The battlefield, once smooth and untouched, had now become a field of ruins. Deep, dark cracks tore through the concrete, as if the earth itself feared the overwhelming energy tightening the air. The audience remained silent, everyone watching the drama with held breath.
The Axiom and Dragon Vortex continued spinning through the cloud of dust with merciless speed. The sound of friction was sharp, metal grinding against metal, throwing sparks into the dim light. The astral forms of the two massive beasts still hovered above the peonzas, dominating the entire arena.
🐉 The dragon, spirit of the Dragon Vortex, circled through the sky in massive arcs, cold blue light pulsing within its eyes. Every movement of its wings created violent winds that nearly swept away those standing near the edge of the arena.
🔥 Axiom's flames, in contrast, became wilder and more unstable. The guardian creature's body burned with unbearable heat, orange and crimson lights dancing across the cracked battlefield. The temperature itself had become suffocating.
Kael, dropping to one knee yet refusing to give up, shouted:
"Axiom… you have to keep going! Don't give up!"
Ryujiro's face remained motionless, only a cold, mocking smile crossing his lips. He felt no sympathy — only the taste of victory.
"This battle is already over, Kael. You're just too blind to see it."
Ryujiro slowly, almost theatrically, raised his hand. The air around him instantly froze, as if all warmth had been drained away. The Dragon Vortex answered his will with a deep, rumbling growl.
Ryujiro's voice struck like thunder:
"Dragon Vortex — Thunder Fang!"
The dragon descended from above like a crashing bolt of lightning. Blue electrical currents wrapped around its body, and the moment it struck the arena, the impact shook the entire stadium. The Axiom could not withstand the attack. The overwhelming physical and spiritual force hurled it backward.
New cracks raced across the battlefield as chunks of concrete shattered beneath the Dragon Vortex's weight. Kael clenched his teeth so hard his hands turned pale around the launcher as he desperately tried to save what remained.
Kael knew there would be no second chance. Gathering every last fragment of strength, his spiritual connection with Axiom intensified. The fire beast's eyes began glowing white.
Kael roared:
"Axiom — Inferno Crash!"
The Axiom transformed into a single overwhelming wave of flames. Its speed pushed beyond the limits of physics as it charged directly toward the dragon. The blazing guardian swung a massive burning fist straight into the descending beast.
The two opposing elements — fire and lightning — collided in the center of the arena with a catastrophic explosion. The light was blinding. The sound deafening. Thick gray smoke and ash swallowed the battlefield entirely, consuming both warriors from sight.
The dust slowly… painfully slowly… began to clear within the dead silence. Every eye remained fixed on the center of the arena. As visibility returned, both peonzas were still spinning, though their speed had clearly weakened.
But something had changed along the edge of the Axiom.
A deep, black crack had appeared within the metal frame, spreading further with every rotation. Its structural integrity was collapsing.
Kael whispered in a trembling voice:
"No… please… Axiom, hold on…"
Ryujiro's laughter was cold and dry like a winter storm.
"Look carefully at your peonza, Kael. Even your weakness has infected the metal itself. Now comes the end."
Ryujiro raised both hands this time.
A true lightning storm erupted around the Dragon Vortex. Static electricity filled the arena, causing the hair of everyone in the audience to rise. The blue light completely overwhelmed the fading crimson glow of the Axiom.
Now the dragon was no mere shadow.
Its full physical body manifested completely, scales shining beneath the stormlight.
Ryujiro shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Dragon Vortex — Dragon Storm!"
The dragon did not simply strike downward. It became the center of a devastating tornado that pulled everything into itself. The pressure forced the audience deep into their seats.
The Dragon Vortex collided head-on with the Axiom with merciless precision.
For a single moment…
Time stopped.
A massive explosion capable of consuming everything shook the battlefield.
The flames of the Axiom did not fade away — they shattered apart, scattering across the arena as countless sparks. The center of the battlefield was completely destroyed, leaving behind only a massive crater.
Then came the sharp, cracking sound.
The Axiom could no longer endure the pressure.
It split in half.
The broken pieces flew helplessly through the air before crashing violently against the cold concrete. The spinning stopped completely.
The fire guardian's form slowly faded away, giving one final sorrowful glow before disappearing into nothingness forever.
Kael stood frozen over the remains while Ryujiro silently watched his victory.
Dark clouds covered the sky above.
Somewhere in the distance…
Reizen was watching.
Reizen:
"Now the real story begins."
To be continued…