Smoke thinned over the ruined beach. Only the crash of waves filled the silence. Two figures stood amidst the devastation, barely upright—bodies drenched in blood, breathing shallow and ragged.
Valgor's golden claws cracked, then shattered into fragments that scattered like dying stars. Lacolone dropped his broken sword, blood pouring freely from his stomach. Their eyes met—two warriors grinning through exhaustion, defiance still burning faintly within.
Valgor took one staggering step forward… then fell to his knees. The wound across his chest tore open, blood flooding the sand.
He coughed, laughed weakly.
"Heh… damn… you…"
His body hit the ground with a heavy thud, unmoving. The beach was silent again.
Lacolone swayed, barely conscious.
I… can't… feel my legs.
Blood streaked down his face as he fought to stay upright.
From the edge of the broken arena, Jessica approached. Calm. Composed. Arms crossed.
"So… you actually beat him. Impressive."
Lacolone tried to raise his fists, trembling violently, dripping blood onto the sand. Jessica tilted her head, almost amused.
"You're seriously going to fight me in that state?"
But his eyes still burned with fire.
"I… won't stop here…"
He took one unsteady step forward—then his legs gave out. He collapsed, coughing blood into the sand.
Jessica paused, her voice quieter now.
"Fool… your body's already finished."
The referee, barely conscious, stumbled toward them. His arm lifted weakly.
"That's… enough…!"
Jessica looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
"The prize…" he gasped, "…is yours, Lacolone!!"
The crowd erupted—some screaming, others crying. The waves crashed louder, echoing the chaos.
Jessica knelt beside Lacolone, her smirk faint but sincere.
"Heh. Already won, stupid."
She leaned closer, whispering:
"The prize is yours. You've proved more than enough."
Lacolone's lips trembled.
"Huh…? Already… won…?"
"Yes," Jessica said softly. "That monster you killed was the true wall. You broke it."
She stood, facing the roaring crowd. The sun bled red over the ocean.
Maya stirred weakly nearby. Her blurry eyes found Lacolone's battered form lying in the sand.
He fought… for all of us… even when death was certain…
Tears slid down her cheek as she smiled faintly.
"Lacolone… you really… did it."
The crowd grew frantic—some cheering, some falling to their knees. Cameramen struggled to film through broken lenses and smoke. The referee collapsed again, completely spent.
Jessica turned to the crowd, aura flashing sharply, silencing them.
"Remember this day," she said coldly. "You witnessed what true strength costs."
The beach was still once more.
Lacolone lay unconscious, bloodied but victorious. Valgor's body rested half-buried in sand—defeated, yet monstrous even in stillness. Jessica stood over them, the sea wind twisting through her hair, a quiet, unreadable smile on her face.
From afar, Maya whispered his name through trembling lips.
"Lacolone…"
The waves washed over the battlefield, carrying the scent of salt, smoke, and victory.
TO BE CONTINUED – The Broken Champion