The arena was chaos — a storm of color, screams, and raw Flow energy tearing through the air.
Kaiden, Gray, and Jehyun ran through the smoke and debris, their bodies moving on instinct. The sound of battle echoed across the massive dome — explosions of fire, the crack of ice, the whip of wind.
Hundreds of students had become soldiers in seconds.
Only one rule mattered now: survive and claim a crystal.
---
Kaiden darted ahead, slicing through the air as bursts of wind curved around his body. Each step felt weightless, like he was running on air itself. Behind him, Gray was doing his best to cover him — his right hand shimmering blue as frost spread along the floor, forming ice barriers that slowed down enemy movements.
And Jehyun — the newest addition to their duo — stood tall with his shield raised, absorbing every stray projectile that came their way. His Flow glowed like liquid silver across the shield's surface, reflecting light with each hit.
It wasn't just a shield anymore — it was a pulse of living defense.
---
They were halfway to the green crystal now — the one pulsing with swirling currents of emerald wind at its core.
But they weren't the only ones eyeing it.
Across the arena, dozens of students were converging on the same crystal. Seven defenders stood at its base, their uniforms marked with matching crests — clearly from the same elite faction. They formed a perfect circle, their combined Flows forming a barrier that shimmered like glass and wind.
A guy from the defenders shouted, "Stay back! We've already got seven! No more room!"
Kaiden narrowed his eyes. "Seven's not enough, right?"
Jehyun nodded grimly. "Ten total to activate synchronization."
Gray huffed, cracking his neck. "Then they're not keeping it to themselves."
---
The trio ducked behind a half-destroyed pillar as explosions went off nearby.
Kaiden peeked over the rubble — the crystal's glow reflected in his eyes. The air shimmered with heat and Flow energy. He analyzed the field: cracked ground, broken stands, one open path to the left.
He exhaled slowly, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I've got a stupid idea."
Gray groaned. "Oh no. Not again."
Kaiden smirked. "Jehyun draws aggro. Me and Gray flank. Simple."
Jehyun blinked behind his glasses. "Wait— I'm bait again?"
Kaiden shrugged. "You're literally built for it, bro."
Jehyun sighed but smiled anyway. "Fair point."
Gray snorted. "Man, you two are insane."
Kaiden grinned. "Nah. We're Cooking."
---
They broke cover.
The moment their boots hit open ground, the battlefield came alive.
Wind slashes tore through the air, fire bolts exploded across the floor, and shards of stone burst upward like spikes.
Jehyun charged first, raising his shield as glowing ripples spread across its surface. A barrage of wind blades slammed into him — the impact ringing out like a thunderclap. The shield absorbed every ounce of momentum, glowing brighter until it hummed like a reactor.
"Come on!" he shouted, his feet digging into the floor. "Give me all you've got!"
The attackers obliged — one fired lightning, another launched a blast of compressed air.
Jehyun's shield cracked once, then pulsed—
BOOM!
The shockwave blasted outward, sending several defenders sprawling backward.
Kaiden moved instantly. His figure blurred, a streak of green slicing through the smoke.
"Kaiden— Go!" Gray shouted.
Kaiden sprinted low, dagger flashing with streaks of emerald light. He weaved through enemy fire, each swing cutting through Flow blasts like paper. Sparks and dust filled the air.
One student tried to ambush him from the side, summoning razor-sharp vines — but Kaiden slid under, slashing through the tendrils and landing a kick to the gut. The guy flew back.
"Nice try," Kaiden muttered.
Meanwhile, Gray knelt behind a pile of debris, his hand pressed to the ground. His frost Flow surged outward, freezing the floor beneath several opponents. Their feet locked in place as icy spikes shot upward.
"Got you,"Gray said with a tired grin. His injured arm trembled, but his aim was perfect.
Jehyun used the opening — charging straight through the frost field, shield raised high. He rammed into a defender, knocking him clean off his feet, then spun his shield to deflect another's punch.
One girl from the defending team flipped backward, landing on her palms before hurling a spinning blade of wind at Jehyun.
The impact cracked his shield — but Jehyun held his ground. His teeth gritted, eyes focused.
"You're not breaking through this," he growled.
He twisted the shield sideways, absorbing the force — then slammed it down.
Another shockwave.
The attackers staggered, their formations broken.
"Now!" Kaiden yelled.
Gray didn't hesitate. He thrust his glowing hand forward — shards of frost burst out, exploding like icy grenades. Steam covered the arena in a cold haze.
The defenders coughed, their vision clouded.
Kaiden saw the chance — he sprinted through the mist, slicing through the air until he reached the center.
The green crystal hovered there, spinning slowly, light pulsing with a rhythm that matched his own heartbeat.
"Gray! Jehyun! Move!"
Both of them rushed in, dodging stray attacks as they went. Frost trailed Gray's steps, wind swirled around Kaiden, and kinetic bursts flared from Jehyun's shield.
All three dove toward the crystal — hands outstretched—
Contact.
---
The moment their palms touched, everything exploded.
A deep hum reverberated through the ground, vibrating up their legs and into their chests. The green crystal blazed like a miniature sun, its light slicing through the smoke.
Jehyun's eyes widened. "Ten total— it's activating!"
Kaiden tried to move, but the wind around him intensified. It wasn't just blowing — it was alive, twisting around him like a hurricane trying to escape his body.
"Bro!"Gray shouted, covering his face from the gusts. "You're overflowing dude!"
Kaiden's breath hitched. His veins burned, glowing faintly green-white beneath his skin. "I— I can't control it!"
The crystal pulsed, reacting violently — the green energy arcing into him like lightning.
Every heartbeat synced with the rhythm of the crystal.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
His dagger levitated slightly, spinning with the wind as tendrils of energy spiraled around it.
Jehyun dug his feet into the floor, raising his shield just to keep standing. "He's not syncing— he's resonating!"
Gray grit his teeth, frost forming on his skin. "Kaiden, hold on!"
Kaiden's body trembled, his eyes glowing faint green. He tried to scream — but the sound was swallowed by the storm forming around him.
The crystal's light expanded, covering the entire area — every shard of debris, every student still conscious, bathed in emerald brilliance.
Then—
BOOM.
A shockwave burst outward, knocking everyone flat.
Silence followed.
The winds stilled. The glow faded.
When the dust cleared, only ten students stood near the green crystal. The rest lay unconscious across the arena floor.
Kaiden was on one knee, breathing hard, his hair swaying gently with the leftover breeze. His veins still faintly glowed, fading slowly under his skin.
Gray limped closer, his voice rough but steady. "Bro… you good?"
Kaiden managed a smirk. "Define 'good.'"
Jehyun lowered his shield, kneeling beside them. "The crystal— it responded to you specifically. Like it… recognized you."
Kaiden stared at his hands. Wisps of wind coiled around his fingers, dancing lightly before vanishing. "That wasn't just my Flow…"
He looked toward the crystal. Its glow was dim now, but still alive — pulsing faintly, almost like it was breathing.
For a split second, Kaiden swore he heard something whisper through the air, soft as a sigh carried by the wind.
"Your resonance has begun."