The energy battlefield created by Raven emitted a bluish light, encaging the two combatants inside. All eyes were fixed on Marcus and Zero. Even the demon guards in the distance seemed to halt their patrols to watch.
"Begin!" Raven announced in a flat tone.
Marcus didn't waste any time. He shot forward like an arrow, the ground cracking under his step instantly. His first fist shot straight towards Zero's head at a nearly invisible speed.
WHOOSH!
Zero tilted his head to the side, dodging Marcus's punch by a narrow margin. The wind from the blow hit his face like a knife.
"You're fast," Marcus muttered, a small smile appearing on his face.
Zero ignored Marcus's comment. His eyes remained focused, his body poised for the next attack. He closed the distance, his hand swiftly and precisely deflecting a follow-up elbow strike from Marcus aimed at his solar plexus, then countered with a low kick to Marcus's knee.
CRACK!
A loud sound echoed, but Marcus didn't even flinch. Zero's leg felt like it had kicked solid steel.
"My body has endured thousands of battles," Marcus growled, his hand snapping out to grab Zero's arm. "You'll have to try harder than that!"
He threw Zero into the air like a toy.
But mid-air, Zero twisted his body, landing perfectly. Dust flew up around his feet.
"Ooooh!" shouted the watching soldiers and some of the other fighters in unison.
Celestia bit her lip hard, her hands clenched tightly in anxiety. Raven remained silent, his eyes following every movement with sharp intensity.
Marcus began his assault again. This time, he unleashed a rapid combo: right-left-right, each aimed at a vital point—chin, solar plexus, and ribs.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Zero blocked the first two punches, but the third one hit his ribs. CRUNCH! The sound of cracking bone echoed.
He staggered but didn't fall. His breath hitched, but his eyes remained sharp.
"You're still standing?" Marcus asked, slightly impressed.
"It's still early," Zero retorted, spitting out blood.
He leaped forward, this time with a wilder onslaught. Spinning kicks, elbow strikes, even a headbutt—all executed with deadly precision.
Marcus was forced back, blocking the barrage with his arms and hands. THUD! THUD! THUD! Each impact sounded like a sledgehammer hitting stone.
"He's forcing Marcus back?!" shouted the Iron Knight, disbelief in his voice.
"Who exactly is this Zero?" whispered the Water Master.
Suddenly, Marcus changed tactics. He stopped blocking and started accepting Zero's blows—returning them with even harder punches of his own.
SMACK!
Marcus's fist hit Zero's shoulder, spinning him around.
CRUSH!
As he tried to regain his balance, Zero retaliated with a punch to Marcus's stomach, making him double over.
They began trading blows, abandoning defense altogether. The impacts were like deafening war drums, echoing with immense intensity. The sound made the spectators hold their breath, mesmerized by the increasingly fierce battle.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Blood splattered on the ground. Sweat mixed with dust, coating their bodies in grime. But neither of them backed down, their fighting spirit and strength still burning fiercely.
"They're like two monsters trying to destroy each other!" exclaimed the Forest Guardian, awestruck.
Zenless watched with a sharp gaze, a faint smile never leaving his lips. "This is even better than I imagined."
After nearly half an hour of fighting, their speed began to slow. Their breaths became ragged. The wounds covering their bodies multiplied.
Marcus had a swollen eye and a split lip from unavoidable hits. Meanwhile, Zero was limping, one hand holding his ribs which looked bruised and likely cracked, suppressing the pain.
They paused for a moment, staring at each other with a newfound respect.
"You... are strong," Marcus said, drawing a deep breath.
"You too," Zero replied, his voice hoarse.
They stood a few meters apart, their bodies swaying but their spirits unbroken.
"Continue?" Marcus asked.
Zero considered it, regulating his breath. "Continue."
But before they could resume, Raven raised his hand.
"Enough," he said. "You have both proven your strength and endurance. There's no need for anyone to be knocked out or more severely injured."
Marcus and Zero both sighed in relief, though neither would admit it.
"So... who won?" asked the Keen Observer.
Raven looked at Zenless, who then stepped forward.
"Victory was not the goal today," Zenless said. "What's important is that Zero has proven himself worthy of guarding any gate we choose."
He turned to Celestia. "You may take him to the third gate."
Celestia broke into a wide smile, then ran towards Zero—who was now sitting on the ground, exhausted.
"You were amazing!" she said, her eyes shining.
Zero just nodded weakly, still trying to catch his ragged breath.
Marcus approached Zero and offered a hand. "Welcome to the Nexus."
Zero accepted the handshake, and Marcus pulled him to his feet.
The two fighters looked at each other, no longer as enemies, but as comrades with mutual respect.
The battle may have ended, but something new had just begun.
=== CHAPTER 30 END ===