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The Eternis Clan's Virtual Combat Arena—an advanced battleground spread across Eternis-controlled territories, allowing high-ranking figures to spectate remotely while the local population gathered in designated areas to watch.
Kael stepped into the vast, open arena, feeling the energy hum beneath his feet. It was just a simulation, yet everything felt real—down to the air, the heat, and the weight of the moment. His frustrations still lingered, but here, in battle, he had control.
Across from him, Zyrath stood like a living storm. His form pulsed with raw energy, his entire being a manifestation of refined power. Unlike Kael, who had to channel and control his energy, Zyrath was energy itself.
The arena's system scan activated, attempting to assess both combatants. Kael remained still. Zappy, however, evaded the scan entirely—undetected.
Zyrath's glowing eyes locked onto Kael. A faint smirk. No words were needed. The duel began.
Kael moved first. His body flickered forward, chrono energy warping his speed. His fist blurred toward Zyrath's torso, a strike fast enough to overwhelm an ordinary opponent.
But Zyrath was no ordinary opponent.
A pulse of pure energy rippled outward from him, warping the space around Kael. The force wasn't a shockwave—it was an inversion of kinetic motion.
Kael's charge stuttered. His momentum reversed for a fraction of a second, just enough to disrupt his flow.
Zyrath counterattacked.
A spear of concentrated energy shot toward Kael's exposed side. The attack had no mass—only pure force. If it hit, it would disrupt Kael's internal energy flow.
Kael twisted mid-air, bending time within his own body. The strike grazed past him, singeing his shoulder but failing to land a direct hit.
'He adapts too fast.'
Kael's mind raced. Zyrath's control over energy was precise—his movements fluid, reactions almost predictive. If Kael wanted to win, he had to disrupt that rhythm.
Zappy's voice cut in. "Zyrath is an energy-based lifeform. His attacks rely on a perfect internal flow. We need to disrupt it. That technique from before—adjust it."
Kael narrowed his eyes. That technique.
He had seen it before—a method to disrupt the vital essence of biological lifeforms. But Zyrath wasn't bound by flesh. Could he adapt it?
No time for doubts.
Kael shifted his stance. Instead of aiming at Zyrath's body, he aimed at the flow of energy within him.
His palm surged with chrono energy, twisting reality in a microscopic instant. He struck—not with force, but with disruption.
The moment his attack connected, Zyrath twitched.
His energy, previously seamless, now faltered. A single moment's delay.
Kael didn't hesitate.
He struck again.
This time, Zyrath was forced to block, his own energy working against him.
For the first time, the battle had shifted in Kael's favor.
Zyrath's glowing eyes narrowed. He wasn't one to be thrown off easily.
His body flared. Energy roared around him, burning away the disruption Kael had caused.
Kael barely had time to react before Zyrath vanished.
The next instant—a crushing force slammed into his ribs.
Kael's body blurred backward, barely managing to stabilize himself before another attack came.
Zyrath's form flickered between states, his movement erratic yet controlled. The momentary hesitation Kael had created? Gone.
'He's adjusting faster than expected.'
Zappy's voice cut in again. "He's compensating. If we don't push now, he'll completely override the disruption."
Kael exhaled sharply. Time to go all in.
Zyrath launched forward, a spear of light forming in his hand. Kael mirrored him, his fist crackling with chrono energy.
The moment stretched—two forces, one of raw energy, the other of time-altered power, colliding.
A final strike.
The arena trembled.
The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward. The crowd held their breath.
Who landed the decisive blow?