Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series

Aiden's fire cracked like a whip, slicing through the air as Lochan barely dodged, shifting to the side with calculated ease.

Again.

And again.

Each movement was so precise it felt impossible- like Lochan already knew where the strikes would land before Aiden even made them.

But Aiden wasn't backing down.

He shifted his stance, switching from his fire whip to his flaming sword, slashing in wide, unpredictable arcs, forcing Lochan to move. If he couldn't outthink him, he would outpace him.

Lochan, however, didn't try to counter. He kept his distance, weaving through the battlefield with inhuman fluidity, his eyes locked on Aiden like a predator watching its prey.

Aiden clicked his tongue in frustration.

No matter what he did, Lochan was just barely out of reach.

It was a game of patience.

And it was dragging on.

The crowd wasn't sure who had the upper hand anymore.

Neither fighter had landed a solid hit for the past few minutes.

Neither looked tired, but the strain was there, in a way their movements had become slightly more aggressive, slightly more urgent.

Up in the stands, Adrian gripped the railing.

"What the fuck is this?!" he shouted. "Are they just gonna dance the whole time!?"

Sevan, tense beside him, was watching Aiden carefully.

"He's testing him. But so is Lochan."

On the battlefield, Aiden's grip on his sword tightened.

Fine. If Lochan refused to close in, then Aiden would force him to.

Flames burst around Aiden's feet as he lunged forward with a feint.

Lochan moved to counter...

But Aiden vanished.

The crowd gasped.

And Lochan, for the first time, for a second, looked caught off guard.

And that second was all Aiden needed.

From behind, a burst of flames roared to life, and Lochan barely turned before-

SLAP.

The crack echoed through the labyrinth arena.

The stands went silent.

Even Adrian, who had been mid-curse, snapped his mouth shut.

Lochan stood frozen, wide-eyed, a bright red mark already forming on his cheek.

Aiden, still standing in front of him, lowered his hand. For a full ten seconds, neither of them moved. Ten seconds of pure, stunned silence.

Then-

Aiden let out a slow breath, wiped his palm on his uniform like he'd just touched something disgusting, and took a step back.

"…You're out."

The whole arena blinked.

Then, realizing what had happened, hastily declared, "Aiden Chase wins!"

The arena exploded with noise.

From the stands, Adrian howled with laughter, gripping Sevan's shoulder and shaking him. "DID YOU SEE THAT?! HE- HE DIDN'T EVEN PUNCH HIM- HE SLAPPED HIM."

Even Amihan, who had joined the boys and was tense just moments before, let out a breathless, shocked laugh beside Ivara.

Sevan didn't laugh. He just stared at Aiden, who had turned and was already walking away, flames fizzling out at his fingertips.

Lochan was still frozen in place. He stood still for a long moment, his hand hovering over his cheek where the sting of Aiden's slap lingered. Then...

He laughed.

Not out of mockery or bitterness, but genuine amusement. A deep, unrestrained laugh that echoed through the labyrinth.

"The first time," he muttered, shaking his head. "The first time anyone has ever touched me in a fight that I have not expected it… and it was a slap."

Aiden, still catching his breath, frowned at him. "You sound way too happy about that."

Lochan just grinned, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the entire battle. "I didn't expect it. Not at all. But that's what made it great."

Then, with an easy stride, he walked up to Aiden and extended a hand.

"You'll go far someday, Chase. Really mean it. And if you ever really want to fight again, I won't hold back."

Aiden hesitated.

Then, with only a brief glance at Lochan's still-red cheek, he shook his hand.

The crowd still buzzed, some in disbelief, others in excitement.

But Adrian? Adrian was wheezing. "Oh my god, I love this outcome."

Sevan, still stunned, finally blinked and muttered, "I… didn't see that coming."

And in the middle of it all, Aiden released Lochan's hand and turned toward the exit.

Aiden barely took a step before Adrian crashed into him from the side, slinging an arm over his shoulders.

"You slapped him," Adrian wheezed between fits of laughter. "That was your grand strategy? Slap him?"

Aiden grunted, trying to shove him off. "It worked, didn't it?"

Sevan finally caught up, shaking his head in exasperation.

"That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen… but I can't even argue. He literally froze in place."

"I think that was shock," Adrian said, laughing still. "Lochan's brain short-circuited."

As the three of them walked out of the labyrinth, the excitement in the air was still thick. Students whispered, some laughing at how Lochan had been slapped into a loss, while others muttered about how Aiden had somehow managed to win against someone who could predict every move.

Jarek and Rupert were already waiting for them near the edge of the stands. Jarek smacked a hand against Aiden's back so hard it almost sent him forward. "A slap? You're insane."

Rupert chuckled. "I'm actually impressed."

Before Aiden could respond, another voice cut in. "I should be congratulating you," Shiloh's drawl came from the side. "But I'm too busy being offended on Lochan's behalf."

The group turned to see Shiloh, arms crossed, leaning lazily against a pillar. Lochan stood next to him, smirking, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just lost. Ambrose was with them too, of course, since since when are they three not together?

"Offended?" Adrian snorted. "What, because you almlst lost to Sevan's water balloons while Lochan got taken out by a handprint?"

Shiloh's smile tightened, but he tilted his head. "Don't get too comfortable. You still have to keep your spot."

Aiden exhaled sharply, already exhausted. "Are we done here?"

Lochan hummed. "For now."

Shiloh pushed off the pillar. "Enjoy your win while it lasts, Chase."

With that, the three walked off, disappearing into the crowds.

Aiden rolled his shoulders. "I hate them."

"Same," Sevan muttered.

"Anyway!" Adrian threw an arm around him again. "You, my friend, deserve food. Let's go eat before I explode from the secondhand embarrassment of being associated with you."

Aiden shoved him off, but for the first time that day, he let himself breathe.

He had won.