A silhouette emerged through the dust.
Jasper.
He was moving at insane speeds, leaping from rock to rock, his form barely visible as he dodged in every direction.
But Tenebris was right behind him.
His sword, Prime Apocalypse, was striking relentlessly—blow after blow.
BOOM!
A massive strike connected with the rocky ground. The shockwave obliterated the terrain, forming deep craters. The jagged cliffs shattered under the sheer force of the battle. Chunks of debris the size of vehicles were flung into the air, only to disintegrate from the aftershocks.
Tenebris wasn't just attacking.
He was hunting.
His entire body was glowing—a terrifying mix of dark purple and violet energy. It surged violently around him, his every movement leaving a dark trail of crackling power in the air.
Up in the stands, the tension was suffocating.
Bolt's eyes widened in pure shock. "Jasper is… getting destroyed out there!"
Rose clutched the railing. "This… this is insane! Tenebris is attacking like a monster. Jasper can't even catch his breath!"
Dante leaned forward, gripping his chair. "Holy hell, the impact of those swings… Jasper is barely dodging in time! One wrong step and it's over!"
Serena's gaze was locked on the battlefield, her crimson eyes reflecting the destruction. "Tenebris' power is unreal. He's fighting like he's already in the finals."
But Blaze…
He said nothing.
His crimson eyes followed every movement on the battlefield, his jaw clenched tightly.
Jasper… you're pushing yourself too much. You're trying to match his speed, but that's not going to work.
Blaze could see it—Jasper was running defensively.
Tenebris, on the other hand, was completely engaged, striking with an overwhelming sense of dominance and bloodlust.
Then—
CRACK!
A massive rock formation exploded as Tenebris slammed his blade into the mountain where Jasper had just been standing.
The shockwave obliterated half of the cliffside, sending chunks of stone hurtling through the air.
Jasper barely managed to dodge, flipping onto another ledge. His breathing was sharp, sweat dripping down his face.
For the first time in the match—
He looked shaken.
The Atmosphere in the Arena
The crowd had fallen silent.
This wasn't just a battle.
It was a massacre in the making.
Everyone in the stadium could feel it.
Tenebris wasn't fighting Jasper.
He was overpowering him.
The air was thick with tension as the battle raged on, the destruction growing more chaotic by the second.
Jasper gritted his teeth. Enough running.
With a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his sword, Dragonis, and launched forward.
His body flared up with a white and light-blue aura, surging wildly like a roaring flame. The energy crackled around him as his foot slammed against the rocky ground, sending him shooting toward Tenebris.
CLANG!
Their swords clashed, sending a deafening shockwave across the battlefield.
The Arena Shakes
The force of their strikes made the rocky terrain tremble. The once-sturdy cliffs were splitting apart, deep fractures forming in the ground beneath them. The massive lake, which had been calm moments ago, was now a raging storm—waves crashing violently against the shore, as if the very elements were reacting to their battle.
The sky above them darkened slightly, a result of the immense power radiating from both warriors.
The Duel – Power vs. Power
Tenebris smirked. "That's more like it, Jasper!"
His violet aura exploded, crackling like lightning around him. With every strike, the air around them distorted—a raw display of power that sent shards of rock flying in every direction.
But Jasper didn't back down.
His white-blue energy surged, his strikes becoming faster, stronger, more precise.
SLASH!
Tenebris barely parried a lightning-fast strike, his feet skidding backward across the battlefield. He dug his blade into the ground, stopping his momentum just in time.
Jasper pressed forward, delivering a relentless flurry of attacks.
CLASH! CLANG! BOOM!
Each impact sent shockwaves across the landscape, uprooting trees, breaking down boulders, and sending massive chunks of rock into the air.
The battlefield was becoming unrecognizable
Bolt's eyes were glowing with excitement. "He's fighting back! He's actually fighting back!"
Rose, though worried, clenched her fists. "Come on, Jasper… don't lose focus."
Dante leaned forward, watching intensely. "Damn, I thought Tenebris had full control, but Jasper—he's really turning this around!"
Serena, watching Blaze from the corner of her eye, noticed something.
Blaze wasn't celebrating.
