"So it begins," Tengen smirked.
He threw the giant red star at Techxin.
Techxin smirked back as he dodged just in time.
The star exploded behind him, sending out a shockwave that rattled the arena.
Techxin was unfazed.
In an instant, he dashed forward, closing the distance between them in two heartbeats.
A fist flew at Tengen.
He barely managed to block with both arms, revealing red bandages on his left arm and purple bandages on his right arm.
Both bandages tightened around each arm as he flexed to minimize the incoming damage.
But despite his defense, the force still managed to push him back a good few feet away.
Tengen looked up, only to find Techxin's handsome face right in front of him.
He had closed the distance again.
"He's light on his feet," Tengen noted from the ease with which Techxin moved through the wind.
"With such speed, this will be difficult due to the fact that I won't be able to react as soon as I would like, but this is nothing that I can't handle," Tengen thought.
Techxin's fists rained down on Tengen, forcing him onto the defensive.
Each fist carried a significant amount of weight to it as it forced Tengen to skid back a few feet each time.
It wouldn't have been a problem for Tengen if these hits were just fast.
If that were the case, he would have taken them head-on; he was pretty durable.
But unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
One of the reasons Tengen blocked in the first place was to gauge the strength of Techxin's punches.
And they were nothing to be played with.
"The first punch was fine, but my gods, they pack enough of a punch that it's becoming unbearable at the speed that he's punching me," Tengen thought as he gritted his teeth through the cocky smirk.
Relentless.
That was the only word to describe it.
Each hit sent tremors through the arena, and before long, Tengen's back slammed into the wall.
"Got ya," Techxin grinned.
"Fuck," Tengen thought.
His fists blurred, moving even faster.
"Faster? Are you serious?" Tengen chuckled.
The wall behind him cracked under the sheer force of the barrage, forming a pattern of destruction.
As his fists became blurs, they began a dance—a dance that could only lead to a path of devastation.
"Okay, fine. You forced my hand already, Bloodheart. I was expecting at least a little bit more of a brawl before we got into the real fight," Tengen muttered.
Tengen, while he blocked, spread open his left hand.
Then he closed it back into a fist.
Techxin's body was suddenly launched backward, as if an invisible force had struck him, sending him crashing into the opposite side of the arena.
Techxin grunted as he pulled himself out of the crater in the wall.
"What was that?"
Tengen simply shrugged.
"That's something you don't need to know about. So, how about a little chit-chat while we battle? You're a warrior, right?"
Techxin smiled.
"Well, of course I am. Have you not heard of my tales? I'm quite famous."
"Oh, trust me, I have," Tengen said.
Without wasting time, Tengen summoned millions of small stars in his hand and scattered them throughout the arena like marbles that floated like planets.
Techxin's smirk widened.
Tengen shrugged.
"Just for safety."
"That isn't going to save nothing," Techxin chuckled darkly.
"I would beg to differ," Tengen smirked.
"Alright then, if you say so," Techxin laughed.
Instead of backing away, he rushed forward, weaving through the stars at inhuman speeds. His figure danced like a phantom, his motions becoming just as blurry as his fists once were.
Tengen stepped back in confusion.
"Each star was supposed to detonate the moment he passed them, but he's too fast—not a single one seems to have touched him."
Tengen's eyes narrowed.
"Alright, I see. I guess you were right, but I have a question for you."
In his right hand, he formed a single star, smaller than the others but far brighter.
He closed his left fist around it.
Tengen then watched Techxin for a second and caught on to the pattern.
He was still avoiding the stars.
That meant there was a pattern he was following, so if Tengen adjusted the stars, he could force him into a predictable pattern.
So Tengen did so with a flick of his wrist.
He then easily predicted where Techxin would dodge next.
But he still couldn't react fast enough.
Techxin appeared right by him as he whispered, "And what is that question?"
Tengen smirked at his brilliant idea as he whispered back, "It involves that brother of yours—Maxi."
Techxin was stunned for a second.
And that second was all Tengen needed.
The glowing red fist slammed into Techxin's stomach, sending him skidding back.
But the force abruptly stopped, causing Techxin to suddenly stop moving backward completely.
The sudden loss of the force that was sending him across the arena made it hard for Techxin to regain his balance quickly.
Tengen smirked as he took advantage of the moment.
The same force that had abruptly stopped suddenly came back to finish its unfinished course.
As Techxin was pushed back, he found himself helpless, unable to do much of anything to resist it.
Due to the fact that he still hadn't gotten his footing, it was nearly impossible for him to resist in any capacity.
BOOM.
The millions of stars exploded at once.
A massive smoke cloud filled the arena, obscuring and hiding Techxin from view.
But he wasn't fully hidden, as a red star shone, revealing his location.
