The arena was still vibrating with the energy from the previous fight between Throk and Gronnak, when the announcer, with a voice full of enthusiasm and anticipation, positioned himself once again in the center of the battlefield.
- Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, the next battle will be one that will surely stay etched in our memories! On one side, the legendary Sir Alden Voss, the Immortal Knight, whose swordsmanship is unmatched! And on the other side, Midoki, the prodigy whose potential is limitless! Get ready for a duel of monstrosities!"
Midoki entered the arena, his thoughts still scattered from Throk's fight. He felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension, knowing that facing Sir Alden would be an entirely different challenge. Sir Alden Voss, the man who had trained him, was about to become his opponent.
When Sir Alden stepped onto the battlefield, the atmosphere changed. His presence was intimidating, his steps firm and calculated. He was known for his composure, but there was something in his gaze that made Midoki hesitate for a moment. The gleam in his eyes suggested he was taking this fight very seriously.
Without wasting time, Alden advanced with surprising speed for someone of his stature. His sword, enveloped in the spiritual energy of the Aura Ars Magna skill, cut through the air with lethal precision. Midoki barely had time to defend himself when Alden delivered the first strike, forcing him to step back a few paces. The impact was so strong that Midoki tasted blood in his mouth. He had barely recovered when Alden attacked again, this time with even more force.
Alden's strikes were relentless. Each attack seemed to be meant to test Midoki's limits. Midoki's defenses, though skilled, began to fail under the pressure. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed through the arena, but Midoki was at a disadvantage. He could barely catch his breath between the brutal attacks from his master. A deep cut appeared on his arm, followed by another on his side. Blood started to stain his clothes, and his mind was in confusion.
- Midoki: "Why is he doing this?" – Midoki thought, trying to understand the motivation behind Alden's ferocity.
This wasn't what Alden always preached… hurting those you love, there was something more going on. The strength of Alden's strikes was something Midoki had never experienced in his training. Each attack seemed charged with something beyond simple technique, something deeper, more intense.
Elyra, who was watching the fight with growing concern, finally could no longer contain herself.
- Elyra: "Alden, stop!" – She shouted, her voice full of panic and urgency.
But Alden seemed to not hear her, or if he did, he showed no sign of stopping. His attacks continued, heavier, more brutal.
Midoki began to feel despair growing inside him. He knew he needed to react, but he was confused, torn between physical pain and emotional anguish. What should he do? How could he face his own master seriously, someone he deeply respected?
But the answer would not come easily. Sir Alden kept pressing him, forcing Midoki to the brink of breaking. Midoki's blood dripped onto the ground, and he knew that unless he found a way to understand or overcome the situation, he wouldn't survive this confrontation.
The battle was far from over, and Sir Alden's intentions remained a mystery, leaving both the crowd and Midoki in a state of unbearable tension.
Flashback:
In the days when Midoki was just a boy, still discovering the vastness of the world and the potential within himself, he trained tirelessly under Sir Alden Voss's guidance. The scene was a verdant field, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains, where the sound of birds mixed with the impact of blows in the air.
- Sir Alden Voss: "Midoki, a true warrior does not depend solely on his weapons. There will be times when you are without your sword, or when you wish to dominate without hurting anyone. It is then that your fists must speak for you."
Midoki, still small but already showing unusual strength and agility for his age, listened attentively to every word of his mentor. Sir Alden, known for his legendary swordsmanship, was also a master of unarmed combat. He took position, showing the solid foundation of his style.
- Sir Alden Voss: "This style is fluid. It's about speed, precision, and the controlled force of each strike. You must be like the wind, fast and unpredictable, but also like the rock, unshakable and strong." – Demonstrating strikes in the air.
Midoki mimicked Sir Alden's movements, feeling the power in each punch and the grace in each move. Over time, he began to understand the philosophy behind the style. It wasn't just a way to fight; it was a way to control his power, to choose when and how to use his strength. A technique he could employ when he wanted to dominate an opponent without causing fatal harm.
- Midoki: "It's like a wolf... fast, but well controlled... I'll call it 'Wolfist.'" – His eyes shining, after executing a perfect sequence of strikes.
Sir Alden smiled with pride, seeing the determination and wisdom in his young apprentice. He knew Midoki was destined for great deeds, but also that the boy was beginning to understand the responsibility that came with power.