He was still gripping his sword tightly, his crimson eyes fixed on the battle. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his gaze—
Something serious.
Blaze's Thoughts
Jasper… don't get too confident.
Blaze could see it—Tenebris wasn't losing.
He was testing Jasper.
And Jasper was falling right into his trap.
The Moment of Truth
Tenebris chuckled, effortlessly blocking another strike.
Then—
He vanished.
Jasper's eyes widened in shock.
"What—?!"
Before he could react, Tenebris appeared behind him, his blade crackling with violet energy.
BOOM!
A devastating shockwave erupted, sending Jasper flying across the battlefield, crashing through a boulder, and skidding across the ground.
The entire arena gasped.
The roar of energy echoed through the entire battlefield as Jasper screamed with all his might.
"Dragonis...!!!"
A blinding blue light erupted around him, his aura expanding outward like a tidal wave. His sword, Dragonis, pulsed with raw energy, its blade now radiating with a piercing white-blue glow. The very air around Jasper crackled with electricity, his power reaching its peak.
Tenebris, still mid-air, narrowed his glowing violet eyes. The ground trembled beneath Jasper's feet, the entire battlefield reacting to his power.
Jasper lifted his sword high, his voice booming across the arena.
"GENESIS WHIP...!!!"
A Devastating Strike
A crescent-shaped energy wave shot from Jasper's sword, slicing through the air with terrifying speed.
BOOOOOM!
The wave ripped through the rocky mountains, slicing one peak clean in half. The explosion was massive, sending rock and debris flying in every direction. The shockwave rippled through the battlefield, shaking even the protective green barrier surrounding the arena.
Dust clouded the sky, obscuring everything for a moment. The crowd gasped in awe, some covering their eyes as the sheer brightness of Jasper's attack illuminated the entire battlefield.
When the dust finally settled, the audience's eyes widened.
Jasper and Tenebris were locked in a fierce struggle—blades clashing, locked together in an intense power struggle.
Sparks erupted from their swords, sending waves of energy outward. Jasper's blue-white aura clashed violently with Tenebris' dark violet flames, creating a storm of raw power around them.
Jasper gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he pushed forward with all his might. His energy flared once more, his determination shining through.
With one final surge of strength—he forced Tenebris back!
The impact sent Tenebris flying into the air.
The crowd erupted in wild cheers.
Unrelenting Assault
Jasper didn't stop.
With a swift motion, he leaped after Tenebris, spinning midair like a cyclone.
His sword glowed brighter. He raised Dragonis again.
"GENESIS WHIP...!!!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Wave after wave of slashing energy rained down upon Tenebris, cutting through the sky like shooting stars. Each strike was faster, more precise, more powerful.
The battlefield itself shook under the force of Jasper's relentless attack. Cracks spread across the ground, debris floated in the air from the intensity of the battle. The once-still lake had transformed into a raging storm, waves crashing violently against the shattered terrain.
But—
Tenebris Defends
Even under this relentless assault, Tenebris never faltered.
His sword moved like a shadow, blocking, parrying, countering.
The air around him twisted with dark energy as he deflected each incoming strike. His violet aura surged, a haunting contrast against Jasper's blinding light.
With every blocked attack, he smirked.
Then, suddenly—
"Is that all, Jasper?"
Jasper's eyes widened.
Before he could react, Tenebris made his move.
His sword twisted with unnatural speed, knocking Jasper's blade aside.
Then, with a burst of incredible force, he launched forward—his blade aimed straight for Jasper's chest!
The crowd gasped in shock.
Jasper's instincts kicked in.
As Tenebris' blade lunged toward him, he reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, shifting Dragonis at the perfect angle—CLANG! The sound of metal scraping against metal echoed across the battlefield.
The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, causing the ground beneath them to crack even further. Dust and debris lifted into the air, swirling around the two warriors locked in their fierce duel.
Jasper's feet slid back, digging into the battlefield. His grip tightened around his sword. He could feel the immense pressure from Tenebris' relentless power, but—
He wasn't backing down.
A Counterattack – Jasper Strikes Again
With a sudden burst of movement, Jasper twisted his body, dodging a deadly downward slash from Tenebris.
