The third and final day of the tournament had begun.
The atmosphere in the Solstice Sect's waiting area was grim.
Their situation? Disastrous.
Only two warriors remained—Taba Tani and Arav Srivastava.
The Lunar Sect still had four fighters left.
That meant both Taba and Arav needed to win every single battle.
No mistakes. No second chances.
And just like yesterday, the first match belonged to Taba Tani.
The moment Taba stood up, the tension in the waiting area shifted.
He stretched casually, like this entire life-or-death battle was nothing but a morning warm-up.
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he ran a hand through his perfectly combed hair.
Arav sighed, shaking his head. "Try not to cause an international incident."
Buddhi muttered, "Why do I feel like he's going to insult half the world before this fight even starts?"
Kimi, arms crossed, simply stated, "Because he will."
Taba turned slightly, smirking at them. "How little faith you have in me."
Arav raised an eyebrow. "Taba, you started yesterday's fight by pulling out a knife and threatening an emperor."
Taba shrugged. "And? He deserved it."
Buddhi palmed his face. "Why are you like this?"
Taba simply smiled. "Because the world deserves a ruler. And unfortunately, that burden falls upon me."
With that, he turned and strode toward the arena.
As Taba stepped into the battlefield, the energy in the crowd shifted.
The Lunar Sect disciples bristled at the mere sight of him.
His reputation had already spread.
They weren't just expecting a fight. They were expecting a slaughter.
The announcer raised his hand. "First match of the final day—Taba Tani of the Solstice Sect versus—"
"Wait."
Taba's smooth, confident voice cut through the air like a royal decree.
And then—he reached into his coat and pulled out a knife.
It was beautiful—an obsidian blade with a golden hilt, carved with intricate Arunachali inscriptions.
Gasps filled the crowd.
Taba casually flipped it in his fingers, then pointed it directly at the Lunar Emperor.
The entire Lunar Sect tensed.
Arav groaned. "Here we go again."
Kimi narrowed her eyes. "This is why no one likes him."
Buddhi gulped. "We're going to die, aren't we?"
The Lunar Sect warriors reached for their weapons—but the Lunar Emperor raised his hand, stopping them.
Taba smiled.
"How utterly, absolutely… boring."
A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd.
Taba turned his golden gaze toward the three strongest warriors of the Lunar Sect—Sonam Dolma, Tenzen Norbu, and Rinzin Dawa.
He let the silence drag for a moment.
Then he sighed, shaking his head.
"I am truly disappointed."
The crowd murmured.
Taba continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "Three days. I gave you three days to show me something worth my attention. And yet, here I am, still waiting."
His smirk widened as he twirled the knife. "What a pathetic excuse for a tournament. Are all of you truly so weak?"
Outrage erupted.
"You arrogant bastard!"
"Who the hell does he think he is?!"
"This is an insult to the entire Lunar Sect!"
But Taba?
He just laughed.
Taba pointed the knife at Sonam, Tenzen, and Rinzin one by one.
"You three." His voice was calm, arrogant, absolute.
"All of you—fight me. Together."
Stunned silence.
Then?
Chaos.
The entire Lunar Sect exploded in fury.
"This is madness!"
"He's disrespecting the tournament!"
"Who does he think he is?!"
Even the announcer froze, looking completely lost.
Taba tilted his head. "What's the matter?" He smirked. "Afraid?"
Sonam Dolma—tall, regal, and seething with anger—gritted her teeth.
"You think you can take on all three of us?"
Taba pretended to think. Then he smiled. "Oh, no. I don't think—I know."
Tenzen Norbu, the muscular monk, took a deep breath. "You will regret this arrogance."
Taba chuckled. "Will I? That's an awfully bold claim for someone who still hasn't stepped forward."
Tenzen's hands twitched.
Then, finally—Rinzin Dawa spoke.
The strongest warrior of the Lunar Sect, wrapped in dark flowing robes, his aura calm and unreadable.
His voice was steady.
"Fine. We accept."
The Reaction
The announcer turned toward the Lunar Emperor, awaiting his judgment.
The emperor watched Taba for a long moment.
Then, finally, he nodded.
"The challenge is allowed."
The crowd exploded.
Taba?
He smirked wider.
His golden eyes swept over his three opponents like a king gazing down at mere insects.
"Good. I was worried you'd be too afraid."
He took a single step forward.
And then—he began laughing.
It was not the laugh of a normal man.
It was the laugh of a king standing at the top of the world.
A laugh filled with contempt, amusement, and absolute confidence.
Then, with a casual shrug, he spread his arms wide, completely open.
"Come, then. Show me your best."
His eyes gleamed.
"I promise you—I will not be impressed."
The match was about to begin
The Arena Trembles
The final battle of the tournament's second day was about to begin, and the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade.
The entire Solstice Sect was on edge. The Lunar Sect watched with a mix of confidence and caution.
And at the center of it all—Taba Tani.
He stood alone on the battlefield, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Before him stood three of the strongest warriors of the Lunar Sect:
Sonam Dolma, the twin-blade master, known for her elegant yet ruthless combat style.
Tenzen Norbu, a brute force fighter whose raw strength was said to rival even some elders.
