Ascension of the Forsaken Genius

The coliseum roared with excitement as the next battle of the second round began. The air crackled with tension, anticipation thick enough to be felt by even the most battle-hardened spectators. Twenty warriors stood in the arena, each radiating a different level of power, but the eyes of many were drawn to two figures standing apart from the rest.

Rael Aldreth.

Cassandra Emberlane.

One was a scion of a noble house, carrying himself with an air of absolute dominance. The other was a crimson storm, graceful yet lethal, her presence demanding attention even in stillness.

As the announcer’s voice signaled the start of the match, the battlefield descended into chaos.

Rael Aldreth made no unnecessary movements. He stood still, watching as the fighters clashed, their techniques and abilities lighting up the arena. He observed their strengths, their weaknesses, and more importantly—their mistakes.

A brawler charged at him from the left, a massive hammer raised high.

Too slow.

Rael’s eyes sharpened, and with a single step forward, his fist slammed into the warrior’s gut. A dull explosion rippled through the air as the man crumpled, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Another fighter lunged at him with twin swords, his movements swift and unpredictable.

Rael exhaled, his foot shifting slightly.

In an instant, he vanished.

The swordsman’s expression twisted into confusion—until a crushing blow to the back of his head sent him sprawling to the ground.

"Pitiful," Rael muttered, his tone devoid of emotion.

Around him, warriors fought desperately, some forming temporary alliances, others betraying each other the moment an opening appeared. Yet, none dared approach him after witnessing his effortless eliminations.

That was fine. They were never his true concern.

His gaze lifted to the other side of the battlefield, where Cassandra Emberlane moved with eerie precision.

--

Where Rael was an unshakable force, Cassandra was a merciless storm.

She glided through the battlefield, her sword carving arcs of crimson light through the air. She did not waste energy on needless movement, nor did she falter when faced with multiple opponents.

Three warriors surrounded her, each wielding different weapons—a spear, a greatsword, and a pair of daggers.

They struck in unison.

A mistake.

Cassandra’s blade flashed once.

A severed spear tip embedded itself into the dirt. The greatsword user stumbled, clutching a deep gash on his arm. The dagger-wielder barely managed to twist away, but—

Schlick!

Blood sprayed into the air as her next strike cut across his chest.

He fell, unconscious.

The spear-user hesitated, eyes flickering between Cassandra’s unreadable gaze and the blood pooling at her feet.

That was his final mistake.

Cassandra shifted forward. A blur of movement—then her sword pressed lightly against his throat.

"Surrender," she ordered.

The warrior gulped, then quickly raised his hands. A signal of forfeit.

The greatsword wielder made the only logical choice—he turned and ran.

Cassandra did not chase him.

She did not need to.

A burst of golden light erupted from the other side of the battlefield.

The greatsword wielder stopped short, his face contorting in pain before he collapsed.

Rael Aldreth lowered his outstretched hand, stepping forward as he surveyed the dwindling number of competitors.

Only six remained.

For the first time since the match began, Rael and Cassandra locked eyes.

The temperature in the arena seemed to shift. The air itself felt heavier, as if two opposing forces had begun to shape the battlefield to their will.

And then—

The remaining four fighters charged at them.

Three rushed at Rael, having decided that eliminating the strongest first was their best chance at survival. The last remaining warrior—a dual-saber wielder—took her chances against Cassandra.

--

A lance of golden energy erupted from Rael’s palm, slamming into the first attacker before he even got close. The man was blasted off his feet, his body tumbling lifelessly across the ground.

The second opponent attempted to use Rael’s momentary distraction to strike from behind.

A foolish mistake.

Rael did not turn. He simply raised one hand—and caught the incoming blade with his fingers.

The warrior’s eyes widened in horror. "Impossible—"

Rael’s fist crushed into his jaw, and the man was out cold before he hit the ground.

The final opponent hesitated.

Rael turned toward him, expression cold. "Surrender or be broken."

The fighter immediately forfeited.

Rael turned his gaze back toward Cassandra.

--

Cassandra, too, had finished her battle.

The dual-saber wielder who had dared challenge her lay motionless at her feet, his weapons shattered beside him. Her blade was spotless. Not a drop of blood stained it—her strikes had been so precise that there had been no need for excess carnage.

The battlefield was silent.

The remaining fighters had all been eliminated.

Only two figures stood tall.

Rael Aldreth.

Cassandra Emberlane.

The audience held its breath, waiting to see if the two would engage in a final clash. But neither moved.

They simply stared at one another.

Then, as if in silent agreement, they both turned away.

The announcer’s voice rang out.

"AND THERE YOU HAVE IT! The two warriors advancing from this match are—

RAEL ALDRETH AND CASSANDRA EMBERLANE!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, the sheer dominance of their performance leaving them in awe.

Rael exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering toward Cassandra one last time.

She met his eyes. A nod.

A silent acknowledgment.

This battle was over.

But their true confrontation…

That was yet to come.