The moment Tenebris' blade missed its target, Jasper seized his opportunity—
With an incredible leap, he flipped over Tenebris midair, his sword glowing brighter than ever.
"GENESIS WHIP…!!!"
A powerful arc of blue-white energy shot forward, crackling through the battlefield like a violent storm.
The ground beneath Tenebris exploded upon impact, sending massive chunks of rock flying in every direction. The energy slash ripped through the air, its sheer force threatening to tear through anything in its path.
The crowd held their breath.
Rose's eyes sparkled with excitement. "He landed a clean hit…!"
Bolt clenched his fists. "Come on, Jasper!"
Serena narrowed her gaze, watching every movement carefully.
Even Blaze, arms crossed, smirked slightly. "That was a good move…"
But then—
Pain – Jasper's Moment of Weakness
Just as Jasper landed back on the battlefield, a sharp, electrifying pain shot through his wrist.
His eyes widened in shock.
It felt like lightning had struck him, sending a pulse of agony through his entire arm.
His grip on Dragonis wavered.
What…was that?!
For a split second, his body froze. His muscles refused to move properly.
And Tenebris—noticed immediately.
Tenebris' Counterattack – The Darkness Strikes Back
A sinister smirk formed on Tenebris' face.
"What's wrong, Jasper?" he taunted, his deep voice sending chills down the spines of those watching.
His body erupted in a violet-black aura, a monstrous pressure radiating from him. The very air around him trembled as his power spiked to an entirely different level.
Jasper gritted his teeth, trying to regain control of his arm, but—
It was too late.
With unnatural speed, Tenebris closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
His sword glowed with dark energy.
With a deadly, merciless slash, he aimed straight for Jasper's weakened stance—
And this time… Jasper couldn't block it.
BOOM!
The entire battlefield shook violently as the attack connected with full force.
Jasper let out a sharp gasp, his body sent flying backward, crashing against a jagged rock formation. The impact was so powerful it shattered the rock into pieces.
The audience erupted in shock.
Rose covered her mouth, eyes wide with fear. "Jasper—!"
Bolt slammed his hands against the railing. "GET UP!!"
Blaze's smirk faded. His expression darkened. He could tell—something wasn't right.
Serena leaned forward, watching closely. Jasper had taken serious damage.
Jasper Struggles to Rise
Dust settled around Jasper's fallen form. His breathing was ragged. He gritted his teeth, trying to force himself up.
His entire right arm felt numb.
That attack…
Something was wrong with his wrist.
But—
He wasn't done yet.
Slowly, he planted his sword into the ground, using it as support to push himself up.
Tenebris tilted his head, watching Jasper struggle.
"Still standing?" he muttered, eyes gleaming with amusement.
Jasper wiped the blood from his lips, his breathing heavy, but his resolve unshaken.
"I told you before…" he growled, lifting Dragonis once more.
His blue aura flared back to life, even stronger than before.
"I'm not going down that easily."
The crowd exploded in cheers once again.
As the dust settled, the battlefield was left in chaos. Jagged rocks cracked and tumbled, waves in the lake settled into ripples, and the once-strong trees now lay broken and smoldering from the sheer energy released. The green barrier flickered violently, struggling to contain the raw power that had just been unleashed.
Jasper was on one knee, panting heavily, his hands trembling. His fingers twitched, reaching out instinctively, but his sword wasn't there—it had been blasted away, wedged into a nearby rock, humming with residual energy. His wrist throbbed, a sharp, searing pain shooting through his arm. He clenched his jaw, trying to shake it off.
Across from him, Tenebris stood firm, his blade still crackling with violet energy. He showed no signs of exhaustion, only a calm, unshaken confidence. Behind him, the shadowy aura of his attack still lingered, fading like dying embers.
The referee raised his hand, his voice echoing through the stadium:
"The battle is over... 1 point to Tenebris!"
In the mid-row seats, Blaze, Serena, Dante, and the others watched in tense silence.
Blaze leaned forward, arms crossed, his crimson eyes narrowing. Jasper is still in this… but Tenebris isn't even breaking a sweat. His grip tightened around his knee. Damn it, Jasper, you can't let him control the pace.