Rinzin Dawa, the strongest disciple of the Lunar Sect, a man of few words but overwhelming skill.
Three against one.
For any other warrior, this would be a death sentence.
But for Taba?
This was entertainment.
Sonam and Tenzen launched forward simultaneously.
Sonam's twin swords flashed, aiming for Taba's neck and abdomen.
Tenzen roared, his prana-infused fists coming down like hammers.
A perfect strategy—overwhelming pressure from both sides.
But—
"Stop."
Rinzin's voice cut through the battlefield.
Sonam and Tenzen froze mid-motion.
They didn't question him. They knew.
Rinzin's cold eyes locked onto Taba.
"You're different."
Taba raised an eyebrow. "And you're perceptive. How rare."
Rinzin took another step forward. "We can't defeat him one by one. We have to fight as one."
Taba laughed.
Not just a chuckle—a full, rich, arrogant laugh that echoed through the battlefield.
"Defeat me? You think strategy will change your fate?"
His golden eyes glowed with mockery.
"You're insects trying to coordinate. It doesn't matter. No matter how well ants work together, they will still be crushed under the boot of a lion."
Rinzin's expression didn't change. "We'll see."
"Yes," Taba smirked. "We will."
And with that—the real fight began.
---
The Tyrant Awakens
For the first time in this entire tournament…
Taba activated his Prana.
A golden radiance engulfed his body.
And then—
His Prana changed.
First, Space. The air twisted, bending reality itself.
Then, Water. A fluid energy surged, flowing like an unstoppable tide.
Then, Fire. A blazing inferno erupted around him.
Then, Earth. An unshakable force, grounding him like an immovable mountain.
And finally—Air. A storm of speed and precision.
All five elements.
A feat that only warriors of the Ascended Realm and above were supposed to achieve.
Yet here was Taba Tani—an Adept Realm warrior—doing the impossible.
The Lunar Sect disciples gasped in horror.
Even the Lunar Emperor leaned forward.
"Impossible…!" someone in the crowd muttered.
Taba merely stretched his arms lazily.
"Oh? This is supposed to be rare? Hah. How pathetic."
His golden eyes settled back on his three opponents.
"Well? Do continue."
Sonam gritted her teeth.
Tenzen steeled himself.
Rinzin stayed calm, calculating.
For the first time, they hesitated.
And Taba saw it.
He grinned.
"You finally understand, don't you?"
They attacked at once.
Sonam struck with her twin blades, moving like a shadow.
Tenzen's fists blurred, each punch carrying monstrous force.
Rinzin moved strategically, his prana wrapping around his sword as he struck with lethal precision.
It was a flawless assault.
Any normal warrior would be overwhelmed.
But Taba?
He was bored.
He didn't counter.
He didn't even block.
He dodged.
Effortlessly.
Sonam's blade missed by a hair's breadth.
Tenzen's fist struck nothing but air.
Rinzin's strike passed through an afterimage.
Taba's mocking laughter filled the battlefield.
"Is that it?"
His golden eyes gleamed.
"Pathetic."
Sonam gritted her teeth. She attacked again, faster, sharper.
Taba tilted his head slightly and—
Tap.
He flicked her sword away with a single finger.
Sonam's eyes widened in horror.
Tenzen roared and attacked again, this time aiming for Taba's ribs.
Taba caught his fist—casually.
And then—
CRACK.
With an effortless flick of his wrist, Tenzen was sent flying across the battlefield.
The Lunar Sect disciples screamed in shock.
Rinzin exhaled sharply. "…He's too strong."
Taba smirked.
"Correct. You should've realized it sooner."
Taba stood there, watching his three opponents struggle to rise.
He sighed dramatically.
"Ah… I was hoping for more. Disappointing."
His golden gaze dripped with amusement.
"I suppose I should end this, then."
He took one step forward.
And in that moment—
The air cracked.
The ground shattered beneath his feet.
And before they could react—
Taba moved.
In a single blur of motion, he was behind Sonam.
SLASH.
Her swords shattered.
She collapsed.
Before Tenzen could react—Taba appeared before him.
A single tap to his chest—
BOOM.
Tenzen was thrown out of the arena.
Rinzin was the last one standing.
The strongest disciple of the Lunar Sect.
He exhaled. "I won't give up."
Taba smiled.
"I know."
And then, with one strike—
It was over.
The battlefield was silent.
The Lunar Sect stared in disbelief.
Taba stood there, untouched.
His golden gaze swept across the crowd.
And then—
He laughed.
"Is this really the best the Lunar Sect has to offer?"
His voice dripped with mockery.
He turned his gaze to the Lunar Emperor himself.
"Was that a joke? Or is your entire sect just weak?"
The Lunar disciples trembled in rage.
Taba grinned.
"A shame. I expected more. Ah, well."
He turned his back to them, walking away without a single glance.
Because to him—they weren't even worth looking at.
Taba walked back from the ring with the same energy as a king leaving his throne—untouched, unbothered, and wholly unimpressed. His steps were slow, deliberate, as if he was waiting for someone to stop him, to challenge his victory. No one did.
