The final battle of the tournament was about to begin. Bennet and Jax stood at opposite ends, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of determination and anticipation. The murmurs of the crowd faded into background noise as the tension in the air grew.
"You'll end up just like your friend Lucio," Jax taunted, a sly grin playing on his lips. He had a crude, almost sadistic air about him as he spoke. It was clear that he relished the idea of crushing his opponent.
"We'll see about that," Bennet replied, his voice steady.
As the signal to start the match was given, Jax wasted no time. He charged forward like a rampaging beast, his attacks swift and brutal. Each swing of his mace was delivered with such force that it seemed like it could shatter bones.
Bennet's eyes tracked Jax's movements, his agility allowing him to evade the devastating strikes. He knew that the key to victory was not engaging in a head-on collision with Jax's raw power. Instead, he focused on using his speed to his advantage, darting in and out to land quick, precise hits.
But as the battle raged on, Bennet noticed something unsettling. The more he damaged Jax, the stronger the young warrior seemed to become. It was as if each blow only fueled Jax's determination and increased his ferocity.
Jax's relentless assault was wearing Bennet down, and he knew he couldn't afford to wait any longer. With a deep breath, he activated his trump card, the Haste ability. His movements became a blur as he surged forward, catching Jax off guard.
In that moment, the tables turned. Bennet's speed was unmatched, and he struck Jax repeatedly, each blow landing with precision. Jax struggled to defend himself, his earlier confidence giving way to desperation.
The cheers from the crowd grew deafening as Bennet seemed to gain the upper hand in the battle against Jax. The spectators couldn't help but be drawn into the narrative, where Bennet was the hero and Jax, the antagonist. It was as if the arena had become a stage for a dramatic showdown between good and evil.
But as the cheers reached their peak, Jax's anger intensified. He felt the weight of the crowd's judgment bearing down on him, and it fueled his fury. He couldn't stand the feeling of being cast as the villain once again, and it sent him into a frenzied rage.
"SHUT UP!" Jax shouted
With a wild roar, Jax unleashed another torrent of attacks, his strikes coming quicker and more vicious than before. Bennet found himself barely able to evade the relentless onslaught, the sheer force of Jax's blows leaving him with little room to maneuver.
The turning point of the battle was near, and it was clear that Jax had one final, devastating attack in store. Bennet could see it coming, a strike that could mean an instant defeat if it landed. With no other options left, he called upon his Enhance ability.
A shimmering aura of armor enveloped Bennet, partially lessening the damage of Jax's impending blow. It was a critical hit, and the force of the impact sent Bennet sprawling across the arena. He felt the pain coursing through his body, but he refused to yield.
The arena fell silent as the dust settled, and all eyes were on Bennet, who struggled to rise to his feet. His aura armor had absorbed much of the damage, but the toll was still evident. The crowd held its breath, uncertain of the outcome as Bennet and Jax faced each other once more, both battered and bruised but determined to see the battle through to the end.
The arena was in an uproar, the spectators had witnessed an epic battle, filled with breathtaking moments and unexpected twists.
In the midst of their fierce exchange, Bennet had managed to land a series of powerful and precise blows causing Jax to falter and stagger under the onslaught. With each expertly timed strike, Bennet chipped away at Jax's defenses, weakening him both physically and mentally.
The defining moment came when Bennet, his speed boosted by his Haste ability, delivered a thunderous strike that landed square on Jax's jaw. The impact sent shockwaves through Jax's body, disorienting him. The audience held their breath as they watched Jax teeter on the brink of consciousness.
Jax's legs wobbled, and his vision blurred for an instant. He tried to stay upright, but his strength failed him. In a dramatic turn of events, he finally succumbed to the barrage of attacks. With a resounding thud, Jax collapsed to the ground, his eyes rolling back.
But just as the audience began to believe that Jax was defeated, he sprang back to his feet like a coiled spring, catching everyone off guard. His movements were so quick that it was as if he had transformed into a predatory cheetah.
Before Bennet could react, Jax had closed the gap between them, and with a ferocious determination, he forced Bennet to the ground. The weight of Jax, combined with the sheer force of his punches, made it nearly impossible for Bennet to escape. Each blow landed with a strong impact, sending waves of pain through Bennet's body.