Serena glanced at Blaze, sensing his tension. "That was a brutal hit… but your friend is strong. I don't think he's done yet."
Talon, arms folded, didn't react like the others. He remained still, analyzing every movement, every mistake. His sharp mind processed what he saw. "Tenebris barely used any effort. If he's holding back, this could be dangerous."
Dante, full of energy as always, smacked the railing. "Jasper, GET UP! You're not gonna lose to this guy, right?!" His golden eyes burned with determination.
Rose and Bolt, sitting next to Mainak, had wide, confused eyes.
Rose leaned closer to Blaze. "What happened? Jasper was keeping up, but that attack…"
Blaze's gaze didn't leave the battlefield. "He got hit hard, but it's not over yet."
Bolt, still frowning, nudged Rose. "Jasper's blade didn't break. That means he still has a chance, right?"
Mainak nodded. "One point isn't everything. Jasper can still fight back."
His words made Rose exhale, calming her nerves. That's right. Jasper can still turn this around.
Jasper, still on one knee, took deep, steadying breaths. His mind was racing.
"Damn it… that was too fast. I saw an opening, but my wrist... It wouldn't move properly."
He grit his teeth, slowly pushing himself back up to his feet. His fingers trembled slightly, but he ignored it, turning his gaze toward Dragonis, still intact, wedged into the rock. The blue aura around it flickered weakly, but the blade itself stood firm.
Across from him, Tenebris lifted Prime Apocalypse, twirling it effortlessly. "You're still standing?" he asked, his tone almost amused. "I thought that would finish you."
Jasper exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm not done yet, Tenebris." His grip tightened around his sword. "That was just a warm-up."
Blaze, watching from above, smirked slightly. "That's more like it, Jasper. Show him why you belong in the finals."
The crowd erupted as Jasper squared off again. The green barrier pulsed, sensing that the battle was about to continue.
Jasper shifted his stance, his wrist still aching but his will unshaken.
Tenebris smirked, lifting Prime Apocalypse. "Then come at me again."
As the referee's voice echoed through the Grand Arena, the energy of the battlefield intensified. The crowd roared, eager to witness the second round of this high-stakes duel.
Jasper tightened his grip on Dragonis, the blade's blue and white energy pulsating with determination. Across from him, Tenebris held Prime Apocalypse firmly, the sheer weight and size of his greatsword making it a terrifying sight.
Sitting in the middle row, Talon carefully analyzed the battle. His mind worked through every possible outcome, calculating strengths and weaknesses.
His eyes locked onto the two warriors, and in his head, he mentally compared their weapons.
Prime Apocalypse – A Titan of Destruction
Length: 125 cm (49 inches)
Blade Type: Double-Edged Greatsword
Blade Width: 14 cm (7 inches)
Handle Length: 33 cm (13 inches)
Weight: 4.5 kg (10 lbs)
Dragonis – A Blade of Speed and Precision
Length: 120 cm (47 inches)
Blade Width: 10 (5 inches)
Handle Length: 24 cm (9.4 inches)
Weight: 3.9 kg (8.5 lbs)
Talon narrowed his eyes. "Apocalypse has the advantage in raw power and mass, but Jasper's Dragonis is faster and more agile. If he can outmaneuver Tenebris, he has a chance… But…"
His inner thoughts grew darker as he recalled his own battle with Tenebris. He had faced the unrelenting destructive force of Apocalypse firsthand. It wasn't just a sword—it was a weapon of annihilation.
Talon sighed.
"Jasper, I respect your will to fight, but you're up against a monster. Apocalypse is more than just a blade—it's pure destruction. You're strong, but can you endure?"
Dante clenched his fists, his energy brimming with frustration. His instincts told him that Jasper was in trouble, but his heart refused to believe it.
"Hey, Jasper!" Dante suddenly shouted. "Don't even think about giving up! You hear me?!"
Serena, sitting just a little too close to Blaze, glanced at Dante before shaking her head. Her voice was calm, yet firm.
"He won't hear you. Right now, all he can focus on is surviving that sword."
