cracked visor coughing the last breath from his lungs. Breathing was beyond difficult. Summoning another hammer, she focused all her remaining light into the instrument. Blinding cruel fire filled the air as she swung down mid trunk into Shaxx. He laughed as his body disintegrated, the ground beneath him ashen and molten glass. “I. Win.” Ophelia panted as the light around her faded. Her fiery wings fluttered off into the sky and she collapsed to her knees. “I win.” She said again.