The city square had become a battlefield, with the air thick with tension and the ground littered with the remnants of intense clashes. But amidst the chaos, one confrontation stood out—the battle between Mark and James, a duel that would test the limits of power and skill.
Mark stood calmly in the center of the square, his expression unreadable as he faced James, the captain of Squad 11. The two men were polar opposites in appearance—James, tall and imposing, radiated an aura of sheer power, while Mark, slightly shorter and seemingly unassuming, exuded an air of quiet confidence.
James sneered as he sized up Mark. "So, you're the one they call Mark. I've heard the stories, but you don't look like much. This is going to be easier than I thought."
Mark remained silent, his eyes focused and unwavering. He didn't need to boast or taunt—his presence alone was enough to convey his strength.
James scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "You think you can take me on without even drawing your weapon? I've crushed countless opponents who thought they could match me. You'll be no different."
Without warning, James summoned his Arcon, a massive, hulking figure of pure shadow that loomed over him like a dark titan. The ground trembled under the weight of its presence, and the air grew heavy with its malevolent energy.
Mark still didn't move. His stance was relaxed, almost casual, as if he were completely unconcerned by the monstrous Arcon standing before him.
James grinned, mistaking Mark's calm demeanor for arrogance. "Fine. If you won't make the first move, then I will!"
With a roar, James charged forward, his Arcon's massive fists slamming down with the force of a thousand hammers. The ground cracked and shattered under the impact, sending debris flying in all directions. But Mark was nowhere to be seen.
James's eyes widened in shock as he realized that Mark had effortlessly dodged the attack, moving with a speed that defied his calm appearance.
Before James could react, Mark appeared behind him, his hand raised. A blast of pure energy erupted from Mark's palm, striking James square in the back and sending him crashing to the ground.
But James was far from defeated. He quickly regained his footing, his eyes burning with fury. "You think you can take me down with cheap tricks? I'll show you what real power looks like!"
He unleashed a barrage of attacks, his Arcon's fists striking with the force of a hurricane. But Mark dodged each blow with almost effortless precision, his movements smooth and controlled, as if he were merely toying with his opponent.
Frustration began to creep into James's expression. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't land a single hit on Mark. It was as if Mark was always one step ahead, anticipating every move before it even happened.
"You're fast, I'll give you that," James growled, his voice laced with frustration. "But speed alone won't save you."
Mark finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "It's not just about speed, James. It's about control. You rely too much on brute force, but power without control is nothing."
James's eyes narrowed. "You talk a big game, but let's see how you handle this!"
He summoned the full power of his Arcon, its shadowy form expanding and darkening until it seemed to blot out the sun itself. The ground shook violently as the Arcon's energy reached a fever pitch, and James prepared to unleash a devastating attack that could level the entire square.
But Mark didn't flinch. Instead, he simply raised his hand and pointed at James. "Enough."
In that instant, a wave of pure energy radiated from Mark, cutting through the dark energy of James's Arcon like a knife through butter. The massive figure wavered, its form flickering as if it were struggling to maintain its shape.
James's confidence faltered, and for the first time, a flicker of fear crossed his face. "What… what are you?"
Mark's expression remained calm as he lowered his hand. "You wanted to see my Arcon, didn't you? Very well. I'll grant you that request."
He raised his sword and spoke the words that would change the course of the battle. "Rise, Arcon."
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew heavy with an overwhelming power that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. The ground beneath Mark's feet darkened, and the sky above him turned black as night.
James staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait… your Arcon's name is… Arcon? Don't tell me…"
Mark's gaze met James's, and in that moment, the truth became clear. "Yes," Mark said, his voice resonating with authority. "I am the creator of Arcons. And now, you will witness the true power that you so arrogantly sought to challenge."
With a single motion, Mark raised his sword to the sky. The darkness around him seemed to ripple and shift, as if responding to his command. And then, with a thunderous roar, the ground erupted in a sea of black energy.
From that darkness, a thousand swords appeared, each one gleaming with an eerie, otherworldly light. They floated in the air around Mark, their edges sharp enough to cut through anything in their path.
James could only watch in horror as the swords hovered ominously, their numbers too vast to count. "This… this is impossible…"
Mark's eyes glowed with a cold, unyielding light. "You wanted to see my power, James. Now, you'll experience it firsthand."
With a flick of his wrist, Mark sent the thousand swords hurtling toward James. They moved with a speed and precision that defied belief, their edges slicing through the air with a sound like the howling wind.
James barely had time to react before the swords were upon him. He tried to summon his Arcon to defend himself, but it was too late. The swords tore through the shadowy figure as if it were made of paper, shredding it into nothingness.
The ground around James erupted in a storm of blades, each one cutting into him with unrelenting force. The pain was excruciating, but it was the sheer power behind the attack that left James in a state of shock.
As the swords continued their relentless assault, James felt his strength waning. He had never encountered anything like this—an opponent who could command such overwhelming power with such ease. It was as if he were fighting against a force of nature itself.
Finally, as the last of the thousand swords struck him, James collapsed to the ground, his body battered and broken. The once-mighty captain of Squad 11 lay defeated, his Arcon shattered, his power extinguished.
Mark stood over him, his expression as calm as ever. "This is the power of the creator. You should never have challenged me, James."
With those final words, Mark turned and walked away, leaving James to contemplate his defeat. The battle was over, but the victory felt hollow. Mark knew that there were greater challenges ahead, and this fight was merely the beginning.
As the darkness around him began to fade, Mark's thoughts turned to his allies—Sam, Sara, Masha, and Alan. They were all fighting their own battles, and he could only hope that they, too, would find the strength to overcome the challenges they faced.
But for now, the square was quiet once more, the storm of swords having passed. And in the stillness that followed, Mark knew that the true battle—the one that would determine the fate of all realms—was still yet to come.