The massive sword of the ancient general descended with the weight of a mountain, cutting through the air with an ominous roar. The battlefield itself seemed to tremble in anticipation as the blade neared Arin.
This is it!
Arin's instincts screamed at him to dodge, but the oppressive energy of the general's Qi slowed his movements, as if the air itself had turned into thick sludge. His Fire Qi flared desperately, and just before the sword could connect, he pushed off the ground with a surge of flame, rolling to the side in a burst of heat.
The general's sword struck the earth with a thunderous boom, splitting the ground where Arin had been standing. Dust and debris flew into the air, obscuring the battlefield for a moment.
That was close... too close.
Arin's heart raced as he scrambled to his feet, his mind racing to assess the situation. The general's power was immense—far greater than anything he had faced before. The dark energy surrounding the figure felt suffocating, draining his strength just by being near it.
The general straightened, its massive sword effortlessly lifted again as it turned its glowing eyes toward Arin. There was no emotion in those eyes—just pure, overwhelming power. It moved with the confidence of a warrior who had never been bested, and Arin couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring down an opponent that had already deemed him unworthy.
"Fire alone won't be enough…" Arin muttered to himself, echoing his realization from earlier.
This was more than just a test of strength. The general embodied the lingering hatred, anger, and despair of the fallen warriors. If Arin fought with only brute force, he would lose. The battlefield required something different—a deeper connection to the elements, a balance between power and spirit.
I have to blend the fire with the battlefield itself... he reminded himself, focusing on the ebb and flow of the Qi around him.
He extended his senses, feeling the faint echoes of the warriors who had perished here. The wind whispered their stories, the earth beneath his feet carried their weight, and even the fire he controlled seemed to flicker with their memories. The battlefield wasn't just a place of death—it was alive, infused with the energy of countless battles.
Drawing a deep breath, Arin centered himself. His Fire Qi ignited once more, but this time it didn't rage out of control. It was steady, flowing through him like a calm river. He extended his arms, feeling the wind around him and blending his Qi with the energy of the battlefield.
The general let out another roar, swinging its sword in a wide arc. The sheer force of the strike sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, but this time, Arin was ready.
With a swift motion, Arin dashed to the side, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved with the speed of the wind itself. His Fire Qi crackled in his wake, leaving a trail of embers that danced in the air. The general's sword missed him by a hair's breadth, crashing into the ground once again.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Arin shouted, thrusting both hands forward.
A stream of fire shot from his palms, but instead of a wild, uncontrollable blaze, the flames were sharp and focused, twisting through the air like serpents. They weaved around the general's massive frame, striking at its joints and weak points.
The fire seemed to burn hotter than before, fueled not only by Arin's Qi but by the elemental energy of the battlefield itself. For a moment, it looked as though the general's armor would melt under the intense heat.
But then, with a single swing of its sword, the general dispelled the flames. Dark energy pulsed from its body, snuffing out Arin's attack as though it were nothing more than a flickering candle.
What...? Arin's eyes widened in disbelief.
The general's power was overwhelming, its Qi far more potent than anything he had anticipated. The dark energy swirling around it seemed to absorb his flames, neutralizing their heat and strength.
With a snarl, the general raised its sword again, preparing to unleash another devastating blow. This time, the air around the blade crackled with dark lightning, as if the general had drawn power directly from the battlefield itself.
Arin's mind raced. I can't overpower it… but maybe… maybe I don't have to!
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Instead of trying to match the general's power, he would turn the battlefield's energy against it.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself once more. He could feel the lingering emotions of the fallen warriors—anger, fear, despair—but there was something else beneath it all. A yearning. A longing for peace. The spirits of the battlefield weren't just trapped—they wanted to be freed.
Arin opened his eyes, his resolve stronger than ever.
When the general's sword came down this time, Arin didn't dodge. Instead, he focused his Fire Qi inward, blending it with the energy of the battlefield. His flames grew brighter, hotter, but they didn't lash out in wild fury. They moved in harmony with the wind, the earth, and the lingering Qi of the fallen warriors.
The general's sword struck, but just before it could make contact, Arin raised his hand, his Fire Qi flaring to life.
"Agni Avasthitam!" he shouted, invoking the ancient Sanskrit phrase that resonated with the energy of fire.
The flames surged upward, not in an offensive attack but as a shield—a barrier of fire and elemental Qi that absorbed the blow. The dark energy of the general's sword clashed against the shield, sending ripples of power through the battlefield.
For a moment, everything was still.
Then, with a deafening roar, the general's sword shattered.
The dark energy that had surrounded the general flickered, then began to dissipate. The massive figure stumbled back, its eyes flickering with uncertainty for the first time. Arin could feel the shift in the battlefield—the spirits of the fallen warriors were no longer fueling the general's power. Instead, they had begun to align with him, recognizing his resolve.
But the battle was far from over.
The general let out an enraged bellow, its body crackling with dark Qi as it prepared for one final, desperate attack. The ground shook violently, and the air grew thick with tension.
Arin clenched his fists, his Fire Qi burning stronger than ever. He knew this was it—the final clash. One way or another, the battle would be decided in the next moment.
The general charged, its sword reforming in a blaze of dark energy.
And Arin, his heart steady and his resolve unshaken, prepared to meet it head-on.
To be continued in Chapter 22…