Chapter 8: Clash of Titans — Tae vs Ryume
The stadium buzzed with anticipation. The crowd's roar reached a deafening pitch as the next match was announced — Tae Tsukasa versus Ryume Tsume. Both were formidable fighters, each with unique eye powers and combat prowess. This was no ordinary match. This was a battle between two heavyweights destined to face the victor Kaito in the tournament's climax.
Tae's icy stare cut through the air as he stepped onto the arena floor. His eyes flickered — green, blue, orange, and the rare Ice Eye, a power thought extinct until now. He exuded calm confidence, but beneath that cold exterior simmered a fury that had been building ever since his childhood.
Ryume followed, his green eyes blazing with raw physical strength and sharp instincts. He was muscular and agile, his movements fluid yet packed with force. He held a quiet smirk — knowing that he had just taken down Akia, a top-tier clone user, and was ready to prove his dominance again.
The referee raised his hand.
"Fight!"
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Ryume wasted no time. He surged forward with the speed of a striking cobra, fists blazing green with enhanced speed and power. Tae's eyes flashed ice-blue in response, and the temperature around him dropped dramatically. Frost curled up the arena floor, making the air sharp and biting.
Ryume's first punch was swift, but Tae sidestepped, leaving a trail of frost where he moved. Tae countered with a blast of ice from his Ice Eye, a chilling wave that crackled through the air like shards of glass. Ryume barely dodged, the shards grazing his arm and drawing a thin line of frostbite.
"Not bad," Ryume grunted, wiping the cold away. "You really do have the Ice Eye."
Tae's lips twitched in a rare smile. "It's the last of its kind."
They circled each other, energy crackling between them. Ryume's muscles tensed, then suddenly exploded forward with a barrage of punches and kicks. His green eyes glowed, increasing his physical attributes beyond normal human limits.
Tae raised his hands, summoning his orange-eyed clone power. Five clones appeared, mirroring his movements perfectly.
Ryume's eyes widened. "Clones? You're pulling out all the stops."
The clones spread out, attempting to flank Ryume from every direction. But Ryume's green eyes detected even the slightest shift in air pressure and body movement. With a shout, he launched into the air, flipping over the clones and slamming down onto Tae's original body.
Tae anticipated this. His ice powers erupted like a volcanic blast, freezing the ground beneath Ryume's feet mid-air. Ryume crashed down but rolled immediately, breaking the fall.
The crowd gasped.
---
"Your strength's impressive," Tae said, voice low and steady. "But strength alone won't win."
Ryume's smirk faded. "Then let's see what else you've got."
Ryume charged, faster than before. He closed the distance in seconds and grappled Tae in a fierce hold, trying to squeeze the air from his lungs. Tae's eyes glowed a fierce red-orange as he summoned the strength to break free, shoving Ryume off.
Suddenly, Tae's Ice Eye flared, and shards of ice formed into sharp spears, launching toward Ryume like deadly arrows.
Ryume grunted and raised his arms, telekinetically deflecting the spears with a shimmering green shield.
Tae dashed forward, his clone army doubling to ten. They swarmed Ryume, attacking from all angles. Ryume unleashed a shockwave punch that shattered the clones into mist.
The arena shook.
---
Both fighters stepped back, breathing hard.
"This is it," Ryume said. "Final round."
Tae's eyes narrowed. "Bring it."
The ground beneath them cracked as they charged simultaneously. Ryume's fists glowed with power, Tae's eyes burned with icy determination.
Their collision was like thunder — a massive shockwave that rippled through the arena, sending spectators flying.
Ryume landed a heavy punch on Tae's ribs, but Tae responded with a blizzard of ice shards stabbing at Ryume's face and arms.
Ryume gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of frostbite but pushing forward.
In a sudden move, Tae vanished, reappearing behind Ryume. With a roar, he summoned a massive spear of ice, aiming for Ryume's back.
Ryume twisted, grabbing the spear with one hand, smashing it against the ground. The ice exploded into shards.
Tae smiled coldly. "You're strong. But I'm stronger."
With a final surge, Tae's eyes flashed every color — green, blue, orange, and red-orange — his full power awakened.
He unleashed a crushing blow infused with ice, strength, and clones. Ryume tried to defend but was overwhelmed.
The last thing Ryume saw was Tae's blazing eyes before crashing to the ground, defeated.
---
The crowd fell silent. Then erupted into cheers.
Tae stood tall, breathing heavily, but victorious.
---
Backstage, Kaito watched the match on a screen. His gaze hardened.
"Tae… I'm coming for you," he muttered.
The final battle was set.