The arena fell into a stunned silence as Jax continued his relentless assault. It was a brutal and one-sided beatdown, and it became increasingly clear that Bennet was in serious trouble. His vision began to blur, and the world around him faded into darkness.
As Bennet slowly regained consciousness, he found himself in a sterile hospital room bathed in soft, diffused light. The medical equipment filled the air, and he could hear the muffled sounds of hushed voices nearby. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy, and every muscle ached with pain.
His vision was blurry at first, but it gradually cleared, revealing the familiar figures of Hugo and Zaira sitting by his bedside, their expressions a mix of relief and worry. Hugo's eyes were red-rimmed, a sign that he had likely been crying. Zaira had a reassuring smile on her face.
"Bennet, you're awake!" Zaira exclaimed softly, her voice filled with relief.
Hugo leaned in closer, his voice trembling with emotion. "We were so worried about you, brother. You took quite a beating out there."
Bennet tried to speak, but his throat felt dry and parched. Zaira quickly fetched a glass of water and helped him take a sip. The cool liquid was soothing, and it helped alleviate some of the discomfort.
"How... how did I...?" Bennet's voice was weak, and he struggled to form coherent words.
Zaira hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Jax won the match, but it got out of hand. He went on some kind of frenzy after the match ended. He started attacking you, and a lot of warriors had to jump in to stop him from... from killing you."
Bennet's eyes widened at the revelation. He couldn't believe the intensity of the battle had escalated to such a dangerous level. "Is he okay?" he asked, his concern genuine.
Zaira nodded, though her expression was troubled. "He's unconscious too, but they managed to stop him before things got even worse. It was a chaotic scene."
Zaira leaned closer, her voice hushed as she continued, "There's something else you should know, Bennet. There's an ongoing investigation into what happened during the final match. They're holding off on announcing the winner until they can sort out the details of Jax's actions."
Bennet furrowed his brow, a sense of unease creeping over him. "Investigation? What could they be looking for?"
Zaira sighed, her expression troubled. "They want to understand why Jax went berserk like that. It's not normal for a warrior to lose control like he did. They're questioning witnesses, and trying to piece together what triggered it all."
Later that day, Bennet was cleared to go home with Hugo and Eliador by his side. His steps were slow, and he leaned on Hugo for support, still feeling the lingering effects of his injuries.
Eliador walked alongside them, they could tell that the guild master felt guilty for insisting that they join the competition.
As they made their way through the town, they passed by familiar faces. The people greeted them warmly, expressing their relief that Bennet was on the road to recovery.
Once they arrived at their family home, Bennet eased himself onto his bed, grateful for the comfort it provided. Hugo fetched a glass of water, and Eliador sat nearby, his gaze filled with concern.
"Bennet, I want you to take your time to heal," Eliador said, his voice gentle but firm. "The investigation is ongoing, and we will support you through it. Your health and well-being come first."
Bennet nodded, appreciating Eliador's understanding. "Thank you, Master Eliador. I'll do my best to recover as quickly as I can."
"And I'll make sure he follows the healers' instructions to the letter." Hugo chimed in.
Martha, their mother, entered the room with a bright smile, unaware of the recent events that had transpired. Her return from a business trip had brought a sense of anticipation to the household, and she couldn't wait to see her children again.
"Bennet, Hugo," she called out as she walked into their shared living space. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for her sons. When her gaze landed on Bennet, who was resting but still bearing the signs of recent battle, her smile faltered.
"What happened here?" Martha's concern was immediate as she rushed to Bennet's side, her motherly instincts kicking in. She gently touched his face and the bandages covering his wounds. "Are you hurt? Did something happen while I was away?"
Hugo stepped forward to explain, "We had a bit of a rough time, Mother. There was a tournament, and we participated."
Martha's worry deepened as she listened to Hugo's account of the recent events. She was both proud of her son's determination and concerned for their safety. "Oh, my boys," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm glad to see you, but I wish I could have been here to protect you."
Bennet managed a reassuring smile, despite his injuries. "We're warriors, Mother. We can take care of ourselves."
Martha sighed, a mixture of relief and concern in her eyes. "I know you can, but a mother's heart can't help but worry."
As they settled into the room, Martha listened intently to their stories. Her warm and attentive presence served as a reminder of the love and sense of home that Bennet had never known in his previous life. Every day, he found himself growing more grateful for the family he had, a stark contrast to the isolation and sadness he had faced in the past.