The first light of dawn spilled across the ashram, painting the trees in hues of gold and amber. The air was crisp, calm—almost too calm. Birds chirped faintly in the distance as Lioran stood outside his hut, tightening the straps on his gloves.
SHH… The wind brushed through his silver-white hair.
"The day finally came," he murmured, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
Behind him, Shourya came. "Lioran," he said, pointing toward the towering mountain behind the ashram. "At the top of that mountain lies a sacred ground where countless Dwandh have taken place through the ages. That's where your Dwandh will be held today."
Lioran nodded, clenching his fists. "Hmm. Okay."
Sharin stepped forward, scanning the area. "Wait—where's Aishwarya?"
"She already left," Mukhi replied, arms crossed.
Shourya nodded. "You'll meet her there. Now go."
Lioran hesitated for a moment. "You all aren't coming?"
"It's a rule," Shourya said firmly. "Only those participating in the Dwandh may set foot on the sacred ground."
Lioran smiled faintly. "Then I'll be off."
As he walked away, the silence between the others grew thick.
"Will he be okay?" Mukhi asked, concern flickering in his voice.
Before Shourya could answer, Sharin spoke up, his tone resolute. "Don't worry. He'll be fine… I know it."
The mountain path twisted through dense forest and jagged rocks. The morning light flickered between the trees, glinting off the dew. Lioran's boots crunched softly on gravel as he thought about the bet he had made with Aishwarya.
"I will win," he muttered, determination flaring in his chest.
WHOOSH!
A blur of motion burst from the bushes—a massive bear, its fur matted and eyes blazing with rage.
"What the—?!" Lioran barely leapt aside as the beast's claws tore through the air where he stood a heartbeat ago.
CRASH!
The bear smashed into a boulder, shattering it.
"Why is it attacking me?" Lioran shouted, dodging another swipe. "What the hell is going on?!"
The bear roared again, rearing back for a final strike.
Lioran's eyes sharpened. "Enough!"
He ducked low and used Prāṇa Fist on it.
FWOOOM!
His fist struck the bear's abdomen like a thunderclap.
BAM!
The bear flew backward, crashing into the trees and lying still.
"That's what you get," Lioran muttered, brushing dust off his arm.
But before he could relax, GRRRR!—a new sound cut through the silence.
A wolf lunged at him from behind, fangs gleaming.
"Damn—!" Lioran turned, but he was too slow.
WHIZZ—THUD!
An axe came spinning out of nowhere, striking the wolf mid-leap.
SPLASH!
Blood scattered as the beast fell lifelessly.
Lioran froze. "An… axe?"
A figure stepped out from between the trees—a tall man draped in a black cloak shown in the previous chapter.
"Are you alright?" the man asked, his deep voice echoing faintly.
"Yeah," Lioran replied, blinking in surprise. "Was that you who threw the axe?"
"Yes. I saw that wolf charging at you, so I acted."
He pulled back his hood, revealing a rugged face marked by faint scars and wisdom. His dark eyes gleamed beneath thick brows, and his short beard carried streaks of silver. He looked to be in his late thirties—maybe early forties.
"Oh… thank you so much," Lioran said sincerely.
"You're welcome," the man replied with a faint smile. "Now, I must go."
"Wait," Lioran called. "Can I know your name?"
"It's Bheem. Bheem Mangal."
"I'm Lioran—Lioran Kingashi," he said, bowing slightly. "Hope we'll meet again."
Bheem nodded. "Perhaps we will."
He picked up his axe, slung it over his shoulder, and vanished into the misty woods.
As Lioran resumed his climb, he thought to himself, He's strong. That axe… it must've weighed at least thirty kilos, yet he threw it like a pebble—and with such precision.
Nearly an hour later, the forest gave way to open stone and jagged ridges. The wind howled as clouds began to gather, the sky darkening from gold to gray.
RUMBLE…
Thunder rolled across the mountains.
The sacred peak loomed ahead, marked by ancient pillars and a cracked arena engraved with faded runes.
Lioran stepped onto the platform—and there she was.
Aishwarya stood at the center, her short black hair dancing in the wind, her eyes glowing faintly with scarlet Prāṇa. The storm's light flickered around her, making her presence feel almost divine.
Lioran stopped a few meters away, his gaze steady. The air between them seemed to vibrate.
"So," Aishwarya said softly, her voice cutting through the thunder. "Are you ready?"
Lioran exhaled slowly. "Yeah."
They both took their stances.
"Stay close" Lioran thought. "Her ranged control is too good—if I close the distance, I might turn this around."
A single droplet of rain fell between them.
TAP.
Then—
BOOM!
Both moved at once.
Aishwarya's hands flared with crimson light as she hurled several Prāṇa spheres.
FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
They streaked through the air like flaming comets.
Lioran leapt, twisted, and rolled across the cracked stones, the heat of each explosion brushing past his face.
KRAK-KOOM! The ground erupted behind him.
"She's keeping me away…" he thought, landing on his feet. "She knows I'm trying to get close."
Aishwarya narrowed her eyes. "I won't let you come near me, Lioran."
Lioran raised his right hand, channeling golden energy.
"Let's see how you handle this!" he yelled.
FWHUM!
Golden Prāṇa spheres burst from his palm, spiraling toward her.
Aishwarya countered immediately—FWASH!—her red spheres collided with his golden spheres midair.
The result was chaos.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A blinding explosion rocked the mountain. Dust and smoke engulfed the entire arena.
For a moment, silence. Then—CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!—the old runes beneath them pulsed faintly, as if awakened by the clash.
Lioran couldn't see anything through the smoke. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Where is she?
WHOOSH!
Something moved in the haze.
He turned just in time to see a crimson blur bursting toward him—Aishwarya, leaping high, her right arm ablaze.
Her voice roared through the storm. "Now you're finished! Fire Punch!"
KRAAAAAASH!!!
Her fist blazed through the air like molten iron.
Lioran barely managed to activate his Prāṇa Swift.
SHOOM!
His form flickered, vanishing from her line of attack.
Her fist struck the ground instead—
KABOOOM!
The entire platform cracked open, sending shards of stone flying. Heat rippled outward like a shockwave.
Lioran reappeared a few meters away, sweat beading on his forehead.
"I knew it…" he muttered under his breath. "This is going to be harder than I thought."
Aishwarya straightened slowly, her eyes burning like embers through the smoke. The aura of fire around her intensified, licking the edges of her battle suit.
Lightning cracked overhead.
KRRRZAAAA!
The storm had fully arrived.
Lioran clenched his fists, golden energy surging once more through his veins. The air between them shimmered—her crimson against his gold, fire against light.
The next strike would decide who faltered first.
TO BE CONTINUED…