The roaring crowd leaned forward in anticipation, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of cheers and gasps. Devin and Nathaniel stood across from each other in the lush, battle-worn biome. The ground between them was scorched, splintered, and alive with the aftermath of their clash. Both fighters were breathing hard, their bodies glistening with sweat and energy.
Devin adjusted his gauntlets, their lion carvings glowing faintly as if roaring in defiance of his fatigue. His golden aura flickered unevenly, but his smirk remained. "Not bad, Snowflake. You've managed to keep me entertained longer than most."
Nathaniel wiped a smear of dirt from his cheek, his expression as calm as ever despite his labored breaths. His mallet was planted firmly in the ground, vines snaking from its base to steady him. "You speak too much, Devin. Focus on finishing this, or I will."
Devin laughed, though it was strained. "Finish this? Oh, you're adorable. But I'll admit… you've got me curious. Let's end this in style, shall we?"
Nathaniel took the first move, slamming his mallet into the ground with a shout. "Blooming Retribution!"
Glowing flowers sprouted across the battlefield, their radiant petals a deceptive beauty. Devin braced himself, recognizing the attack. In an instant, the blossoms burst into radiant green explosions, sending waves of energy racing toward him.
Devin darted through the chaos, his body glowing gold as he amplified his speed. His movements were almost inhuman, leaving streaks of light as he weaved between the bursts.
Nathaniel followed up with another swing. "Thorned Ascent!"
Massive, spiked vines shot up from the ground, forming a spiraling cage around Devin. The thorns closed in like the jaws of a predator.
But Devin grinned. "You're not boxing me in that easily."
He planted his glowing leg into the ground and spun, his gauntlets blazing as he struck the vines with devastating force. Each punch shattered the greenery, golden energy flaring with every blow. Within moments, he broke free, shards of thorny vines scattering around him.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Persistent. I'll give you that."
Devin pointed his finger like a gun again. "You love your plants, huh? Let's see how they like Flash Bang!"
The golden orb shot forward, exploding with a brilliant burst of light. Nathaniel shielded his eyes, momentarily blinded. Devin took his chance, closing the gap with blinding speed.
He launched a devastating punch at Nathaniel's chest, but the Snow Squad member reacted just in time, raising his mallet to block. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, uprooting the ground beneath their feet.
Devin leaped back, panting as he assessed Nathaniel. The fight had gone on longer than he anticipated, and his energy reserves were dwindling. Nathaniel's calm, methodical attacks were taking their toll.
He clenched his fists, frustration flickering across his face. "This isn't working. I need… more."
Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. The golden glow around his limbs pulsed as he concentrated, the energy in his body responding to his desperation.
Devin smirked. "Let's try something new. I think I'll call this one Golden Surge."
The golden light spread from his limbs, enveloping his entire body. His movements became faster, his punches heavier, his presence almost blinding. The energy radiating off him crackled in the air, distorting the space around him.
Nathaniel's eyes narrowed as he steadied his stance. "Reckless."
Devin grinned. "Effective."
With his newfound power, Devin charged forward, his speed turning him into a golden blur. He landed a flurry of punches, each strike sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. Nathaniel struggled to keep up, his mallet parrying some blows while others grazed him, leaving glowing scorch marks.
Nathaniel retaliated with a desperate swing. "Nature's Wrath!"
The ground exploded as trees and roots surged upward, their branches lashing out at Devin like giant whips. But Devin, now fully consumed by his Golden Surge, tore through them with brute force. His gauntlets roared, their lion carvings glowing brighter than ever.
Both fighters were battered, their bodies trembling with exhaustion. Nathaniel leaned on his mallet, his breathing heavy but controlled. Devin's glow was dimming, his movements losing their sharpness.
"Still standing, huh?" Devin said, his voice raspy. "Not bad for a plant whisperer."
Nathaniel managed a faint smile. "And you're still arrogant. But… this ends now."
The two fighters launched at each other with everything they had left. Nathaniel's mallet crackled with green energy as he swung it in a wide arc. Devin's gauntlets flared one last time as he threw a golden punch aimed directly at Nathaniel's chest.
The collision was catastrophic.
Golden light clashed with emerald energy, creating an explosion that shook the entire arena. The shockwave rippled outward, toppling trees and sending debris flying. The crowd shielded their eyes as the brilliance blinded them for a moment.
When the dust settled, both fighters lay on the ground, motionless. Devin's gauntlets flickered weakly, their glow fading. Nathaniel's mallet lay beside him, its runes dimmed.
The announcer hesitated, then spoke. "Both fighters… are unable to continue! This match ends in a DRAW! Zero points for both squads!"
The crowd erupted into mixed reactions—cheers, boos, and astonished murmurs.
Medics rushed onto the field, tending to the unconscious fighters. Squad Black and Squad Snow members watched from their respective booths, their expressions ranging from shock to pride.
