CHAPTER 91 — THE NEXT BATTLE
The UGC prison was silent.
Far out in the ocean, an isolated island stood surrounded by an enormous dimensional energy field.
The barrier distorted the space around the island, making the entire area almost impossible to reach.
Only someone possessing dimensional abilities—or the celestial artifact known as the Dimensional Lamp—could reliably cross the barrier and access the island.
The prison itself was built directly into the island.
It was one of the UGC's most heavily secured facilities.
Inside, reinforced steel doors lined the underground corridors.
Some cells were protected by layers of reinforced metal.
Others were covered with Fumetsu seals.
And the deepest cells were designed for prisoners who could not be allowed to escape under any circumstances.
A guard hurried through one of the corridors.
His footsteps echoed through the empty passage.
CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.
He kept looking behind him.
He was nervous.
Very nervous.
Another soldier came from the opposite direction.
— Hey.
The guard stopped.
— What?
— Where are you going in such a hurry?
The guard looked around before answering.
— I have to check Sector D.
— Again?
— Yes.
The soldier studied him.
— You seem stressed.
The guard forced a small smile.
— Just a lot of work.
He immediately walked away.
The soldier watched him disappear down the corridor.
— Weird…
The guard continued deeper into the prison.
He passed several cells.
Cell 21.
Cell 22.
Cell 23.
Then he reached a much larger door.
Above it was a warning.
CELL 24 — MAXIMUM SECURITY
The guard slowed down.
His expression became serious.
He approached the small reinforced window built into the door.
Then he looked inside.
The cell was almost completely empty.
A metal bed.
A small table.
A container of water.
And at the back…
A prisoner.
He was sitting against the wall.
He wore a white-and-gray prison uniform.
Heavy reinforced steel restraints locked around his wrists.
He looked exhausted.
He was clearly starving.
But despite his condition…
He endured.
He didn't beg.
He didn't scream.
He simply sat there.
Then slowly…
He turned his head.
His eyes met the guard's.
The guard smiled.
The prisoner remained silent.
The guard leaned closer to the window.
His smile disappeared.
His eyes suddenly turned red.
— Yes…
He stared directly at the prisoner.
— That's exactly what I wanted.
The prisoner didn't move.
The guard finally walked away.
His footsteps echoed through the corridor.
CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.
Inside the cell…
The prisoner slowly raised his head.
His restraints trembled slightly.
But he remained completely silent.
Far away from the UGC prison…
A completely different scene was taking place.
A vast beach stretched beside an enormous mountain range.
The ocean waves crashed against the shore.
The sun was high in the sky.
And in the middle of the beach…
Something enormous was moving.
BOOOOOOM!
A gigantic creature lifted a massive rock above his head.
The rock was almost the size of a building.
The creature's body was covered in dark, armored plates.
Sharp rocky spikes protruded from his shoulders, arms, legs and back.
His orange eyes burned beneath his armored head.
His powerful arms strained as he held the enormous rock above him.
This was Gravoc.
Zayn's Primal form.
Gravoc planted his feet firmly into the sand.
— HAAAAAA!
He suddenly threw the enormous rock.
FWOOSH!
The massive boulder flew through the air.
BOOOOOOM!
It crashed into the mountain.
A huge cloud of dust erupted.
Gravoc remained still for several seconds.
Then a voice came from behind him.
— Good.
Gravoc turned his head.
Azel stood several meters away.
His expression was calm and serious.
He had been away on missions for some time.
He hadn't watched Zayn's recent fights.
Gravoc looked at him.
— Azel?
Azel nodded.
— Finally.
Gravoc lowered his arms.
— What are you doing here?
— I could ask you the same thing.
Gravoc glanced toward the destroyed section of mountain.
— Training.
Azel looked at the enormous crater.
— I can see that.
Gravoc crossed his arms.
— So?
Azel remained serious.
— Your physical strength has improved.
Gravoc smiled slightly.
— That's it?
— That's it.
Gravoc sighed.
— You're hard to impress.
Azel didn't laugh.
— I haven't watched your recent fights.
Gravoc tilted his head.
— What?
— I've been away on several missions.
Azel looked toward the ocean.
— I didn't have time to watch the tournament.
Gravoc stared at him.
— So you missed Echo?
— Yes.
— The Djinns?
— Yes.
— Herco?
— Yes.
Gravoc became silent for a moment.
— You really missed everything.
Azel nodded.
— Apparently.
Gravoc began explaining everything that had happened.
Azel listened without interrupting.
After a while, Gravoc's body began glowing green.
BIP.
BIP BIP.
BIIIIIIIP.
The Primal transformation disappeared.
Zayn returned to his human form.
He looked at Borealis on his wrist.
— I need to be ready for my next fight.
Azel nodded.
— Against Akamaru.
— Yeah.
Azel became even more serious.
— Then listen carefully.
Zayn looked at him.