She turned her gaze back to the battlefield, her red eyes locked onto Jasper. A small part of her felt admiration—his will to fight against overwhelming odds was something she respected deeply.
Blaze, sitting uncomfortably beside Serena, was too distracted to say anything. Her proximity made him lose all focus. His body heated up, his heart pounded in his chest, and his face felt like it was on fire.
"Damn it, Blaze! Get yourself together!" he scolded himself internally.
Serena, unaware of his internal struggle, continued analyzing the battle. She was fully invested in what was happening in the arena.
The Second Round Begins
The referee raised his hand. The tension in the arena reached its peak.
"Three…!"
The crowd erupted in anticipation.
"Two…!"
The ground trembled, the very air crackling with energy.
Then—
BOOM!
Another explosion erupted on the battlefield.
A green barrier immediately surrounded the rocky terrain, containing the raw destructive energy within.
As the dust settled, the crowd gasped in awe.
Both Jasper and Tenebris had already engaged in battle, their blades clashing with terrifying force.
The Grand Arena trembled as Jasper and Tenebris clashed once more. Their blades met in mid-air, sending violent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The ground cracked beneath their feet, and dust spiraled into the air, making the entire arena feel like a war zone.
Tenebris, his body radiating a dark violet aura, lunged forward with Prime Apocalypse. His swings were monstrous, each one carrying brutal force. His blade cut through the air with terrifying speed, forming streaks of dark energy in its wake.
CLANG! CLANG! BOOM!
Jasper was barely keeping up. Dragonis clashed against Apocalypse, but the sheer power difference was starting to show. Every time their swords connected, the impact sent shockwaves that shattered nearby rocks, turning them into dust.
Jasper gritted his teeth. "I can't keep blocking forever… I need an opening!"
But Tenebris wasn't giving him a chance.
"What's wrong, Jasper?" Tenebris sneered, his deep voice carrying over the battlefield. "You're just defending. Where's that energy from before?"
With a single step, Tenebris pushed forward, his overwhelming strength forcing Jasper to retreat backward. Each time Apocalypse struck Dragonis, the impact formed craters beneath them, the rocky terrain breaking apart as if the ground itself feared their power.
BOOM!
A particularly powerful swing from Tenebris sent Jasper flying back, his feet skidding across the ground, leaving deep trenches in the dirt. He barely managed to stay standing.
A massive boulder behind Jasper cracked in half from the sheer force of the battle. The battlefield was becoming a wasteland—trees uprooted, rocks crumbling, and dust filling the air.
From the middle row, Blaze clenched his fists. His eyes were sharp, locked onto the battle.
"Jasper, hold on…!" he muttered under his breath.
Next to him, Serena's red eyes burned with intensity. She leaned forward, her fingers gripping the seat.
"He's barely holding on, but he's not giving up."
Bolt, not fully understanding the battle's depth, clenched his tiny fists. "Come on, Jasper! Don't let that jerk win!"
Mainak, sitting next to Rose, had his eyes glued to the fight. "The battlefield itself is breaking apart… That Tenebris guy is no joke."
Talon remained silent, but his sharp gaze analyzed everything. "Jasper is struggling… He's not just fighting Tenebris—he's fighting exhaustion."
Dante, despite usually being playful, was now serious. "Damn it, Jasper… you need to strike back!"
Jasper panted heavily, gripping Dragonis tightly. His wrists ached, the aftereffects of Apocalypse's raw power still lingering in his bones.
He narrowed his eyes at Tenebris, who stood tall and unshaken, his violet energy crackling around him like a living storm.
"Damn it… I can't win if I keep defending."
Jasper exhaled sharply and then—
He dashed forward.
Jasper vanished in a blur, moving with blazing speed, his white and blue energy flaring as he circled Tenebris.
Tenebris's eyes followed, a smirk forming. "Faster movement? Let's see if that helps you."
Jasper jumped high, aiming to strike downward, but—
CLANG!
Tenebris effortlessly blocked.
The moment Jasper landed, Tenebris countered with a brutal slash, forcing Jasper to parry desperately.
