Zyrath's Perspective – The Challenger
Zyrath sat cross-legged in the guest chamber, his body pulsing with controlled energy. The room was luxurious, a fusion of smooth, crystalline walls and intricate energy patterns that pulsed like the veins of a living organism. Despite the elegance, he felt out of place. The Eternis Clan's domain had a strange aura—fluid, elusive, like time itself refused to settle here.
His eyes remained closed as he focused on his breathing, steady and precise. This was not meditation to clear his mind—no, it was preparation. The duel was set. He would face the Eternis heir.
A child, he mused, a smirk forming.
The thought of battling someone younger than him wasn't insulting—he had heard rumors of Kael Eternis, a promising talent. But Zyrath had no doubt in his abilities. His people had always held an advantage in early cultivation. Their bodies were stronger, their techniques refined over countless generations.
Outside his chamber, murmurs echoed through the halls. He could hear the voices of Eternis disciples, whispering about him.
"He's from the Luminaris Clan. Their energy control is insane."
"Do you think he'll win? Or will Kael crush him?"
"I heard Kael hasn't been in the best state lately…"
Zyrath's smirk deepened. He stood, his silver-white robes flowing around him as he walked toward the door. Let them wonder. Soon, they'll see for themselves.
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Kael's Perspective – The Weight of Expectations
Kael walked through the Eternis city, but today, he didn't admire the towering spires, the glowing energy fields, or the intricate pathways suspended in the air.
Everything felt… suffocating.
So much had happened in the past few days. His awakening, his training, the constant expectations placed upon him. Everywhere he turned, there was something he had to do, something he had to become.
It wasn't that he didn't want to grow stronger—he did. But it felt like his entire life was being shaped by forces outside his control.
Was this how things were meant to be? Did he even have a choice?
His fists clenched as he turned a corner, heading toward the clan's inner domain. His mind was a storm, thoughts colliding. He wanted to breathe, to do something that wasn't planned for him.
He stepped into his room, closing the door behind him. The silence was heavy.
Kael exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He walked toward the large window, looking at the sky—a deep violet canvas, streaked with wisps of silver clouds. For a moment, he let himself just exist. No training, no expectations, just silence.
Then came the summons.
A knock. Then his father's voice.
"Kael. Come to the main hall. We need to discuss something."
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Kael's Perspective – The Duel Announcement
His parents stood before him in the main hall, their expressions composed yet unreadable. The room itself was vast, lined with shifting holograms of ancient battles and swirling time-based energy cores.
His father, Dain, spoke first. "We've arranged a duel for you."
Kael blinked. "A duel?"
His mother, Elara, nodded. "With Zyrath, of the Luminaris Clan."
For a moment, Kael was silent. Then, something clicked in his mind.
A duel. A real fight. A battle where he wasn't being tested by his teachers or measured by his family's expectations.
An opportunity to release everything he had been holding in.
He took a slow breath, then smiled—a rare, genuine expression that hadn't surfaced in days.
"When do we start?"
His parents exchanged a knowing glance before Dain answered, "Tomorrow."
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Duel Preparations – Two Paths Collide
The night before the battle, both combatants prepared in their own ways.
Zyrath stood before a mirror, his silver eyes reflecting his unwavering confidence. He flexed his fingers, energy humming between them.
"Tomorrow, I prove why the Luminaris are superior."
Meanwhile, Kael sat in his training chamber, eyes closed, his breathing steady. His frustration had not disappeared, but now, it had a direction.
"Tomorrow, I fight on my own terms."
The next sunrise would not just mark the beginning of a duel.
It would mark the collision of two paths, two warriors seeking control in their own way.
And neither intended to lose.
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End of Chapter 11