The arena had seen fire, laser, and mental traps.
But now, it was time for raw power.
The crowd leaned forward in anticipation as the loudspeaker echoed:
> "Next match: Candidate Sharif versus Candidate Roni!"
In the waiting area, Sharif took a deep breath.
He wasn't trembling. But there was a storm inside him—one that had waited years to break free.
---
The Boy with a Burden
Sharif was born strong.
But his strength came at a cost.
When he was ten, he punched a wall during a tantrum. The wall shattered.
People said he was dangerous.
> "You're not a hero. You're a monster."
That memory never left him.
Since then, he had lived with fear—fear of his own strength.
He rarely fought, rarely let go.
But today…
> "If I want to become a hero, I have to stop fearing myself."
---
His Opponent: A Walking Wall
Roni stood across the field with a grin on his face.
His power? Metal morph — he could harden parts of his body into steel instantly.
Muscular, loud, and flashy—he was the perfect contrast to Sharif's quiet aura.
"Hey, quiet guy," Roni said, cracking his knuckles.
"Think you can beat this?"
Sharif walked onto the field silently, eyes calm, hands loose at his sides.
---
Round One Begins
> DING!
Roni rushed in instantly, right arm transforming into solid metal.
> "Metal Fist!"
Boom!
The punch landed on Sharif's chest.
He stumbled back one step.
That was it.
Roni blinked. "Huh? That should've floored you."
Sharif stood still.
> "That was nothing," he said softly.
Roni's grin faded.
---
Pressure Builds Within
Sharif wasn't smiling.
He was remembering.
> The cracked wall.
His crying mother.
His father calling him "too dangerous."
He had locked all that away.
But it didn't vanish.
> It boiled.
Today, he stood against someone strong.
Someone who wouldn't hold back.
And that meant...
> He didn't have to hold back either.
---
The Awakening
Roni dashed in again, both arms now metallic.
> "Double Hammer!"
Sharif didn't dodge.
He clenched his fists.
His muscles rippled.
His eyes turned a faint red.
And then—
> BOOM!
Sharif stepped forward mid-strike and punched Roni's right arm.
Roni flew back five meters, crashing into the ground.
The crowd gasped.
---
Sharif's Voice Returns
"I didn't lose control," Sharif whispered to himself.
He looked down at his fist.
It was shaking. Not from fear—
From release.
Roni coughed, slowly pushing himself up.
"You... you've been holding back this whole time?"
Sharif nodded.
"I always hold back."
Roni chuckled. "Then I'm honored you let go—for even a second."
---
The Bell Rings
> "Winner: Sharif!"
The crowd roared.
But Sharif wasn't smiling.
He was breathing deeply, calming himself.
Behind the arena, Sohan and Tisha ran up to him.
"You crushed it, bro!" Sohan grinned.
"Literally!" said Tisha.
Sharif finally smiled.
Not out of pride—
But relief.
---
Resolution
Later that evening, Sharif stood alone, gazing at the sky.
"I'm not afraid of my strength anymore."
He clenched his hand into a fist.
> "Because now... I know who I want to protect."
---
[End of Chapter 15]