The clash of blades sent another violent shockwave outward, completely obliterating a large rock formation nearby. The battlefield continued to break apart.
Jasper's mind raced. "I need to find an opening… I can't keep blocking forever!"
The atmosphere in the Grand Arena had reached its peak. Jasper and Tenebris stood far apart, both warriors bruised and battered, but their determination burned brighter than ever.
Jasper's breathing was ragged, his body aching from the brutal exchanges, while Tenebris remained composed, his Apocalypse blade still radiating dark violet energy.
The crowd was silent, holding their breath as the battle teetered on the edge of its climax.
Jasper lifted his head, his tired eyes scanning the battlefield before locking onto a familiar figure—Blaze.
Sitting in the stands, Blaze's golden eyes met his, filled with unwavering belief. He simply smiled, as if silently telling Jasper, "Keep going."
Jasper clenched his fists. His exhaustion no longer mattered.
"I'm not stopping here. I'm going to finish this and meet you in the finals, Blaze."
As if his very spirit ignited, a blue aura erupted from his body, crackling like living flames. The wind howled as the energy surged outward, shaking the battlefield.
Jasper's gaze dropped downward, his stance shifting as his entire body began to radiate a powerful blue glow.
Then, with a thundering roar, he unleashed his battle cry:
"Dragonis…!!"
A massive burst of energy exploded outward, sending shockwaves rippling through the entire arena. The ground beneath him cracked, the force sending dust and debris into the air.
Jasper disappeared.
No—he became a blur of motion, using the battlefield terrain to his advantage. He moved with lightning speed, launching himself off broken rocks, cliffs, and craters.
SLASH!
He struck from one direction.
CLANG!
Then from another.
BOOM!
Another impact, from a completely different angle.
Tenebris barely kept up, his blade moving rapidly to block the onslaught of strikes from every direction. Sparks flew, rocks shattered, and the very air hummed from the sheer force of their battle.
Then, Jasper roared with everything he had—
"Ultimate Genesis Slash!!"
A gigantic, hemispherical dome of blue energy engulfed the battlefield, shaking the arena to its core. The force was so overwhelming that even the sky above shimmered under its pressure.
When the dust settled, the entire stadium erupted in cheers—
"JASPER!! JASPER!!"
But Jasper wasn't done. He could feel it—this was the moment.
Dragonis locked with Apocalypse.
Without hesitating, Jasper pushed forward, his blade roaring with newfound power. A blue dragon's aura enveloped him, and with a final surge of strength, he lifted Tenebris into the air.
Blaze's eyes widened. "That move… I've never seen it before!"
Jasper twisted in midair, gathering all his remaining power.
"ULTIMATE DRAGONIS SLASH!!"
His blade descended with unstoppable force, the sheer energy behind the strike shaking the entire arena. The protective green barrier that surrounded the battlefield cracked from the top, its defenses barely able to withstand the intensity.
Then—
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the battlefield, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The entire arena trembled as Tenebris crashed into the ground at terrifying speed.
But at the last second, he drove Apocalypse into the ground, stopping himself from falling completely.
Smoke and dust filled the air. Silence followed.
Then—
A voice cut through the aftermath.
"Impressive."
It was Tenebris.
Jasper's eyes widened. He was still standing?
Before Jasper could react, Tenebris moved.
His Apocalypse sword erupted in violet energy, and he swung it with devastating force.
"ECLIPSE WHIP!!"
A wave of pure dark energy shot out, tearing through the air like a destructive force of nature.
Jasper barely managed to raise Dragonis in defense, crossing his arms as the attack struck.
BOOM!
The impact was monstrous. The force sent Jasper flying backward, completely out of control.
He crashed through debris, his body flipping through the air uncontrollably before finally plunging into the lake near the battlefield.
The water erupted upon impact, waves surging outward from where Jasper had fallen.
Beneath the surface, Jasper felt his body sink deeper, his limbs barely able to move. The weight of exhaustion dragged him down.
Above, the crowd gasped, some rising to their feet.
Blaze jumped forward, gripping the railing. "JASPER!!"
Rose and Bolt, who had been confused about the battle's power until now, suddenly realized—
Jasper was drowning.
To be continue....