Lightning roared across the arena as thunderclouds gathered above the barrier.
Seraphine stood with one hand raised toward the sky, electricity swirling around her like a storm answering its master.
Across from her, Kael steadied his breathing.
Golden Origin Energy flowed through his body like a quiet but unstoppable river.
Both fighters had now pushed their techniques to higher levels.
The air itself trembled between them.
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"You're the first person here who's forced me to use this much power."
Lightning surged around her arms.
"This is exciting."
Kael wiped a small line of blood from his lip.
"Glad you're enjoying it."
But inside his chest, the Origin Core spun faster than ever before.
The pressure of Seraphine's lightning techniques was forcing him to adapt.
To evolve.
Seraphine raised her hand again.
"Thunderfall… Second Strike!"
Another massive bolt of lightning tore down from the sky.
Kael activated Origin Flash.
His body vanished instantly.
The lightning struck the ground where he had stood.
BOOOOM!
The explosion shattered the arena floor.
Before the smoke cleared
Kael appeared beside Seraphine.
"Origin Strike!"
His fist shot forward.
Seraphine twisted her body at the last second.
The punch grazed her shoulder.
The impact still sent her sliding several meters across the arena.
The crowd gasped.
"That almost ended the fight!"
Seraphine steadied herself.
Electric sparks danced across her arm.
She looked at Kael with growing excitement.
"You're really dangerous."
Lightning surged again around her body.
"But I still have one more technique."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
The energy around her was increasing rapidly.
This next attack would be her strongest.