The roars of the crowd echoed through the arena as Mystery Woman took center stage once more. The holographic bracket flickered, updating to mark Kane as the victor of the duel against Jacob.
"An unexpected twist in our first duel, ladies and gentlemen!" Mystery Woman announced, her voice projecting across the buzzing crowd. "Jacob of Algaria can no longer continue, a valiant effort from both young heroes!"
The enthusiasm of the spectators filled the air. Kane stood at the center of the arena, his eyes scanning the crowd, basking in the cheers and applause.
However, his attention quickly shifted to Jacob, who lay motionless on the ground.
Bending down beside Jacob, Kane observed the Elementalist's face, his expression was arrogant even in defeat.
Though Kane harbored a godlike confidence, he recognized something admirable in Jacob's spirit—a fiery passion for battle, which he also had.
Arrogance was not exclusive to the weak-minded; it often dwelled within the hearts of those driven by ambition and who harbor a burning desire to prove themselves.
With a subtle nod, Kane acknowledged the shared trait and, in an unexpected act, reached out to lay his hand on Jacob's forehead. His eyes glowed faintly as a soft energy radiated from Kane's touch.
The crowd fell into silence, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.
Jacob's body responded almost instantly, the Elementalist stirred, his eyes fluttering open.
Mystery Woman, too, watched with keen interest, her eyes narrowing slightly as the unfolding events deviated from the expected narrative.
Jacob, still groggy, looked up at Kane.
Kane stepped forward, his commanding stride evident. "Let's make sure we give Jacob a round of applause for his performance," he said with a smile.
The crowd obliged, clapping for Jacob's effort. As the cheers reached their peak, Kane approached Jacob and extended a hand to help him up.
Normally, all duels went the same way, the victor triumphed over the loser and arrogantly stood over them.
Mystery Woman, despite her initial surprise, reclaimed control of the moment. "A display of sportsmanship and camaraderie between our young duelists! To the bond between Elysium and Algaria."
Darian and Amira snorted at her comment, as residents of Elysium, they knew that reality was far from this portrayal of 'bond' and 'camaraderie.'
Elysium was a fairly large village that bordered Algaria. Created long before the founding of its surrounding countries, and the elders were titans among top heroes.
Algaria wanted their power, Yet, Elysium had no ambition for conquest. They could have fought against Algaria, instead, they chose peace.
They extended a peace treaty to Algaria, which Algaria had more than readily accepted.
And now, the very people who once looked to take over Elysium were lauding a bond that was not exactly genuine friendship.
Jacob rose to his feet with Kane's assistance.
"How'd you do that, man?" Jacob laughed, slapping Kane's shoulder playfully. "I thought these duels were gonna be a breeze! You made me go all out AND still beat my ass."
Kane smiled back, his eyes glinting with amusement at Jacob's reaction. "Well, every good healer should know how to throw a punch," he replied.
Jacob, still grinning, responded in a more reserved tone, "I'll give you that. Maybe I underestimated you a bit." His eyes held a new level of respect for Kane.
Kane chuckled, "Maybe there's more to us than the titles we're given."
As they exited the stage, Kane couldn't help but think about the strange vision he had experienced.
It felt almost like a memory, one that he couldn't quite place.
But there was no time to dwell on it now, as the gala's vibrant atmosphere enveloped him.
The lively chatter of the crowd, anticipation for the next duel, and the glow of the holographic displays were tough to ignore.
Darian and Amira, standing on the sidelines, approached with proud smiles. Darian slapped Kane on the back, exclaiming, "That was quite the performance, my boy! You've got some serious tricks up your sleeve."
Amira's gaze held a sense of approval. "Kitten, you did well. A healer who can also pack a punch, an unusual mix. Reminds me of your father hurling magic around all willy-nilly."
Kane grinned at the comparison to his father, a powerful ex-hero in his own right.
He was a miracle worker when it came to healing others, but he also possessed the rare ability of element manipulation, an unusual talent even among the top-ranking heroes.
This allowed him to control and shape many different elements, not limited to a single one like most.
A skill that was as much a part of him as his healing abilities. "I guess some things run in the family."
Something that helped him become a 'Pillar'.
In Algaria, the title of Pillar wasn't bestowed lightly upon any hero. It was a prestigious rank reserved only for the most formidable and revered individuals within the hero community.
As they strolled through the bustling gala, Kane caught glimpses of other awakened contenders preparing for their duels.
A familiar voice echoed through the crowd. "Kane!"
