— DARNELL AGAINST AYMEN, FROM THE NORTHERN ACADEMY! shouted the commentator with fiery energy.
Aymen stepped into the arena. Medium build, slicked-back black hair, eyes glowing with a sharp blue light. The moment I saw him, I knew exactly what power he wielded: water.
— So, you think you're invincible? he asked, arms crossed.— I don't think it. I know it, replied Darnell coldly.
Without waiting another second, Aymen raised his hand. The ground of the arena shook violently, and water erupted as if an underground sea had just exploded. A massive wave surged forward, towering over Darnell.
— He's gonna get swallowed! I yelled.— No… just watch, Seth answered calmly, arms folded.
Darnell didn't move. He simply snapped his fingers. A blazing wall of fire erupted around him, and the colossal wave vanished instantly, turning into a massive cloud of steam.
The arena was drowned in burning mist. Visibility dropped to zero.
— I can't see anything! I shouted, squinting my eyes.— Neither can he, Komi muttered. But with water, he can hide easily…
Footsteps echoed in the fog. Aymen dashed through the vapor, a liquid sword forming in his hand. He lunged straight at Darnell's back.
— DIE! he roared.
But right before the blade hit, Darnell's body flickered out like a flame snuffed by the wind. He reappeared behind Aymen, his hand pressing firmly onto his shoulder.
— Wrong choice… he whispered.
A burst of scorching heat exploded. Aymen was blasted forward, rolling across the ground. His uniform was burned, his skin seared red, but his eyes still burned with determination.
— You think you got me?! he shouted.
He raised both arms high. Water surged up from the cracks in the arena, rising higher and higher, gathering into a gigantic sphere above his head — like an ocean floating in the sky.
— Oh no… I muttered, jaw dropping.— He's gonna drown the whole arena, Seth said with a deadly serious tone.
Aymen slammed his arms down. The sphere shattered, releasing a rain of water spears. Hundreds of projectiles launched from every angle, all converging on Darnell.
This time, Darnell didn't move. His eyes glowed crimson. He raised one hand to the sky, and an immense flame burst from his body. The heat was so strong that the air itself trembled.
— INCREDIBLE! roared the commentator.
The water evaporated before it could even touch him. But Aymen wasn't done. He spun his arms, gathering what remained of the liquid into two massive water dragons. They roared and charged straight at Darnell.
— Two versus one… I whispered.— Still not enough, Seth smirked.
Darnell spread his arms wide. His flames erupted like an inferno, taking the shape of a blazing phoenix. The phoenix shot forward, clashing against the two dragons in a cataclysmic explosion.
The collision shook the entire stadium. Steam and heat waves ripped through the air, forcing the crowd to scream and cover their faces.
When the smoke finally began to clear, the three beasts were gone. But Darnell was still standing tall, calm and unshaken. Aymen, on the other hand, was kneeling, gasping for breath, his body trembling from exhaustion.
— Not bad… but not enough, Darnell said, walking toward him step by step.
Aymen gritted his teeth and gathered every last drop of water around him, forming a liquid armor over his body. With a desperate roar, he charged at full speed.
Darnell smirked. He lifted two fingers. A pure, searing flame burst forth — sharper, deadlier than anything before. He aimed directly at Aymen.
Their powers collided in one final explosion that lit up the entire arena. The blast was deafening.
When the light faded, Aymen lay sprawled on the ground, drenched and motionless. He couldn't move.
Darnell stood tall, brushing the sweat off his forehead.— Fire always wins against water… he said with a chilling grin.
The commentator screamed into his mic:— LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE WINNER ONCE IS DARNELL!!!
The stadium erupted with cheers and roars.
— This guy… he's unbeatable, I muttered through clenched teeth.— And yet, Seth said quietly, this is just the beginning of his real power.