Chương 25: Second Round

"Dammit!" He exclaimed as he stared at the figure before him with fury. "What's he up to again?" He wondered as he charged forward.

Kael, not the least bothered about the charging Zerus, was fully focused on his task. "Just like the spatial connection I feel when I'm about to teleport…" He thought, swinging his hands out.

"Don't think that would stop me again!" Zerus exclaimed, expecting the same faint glow of energy as before.

"Arghhh!" A scream echoed in the area as Zerus fell to his knees. Blood was streaming profusely from a large cut on his legs. "Damn, you!!" Zerus cursed in frustration.

"I did it!" Kael exclaimed in joy. "I fuxking did it." Looking at the figure who was slowly rising from the ground, he let out a smile. "I think it's time to end this."

Exploding forward, Kael swung his legs cleanly striking his head. Teleporting to his back, he grabbed his neck and lifted him, slamming him hard on the ground.

With his gravity shift skill activated once again, he easily streaks through, landing a flurry of strikes before releasing a mighty punch covered in his gravity aura.

"I hope that's enough," Kael muttered, looking at the figure, lying helplessly on the ground.

"Kael wins." Queen Otrera said with a smile on her face before ordering the guards stationed to carry the beaten-up Zerus to the medic room.

The next battle between Lucius and Axios began immediately. Lucius, finally revealing himself as a follower of the god, Sun Wukong, easily dominated his fight.

Axios, a follower of Artemis, was unable to face his immense strength. Lucius didn't display much, only showing his well-trained combat skills and superior prowess. The match was over soon with Lucius the Victor. "I'm coming for you, brat!" He exclaimed boldly, his words directed to the blue-haired guy sitting comfortably on his chair.

Another fight that got the audience cheering was the match between Kaelos, a follower of Ares, the infamous god of war, and Nikolaos, a follower of Hermes. Kaelos displayed his immense strength and knowledge in the use of various weapons. After a long and exciting fight, he finally emerged victorious, his spirit burning fiercely.

He let out a roar, which caused the crowds to cheer in return. Walking back to his seat, his eyes were fixed solely on Duncan, the young dragon prince.

The next battle kicked off soon between the followers of Dionysius and Athena. The battle was one filled with wit and strategy. Icarus, the follower of Dionysius, weaved countless vines, which covered the arena, but that wasn't enough to stop Xander.

The battle finally ended in the favour of Xander due to a tactical move he made.

The last match finally began and ended sooner than the rest expected.

"I forfeit," Luke said while walking out of the arena. "It's not worth it," he muttered, taking his seat back. With the first round finally over, they were given an hour's break before the next round began.

Kael began preparing himself for his next fight. Ensuring he was fully prepared and his energy back to its peak, he walked out of the room which had been given to them.

[You've defeated a follower of the Pantheon gods]

[+1000 exp]

[Exp: 5800/8000]

"I'm still behind, I need to grow stronger!" Stepping into the large hall, he made his way to his seat and waited for the others. Duncan, sitting a few seats away, nodded at him before staring back at the arena.

It wasn't long, and all contenders were fully seated, awaiting the Queen to draw the lot.

Just like last time, she drew papers in pairs from the box. "Alright, this is it," she announced loudly.

Kael vs. Thorff

Duncan vs. Kaelos

Xander vs. Lucius

"The first match will begin immediately!"

Kael stepped forward, standing before Kaelos, who emitted a fierce aura. The two calmly walked forward, slowly their pace began to increase turning into a sprint. "Let's test your strength!" Kaelos exclaimed, clenching his fist tightly. His muscles bulged just from the sheer effort.

"Prepare yourself!" Kaelos exclaimed as he swung forward. Kael, with a smile on his face, moved closer just a few inches away from the punch. "Sorry, but I don't have time to play with you," muttered as his form disappeared.

Kael had paid attention to all the matches, and with the little insights gained, he prepared to use it against his opponents. Many thought that kael would also follow up with a punch of his own and were quite disappointed.

Appearing behind him, Kael swung his leg forward, delivering a strong kick to his open back.

BOOOM

Kaelos tumbled forward and, with a snarl, swung his hand behind. But Kael was long gone as he appeared at his sides, delivering a solid punch to his ribs.

"Ughh," with a groan, he leapt backwards while trying to find his opponent.

Kael wasn't taking any chances this time around. He knew Kaelos was far stronger in terms of raw power and his next match was going to be a tough one. He needed to be in good shape for the final. He didn't know much about their treatments and wasn't eager to try it out. The only thing was to win with his overwhelming powers!

"Show yourself you f**king coward!" Kaelos exclaimed, staring around.

"I'm right behind you," Kael whispered in his ears, causing Kaelos to swing his hand out wildly. Turning around, a large fist was already zooming towards him. "Dammit!" He raised his hands in an x shape, blocking the attack. "Huh? I thought he was... Damn!" Hurriedly turning around, he was a tad late as a punch slammed onto his chest, sending him skidding across the ground.

"It did work! My previous movements weren't affected even after I teleported. This is good!" Kael thought in excitement, eager to try out more of his ideas churning in his head.

"He's only getting stronger with each battle," Princess Aretha muttered to herself as she stared with complex feelings. "Just like the spar with the warriors, each battle only made him stronger."

"He's quite a talented one, right?" Queen Otrera asked with a smile. "I believe he's gonna shock everyone."

"You think so? I believe he won't even put up a fight with those two." Princess Aretha replied furiously.

"She's correct. They haven't even used their full strength." Princess Antiope said in excitement. "You should be grateful that these uprising talents are fighting just for you, Aretha."

Ignoring her sister's words, Aretha stared back at the ongoing battle.

Kale form was never in one place. Kaelos, not being able to see his opponent, was having a hard time. He was being struck without even having the chance to land a hit. "Ughhh!" He yelled in frustration as he raised his spear up. "You forced my hands!"

"Insurmountable rage! Slaughter!" Kaelos exclaimed as he struck his spear on the ground, causing the ground to rumble. A strong aura erupted from him as he charged forward towards the shocked kael.

Kael, at first, was shocked, but his expression soon turned into one of excitement. "A skill capable of disrupting my spatial ability?" Though the skill had only disrupted his spatial powers just for a few seconds, that was enough for the furious Kaelos.

Charging forward, he swung his spear releasing countless thrusting attacks in one movement. Kael's expression appeared calm as he weaved through just barely able to teleport out of his range.

Kael swung his hand forward releasing a series of void slash.

"You think this will stop me!" Stomping the ground Kaelos charged forward, his eyes emitting embers.

"A calm mind always wins in a battle," Kael muttered with a memory flashing in his mind. Clenching his fist tightly, he swung his hand in full force causing Kaleos to fall abruptly to the ground.

His legs were nearly cut off, barely holding together. "Bad, too bad," Kael muttered with a sad smile. He continued forward walking past Kaelos, who had a pained expression already giving up on fighting.

"Grow stronger," a faint voice echoed in his head as he left the platform. "Grow stronger!" He muttered, clenching his fist tightly.