- Sir Alden Voss: "Wolfist... what a ridiculous name, yahahahahaha. Remember, Midoki, true power isn't just about defeating your enemies, but knowing when not to use all your strength. And that, my boy, will be one of your greatest weapons." – Placing a hand on Midoki's shoulder.
Since then, Midoki continued to train tirelessly, perfecting the style he had named himself. Wolfist became an extension of his swordsmanship, a technique he would use throughout his life, not just to fight, but to protect and defend those he loved.
End of Flashback
When Elyra's desperate plea echoed through the arena:
- Elyra: "Please, Midoki, fight! Fight with everything you've got!"
Something inside Midoki awoke. His doubts and confusion were momentarily swept away by a new focus. He knew he could no longer hesitate; he needed to fight like never before, even if it meant going against his own master.
With renewed determination, Midoki focused his spiritual energy, materializing his Katana Shinrei Sogai-zai -[ 神霊阻害剤 ]. The air around him seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his aura, while his eyes, in a sinister manner, locked onto Sir Alden. Alden's gaze remained impassive, but there was a cold fire in his eyes, something that indicated he knew what was coming and was prepared to face it.
Midoki advanced with supernatural speed, his katana glowing with a fierce light.
- Midoki: "Duorimki - Wolf Slash!" – He shouted.
Unleashing a series of slicing blows that tore through the air, aiming directly at Sir Alden. The blades of spiritual energy cut through the space between them like gusts of wind, hitting Alden with devastating force.
Sir Alden tried to block the attacks with his sword, but Midoki's fury was relentless. Each strike was more powerful than the last, forcing Alden to step back, bit by bit. Alden's spiritual armor, known for its legendary resistance, began to show cracks. He defended skillfully and forcefully, but Midoki's incessant attacks left him severely injured, blood dripping from deep cuts on his arms and chest.
Even so, Alden's face twisted in extreme hatred, something Midoki had never seen before. The fury on his master's face was so intense that it made Midoki hesitate for a brief moment, but he couldn't stop now. He knew he had to continue; Elyra had placed her trust in him to fight with everything he had.
However, the colossal effort Midoki had put into his attacks began to take its toll. His vision started to blur, his strength rapidly draining. He tried to keep fighting, but his body simply couldn't take it anymore. Before he could understand what was happening, darkness surrounded him, and Midoki passed out, collapsing to the ground with a dull thud.
The arena fell silent for a moment, the tension in the air palpable. The announcer, with a hesitant but firm voice, finally declared:
- Announcer: "The victory goes to Sir Alden Voss!"
Even victorious, Alden remained still, his chest rising and falling quickly as he struggled to control his breath and anger. The look of hatred he had shown during the fight was still there, but there was something more behind it, something only he understood. Elyra ran to Midoki's side, concerned about his condition, while the crowd around them was in a mix of shock and apprehension over what they had just witnessed.
Sir Alden, visibly injured and with a hardened expression, sheathed his sword in silence. He looked at Midoki, unconscious on the ground, his gaze filled with a mix of complex emotions. Then, without saying a word, he began walking toward the exit of the arena. Each step he took was slow and heavy, as if carrying the weight of his actions on his back. The crowd, which had been cheering with the intensity of the fight, now watched in silence, the air filled with tension and uncertainty.
Elyra, still kneeling by Midoki's side, watched with sad eyes as Sir Alden walked away. The concern for Midoki's condition mixed with the confusion about why Alden had fought so severely. But something in Midoki, even in his weakened state, would not let him leave it like this.
Suddenly, with surprising effort, Midoki began to rise. His body trembled with exhaustion, but he ignored the pain. Elyra tried to hold him, but he gently pushed her away, his determination evident in his eyes.
- Elyra: "Midoki, you can't..." - Elyra began, but her words died in her throat when she saw the look in his eyes. Midoki was determined.
With trembling yet firm steps, Midoki began to follow Sir Alden. He crossed the arena, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor. Every movement seemed a monumental effort, but he couldn't allow Alden to simply walk away without confronting him, without understanding why such brutality had been involved.
Sir Alden's figure, still walking slowly, was about to disappear into the darkness of the arena's exit. Midoki quickened his pace, determined to catch up, and as he approached, the lights in the stadium began to fade, leaving only the shadows and the silence in the air.
The chapter ends with Midoki following his master into the darkness, the future uncertain, but the determination in his heart clearer than ever.