The battlefield lay swallowed in a thick, black fog. Nothing was visible from the stands.
Narad leaned forward. "Bhanu, can you see what's going on?"
Bhanu shook his head. "Not with my eyes. But since this is my dimension, I can sense it all. The information flows straight to my mind."
"And?" Narad asked.
"Raj is toying with him. Ronnie's attacks aren't even scratching him."
Inside the fog, Ronnie's expression hardened.
He's hiding… waiting for something. I can't afford to waste time anymore.
He exhaled sharply, closing his eyes.
A violent pulse of electricity burst out of his body. Sparks tore through the air, ripping apart the fog in all directions. Visibility returned in a flash of lightning.
But Raj had vanished.
From the viewing platform, Kashyapa frowned. "Where'd Raj go?"
Bhanu didn't blink. "He's in Ronnie's shadow."
Kashyapa raised an eyebrow. "Then why isn't he attacking?"
"He's being careful. Studying."
On the battlefield, Ronnie's eyes glowed white. Behind him, a divine throne appeared, forged from light. Tall, glowing pillars rose on either side, while lush vines and radiant flora spread around him.
He raised his voice, firm and steady.
"This is my domain—Swarg-Lok!"
The aura of his realm filled the arena with holy energy.
Raj's form flickered into view, visibly weakened by the divine presence. Still, he showed no sign of worry.
He began to float, his presence changing.
His eyes turned red. His voice echoed through the battlefield—cold and loud.
"Then I'll show you mine… Yam-Lok!"
The ground split open beneath him. Lava surged up, followed by a massive, obsidian throne. Spikes surrounded it, jagged and raw. From the lava bed, a stone platform formed with stairs reaching skyward.
Raj landed calmly on the throne, his eyes cast downward. He didn't move. He didn't speak.
"Sir," Bhanu spoke up from above, concern in his voice, "their territories are clashing hard. The structure of this dimension—it's cracking. I can't hold it together much longer."
Narad remained composed. "Just a little longer, Bhanu. We're at the peak now."
The collision of territories began.
Ronnie lifted both hands. Thunder cracked above. Cyclones formed—violent, glowing with lightning. They surged across the battlefield toward Raj.
Raj didn't move.
Without warning, stone spikes erupted from beneath his throne, colliding with the tornadoes mid-air. Explosions tore through the space between them. Shockwaves shook the arena.
Ronnie's expression shifted. "He's not even reacting…"
The spikes kept coming—fast, sharp, unrelenting.
Ronnie's body lit up, and in a flash of lightning, he teleported away, avoiding a direct hit.
But it wasn't enough.
The terrain around his throne collapsed under the sheer force of Raj's assault.
Raj finally spoke from his throne, his voice low and clear.
"Surrender, kid."
Ronnie landed a few meters away, chest heaving. "It's not over yet."
But doubt crept in.
I've already used everything I have. What else can I throw at him?
Raj raised his right hand slowly. His movements were stiff—almost unnatural, like something else was pulling the strings.
He pointed directly at Ronnie.
"My subjects… bring me victory."
The lava roared.
Flaming skeletons rose one after another—silent, relentless, eyes glowing like coals.
The atmosphere grew heavier. Hotter. Harder to breathe.
Ronnie staggered. "This… this pressure…"
He clenched his fists and summoned lightning. Bolts lanced through the skeletons, tearing them apart.
But more emerged.
"Over and over. I destroy them, and they keep coming...!"
Suddenly, his body froze.
No. No, not now…
His lightning failed him.
The skeletons closed in.
Within seconds, he was overwhelmed—buried under an avalanche of flaming bones.
Raj's throne dissolved. His domain crumbled into ash. He floated back to the ground in silence.
The skeletons vanished, leaving Ronnie unconscious, lying on the cracked floor.
Narad, Bhanu, and the others arrived.
Bhanu raised his voice. "The winner—Raj."
Kashyapa stepped forward, clapping. "What a show. Incredible. You both carry great potential."
Sara and Bhanu helped Ronnie up.
Sara asked softly, "Ronnie, can you hear me? Are you alright?"
Ronnie forced a breath. "Yeah… just drained."
Raj walked over, a grin on his face. "So, Miss Sara… did you like my performance?"
Sara smiled but didn't answer.
Raj scratched his head awkwardly and looked away.
Narad stepped forward. "Raj. Ronnie. Are you both satisfied with the outcome?"
They both answered in sync.
"Yes, sir."
Ronnie turned to Raj. "You're lying."
Raj raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"You didn't give it your all. Not even close."
Raj shrugged. "You're overthinking it. I fought seriously."
Ronnie wasn't convinced. "Before we summoned our territories, I could match you. After that… it was a one-sided massacre."
Raj paused, then gave a small smile. "Look, we're both still figuring this out. These powers are new. We've got a long road ahead—and plenty of chances to catch up."
He added, more seriously, "In the end, what matters is that our strength belongs to our nation."
Kashyapa nodded in approval. "That's exactly the kind of mindset we hope for. Ronnie—learn from this experience."
Ronnie nodded quietly. "I will."
Narad turned to both of them. "This was just the beginning. If you're willing, we'll arrange more matches in the future."
Bhanu groaned. "At least warn me next time. This dimension barely survived."
Everyone chuckled.
Later, in the reception area—
Raj walked up to Ronnie, hands in his pockets.
"Hey," he said casually, "mind if I ask something?"
Ronnie looked up. "Sure."
Raj tilted his head. "Why didn't you use your weapon during the fight?"