The Draft arena floor lay in ruins. Deep cracks spread like scars across the ground, and in the distance, thunder crashed in fury, lighting up the night with silver flashes. There was no audience anymore, only the ghostly echo of applause that seemed to resonate from the spirits of those who had once fought there.
At the center of the destruction, two figures faced each other.
Ron Stormbreak, wounded, his body covered in cuts and blood, breathed heavily. The legendary daggers Raijin and Arashi glowed in his hands, wrapped in bluish electricity that pulsed like the heart of a storm. His eyes, though weary, still burned with the fury of his entire lineage.
On the other side stood him.Hant.
Arms crossed behind his back, that mocking grin plastered across his face. His eyes gleamed like rifts in reality. His steps were slow, predatory, as if he were simply enjoying himself, unconcerned about the opponent before him.
— You're pretty confident… — Hant tilted his head slightly, smiling. — Thinking you'll beat me like this, all beaten up. Look, I'd love to fight your nephew, Ethan… or maybe his friend, Ryan. But you? — his grin widened, venomous. — It's like kicking a dog.
Ron cracked his neck, bones popping, and raised his daggers, sparks clashing against the air. His eyes were steady, charged with electricity.
— I know you've got issues with the new generation of heroes… — his voice was hoarse, but firm as thunder. — But you dragged me into this just for attention. A Stormbreak as a hostage, thinking you can shatter humanity's hope.
He took a step forward, the storm roaring behind him.
— Then fight me and beat me, Hant. If you think you can.
Hant spread his arms theatrically.— Alright. Since you insist.
Clash of the Storm
Thunder roared.
Ron dashed forward like lightning, too fast for the human eye to follow. His daggers spun in circular movements, carving luminous trails through the air and releasing electric bursts that reverberated across the arena.
But Hant didn't move.
The ground shattered around him like broken glass. It was his domain — The Architect of the Fractured Reality. Each of Ron's strikes pierced distorted copies of reality, always missing Hant's true body. His image multiplied into dozens of fragmented reflections, laughing, mocking, untouchable.
Ron growled through gritted teeth. His strikes ricocheted into nothingness, and with every miss, reality bent further. But then… something sparked in his eyes.
The eyes of a Stormbreak.
Ron began to see the pattern. The distortions weren't flawless. Between each fragment of reality, small cracks emerged. And that was where the real Hant hid.
— Now I see it… — Ron muttered, sparks dancing in his gaze.
He spun Raijin and Arashi in perfect synch, piercing through a rift created by Hant's own domain. The lightning condensed, and with one strike, Arashi pierced through the enemy's chest.
Blood gushed out.
— No matter how distorted your reality is… — Ron roared, pushing him back. — Mine is made of thunder!
The ground shook. Lightning exploded in violent waves, blasting Hant against the arena stones. The echo of invisible voices — spirits of Stormbreaks past — vibrated around him, as if the storm itself applauded.
Ron pressed forward, each strike bursting with devastating electricity. Hant was driven back, bleeding, until he hit the ground.
For a moment, it looked like Ron Stormbreak had won.
The Cruel Turn
Then Hant started laughing.
Even with his chest torn open, he clapped slowly.
— Impressive… you really found the flaw in my technique. — his eyes glimmered with sadistic delight. — But tell me, Stormbreak… who do you think designed that flaw?
The ground cracked beneath Ron's feet.
Shards of reality rose like broken mirrors, trapping his legs. He tried to break free, but the rifts closed like inevitable snares.
— No… — Ron's eyes widened as he struggled. — You wanted me to believe I could win…
Hant smirked.And a spear of fractured reality pierced through Ron's chest.
The scream of pain echoed through the arena, lightning erupting chaotically from the hero's body, illuminating the night.
Ron Stormbreak, thunder of the battlefield, was falling.
The Arrival of Ethan and Ryan
Hurried footsteps echoed.Ethan and Ryan reached the center of the arena just in time to see the spear pierce Ron's heart.
— UNCLEEEE!!! — Ethan's cry tore through the storm, his voice cracking with grief.
He collapsed to his knees, tears streaming uncontrollably. Ryan, beside him, trembled, the Reversum bubbling around him, silent hatred burning in every fiber of his being.
Hant glanced at the two, smiling in satisfaction.— You're too late.
Ron's Last Words
Ron's body hit the ground heavily, blood flowing endlessly. Ethan rushed to him, desperate, holding him in his arms.
— No… don't say anything! I'll get you out of here, I swear! We can still save you!
Ron coughed blood but forced a smile, meeting his nephew's gaze.
— Ethan… listen… — his voice was weak, but steady like distant thunder. — Not every lightning bolt lasts forever in the sky… not even the brightest. But its light… it lingers in those who saw it shine.
Ethan shook his head, sobbing.— No! You always said Stormbreaks don't fall! You can't leave me, uncle… I need you!
Ron raised a trembling hand, touching his nephew's face. His eyes were full of pride.
— Stormbreaks don't fall… — he whispered. — We thunder until the very end. But now… it's you who'll carry the storm. Promise me, Ethan… that you'll protect people. No matter how much it hurts. No matter how scared you are. Be the light… when the world only sees darkness. Just like my father Ray… and your father, Inavy, did.
Ethan sobbed uncontrollably, clutching his hand.— I… I promise… but I don't want to do it without you…
Ron smiled, tears streaming too.— I'll always be with you. Every bolt that tears the sky… is me reminding you who you are.
His hand slipped, falling to the ground.The thunder went silent.
The Spiritual Realm
As Ron's body lay on the arena floor, his consciousness was enveloped by golden lightning.
He opened his eyes in a serene, radiant field. There stood Ray Stormbreak, arms crossed, imposing as ever, and Inavy, smiling, youthful, vibrant.
— You fought like a true Stormbreak, Ron. — Ray said, his voice filled with pride.
Inavy opened his arms, laughing.— You fought well, brother.
Ron, tears in his eyes, asked:— Was I… a good hero?
Ray gave a restrained smile.And Inavy answered:— You were always a good hero. You honored our legacy to the very end.
Ron smiled in peace, walking toward them.
The Last Thunderbolt
In the arena, Ron's body collapsed heavily. But from the sky burst one last lightning bolt, the strongest of the night, illuminating Ethan's tears and Ryan's rising fury.
Dante, injured, grabbed Ethan and shouted:— Ryan! Fight him! We'll take care of Ron-sensei's body!
Ryan lifted his head. His eyes were consumed by the Reversum, aura bending reality around him.
He glared at Hant, every word dripping pure rage.
— You… won't leave here alive.
Hant grinned, spreading his arms provocatively.— Ready for Round 2, Ryan Valeborn?
The arena fell into a deafening silence.The thunder was dead, but the storm had only just begun.
End of Chapter 105