From Squad Black, Delight clasped her hands together. "They both fought so hard… I've never seen Devin pushed like that."
Daniel nodded, his whip coiled at his side. "That Nathaniel guy is no joke. But Devin… he really gave it his all."
In the Squad Snow booth, a member crossed their arms. "Nathaniel's endurance is unmatched. Even against Devin's recklessness, he held his ground."
The camera panned back to the arena, where the medics were loading the fighters onto stretchers. Both Devin and Nathaniel stirred slightly, their eyes fluttering open.
Devin smirked weakly, turning his head toward Nathaniel. "Not bad… for a Snowflake."
Nathaniel gave a faint chuckle, his voice barely audible. "Likewise… for a showoff."
As they were carried off the field, the crowd roared once more, their cheers a mix of admiration and anticipation for what was yet to come.
High above the chaotic battlefield, in a room draped with banners of the academy's squads, the officials sat in stunned silence. The aftermath of the fight still rippled through the arena below, but up here, the tension was palpable. For a few moments, no one spoke, their eyes fixed on the cracked, smoldering landscape of the biome.
Finally, Sergeant Fredin leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. "Well… that was a spectacle." He adjusted his military beret and glanced around the room. "A fight like that, and neither of them walks away with points. What a waste."
A younger officer, Lieutenant Elra, shook her head. "Not a waste, sir. That wasn't just a match—it was a lesson in raw potential. Did you see the way Devin improvised? That Golden Surge… he created that mid-battle. The kid's not just powerful; he's adaptable."
Fredin snorted. "Adaptable? Reckless is more like it. That ability nearly fried him."
From a shadowed corner, Colonel Sera spoke up, her voice calm but authoritative. "Recklessness can be refined. What matters is that he has it—a gift that can push him beyond his limits. And let's not overlook Nathaniel. Squad Snow isn't feared for nothing, and he proved why today. That boy's control over the battlefield was extraordinary."
Captain Dren, a burly man with a thick mustache, tapped his pen against the table. "Nathaniel's composure is what impressed me. Devin came at him like a storm, but he didn't panic. Every move he made was calculated. That's a fighter who knows how to think under pressure."
"But did you see that Chomp ability?" Lieutenant Elra cut in, leaning forward. "Devin opened a portal that blinds, inflicts pain, and disrupts the battlefield. If he learns to wield that properly, he could dominate any opponent."
The group murmured in agreement, but their discussion was interrupted by loud, overlapping voices from another corner of the room.
Kallias and Kalliah, the infamous sibling officers, were nearly bouncing with excitement. Kallias clapped his hands together, his grin stretching ear to ear. "Did you see that, Kalliah? The boy's glow! Like a rising sun in the middle of chaos! He's glorious!"
Kalliah nodded enthusiastically, her curly hair swaying as she leaned closer to her brother. "And Nathaniel! Such grace, such command over nature! He was like a forest given life. Oh, brother, how can we choose between the two?"
One of the other officials groaned audibly. "Could you two not be so dramatic for once?"
Kallias waved a dismissive hand. "Dramatic? We're appreciating genius! Devin's Flash Bang was a stroke of brilliance. And Nathaniel's Verdant Bastion? Stunning!"
Kalliah clasped her hands together, her voice softening. "Brother, do you think either of them realizes their true potential? Or are they merely scratching the surface?"
Kallias tilted his head in thought. "A good question. If this is just the beginning… imagine what they'll become."
Fredin rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. "Here we go again…"
Colonel Sera cleared her throat, drawing attention back to the main table. "What's undeniable is that both Devin and Nathaniel have room to grow. But today, their shortcomings were just as evident as their strengths."
"Shortcomings?" Lieutenant Elra frowned. "You call holding their ground against each other a shortcoming?"
Sera raised an eyebrow. "Devin relies too much on brute force. His strategy, while effective at times, is shortsighted. Had Nathaniel's endurance faltered even slightly, Devin would've won. But against an opponent with better defensive capabilities, that approach could backfire."
Fredin nodded. "And Nathaniel, for all his calm, hesitated. Twice, in fact. He had openings to capitalize on Devin's recklessness, but he held back. I suspect it's because he's too gentle."
Captain Dren shrugged. "You say that like it's a bad thing. A gentle fighter isn't weak—they're precise. Nathaniel doesn't waste energy on unnecessary aggression."
Sera leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Perhaps. But in a real battle, hesitation can get you killed."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words settling over them.
As the officials resumed their discussions, Kallias and Kalliah moved closer to the glass window overlooking the arena. The fighters were being carried off the field, their bodies battered but their spirits unbroken.
Kalliah sighed softly. "They're two sides of the same coin, brother. Strength and precision. Fire and earth. Do you think they'll clash again?"
Kallias chuckled, his grin widening. "Oh, I have no doubt. And next time… it'll be even more spectacular."