It was the red star that Tengen was holding in his right fist; it was now on Techxin, acting like a target and a marker.
"Sorry for my little cheap trick. Any means necessary, am I right?" Tengen said with a sinister grin.
With his eyes locked onto his target, Tengen then raised his right hand to the sky.
Millions of red stars started appearing up in the air above him.
With one commanding flick of his wrist, all the red stars started to align.
They were first spread out, separate.
Then they slowly became unanimous.
Each one clicking into place, like a piece in a great puzzle.
As they all started to become something greater.
Each one of them on their own.
Something they could only wish to be while separate and alone.
But also something they couldn't help but be when they were together.
They formed a universe.
He dropped his right hand and pointed to the stars with his left hand, then started swirling his finger in the air.
The red-star universe spun, its movements mimicking the cosmos itself. A gravitational pull formed within it, affecting everything around them.
Tengen waited for the dust to settle, just so he could see Techxin's face one last time before he slammed his universe into it.
"But no, my real question doesn't include your brother. Well, it may depend on your answer."
As the smoke cleared, Techxin emerged.
A thin trail of blood dripped down his lip, but he barely seemed to notice.
"Alright then, what's your real question?" Techxin asked, curious.
From the audience, a woman stood up.
With a warm, soft voice, she shouted, "Come on, Techxin! You can do this!" She waved her arms frantically, trying to cheer him on.
Techxin sighed.
"Mama, why do you always have to embarrass me? And in front of my siblings and my opponent too? Really?"
A few of the Bloodheart siblings laughed almost unanimously at Techxin's comment.
Techxin's mother crossed her arms and pouted.
"Shut up and take my encouragement."
Techxin laughed along with his siblings.
"Alright, alright, Mama. Don't you get too angry at me now."
"Too late," she huffed.
Techxin's jaw dropped as he waved his hands frantically in fear and worry.
"Mama, wait, wait, wait—you're not serious, right?"
His mom huffed again.
"What if I am?"
Techxin's expression grew more panicked.
"Okay then, what can I do to make it up to you?"
His mother's pout softened just enough for her to say warmly, "Maybe if you win the fight and stop playing around, maybe I might consider forgiving you."
Techxin nodded rapidly, with his hands pressed together in a pleading gesture.
Tengen raised a brow.
"Mama's boy, huh?"
Techxin whipped his head around to look at Tengen.
The blood from his mouth stopped flowing and grew still. His tone dropped. His eyes glimmered with a faint red light.
"Keep my mother's name out of your mouth… or I might actually have to kill you."
Tengen chuckled.
"Noted."
The king's voice boomed across the arena.
"TWO MINUTES ARE UP!"
Techxin sighed.
"Two minutes already? Well... I guess I'd better follow Mama's words and stop playing around. So you better ask your question quickly."
Then:
"BLESSING AWAKEN."
A red aura burst from Techxin's body.
The blood on his lip rose into the air.
But not just the blood that could be seen—even more.
Pouring from his mouth was a thin river of blood. It slowly started to wrap around itself, like a ball of yarn.
The bigger it got, the more rapidly it wrapped around itself until it finally came to a halt as the blood stopped pouring, and as the ball fully coagulated, it formed a floating crimson sphere.
He grabbed it.
It shaped itself into an axe.
Techxin smirked, spinning the blood-forged weapon in his grip.
Across from him, Tengen nodded.
"Well, didn't your pops tell you? You shouldn't bring a sword—or, in your case, an axe—to a universe fight. But I will give you some grace and stoop down to your level."
He then threw the universe of red stars to the sidelines, forgotten.
Instead, in his own hand, he summoned a red star. Then he closed his fingers around it, reshaping it into a makeshift sword.
In an instant, it ignited, burning with bright crimson flames.
Tengen removed his cloak, revealing his muscular frame and his black shirt, decorated with strange blue writings that read:
"Red Dipper Number 5, Celestial Key, Red, Tengen."
It was written in one of the many forgotten languages Tengen's boss knew.
Luckily, his boss told him what it said; otherwise, he would look like a fool walking around with random writing on his back.
He took a stance, pointing his sword at Techxin.
"This question is quite personal. You might want to get a little bit closer."
"The last time I was close, you pushed me away, which makes me skeptical if you'll do that nonsense again," Techxin said.
"You have my word, a secret organization member's honor," Tengen said as he saluted with his red star blade.
"Alright, but you better keep up your skill. But I ain't going easy on you. Mom gave me a strict order not to, so unfortunately for you, I have to comply," Techxin grinned.
Then they charged at each other at full speed.
BOOM!
Their weapons clashed in the center of the arena, sending a shockwave so powerful that the entire arena shook.
"What is the meaning of this fight?" Tengen asked.
"Whatever do you mean?" Techxin asked.
They pushed apart—then immediately rushed back in.
