Chapter 27 - Only One Shall Stand

Guy unleashed a barrage of copied skills, combining Black Lightning with Infernal Cataclysm, raining down fiery meteors and bolts of electricity upon Rudra. The ground beneath them erupted in explosions, turning the once-pristine arena into a battlefield of chaos.

"You're good, Rudra," Guy said, dashing forward, his sword trailing black flames. "But I'm better!" He executed a feint, using Lucifer's Prideful Dominion to overwhelm Rudra with a barrage of phantom attacks, illusions of himself attacking from every angle.

Rudra didn't flinch. Activating Heaven Guard, he created a shimmering barrier that nullified the phantoms before slashing forward with Deva, sending a crescent-shaped shockwave that forced Guy to retreat.

Rudra's Counterattack

"You underestimate the strength of true order," Rudra said, his golden aura flaring. Activating Armageddon, he summoned hundreds of ethereal swords around him, each glowing with divine energy. With a wave of his hand, they rained down on Guy like a storm.

Guy laughed, deflecting and dodging the swords with incredible skill. "You think this is enough to stop me?" He used Hell's Fang to parry a dozen blades at once before lunging at Rudra.

Their swords met in a deadlock, the clash generating a shockwave so powerful that some of the weaker spectators were blown back in their seats despite the protective barriers.

"You're strong, Guy," Rudra admitted, pushing against him. "But justice will always prevail!"

"And pride will always rise above!" Guy retorted, his strength matching Rudra's.

A Duel of Equals

The fight raged on, with both fighters unleashing their full power. The crowd watched in awe as Rudra's Adam, Lord of Order clashed against Guy's Lucifer, Lord of Pride. The sheer intensity of their battle left everyone speechless.

Velgrin watched her Rudra with pride, murmuring, "He's stronger than I ever imagined."

Draguel leaned forward, a rare smile on his face. "This is what it means to be a warrior."

As the fight reached its climax, both fighters prepared their ultimate techniques. The entire dimension seemed to hold its breath, the tension unbearable as Rudra and Guy prepared to settle the score once and for all.

The battle between Guy Crimson and Rudra reached its apex. Both warriors, battered and bruised, stood their ground in the crumbled remains of the arena. Their auras burned brighter than ever, and the sheer power emanating from them caused the very fabric of the dimension to crack and distort.

The Final Clash

Guy took a deep breath, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Rudra, I'll give you this—you're the strongest opponent I've faced. But this ends here."

Rudra, bleeding but resolute, raised Deva, its golden glow unwavering. "Likewise, Guy. If I fall today, it will be as a hero who gave it his all."

The sky above them darkened as both warriors began channeling their final attacks.

Rudra summoned the full might of Adam, Lord of Order, his body glowing with divine light. Thousands of golden swords materialized around him, each one infused with the will of justice. "This is my final move: Divine Judgment!" he roared, sending the swords raining down in a catastrophic storm of energy.

Guy, not to be outdone, activated the core ability of Lucifer, Lord of Pride: Infernal Abyss. A colossal black sphere of energy formed above him, pulsating with chaotic power. "Let's see if your order can stand against the abyss itself!" With a mighty swing of Hell's Fang, he launched the sphere toward Rudra, its gravitational pull tearing apart the ground beneath it.

The two attacks collided mid-air in an explosion of light and darkness. The shockwave was so powerful that even the protective barriers shielding the audience began to crack. The air rippled, and the ground quaked as the energies battled for dominance.

A Moment of Decision

Through the blinding light and deafening noise, Guy dashed forward, using the chaos of the collision as cover. His Hell's Fang, now coated with the residual energy of the Infernal Abyss, became an unstoppable force.

Rudra, sensing Guy's move, raised Deva to block. Their blades clashed one final time, sparks flying as the two warriors poured every ounce of their strength into their weapons.

But in a moment of brilliance, Guy used one of his copied abilities, Temporal Slash, to distort time around Rudra, slowing his movements just enough to gain the upper hand. With a devastating horizontal strike, Guy severed Rudra's sword arm, sending Deva clattering to the ground.

Rudra staggered but refused to fall. "You... truly are a monster," he said, smiling faintly.

Guy's expression softened for a brief moment before hardening again. "It's over, Rudra." With a final, decisive thrust, he plunged Hell's Fang into Rudra's chest, piercing his heart.

The Aftermath

Rudra fell to his knees, his golden aura flickering and fading. He looked up at Guy one last time, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of pride and sorrow. "Thank you… for giving me a warrior's death," he said before collapsing.

The entire arena fell silent. The crowd, previously roaring with excitement, was now struck dumb by the weight of what they had just witnessed.

Velgrin, who had been watching the fight intently, broke down in tears. "Rudra… no!" she cried, her voice echoing through the arena. Her love for Rudra overwhelmed her, and she fell to her knees, unable to contain her grief.

Even though Guy emerged victorious, he paid a heavy price. He had lost an arm and a leg during the final clash, his body heavily battered and burned. His regeneration abilities kicked in, slowly restoring his limbs, but the toll the battle had taken on him was evident.

