They charged at each other with blinding speed.
Steels of the sword clashed. A thunderous shockwave split the arena in two. The ground shuddered, a gaping crack cutting me off from Vayu. I could only watch, trapped on the other side.
The battle was even intense now. Both were exhausted, yet neither surrendered. Nermis slashed across Vayu's leg. My heart sank, but Vayu rose again. My boy would never give up. With burning eyes, he struck back his blade cutting across Nermis's chest.
Blood sprayed across the broken stone. Their steps faltered. Their movements slowed. Both warriors were slowly getting towards their limits
For a moment, Vayu's aura flared. He was bach in senses. His strength returned, brighter than ever. The battlefield glowed in the dimming sunset. For an instant, I thought he had mastered it. But the power drained away, leaving him trembling, wounded, and gasping for breath.
He looked at me. His eyes shone with a strange calm.
"I may die in this attack. Tell my parents… I fought bravely."
"No!" My scream broke in my throat. I tried to run, but the fissure stopped me. Helpless, I could only think: the boy who once feared to raise a blade now stood against one of the greatest fighters in the nation.
Vayu lifted his sword. Blood streamed down his arms. His voice thundered through the arena:
"You! You are destined to die by my hand, Nermis!"
Time shattered. Each heartbeat slowed into eternity.
He gathered the last of his strength. His sword blazed with golden fire. With one final cry, he swung.
The blade tore through Nermis's neck.
His head fell.
Silence.
Then the world crashed back. The flames on Vayu's sword dimmed. The golden glow faded from his body. Rain broke from the sky, drumming on stone and blood. The audience erupted in a roar, chanting his name.
Vayu stood tall for a single breath. The wind whispered around him. Clouds closed in. He dropped to his knees, then collapsed on the wet ground.
And then..
Nermis lifted his severed head, set it back onto his shoulders. Flesh stitched itself together. His eyes opened.
I froze in disbelief.
Even if he is a shadow soldier this doesnot mean he can regrow parts.
"What is he?" I screamed. "A monster? A devil?"
POV back to Vayujit
I fell to the ground after that final blow. I had given all my energy, all my strength. My heart beat slower… slower. I am surely going to die, I thought. I opened my eyes one last time—just to see him gone.
But he was still alive.
Who is he? Was all my effort not worth it? My chest burned. Both of us were going to die, I knew.
Ashok's water was almost gone. The glow on his mage stick was fading, the light flickering weaker and weaker. And even with magic, even with all his will, he had only one hand. He could not stand against Nermis the killing machine.
I saw him advancing toward me, sword in hand. Ashok's voice reached my ears, broken and distant. I could only hear one word....can't.
Nermis stood before me. His shadow loomed. He looked down at me and smiled, as though I were nothing more than a toy for his amusement.
And then to my shock he spoke.
"You are strong. Be proud."
My body trembled. Death was close. I forced my lips to move, whispering one last message to Ashok:
"You can't lose. You can't die. You were born for a glorious purpose greater than this war, greater than fear. So rise. Leave this darkness behind. Live a life worth remembering. And when the time comes, I'll be waiting… but not too soon."