Ronan raised his hand. "Three falls. You fall three times—you lose." Adam smirked. "Then don't blink." Lebo exhaled. "Come at me." Zeliex leaned back. "Heh… this is gonna be good." Jane crossed her arms. "Don't lose, Lebo." Ronan dropped his hand. "Start."
Lebo moved first. Gravity pressed around him, air bending. His knees lowered. "…Yeah… I feel it too." Adam grinned. "So you slow yourself down?" "Yeah," Lebo said. "But you more."
Flames burst around Adam's legs. "Flames of the Talon." He dashed—fast. "Too fast," Ams whispered. "I know." The ground under Lebo bounced. Adam noticed. "Setting the field?" He jumped high, coming from above. "Smart," Lebo said.
BOOM
Gravity surged upward. Adam slammed into the ceiling. "—Tch!" Lebo dropped lower too, legs shaking. Too heavy. He released and rushed in. BAM a punch. Slash—Slash two hits. Adam dropped back, sliding.
Ams reformed. "Plan?" "Yeah." Ams whispered. Lebo smirked. "…Let's do it."
Zeliex watched. "They're adapting fast." Jane nodded. "My brother's thinking ahead." Ronan's eyes stayed sharp. "…And Adam's reading him."
Lebo stepped in. Adam cracked his neck. "Hand-to-hand?" "Try me." BAM—BAM—BAM fast exchanges. Adam slipped in—THUD a hit to Lebo's leg. Lebo staggered. "Tch—" "Focus," Adam said. Lebo almost fell but held himself.
Adam's eyes narrowed. That slime… He moved, grabbed Ams. "Got you." He threw him away. "Ams!" Lebo turned—too late. BAM he fell.
"First fall," Ronan said.
Lebo stood, breathing heavier. "…Alright." Ams bounced back. "You ready?" "Yeah."
Lebo raised his hand. Gravity slammed down again. Adam's body dropped. "…Tch—heavier…" Lebo's body lowered too. "…damn… it's getting worse…"
Zeliex's eyes sharpened. "…There it is." Jane looked. "What?" "He feels it too." Ronan nodded. "He controls gravity… but he can't escape it."
Lebo lifted his head. "NOW." Gravity vanished. Adam stumbled. "—What?" BAM a hit. "NOW AGAIN." Gravity returned—stronger. Both dropped lower. Adam clenched his teeth. "…you're insane."
Zeliex pointed. "He's stacking it." Adam frowned. Stacking…?
Lebo moved again. "NOW." Release—hit—gravity—again—repeat.
Ronan spoke calmly. "Each time he reapplies it… the weight increases." BAM another hit. Adam staggered. Zeliex smirked. "He removes it at impact… so the hit lands clean…" Jane finished, "…then brings it back before recovery."
Adam tried to move—too slow, too heavy. Ronan nodded. "A loop… but it costs him too."
Lebo's legs trembled. I can't keep this long… "NOW." Release—Adam lost balance—and fell.
"Second fall."
Adam pushed himself up slowly, breathing heavy. "…One more." He looked at Lebo… then smiled.
"…My turn."
Flames rose—hotter, deeper.
Jane leaned forward. "…That heat…" Zeliex's smile faded. "That's not normal."
Adam's voice lowered.
"Flames of the Valley."
For a moment… everything slowed.
Adam's eyes burned.
He remembered—
The stories told in his clan.
The elders standing before the fire.
The night the sky turned red.
"The Orange Dragon saved us," his elder had said.
"It burned the monsters… protected the valley… gave us power."
Young Adam had asked, "Can I be like it?"
His brother smiled. "No… you'll be stronger."
Back to the fight.
Heat spread. The ground hissed.
Ronan spoke quietly. "…Dragon lineage."
Adam stepped forward.
I carry that power… I won't shame it.
"Wings of the Clouds."
He moved fast—touched Lebo's arm.
SSSHH
Burning pain.
Lebo stepped back. "Tch—hot…"
Adam pulled back slightly. "…I'm holding back."
Lebo smirked. "Good."
Lebo reduced his weight, moving faster, circling.
"Running?" Adam said.
"Waiting."
They moved. Heat flickered… then faded.
Adam exhaled. "…Time's up."
Lebo stepped forward.
"Now we fight for real."
Adam grinned. "…Yeah."
They clashed. No powers. Just fists. BAM—BLOCK—COUNTER fast, clean.
"Better," Adam laughed. "Keep up." Lebo smirked. "Don't fall behind."
They pushed harder.
Zeliex blinked, then chuckled softly. "…That look… I remember it." Jane glanced at him. "…Yeah." They both went quiet.
Zeliex scratched his head. "Back then… we used to fight like idiots." Jane smiled faintly. "We weren't thinking about ranks… or Claws… or Talons…" Zeliex nodded. "…Just winning." Jane looked at Lebo. "…Just having fun."
Ronan watched silently.
Final clash—
BOOM
Both fell.
Silence.
"…Tie," Ronan said.
Adam laughed. "You're annoying." Lebo laughed. "You're too fast." Ams bounced. "We did it!"
Zeliex walked closer. "Not bad." Jane nodded. "You improved."
Ronan stepped forward. "Adam."
Adam looked up. "…Yeah?"
Ronan crossed his arms. "That power… don't rely on it alone."
Adam frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Your flames are strong," Ronan said. "But your control… your timing… that's what made you dangerous."
Adam stayed quiet.
"If you depend only on your clan's power…" Ronan continued, "…you'll stop growing."
Adam clenched his fist.
"…Then I'll surpass it."
Ronan nodded once. "Good."
Ronan looked at all of them. "Listen."
They sat up.
"You know Claws and Talons." Adam nodded. "Fighters and support." Ronan glanced at Jane. "…And some break that path." Jane smirked. "Obviously." Zeliex chuckled. "Yeah."
Ronan continued.
"But there is more."
They leaned in.
"…The Dragon Head."
Silence fell.
End of chapter 9