I watched as the nurses rushed to attend to Elijah, the crowd's cheers for my victory ringing in my ears. Dealing with Elijah had proven annoying; his powers, rooted in magnetic manipulation, rendered him vulnerable to metal weapons, which could disrupt his magnetic field and weaken him. Drawing from past experiences, I had exploited this weakness by creating explosive metal pipes, strategically placed to incapacitate him. While I felt a twinge of remorse for perhaps going too far, it ultimately mattered little in the grand scheme of the competition.
Taking a seat, I observed as Pluto prepared to face Noah. Despite his evident stress, Pluto bravely stepped onto the field to confront his opponent. Noah, in turn, scrutinized Pluto with a calculating gaze, formulating a strategy to overcome him. Amidst the tension, my gaze wandered to the spectators, and I spotted Melony, seated amongst the teachers. With a chuckle, I waved back at her before making my way over to the bleachers, eager to catch up with her.
"What do you think of the games so far?" I ruffled her hair affectionately. "Are they entertaining?"
Melony nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. I couldn't help but wonder what her future held, reflecting on the pivotal role I had played in her escape.
"It looks like the final round is about to begin, so wish me luck," I informed her, offering a reassuring smile. Pluto appeared to have forfeited his round, as Noah opted not to rely on his powers.
"Go win this, Mister Smiles," Melony cheered enthusiastically. "I know you can do it!"
"Don't let your little sister down," Mister Glasses chimed in, joining our conversation. "Give us a show we'll never forget."
With a nod, I replied, "I'll do my best."
Returning to the dirt field, I faced off against Noah, who stood some distance away. The crowd's cheers faded into the background as I focused on devising a strategy to defeat him without resorting to lethal means. Aware that our powers would cancel each other out if used simultaneously, I opted for a large-scale attack to gain the upper hand.
As soon as Ms. Lily gave the signal, I unleashed my purple flames, transforming the ground into molten lava. Noah responded by summoning Kaida, a dragon that soared above the scorched terrain. Undeterred, I summoned my dragon, prepared to engage in aerial combat.
"It seems you want this battle to take place in the sky," I taunted, eyeing the airborne battlefield. "You've made things easier for me."
"No doubt you're planning something," Noah retorted, his gaze focused and determined. "I won't hold back."
He produced a bone whistle, a relic from his past battles, indicating his intent to unleash his full power. Recognizing the danger, I launched a barrage of attacks while my dragon closed in on Kaida. However, as Noah blew the whistle, I braced myself for the inevitable.
Suddenly, the Ultra Dragon emerged, catching me off guard. I realized I needed to act quickly to neutralize this threat. Channeling my powers, I imbued my dragon with heightened strength, transforming it into a formidable adversary. As the two dragons clashed, I unleashed bolts of purple lightning, attempting to strike down Kaida. However, Noah erected a shield, deflecting my attacks.
Engaging in a fierce exchange, I decided to escalate the confrontation. Utilizing dark magic, I summoned portals that ensnared Kaida, dragging the dragon into the abyss. With Noah grounded, I prepared to deliver the final blow, summoning a powerful energy ball. But before I could unleash it, searing pain erupted in my eyes, blinding me and causing blood to trickle from my nose, ears, and mouth.
Amid my agony, I felt a powerful impact, knocking me to the ground as darkness enveloped my senses.
…
Heroes POV
Noah stared in shock at the sight of Abaddon, blood seeping from almost every orifice of his body. Just moments ago, he had been poised to finally defeat his formidable opponent, but now the victory seemed hollow in the face of Abaddon's sudden and inexplicable condition. Uncertainty gripped Noah as he grappled with the gravity of the situation. This was supposed to be his moment of triumph, but instead, it had turned into a nightmare.
Pluto rushed to Abaddon's side, frantically attempting to rouse him back to consciousness. Brain, accompanied by a young girl with vibrant green hair, approached next. The girl, presumably possessing healing abilities, tried to use her powers to aid Abaddon, but to no avail. The severity of Abaddon's condition left everyone feeling helpless and bewildered.