Turning around, Kane spotted Sadie weaving through the spectators. Her eyes sparkled with awe. "That was amazing! Healing and then that... space thing. What's your secret, Kane? Is it those eyes, ehehe."
Kane offered a smile. "Maybe. I guess I'm just full of surprises."
The group continued through the gala, soaking in the eclectic sights around them. The holograms overhead displayed the updated bracket, teasing the coming duels.
A few hours later…
With the conclusion of the duels, the gala transitioned into a somber atmosphere. The partying died down and it seemed as if it would all end soon.
Elder Amira decided it was about time to go back to Elysium, and the trio meandered through the crowd towards the exit.
As they approached the exit, a group of prominent figures intercepted them, including the president, Sadie, Mystery Woman, and Captain Patriot.
Sadie waved enthusiastically at Kane, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
The president's gaze fixed intently on Kane. His stern expression broke into a sigh, and he began to speak all about Kane's remarkable healing abilities. Thanking him for healing Sadie.
Kane's expression was dark, Sadie had told him how this man didn't care for her. He had only wanted to use her if she was talented…
Darian, standing beside Kane, gave a subtle nod.
Sadie couldn't contain her excitement and chimed in, "Kane, you're so amazing!"
The president shifted the focus of the conversation. "Now that I've been made aware of your incredible healing powers, Kane. I've come to realize that we could have a second miracle man..."
Kane, a bit puzzled, responded, "Sure, and just to let you know, Miss Mystery here already tried recruiting me."
The president let out a grunt as his gaze turned serious and he continued, "There are two children, both four years old. They're suffering from a rare disease, and their hearts will fail within the week. I'd like you to use your healing abilities to save them."
Kane was taken aback by the unexpected request. "Sounds serious," he said as he glanced at his father for guidance, and Darian nodded, indicating that he was aware of the situation.
Dennis moved on, elaborating on the urgency of the matter but didn't mention the parents' willingness to pay a significant amount for a miracle.
"Why me?" Kane questions. "Why not 'Pius'?"
Dennis, recalling his conversation with Darian, explains, "Well, you know… You've demonstrated incredible potential and-"
Darian intervened, "I just can't be bothered to, son, and this could be some decent training for you."
Amira's lips tightened into a thin line, her gaze flickering between Kane and Dennis. She had become overly protective of her kitten, having seen him grow into what he was now.
Kane narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of skepticism passing through his gaze. He understood the political games that were more than likely being played behind the scenes, and he was not sure how to feel about being thrust into them.
Yet, the lives of two children hung in the balance, and Kane's heart wouldn't allow him to ignore their plight.
Sure, he could have a severe god complex, and be utterly indifferent to those he didn't care for, but he couldn't just turn a blind eye to those innocent kids.
With a measured tone, Kane said, "I'll do it. Not for you, but because I can do it. I won't let those kids suffer if I can help it."
Dennis's face seemed to contort with a blend of relief and annoyance. He was not accustomed to being spoken to in such a way, especially by someone so young. "Very well," he responded tersely. "We'll provide whatever you need."
Kane smirked. "I don't need anything, you'll see. But I do have two conditions, unrestricted access to them, and complete privacy while I work." His demands were clear and non-negotiable.
The president let out a sigh, though there was an undeniable gleam of triumph in his eyes—the amount of money these people were willing to pay was immense.
The donations they would make in the future would certainly be nothing to scoff at.
Sadie clapped her hands together, joy written all over her face. "You're amazing, Kane!"
As he was about to respond, Kane felt Amira's hand on his shoulder. "Be careful, Kitten," she warned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Chains are hard to break once they're forged."
Kane nodded silently. He knew what she meant—once you did a favor for someone like Dennis Warren, they tended to come back asking for more.
"I know," he whispered back, determination steeling his voice. He wasn't just anyone's pawn, and while he would save the children, he wouldn't let that become a problem.
The children, Jacob and Katie, belonged to a family whose roots were deeply entwined with Algaria's history.
And the family had exhausted every known method and remedy, their desperation hitting an all-time high. That's when they tried contacting the miracle worker, Pius.
Darian was not an easy man to find, so they contacted Dennis. With so much money involved the president didn't think twice before inviting Darian to the award ceremony.
Things didn't exactly go as planned, Darian refused to go heal the kids himself, something the family explicitly requested.
Instead, he pushed the responsibility onto Kane...
They couldn't go back to Elysium now; the other Elders would probably put Amira on house arrest, and Darian and Kane faced potential consequences as well.