— What?
— You should use a Primal with exceptional durability.
Zayn raised an eyebrow.
— Durability?
— Akamaru is unpredictable. You don't know what he'll do once the fight starts.
Zayn crossed his arms.
— I've fought worse.
— Maybe.
Azel looked at Borealis.
— But don't underestimate him.
Zayn activated the bracelet.
TCHAK!
A green holographic interface appeared.
Several Primal silhouettes rotated around him.
Zayn scrolled through them.
Then stopped.
— Crystal Edge.
Azel nodded.
— That one.
Zayn looked at the hologram.
— He's practically indestructible.
— That's exactly why I'm recommending him.
Zayn stared at Borealis for a moment.
Then something crossed his mind.
He looked at Azel.
— I have a question.
— Go ahead.
— In the other Crown of Ash you participated in…
Azel waited.
— How far did you make it?
Azel remained silent for a moment.
Then answered calmly.
— I reached the quarterfinals.
Zayn's eyes widened.
— Seriously?
— Yes.
— Who did you lose to?
Azel's expression didn't change.
— Himari Harihiho.
Zayn froze.
— Himari… Harihiho?
— Yes.
Azel looked toward the mountains.
— She was the champion of that Crown of Ash.
Zayn thought about it.
— Which year was that?
— 2014.
Zayn's eyes widened.
Then he laughed.
— Wait…
He started calculating.
— I was two years old!
Azel remained completely serious.
— Yes.
Zayn laughed even harder.
— So while you were fighting your way through the Crown of Ash, I was probably learning how to walk!
Azel simply looked at him.
— You're finished?
Zayn tried to stop laughing.
— Sorry.
Azel looked back toward the ocean.
— Himari was extremely strong.
Zayn's laughter slowly disappeared.
— Really?
Azel nodded.
— You'll understand eventually.
Zayn frowned.
— What does that mean?
Azel didn't answer.
— Focus on your next fight.
Zayn looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
— Right.
Three hours later.
The Academy's locker room was much louder.
Students were talking about the tournament.
Others were watching the previous fights on screens.
Zayn stood in front of his locker.
He adjusted his uniform.
Then checked Borealis one last time.
He took a deep breath.
— Akamaru…
Behind him, Yojuro was sitting quietly.
— You seem focused.
Zayn turned around.
— I am.
Rodrigue smiled.
— That's unusual.
Zayn looked at him.
— What does that mean?
— Usually, you talk a lot before a fight.
Zayn shrugged.
— I'm thinking this time.
Rodrigue nodded.
— Good luck.
Yojuro stood up.
— Don't underestimate Akamaru.
Zayn smiled.
— I won't.
The locker room door opened.
Nefaria entered.
She looked at Zayn.
— Good luck.
Zayn looked at her.
— Thanks.
Nefaria nodded.
A moment later, Blanche entered as well.
— Be careful.
Zayn smiled.
— I'll try.
Blanche crossed her arms.
— No.
Zayn blinked.
— No?
— Don't say "I'll try."
She looked directly at him.
— Be careful.
Zayn was silent for a second.
Then nodded.
— Okay.
Yojuro walked over and lightly tapped Zayn on the shoulder.
— Go.
Zayn headed toward the exit.
Before leaving, he stopped.
He looked back at everyone.
— I'll be back after my victory.
Rodrigue smiled.
— We'll be waiting.
Zayn left the locker room.
The corridor leading to the arena was long.
The lights passed above him one after another.
Every step echoed through the hallway.
CLACK.
CLACK.
CLACK.
Zayn continued forward.
At the end of the corridor…
The doors opened.
The light of the arena filled his vision.
Then came the sound of thousands of spectators.
— ZAYN!
— IT'S HIS FIGHT!
— ZAYN VS AKAMARU!
Zayn entered the arena.
Across from him…
Akamaru entered as well.
The two walked toward the center.
Akamaru smiled.
— Finally.
Zayn smiled back.
— Finally.
Akamaru looked at Borealis.
— You're using your bracelet?
Zayn glanced at his wrist.
— Probably.
— Which Primal?
Zayn smiled.
— You'll see.
Akamaru laughed.
— Still keeping secrets.
Zayn shrugged.
— I like surprises.
Akamaru took his fighting stance.
— Then so do I.
Zayn laughed.
— Seriously?
— Completely.
Zayn's smile widened.
— You just made this more interesting.
Akamaru smiled.
— That's the point.
The two stepped backward.
The crowd gradually became silent.
The referee walked into the center.
He looked at Zayn.
Then at Akamaru.
He raised one hand.
Zayn clenched his fists.
Akamaru took a deep breath.
In the stands, Yojuro, Rodrigue, Blanche, Nefaria, Robin and the others watched closely.
Zayn stared at his opponent.
Akamaru stared back.
The referee slowly lowered his hand.
— FIGHT!
C'est