The arena gates creaked open, and Zenith stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. A gust of wind carried the scent of sweat and anticipation. Across from him, a young man with blue hair and an expensive robe stood motionless, his serene gaze piercing through the chaos of the crowd.
That aura… He's a Flow Caster, Zenith thought, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade.
A security guard blocked his path, demanding his pass. Without a word, Zenith revealed a pendant—a symbol of the Ronin. The guard's eyes widened, and he stepped aside, murmuring to his companion.
"A Ronin's disciple? This year's selection just got interesting."
The stadium roared as the host's voice boomed over the din.
"Today, we choose the ten warriors who will shape the future! May the Flow guide us!"
Ribbons materialized around the contestants' wrists—crimson threads of fate.
"When your ribbon is cut… you lose!"
The battle erupted in a whirlwind of steel and technique. Clashes echoed, bodies fell,ribbons cut, and soon, only two remained.
Zenith.
And Lithos.
The crowd held its breath as the two faced each other—one a storm of determination, the other an ocean of calm.
"He's the guy I saw earlier" Zenith whispered
"The final battle begins!"
Zenith exhaled, steadying his breath. But Lithos didn't move. He simply stared, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Who… are… you?"
Zenith lunged, his sword flashing. But his strike met only air—Lithos had vanished. A whisper came from behind.
"You haven't answered my question."
A doppelganger.
Zenith's lips curled into a smirk. Illusions? Fine.
"4th Flow: Zero Cut!"
He dashed, his blade carving a crescent through the air—only for another illusion to dissolve. Lithos reappeared beside him, his voice eerily calm.
"I just wanted to know… if you come from a clan worthy of my appetite."
Lightning erupted from Lithos' fingertips, grazing Zenith's cheek. Before he could react, spikes of earth erupted beneath him, flames licking at his back. The crowd gasped as Zenith barely shielded himself with his Flow.
What the hell? Zenith's mind raced. Casters specialize in one element… So why can he wield them all?
Wind slashed at him, drawing blood. Lithos tilted his head.
"Still protecting that ribbon? How predictable."
The audience murmured in awe.
"That's Lithos of the Oshigai Clan—the prodigy who crushed two hundred men without breaking a sweat!"
Zenith laughed. A wild, exhilarated sound.
"SENSEI! You were right—there really are monsters here!"
In an instant, he became a blur. Lithos barely dodged, a lock of his hair fluttering to the ground.
"4th Flow: Triple Dissection!"
Three afterimages of Zenith surrounded Lithos, striking from all angles. A barrier talisman shattered under the assault, but Lithos retaliated with a smirk.
"Wind Talisman: Evil Hurricane! Flame Talisman: Unwavering Flames!"
The elements merged—a fiery tornado roared toward Zenith.
But Zenith didn't falter. He raised his blade, Flow surging like a tempest.
"5th Flow: Perfect Divider!"
The hurricane split in two.
Lithos' eyes widened as blood bloomed across his chest.
Yet, in the next heartbeat, pain seared Zenith's side—Lithos had countered faster than thought.
"Zantetsuken."
The crowd erupted.
"Who the hell trained this guy?!"
Zenith grinned through the pain. "So you're protecting your ribbon too, huh?"
Lithos clapped, his smile unnervingly bright. "Sorry, I'm just excited… I never knew my blood was red."
Then, the air itself trembled. Hundreds of talismans materialized, portals tearing open around Lithos.
Elements rained down—fire, wind, earth, water—a cataclysm of destruction. Zenith dodged, weaved, but the onslaught was relentless.
"Is this guy human?!" he spat, his body battered.
Lithos halted the barrage, his voice almost gentle. "Just surrender. I don't want to kill you."
Zenith forced himself up, Flow cocooning his body.
Lithos' smile faded. "I see… This isn't a battle anymore."
Their voices merged.
"It's a test of heart and will!"
Zenith's blade glowed. "5th Flow: Divine Dive!"
Lithos raised four talismans. "Yin Talisman: Holy Perseverance!"
A beam of pure energy erupted. Zenith charged, his body screaming in protest.
"I MUST MAKE IT!"
"NO MATTER WHAT!"
A flash—
Silence.
Zenith stood behind Lithos, his chest heaving. Lithos held a flame talisman, its light flickering.
Then—
Slash.
Lithos' ribbon fluttered to the ground, severed.
At the same moment, the talisman in his hand burned to ash—and the ribbon on his wrist blackened, crumbling.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"A TIE?!"
The host staggered, then caught a bird landing on his shoulder. A message. His voice boomed.
"By order of the Citadel—BOTH warriors are chosen!"
Cheers shook the arena as the victors assembled.
"Eleven heroes rise today! BLESS THE WILL OF THE FLOW!"