The arena was dead silent. The Lunar Sect disciples were frozen, their faces a mixture of humiliation and rage. Their strongest warriors—Sonam, Tenzen, Rinzin—lay defeated, struggling to even push themselves off the ground.
And then, Taba laughed.
It wasn't a polite chuckle. It wasn't a restrained smirk. No, it was a full, arrogant, mocking cackle that echoed through the entire coliseum. He threw his head back, reveling in his triumph.
"Oh?" he drawled, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye. "Was that it? That was your last hope? Your 'finest' warriors?" His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he turned toward the Lunar Emperor, Apatani, and her council. "Surely, this must be a joke."
Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire. The Lunar Sect disciples gritted their teeth, hands clenched into fists, but none of them dared to speak.
Taba tilted his head, pretending to be deep in thought. "You know, I had such high expectations. A rival sect, a supposed match for the Solstice… And yet, I barely had to lift a finger." He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Truly, what a disappointment."
He walked forward, closing the distance between himself and the Lunar Sect's seating area. His smirk widened as his gaze locked onto Apatani. "Tell me, oh great Lunar Emperor," he said, voice dripping with mockery, "is this really the best you have to offer?" He gestured toward the unconscious and groaning warriors at his feet. "These... failures?"
Apatani's silver eyes remained cold, but a flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps—crossed her face.
Taba took that as encouragement.
"This is the strength of the Lunar Sect? This? Pathetic," he spat. "Where is your pride? Where is your dignity? Or did that crumble alongside your warriors the moment they stepped into the ring with me?"
His voice grew sharper, louder. "What happened to that smug confidence? The arrogance that you all carried when this tournament began? You talked a big game, but when faced with true power, you cowered." He scoffed. "Perhaps your sect was never strong to begin with. Just a collection of children playing at war."
The Lunar Sect disciples bristled, some even stepping forward, but a glance from Apatani froze them in place.
Taba chuckled, then turned his back to them as if they weren't even worth looking at. "How embarrassing," he mused. "I was hoping for at least a little fun. But instead, you lot proved that the gap between us is wider than the heavens themselves." He glanced back over his shoulder, golden eyes gleaming. "Maybe next year, send someone... competent."
From the Solstice Sect's side, Buddhi let out a low whistle. "Damn. He's actually trying to start a war, isn't he?"
Kimi, arms crossed, simply said, "He has no reason to be polite."
Arav, watching quietly, exhaled. "This isn't just arrogance," he murmured. "This is him making a statement. He's not just winning—he's making sure they never forget it."
Taba, hearing none of them, turned back to the Lunar Council one final time. His smirk widened into something downright cruel.
"You should be grateful," he said, voice soft but carrying throughout the arena. "I could've killed them if I wanted to." His golden eyes flickered with amusement. "But where's the fun in ending the show early?"
With that, he turned and walked off, hands in his pockets, head high.
As Taba Tani walked away, he suddenly stopped. The air was still thick with tension, the Lunar Sect disciples too stunned to even form a response. He turned his head slightly, golden eyes gleaming with amusement and something sharper—certainty.
"Oh, and one more thing," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. He lazily glanced at the Lunar Emperor, then at her council, then at the gathered disciples from both sects. His smirk deepened.
"You can all stop thinking about the final match," he said, his tone almost bored. "Because there's only one way it ends—Arav Srivastava wins."
The declaration sent a ripple through the crowd. The Lunar Sect disciples murmured among themselves, some scoffing, others narrowing their eyes at Arav, who stood still, watching Taba carefully.
Taba laughed, shaking his head. "Seriously, do you really think that someone from your side can win? After what I just did to your so-called strongest warriors?" He sighed, as if disappointed. "If your champion was worth anything, they would've stepped up to fight me instead."
Kimi shot Arav a glance. "I don't know if this is arrogance or if he actually believes in you."
Buddhi, rubbing the back of his head, muttered, "Maybe both."
Taba continued, stepping closer to Arav now, his golden eyes gleaming with a strange mix of confidence and condescension. "Listen carefully, Arav," he said, voice dropping slightly, but still loud enough for the Lunar Sect to hear. "There's only one path forward. You win. Not because you want to, not because you need to—but because I refuse to acknowledge the possibility of your loss."
Arav raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Taba's smirk sharpened into something almost sinister.
"Because if you lose…" Taba's fingers twitched, and a subtle surge of prana flickered around him. His voice was smooth, but his words carried the weight of an undeniable threat. "I'll kill you myself."
A collective gasp rippled through the arena. Even the Lunar Emperor's expression faltered slightly, while her council members stiffened.
Buddhi nearly choked. "H-Hold on, is that supposed to be encouragement?"
Kimi, unfazed, simply said, "It's Taba. This is encouragement."
Arav exhaled, staring at Taba with unreadable eyes. "You really have a way with words, don't you?"
Taba shrugged. "I'm simply stating the truth." Then he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for only Arav to hear. "You and I both know you're not weak. So don't insult me by proving otherwise."
With that, Taba turned on his heel and walked away, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, exuding nothing but absolute confidence.
His final words lingered in the air.
Taba Tani stood undefeated. And in his mind, Arav Srivastava already had.