The moment the announcer called for the match to begin, Kaiden was already in motion. His body surged forward like a spring released, his feet barely touching the ground as he darted toward his opponent.
Luthor Dragal stood at the other side of the arena, his hulking form like a wall of muscle. He was everything Kaiden expected—bulky, slow-looking, but clearly a powerhouse. His body was wide, his shoulders thick with muscle, and his arms were like tree trunks. His face was rugged, with a square jaw and a permanent scowl that made him look like a guy who had been training for brute force his whole life. But, to Kaiden, he looked like an average man trying too hard to be something more.
Kaiden couldn't help but let out a small, mocking chuckle. "That body of yours is really all you've got, huh?" he said, almost casually, as he closed the distance between them. "I was expecting someone with a little more... finesse, but you're just an oversized hammer waiting to be swung."
The words had barely left his mouth before Luthor swung his massive battle axe at Kaiden, his movements slow but powerful. The axe's blade seemed to glow with a faint golden aura as it cut through the air.
Kaiden sidestepped with ease, the world around him seeming to slow as he activated Transparent World. The botched swing of the axe was easy to see coming, and he easily avoided the attack by a few inches, leaving Luthor off balance.
This guy's slow as hell, Kaiden thought to himself, his lips curling into a smirk. He could already tell the fight was going to be a joke. But then again, he had seen how overwhelming brute strength could be if used right.
The Fight Begins
Luthor grunted as he swung again, his bulky body following through with the attack. Kaiden moved with ease, using Second Form: Gale Step to dodge around the blows. Each strike from Luthor was slower than the last, and Kaiden's confidence grew with every passing second.
"Come on, is that all you've got?" Kaiden taunted, flipping backward after another swing, his feet landing softly on the ground.
Luthor was clearly growing frustrated, his heavy breathing growing louder as he charged Kaiden once more. The air was thick with tension. The crowd in the stands roared in excitement, but Kaiden remained focused. He could see the sweat glistening on Luthor's forehead and the cracks in his stoic demeanor. This was the perfect opportunity.
Kaiden dashed forward, using First Form: Ironclad Defense to meet Luthor's incoming attack head-on. As Luthor swung the battle axe downward with both hands, Kaiden expertly blocked the blow with his sword, his arms absorbing the shock of the impact. The force was immense, but Kaiden stood his ground. His body shuddered under the pressure, but his stance held.
"You think you're strong, but that's all you've got," Kaiden spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "Big muscles and no brain. It's pathetic, really."
Luthor's eyes burned with anger as he tried to force Kaiden back with a few more swings, but Kaiden's sword was too fast. He parried each strike with ease, dodging the brute force that Luthor tried to unleash. He followed up with a swift counter, landing a cut across Luthor's chest, leaving a deep gash on his opponent's exposed side.
Luthor grunted, but the cut didn't seem to faze him much. Instead, he took a deep breath, grinning. "I'm not here to play around, kid."
The Power of Flow and the Struggle
Kaiden narrowed his eyes. He had already analyzed Luthor's fighting style—slow, deliberate, but powerful. His swings had the potential to crush anyone who couldn't dodge or block in time, but Kaiden had the upper hand with his agility and Transparent World.
"I really don't get why people like you think strength is the only thing that matters," Kaiden muttered, weaving in and out of Luthor's attacks. "With that bulky body, you're just an average man. What, you think the more you eat, the stronger you get?"
Luthor's fists clenched, but Kaiden didn't give him a chance to respond. Instead, he moved in close, using Third Form: Blade of the Phoenix to unleash a barrage of quick slashes. The glowing sword cut through the air, each strike landing with precision.
But as Kaiden got closer, Luthor began to fight back more aggressively, pushing Kaiden back with sheer force. Each attack seemed more desperate than the last, but Kaiden wasn't worried. He could feel the Flow building within him, surging with every strike.
"Pathetic," Kaiden muttered again, blocking another of Luthor's heavy blows with Fifth Form: Stormbreaker, redirecting the attack and sending Luthor stumbling back.
Luthor gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his brow. He was clearly frustrated with Kaiden's speed and evasiveness, and that's when Kaiden saw it. His opponent was starting to rely less on instinct and more on desperation.
Luthor's Adaptation
Kaiden's smirk grew. "You're slowing down, Luthor. I guess being big doesn't make you invincible."
Luthor's eyes flashed with fury. "Shut your mouth, brat! I'll show you what real strength is!"
Before Kaiden could react, Luthor planted his feet firmly into the ground, and the earth seemed to tremble beneath him. With a low growl, he slammed his battle axe into the ground. The entire arena quaked as chunks of stone and dirt shot up around him, forming an impenetrable shield of rock.
Kaiden's eyes widened. What the hell is he doing?
Luthor raised his axe high, now surrounded by a thick armor of stone. The Flow around him was intense, his muscles bulging as he took a deep breath. His once heavy attacks were now shielded by the earth itself, and the moment Kaiden tried to make a move, the stone shield pulsed with Flow energy. Luthor's power had spiked, his defense and offense now a lot more threatening.
"Now, you'll see what happens when you mess with me," Luthor growled, his voice deepened by the raw Flow surging through his body.
Kaiden took a step back, his instincts flaring. This wasn't just brute strength anymore. This was something else—Luthor had figured out how to use his environment to his advantage.
The Changing Tide
Kaiden was silent for a moment, watching as Luthor gathered himself. Shit, Kaiden thought, clenching his sword. I need to adapt.
Kaiden had been moving too fast, too aggressively, but now the environment was working against him. The ground shook beneath him, and Luthor's body was completely surrounded by stone armor. He was no longer just an opponent—he was a force of nature.
Kaiden didn't back down. Instead, he steadied his breathing. He could still feel the Flow coursing through him, just waiting to be used.
"This is just getting interesting," Kaiden smirked, stepping back into a defensive stance. "You want to hide behind rocks? Fine. But don't expect me to go easy on you."
End of Chapter 57
The duel between Kaiden and Luthor takes a dangerous turn as Luthor reveals his environmental adaptation. Kaiden's speed and agility have served him well, but now he faces a much tougher challenge. The Trial of Blades has truly begun, and Kaiden knows that if he wants to win, he will have to push himself harder than ever before.
To be continued...