The atmosphere in the arena was tense, heavier than before. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eyes darting from one competitor to the next. Ragnar stood at the edge of the ring, his heart pounding in his chest, not from fear, but from a growing sense of unease. He had made it this far, and victory was within reach. But there was something unsettling about the way the final match was unfolding.
As he and Kiran prepared for the battle, a hush fell over the spectators. A figure appeared at the opposite side of the arena—tall, imposing, and radiating a palpable aura of danger. The crowd parted like the sea as Mizan stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning the arena with cold calculation. Ragnar's breath caught in his throat as recognition struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Mizan. The name echoed in Ragnar's mind, and his gaze flickered to Kiran, who stood beside him, his muscles taut and his stance rigid. There was something in Kiran's eyes—fear, distress, something deep and raw that Ragnar had never seen before. The wolf-like beast's golden eyes flickered nervously between Mizan and Ragnar, and a low growl rumbled in Kiran's throat, though he was careful not to move too far.
Ragnar's stomach twisted. He could feel Kiran's unease, the connection between them pulling tight as if the very ground beneath them had shifted. Kiran had never shown such vulnerability before. The past—the trauma he had suffered under Mizan's cruel hand—was a weight that now pressed on both of them. Ragnar stepped closer to Kiran, his voice low but steady. "We're in this together, Kiran. Whatever happens, we face it side by side."
Kiran met his gaze, and for a brief moment, Ragnar saw something flicker in the wolf's eyes—a trust, a silent vow. But the fear was still there, a lingering shadow that even Ragnar couldn't dispel entirely. They would have to face this together.
Mizan's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "So, the boy has a new beast, huh? How amusing. I see you've come a long way, Ragnar, but it's far too late for you to stand against me."
Ragnar's fists clenched at his sides. He had no intention of backing down, but there was a gnawing sense of dread growing within him. Mizan wasn't just any tamer; he was a legend, a monster in his own right. And now, the man who had once held dominion over Kiran was here, in the very arena where Ragnar had fought so hard to earn his place.
The horn sounded, signaling the start of the match. Mizan's beast—an enormous, monstrous creature—emerged from the shadows. It was a nightmare made flesh, a hulking beast with scales like iron, spikes protruding from its back, and glowing red eyes that gleamed with a malevolent intelligence. The creature's movements were slow but deliberate, exuding an immense strength that seemed to make the very earth tremble beneath it.
Kiran's body tensed, and Ragnar could feel the beast's unease. This wasn't just a fight; this was a confrontation between a master and his former companion, a reminder of the horrors Kiran had endured. The wolf's movements were hesitant at first, as if torn between his loyalty to Ragnar and the trauma from his past.
Mizan's cold voice broke through the silence again. "Don't worry, Kiran. I'll put you down like the beast you are—once and for all."
The words stung, but they were a reminder of the darkness that still lingered in Kiran's past. Ragnar, sensing his companion's hesitation, stepped forward. "Kiran, we've trained for this. We've come this far, and we're not going to back down now. Remember who you are—remember who we are together."
Kiran's golden eyes flickered with something akin to recognition, as if Ragnar's words were reaching the part of him that had been buried by pain. The wolf's posture shifted, his fear slowly replaced by a quiet determination. Together, they would fight.
The battle began in earnest.
Mizan's beast charged forward, its massive jaws snapping shut with a deafening roar. Kiran dodged just in time, his agility and speed surprising even Ragnar. But Mizan wasn't going to let them off easy. The monster's tail swung around like a battering ram, and Ragnar barely managed to call out to Kiran in time. "Dodge left, now!"
Kiran responded instantly, twisting his body in a fluid motion that sent him skidding across the arena floor, narrowly avoiding the tail's strike. But the force of the blow created a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying into the air. The crowd gasped as the impact shook the ground beneath them.
Mizan smirked. "Is that all you've got?"
Ragnar's heart raced, but he refused to let Mizan's taunts get to him. "Keep your focus, Kiran! We've got this!"
Despite the confidence in Ragnar's voice, the battle was proving to be a grueling test. Mizan's experience was overwhelming, and his beast's sheer power was something Ragnar had never encountered before. Each move Ragnar and Kiran made was countered effortlessly, and the emotional weight of the fight was starting to wear them both down.
Ragnar's mind raced as he tried to adapt, but Mizan's beast was too strong, too well-coordinated. Every time Kiran got close to landing a hit, the creature's massive claws swiped him back, sending him sprawling. Mizan's taunts were constant, each word designed to unsettle Kiran even more. "You were nothing without me, Kiran. And you'll be nothing again. You'll always be mine."
The words dug deep, and Ragnar could see Kiran's resolve faltering. The wolf hesitated just long enough for Mizan's beast to strike again, a blow that sent Kiran tumbling back, his legs buckling beneath him.
"No!" Ragnar shouted, rushing to Kiran's side. He placed a hand on the wolf's side, his own heart racing with fear. "We've come too far to let this defeat us. Get up, Kiran. We're not done yet."
But Mizan's beast wasn't finished. It charged forward, ready to deliver a final blow, and Ragnar knew that the end was near. He stood in front of Kiran, ready to protect his companion with everything he had. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the inevitable unfolded.
Kiran, weakened but not broken, pushed himself up with Ragnar's encouragement, his golden eyes flashing with a fierce light. He let out a howl—a call to battle—one that shook the very air around them. But it was too late. Mizan's beast slammed into them, knocking Ragnar to the ground.
The final blow was swift. Mizan's creature lifted its massive paw and brought it down with crushing force, sending Ragnar sprawling. The horn sounded, signaling the end of the match.
Ragnar's body ached, his pride shattered. He had lost. But as he lay on the ground, gasping for air, he felt something else—a sense of humility, a realization of just how much further he had to go. He wasn't a world champion yet. He was still learning, still growing.
Mizan stood over him, his expression cold and triumphant. "You were never a match for me, Ragnar. Not now, and not ever."
But Ragnar's gaze lifted to Kiran, who was still by his side, and he realized that this defeat didn't define them. The bond between him and Kiran was stronger than any opponent, stronger than anything Mizan could throw at them. They would rise again.
As the crowd erupted into applause, Ragnar's heart remained steady, knowing that his journey had only just begun.