As the nurses arrived to transport Abaddon to the infirmary, a heavy sense of unease settled over the crowd. Kai, attempting to offer solace, urged Noah to collect himself and join the others on the bleachers. Zane, his demeanor somber, emphasized the inappropriateness of celebrating under the circumstances. Noah could only shake his head, tormented by the thought that his actions might have inadvertently led to Abaddon's demise.
Nya, attempting to assuage Noah's guilt, offered words of comfort. "Don't dwell on it too much," she reassured him. "It's unlikely that you caused this. Let's hope for the best."
Despite Nya's attempts to console him, Noah found little solace as he grappled with the weight of the situation. Meanwhile, Ms. Lily took to the podium, her voice carrying over the solemn atmosphere. She announced Noah as the winner of the Elemental Games, but the cheers from the crowd felt hollow, overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding Abaddon's fate.
Noah made his way to the stage, where Ms. Lily presented him with the gold medal. The accolade should have brought him joy, but instead, it felt bittersweet. The silver medal, intended for Abaddon, remained unclaimed, a stark reminder of the absence that hung heavily in the air. Pluto returned from the infirmary, accepting his bronze medal before retreating once more. Noah stood alone on the stage, the weight of his victory tinged with a sense of sorrow and regret.
As the teachers congratulated him, Noah offered a weak smile and a nod, but inside, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was profoundly wrong. The events of the day had taken a dark turn, leaving Noah to grapple with a mix of emotions as he contemplated the uncertain fate of his rival-turned-ally.
...
Lloyd POV
As I woke up, a wave of disorientation washed over me. Everything was dark, and a pang of panic shot through me as I grappled with the possibility of being blind. I attempted to sit up, but a firm hand pressed against my chest, urging me to remain lying down.
"Don't move just yet," a man's voice cautioned. "I need to examine you."
"Let me guess, I'm blind," I replied, my voice strained with tension. "I've done a number on myself, haven't I?"
"You're not blind, but your eyes are bandaged," the voice responded, tinged with irritation.
The door creaked open, and the sound of footsteps filled the room as several people entered. Small hands grasped mine, and I felt tears dampening my skin.
"Melony, is that you?" I inquired, concern lacing my voice. "Why are you crying?"
Melony's crying grew louder, her words barely coherent through her sobs. "Mister Smiles, are you okay? I tried to heal you, but it didn't work."
"I'm okay now, Melony," I reassured her. "I just can't see at the moment."
Another hand found its way to my arm. It was Pluto, his worry palpable in his touch. "Is it temporary or permanent?"
"I don't know," I admitted, my uncertainty weighing heavily on me.
"Tell us about his condition, Victor," requested Mister Glasses. "I'm hoping for good news."
Victor, the voice from earlier, spoke up. "For now, he's stable, but his eyes seem sensitive to light."
Silence enveloped the room as everyone processed the news. Melony's tears began anew, and I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my gut.
"What caused this sudden... overflow?" Mister Glasses asked, struggling to find the right words.
"You mean ability overflow," Victor clarified. "It occurs when your ability becomes too powerful for your body to handle."
I felt the weight of their gaze on me, a sudden realization dawning on me.
"Abaddon's ability is already formidable, but it seems to have intensified with each use," Victor explained further. "Have you ever trained your body?"
I shook my head. "I don't train. I'm confident in my ability."
There was a pause, followed by the sound of Victor jotting something down. "Don't remove the bandages yet. Ms. Lily will help you train your body to prevent another overflow."
I nodded, resigned to my fate. A small object was placed in my hand, its metallic surface familiar to the touch.
"Is this my second-place medal?" I asked, rubbing it between my fingers. "I could have won first if it weren't for this stupid overflow."
"We're well aware of that, Abaddon," Mister Glasses said, his tone sympathetic. "Perhaps there will be a rematch. But for now, rest."
As the room emptied, leaving me alone with Pluto, Victor, and Melony, I squeezed Pluto's hand and accepted his third-place medal.
"You did the hard work," I told him. "Believe in yourself, Pluto."
I sensed Pluto nodding in agreement, and I squeezed Melony's hand, determined not to let my condition deter me from my goals. Eventually, Victor ushered Melony and Pluto out, insisting that I needed rest. Alone in the infirmary, I listened to the quiet hum of the room, until suddenly, the building began to shake. It was as if the world itself was being set into motion, signaling the beginning of something unknown.