The mountains were still.
The broken road beneath them crumbled quietly, each pebble a subtle witness to the tension in the air.
Leo floated a few feet above the ground, fists clenched, eyes locked on Kael'thar. His body still bore the bruises and blood from the last clash, but his aura burned brighter, golden fire flickering faintly around him.
Chen Wei stood behind him, muscles tense, watching every movement.
> "Leo… you really want to do this?"
Leo's gaze didn't waver.
> "I have to."
He looked at the being before him. Kael'thar's presence was oppressive. Not just strong—beyond comprehension. A creature built from rules of the multiverse, not life as they knew it.
Kael'thar tilted his head again, studying Leo like a scientist inspecting an experiment.
> "You still don't understand," it said. Its voice was calm, cold, like ice running through the mountains.
"You are a child of one small world, trying to challenge the flow of countless universes."
Leo's hands tightened.
> "I'm not asking for your approval."
The entity's gaze pierced through him, measuring, calculating, weighing every ounce of power, every emotion.
Then, without a warning, Kael'thar shifted. Faster than the eye could follow.
One step. Two steps. A sudden motion.
In an instant, Leo was on the ground again, a new crater carved beneath him. The mountains themselves seemed to tremble at the sheer force.
Chen Wei shouted, rushing forward:
> "Leo! Don't! Focus on surviving! I'll handle him!"
Leo coughed, spitting blood. He pushed himself up slowly, each movement agonizing. Yet, his eyes remained fixed on the alien Executor.
> "You… came from beyond my world."
"Multiverse… so many worlds exist…"
Kael'thar's expression remained unchanged, unyielding.
> "And among them, a king may rise."
"But not one born from your kind."
Leo's voice trembled, cracks of pain and fury blending together.
> "I… I couldn't protect Lily… she carries my child…"
The words hit the air like a hammer. Not just a confession, but a resolve.
> "If I can't protect the people I love…"
"If I can't even defend my family…"
"Then what right do I have to speak of kings?"
Then, as if answering his own resolve, Leo vanished.
In a heartbeat, he reappeared right in front of Kael'thar, fists charged with everything he had left.
> "But if I fail to defeat you…"
"I'll never forgive myself."
The punch collided with Kael'thar, sending a ripple through the mountains and a shockwave through the air.
And in that moment—
The chapter ended.
---
Author's Note
Yes… now it's obvious, right?
The story is inspired by Dragon Ball-style power scaling, but it won't stay there.
This world can cross multiverses, but it will never forget its roots—
village, family, love, and regret.
And yes…
the "king" inside Leo hasn't awakened yet.
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It really helps me improve the story.