Another clash.
Another shockwave.
"I mean, what is the point you're trying to prove through this fight?" Tengen said.
To Tengen, every fight had a purpose, like a star in the sky that made the world more beautiful and made the world make sense.
What Tengen was currently asking Techxin was: what is he fighting for?
Techxin grinned.
"Well, you're aggravating. The point I am trying to prove to you is more of a lesson on how to be humble in the presence of those higher than you."
Every sound in the battleground stopped.
As the Prince of Blood spoke.
"I know you fear me; I can feel it radiating off you, but it's being tainted by this overwhelming ego that is your pride."
The ground shook silently as Techxin's grip on his blood axe became firmer and tighter.
"That pride disgusts me. It makes every fiber of my being hate you with a rage you can't comprehend."
The blood axe started to boil as bursts of steam were born from it and fiercely avoided passing through the gaze of the Prince.
"Because that pride is what led to my little brother getting hurt, and I don't like seeing him hurt by anybody but me."
The battleground couldn't hold itself back anymore as it rumbled as loudly as thunder. Stones cracked, and dust fell from the ceiling.
This time, Techxin overpowered Tengen.
Even as his blood axe started to thermally coagulate due to the heat of the makeshift sword, Techxin, having no care in the world but this fight, gave a manic, devilish grin.
"So here's what's going to happen, okay? Because I very well could just kill you right now.
I am just holding back so Maxi has something entertaining to watch.
You are going to use one of your conditions to give Maxi access to the main castle library,
and you are going to give your other condition to him," Techxin said as his blood-red eyes stared Tengen down.
He forced Tengen's sword downward, slamming it against the ground.
Tengen burst out into laughter.
"So this is really about him? How sweet. Sorry, but no thank you. You're going to have to kill me where I stand."
"So you've chosen blood. I respect it, but only because I have chosen it so, so many times myself. But there's a difference.
I had the skill to take blood. Let's see if you have it too," Techxin said with his now-dead blood-red eyes.
Then he spun his axe to make the blade face toward Tengen and slashed across his chest.
Blood gushed.
Techxin followed up with a jump kick to Tengen's chest. He backflipped away and landed a good distance from Tengen.
Tengen stumbled back, clutching his bleeding chest.
But he didn't panic.
"This is so light; he's still holding back. What a grave mistake," Tengen thought.
Raising his right hand, he summoned seven stars—all of them transformed into flaming swords.
Then, with his left hand, he made a downward gesture.
An invisible force pressed down on Techxin, making mobility impossible.
The seven flaming swords struck, attacking in perfect unison, their movements flawless and uninterrupted.
"Look at these beauties—the old seven Consta's. Let's see if you've still got your old touch," Tengen shouted.
As they slashed, gutted, and burned Techxin alive.
Yet—
Techxin laughed.
Not in pain.
Not in fear.
But in excitement.
His eyes shone red as he smiled in crazed excitement.
"BLESSING LOCK IN."
The air thickened, becoming nearly unbreathable.
Tengen held his throat as he coughed.
"What is this?" he chuckled.
Techxin's eyes glowed red.
He stood up as he completely ignored the swords cutting into him.
Tengen's eyes narrowed. He raised his hand and brought it down, making all his swords try to pin Techxin down.
But—
The moment they pierced Techxin's flesh…
Their power disappeared.
The flames vanished.
The weapons crumbled.
"So that's why I stopped using you," Techxin muttered.
The blood from Techxin's wounds flowed into his axe, making it even sharper.
He appeared in front of Tengen.
Tengen felt his bones shiver as soon as his perception was filled with the beautiful figure of Techxin swinging his axe down at him.
Tengen didn't dodge.
He couldn't.
But he did anyway.
Out of pure fear and the instincts his grandpa had built into him to survive,
he managed to dodge.
He barely reacted in time. One heartbeat slower and his head would have been gone.
He summoned a giant shining star, forcing it to explode and push Techxin back.
But Techxin only staggered slightly, allowing him to regain his balance in seconds.
Tengen dashed back to give himself time to breathe.
"Looks like drastic matters require drastic solutions."
He raised his arms.
"So this is my solution."
"BLESSING FULL ENLIGHTEN."
His body shifted.
He grew taller.
Four horns protruded from his head.
His eyes became demonic and bestial.
Two more eyes opened beneath them.
And an arm appeared on his back, near his neck.
It held a small red star that was slowly growing, hanging before his face like an anglerfish's lure.
His veins pulsed—his right arm glowing red, his left black.
The air in the arena balanced.
Then shifted slightly as it became lighter.
"I can't believe you forced me into my last form, but hey, if not now, then when?" Tengen said as his monstrous maw stretched into what could best be described as a grin.
"I call this form-"
" 'CATALYST STALKER.' "