To prevent further casualties and bring an end to the devastating war, the Prime Minister of Dongdu made a bold decision: the fate of the nations would be decided by a duel between two knights—Battle Rabbit and Gris.
The arena was silent but tense, a monumental stage set for a clash that would determine the future of all three realms. Standing opposite each other were Steve—known as Battle Rabbit—and Gris, both armored and ready. The air was thick with anticipation.
Himuro Taizan narrowed his eyes, watching closely. "It's finally about to begin," he muttered.
Tajimi, standing nearby, wore a twisted smile as he watched the duelists. "It's all up to you now, Luris," he said under his breath, his eyes gleaming with sinister excitement.
Across the arena, Xueqian stood silently, arms crossed. The Prime Minister of Xidu sipped tea calmly, almost lazily, as he gazed at the monitor in front of him. "Who will win, I wonder?"
In the spectator stands, Misora and Sayu watched with anxious expressions. Their eyes followed every movement on the battlefield.
Across the three realms, audiences were glued to their screens, their emotions stirred by the weight of the moment. This wasn't just a duel—it was the last battle of the war.
Previously, in their earlier encounter, Steve had struggled against Gris. Many feared he would once again fall short. But now, things felt different. This was not just a rematch; it was a battle to protect everything Steve stood for. The pride of Dongdu, the lives of countless innocents, and his own redemption all rested on this fight.
Steve stared hard at his opponent. His resolve was unwavering. This time, he had to win. No more hesitation. No more fear.
The referee raised his hand and shouted, "Begin!"
The moment the word left his mouth, Steve and Gris lunged at each other.
Their weapons clashed, sparks flying from every impact. Gris fought with raw power, while Steve moved with precision and intent. It was an even match—for now.
Then, Steve pulled out an energy bottle from his belt.
"Rose! Helicopter!" he declared.
"Best match!" the transformation system replied.
"Creation Rider Upgrade! Rose Helicopter Form!"
A sudden mechanical whir filled the air as a spinning rotor appeared behind Steve. His body lifted off the ground, and he launched himself at Gris with astonishing speed.
Gris didn't have time to react.
BAM!
A crushing hit sent Gris flying backward, crashing into the stage. Dust clouded the air. The audience gasped.
Tajimi's expression changed instantly. The smug smile vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow. Gris had been knocked down—fast.
On the sidelines, Huang Yu and Akabane watched in shock.
"No way... The boss is losing?" Huang Yu whispered.
"I thought he was invincible with the same driver," Akabane said, wide-eyed.
Even the audience across the three realms buzzed with surprise and awe.
"Battle Rabbit is amazing!"
"I didn't think he'd win so easily!"
"This is totally one-sided!"
Back on the battlefield, Gris groaned, struggling to get up.
"How... How do you have Beidu's energy bottle?" he asked in disbelief.
Steve didn't answer. He just pulled out another energy bottle.
"Tiger! UFO!"
"Best match!"
"Tiger UFO Form!"
With this upgrade, Steve soared even higher into the sky, a blazing comet of light. He descended with overwhelming force, striking Gris with another fierce blow.
Gris hit the ground again, coughing, bruised, and visibly shaken.
"This time it's... a Xidu energy bottle?" Gris muttered, stunned.
A voice came from the viewing monitor. "It was given by me," said Xueqian, calm as ever.
Tajimi turned to him, alarmed. "Why did you give him our energy bottles?!"
Xueqian shrugged. "It doesn't matter, as long as Beidu wins. The energy bottles are all yours in the end, aren't they?"
Steve didn't stop. He kept going.
"Whale Jet Form!"
Water surged beneath him, forming a pressurized column that blasted Gris into the air. The impact was tremendous, scattering waves of energy across the arena.
Then came the next move.
"Giraffe Fan Form! Vortex End!"
A golden energy axe materialized in Steve's hands. With a roar, he brought it down on Gris like thunder.
BOOM!
Gris hit the stage so hard the platform cracked beneath him.
Akabane cried out, "Boss!"
Gris, coughing blood, gritted his teeth. "He's... so strong!"
In the viewing stands, the audience erupted with chatter.
"I thought Steve didn't stand a chance..."
"Is this really the same Battle Rabbit from before?!"
"He's too strong! Gris doesn't stand a chance!"
On screen, Gris's eyes narrowed. "You are strong… But I'm not finished yet!"
A flashback played.
Unknown to the rest of Beidu, Gris had conducted secret experiments—enhancing himself using forbidden techniques. While the Three Crows were unaware, he had modified his power drastically.
Now, his hidden strength began to erupt.
"Vortex Crush!"
"Bubble End!"
With these two moves, Gris launched a fierce counterattack.
The arena exploded with energy. Shockwaves blasted outward, engulfing Steve in flames and debris.
This time, Steve was pushed back.
He hit the ground hard, struggling to get up.
The spectators of the three realms were stunned.
"Gris… he's stronger than we thought!"
"Steve's in danger now…"
Meanwhile, Akabane and Huang Yu were ecstatic.
"Nice one, Boss!"
Tajimi also grinned once again. "That's right. Kitado's knight is still the strongest."
Steve coughed, catching his breath. If this continued, he wouldn't win.
There was one last option.
The Dangerous Trigger.
But using it... came with a price.
A brief memory flickered in his mind—of the conversation he had with Misora the night before.
"Misora," he said solemnly, "I need to ask you something."
She looked at him with concern. "What is it?"
"For tomorrow's battle... If I lose control after using the Dangerous Trigger, I need you to press this switch."
He held out a small device.
Misora frowned. "Just stop you from fighting? Why do I get the feeling there's more to it?"
Steve tried to smile. "That's all. It's nothing serious."
She wasn't convinced. "Don't lie to me, Steve. Tell me the truth. What happens if I press it?"
He hesitated. Then finally answered.
"If the switch is pressed... the Dangerous Trigger will be destroyed. And so will I."
Misora's eyes widened. Her voice trembled. "You'll disappear?!"
Steve nodded slowly. "Once activated, the Dangerous Trigger can't be stopped. The only way to neutralize it is to destroy the core—and that includes me."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"You want me to become a murderer?" she whispered.
Steve looked away, his voice bitter. "I'm not human anymore. I'm a weapon. If I disappear, it's not murder."
"Don't say that!"
Misora stepped closer, grabbing his arm.
"You've always been human. No matter what happens. I'm not pressing that switch. Ever."
---
Back in the arena.
Steve took a deep breath.
He activated the Dangerous Trigger.
An immense surge of power erupted around him, dark energy swirling like a storm.
His body pulsed with power—but his control slipped with every second.
The audience watched in stunned silence.
His eyes glowed with unstable energy. But he still pressed forward, slamming into Gris with a level of force never seen before.
Gris barely managed to defend, pushed back again and again.
This was a whole new Steve—reckless, wild, and overpowering.
But time was running out.
Steve's body began to flicker. The power was too much.
And yet...
He continued forward.
For Dongdu. For the peace of the realms. For Misora.
And for himself.
---
To be continued...
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