Standing over Rudra's lifeless body, Guy clenched his fists. "You were one hell of an opponent, Rudra," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "I won't forget this fight."

Reactions from the Audience

Milim was uncharacteristically silent, her usual energy replaced with a somber expression. "So this is what it means to fight to the death…" she whispered.

Draguel nodded in respect. "Rudra may have fallen, but he proved himself a true hero."

The Kings and Queens, though terrified, couldn't help but admire the sheer determination and power both fighters had displayed.

Everyone was sad, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of Rudra's death. Even Guy, the victor, stood quietly, his usual pride and confidence replaced with an air of solemnity. Despite being rivals, Rudra had been his friend, a kindred spirit who pushed him to grow stronger.

Velgrin couldn't hold back her tears. She dropped to her knees beside Rudra's lifeless body, her voice trembling. "Rudra... you promised we would stand together until the end... How could you leave me like this?" Her cries echoed through the silent arena, piercing the hearts of everyone present.

The kings and queens in the audience were pale, their fear evident. They whispered amongst themselves, some trembling at the raw power they had just witnessed.

"Such overwhelming strength..." one muttered.

"Even someone like Rudra could fall. Are there truly beings that powerful in this world?" another added.

Milim, normally carefree and full of energy, was unusually still. She sat with her arms crossed, her lips pressed into a frown. "It's not fair…" she muttered. "Why did he have to die? I liked Rudra. He was fun to be around."

Even Dino, the lazy angel who rarely showed emotion, looked troubled. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the sky. "A death match, huh... Even though this was the rule, it doesn't make it any easier to watch."

Amid the silence and sadness, Beerus, seated on his throne, finally stood up. His golden aura radiated across the arena, immediately drawing the attention of everyone. The divine energy he exuded was warm yet commanding, like the sun breaking through a storm.

"Enough," Beerus said, his voice echoing across the dimension. His tone was calm but firm, silencing the murmurs in the crowd. All eyes were on him. "Today, we witnessed a battle for the ages, a clash between light and darkness, between two titans who have pushed themselves to their absolute limits. Guy Crimson and Rudra Nam Ul Nasca, your long rivalry has finally reached its conclusion."

Beerus slowly descended from his throne, his presence towering over everyone. He approached Rudra's lifeless body, Velgrin still kneeling beside him. She looked up at Beerus, her tear-streaked face filled with confusion. "Lord Beerus, please... he's gone. There's nothing more to be done."

Beerus gave her a small, knowing smile. "Oh, Velgrin, you underestimate me."

With a wave of his hand, a radiant golden light enveloped Rudra's body. The entire arena was bathed in its glow, and everyone shielded their eyes. The energy felt warm and full of life, like the very essence of creation itself. The kings and queens muttered in awe, some even kneeling in reverence.

As the light faded, Rudra's body stirred. His chest rose and fell as breath returned to him. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open.

Velgrin gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "Rudra…! You're alive!" she cried, throwing her arms around him. Tears streamed down her face, this time tears of joy.

The crowd erupted in astonished murmurs.

"Did… did he just resurrect him?" one king stammered.

"Of course he did. He's Lord Beerus. There's nothing he can't do," another whispered.

Rudra sat up, looking around in confusion. "I… I was dead. I'm sure of it. How am I alive?"

Beerus crossed his arms, his expression calm but slightly amused. "You were dead, Rudra. There's no question about that. But I never intended for this battle to end with your permanent death."

The crowd gasped. Even Guy, who had been standing silently, raised an eyebrow.

Rudra frowned. "But… it was a death match. You said the stakes were absolute."

Beerus nodded. "And they were. The stakes ensured that you and Guy gave it your all, holding nothing back. Only through the prospect of death could you both fight at your fullest potential. And you did. Both of you proved yourselves to be warriors worthy of legend."

Guy stepped forward, his usual smirk returning. "You really are something else, Beerus. To think you'd orchestrate all of this… You never cease to amaze me."

Beerus glanced at Guy and smirked. "You sound surprised, Guy. Have you learned nothing about me by now? I always have a plan."

Turning back to Rudra, Beerus extended a hand to help him up. Rudra hesitated, then took it. As he stood, Velgrin clung to his arm, her joy radiating.

Beerus addressed the audience, his voice carrying a divine authority. "Let this battle serve as a reminder to all of you. Strength is not merely about destruction. It is about growth, about understanding, and about surpassing one's limits. Guy Crimson and Rudra Nam Ul Nasca have shown us the pinnacle of what it means to be warriors."

The audience erupted into cheers, their sadness replaced with awe and admiration. Even Milim was back to her cheerful self, jumping up and down. "I knew it! Lord Beerus wouldn't let it end like that!" she shouted, her excitement infectious.

Beerus turned to Velzar, who had been watching quietly. "Shall we celebrate, my Queen? This is a day that will be remembered for eternity."

Velzar smiled. "Indeed, my Lord. Let the festivities begin."

With another wave of Beerus's hand, the arena transformed into a grand banquet hall. The once somber crowd erupted into joyous celebration, and the legendary battle between light and darkness became a tale that would be told for generations to come.