The tension was electric, a palpable hum in the air as the Heart of Lumina floated between Makoto and Kael, pulsing like a living thing. Its glow shifted, casting long, flickering shadows across the battleground. Every eye was locked on the relic, its otherworldly voice still echoing in their ears.
"Only one worthy of balance shall claim it."
Makoto's fingers tightened into a fist as he studied the Heart. The phrase resonated with him, stirring something deep within his soul, but he couldn't decipher its meaning. Kael, on the other hand, took a step forward, his smirk now replaced by a grim determination.
"Balance?" Kael scoffed. "The only balance that matters is power, and I'll show you who deserves it."
He thrust his hand forward, his dark qi surging toward the Heart. The mixture of fire, ice, and shadow swirled together, creating a chaotic vortex that seemed to consume the very air. The spectators gasped as the force raced toward the relic.
Makoto reacted instantly. With a sharp step, he extended his palm, unleashing a concentrated burst of his own qi. The force collided with Kael's, the impact creating a shockwave that rattled the trees and sent spectators stumbling back.
The Heart of Lumina flared violently, a brilliant light surging outward. Both Makoto and Kael were thrown back by the force, landing on opposite sides of the clearing.
"Enough!" the voice boomed again, resonating like thunder.
The relic's glow intensified, bathing the entire clearing in blinding light. When the light dimmed, the Heart floated higher, as if observing the two combatants.
Kael wiped blood from his mouth, his arrogance replaced with fury. "What's the meaning of this? I am the strongest! I am the son of the sect master!"
Makoto stood slowly, his gaze steady. "It's not about strength," he murmured. His voice was calm but carried an edge that cut through the tension. "It's about balance-something you'll never understand."
The Heart pulsed again, and a low hum filled the air. Slowly, intricate symbols began to materialize around it, swirling in a golden halo. Each symbol seemed ancient, their meanings indecipherable yet heavy with significance.
Lizhang, who had been silent, took a hesitant step forward. "Those... Those are runes of the primordial era," he whispered.
Kael's eyes widened. "Primordial? Impossible. Those relics were destroyed eons ago."
Makoto's heart raced. The primordial era-an age he remembered vividly, though it was spoken of only in myths in this world. The symbols weren't just ancient; they were a language he had once mastered.
Kael clenched his fists. "I don't care what it is. That relic is mine!"
He lunged forward, his qi surging with an intensity that made the ground quake. His Frozen Inferno Domain flared to life, a chaotic storm of fire and ice hurtling toward the Heart.
Makoto moved to intercept, but before he could, the Heart reacted. A barrier of pure energy erupted around it, stopping Kael's attack in its tracks. The energy then lashed out, a beam of light striking Kael square in the chest.
Kael screamed as he was thrown back, his body slamming into a tree with enough force to crack its trunk. He slumped to the ground, coughing blood, his dark qi flickering like a dying flame.
The Heart turned its attention to Makoto, its glow softening. The symbols around it shifted, forming a pattern that seemed to beckon him.
"Makoto..." Yuna's voice broke the silence, trembling with fear and hope.
He looked at her, his expression softening for a brief moment. But before he could speak, the Heart spoke again, its voice low and resonant.
"Step forward, bearer of the forgotten."
Makoto froze. The words struck a chord deep within him, as if the relic knew his secret. He hesitated, the weight of his reincarnated past pressing down on him.
"Don't listen to it!" Kael's voice was hoarse, filled with desperation. He struggled to his feet, his body trembling. "It's trying to manipulate you!"
Makoto ignored him and stepped forward, each movement deliberate. The ground beneath his feet seemed to hum in response, the air growing heavy with anticipation.
As he approached the Heart, its light enveloped him, a warmth spreading through his body. The symbols around it shifted again, forming a circle that encased him and the relic.
Then, the voice spoke once more:
"Balance is not given; it is earned."
Makoto felt a surge of energy course through him, unlike anything he had ever experienced. It wasn't just power-it was knowledge, memories flooding back from his ancient life. The Heart was testing him, probing his very essence.
Kael watched in disbelief, his anger boiling over. With a roar, he summoned the last of his strength, his qi twisting into a dark, jagged spear. He hurled it toward Makoto, the attack fueled by desperation and fury.
Makoto didn't flinch. The Heart's light flared, intercepting the attack with ease. The spear dissolved into nothingness, leaving Kael gasping and defeated.
The relic pulsed one final time before descending into Makoto's hand. The light faded, leaving the clearing in silence.
Makoto turned, the Heart of Lumina cradled in his palm. He looked at Kael, who now knelt on the ground, his pride shattered.
"This isn't over," Kael spat, his voice venomous. "You think this makes you worthy? I'll destroy you."
Makoto's gaze was cold, his voice steady. "You've already lost, Kael. Your arrogance blinded you, and now you're left with nothing."
Kael's eyes burned with hatred, but he didn't move.
Makoto turned to Yuna, extending his hand. "Come with me."
Tears welled in her eyes as she took his hand, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
As they walked away, Makoto stopped abruptly. He turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"You wanted to prove your worth, Kael?" he said, his tone as cold as ice. "Let this be a lesson."
With that, he clenched his hand, and the Heart of Lumina pulsed faintly, its light sending a tremor through the ground. Kael flinched, his qi faltering.
Makoto said no more as he walked into the forest with Yuna. Behind him, Kael sat trembling, the weight of his defeat etched into his very being. The clearing fell silent, the oppressive tension lingering like an unspoken question.