Azazel began to rise into the air.
The black aura around him swirled like a storm. He raised his scythe and cut through the air with one broad stroke. The space behind his blade shattered like glass.
Portals appeared.
One. Two. Three.
Black balls of energy began to flow out of them, heavy and dense like condensed shadow. One after another, they shot toward Noah.
The arena shook.
Noah, however, did not move immediately.
He looked around.
Valdor was fighting Arok.
Mayuri and Arwen were being pushed back by Destro and Nebuko.
Kael lay wounded on the ground.
Noah closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
— I will win this... for them...
The fire surrounding his body suddenly disappeared.
All the flames concentrated in his hands.
Both fists burst into flames.
Noah opened his eyes. Fire emanated from his pupils.
He leaned forward slightly.
And moved.
The first black orb flew in with a bang.
Noah struck the air with his burning fist.
An explosion of fire.
The shockwave sent him flying into the air, missing the orb by inches.
The second.
The third.
Noah jumped between the explosions like fiery lightning, using the explosions to change his flight path.
The crowd in the stands froze.
— He's... using his own explosions to move! — shouted the commentator.
Azazel frowned.
— Tch...
He swung his scythe again.
New portals opened above the arena.
Even more black spheres.
— Give up already! — he shouted.
The shadows flew down like meteors.
Noah didn't stop.
One sphere exploded next to him.
A second one.
A third.
Fire and darkness tore through the sky above the arena.
— AAAAAAH!
With a scream, Noah flew straight towards Azazel.
Azazel growled and raised his scythe high.
Black energy began to gather above his head.
It grew.
Bigger and bigger.
Finally, a huge black ball formed, casting a shadow over the entire arena.
— Disappear!
Noah clenched his fist.
— We're going to win this...
He struck.
The red flame collided with the black energy.
Kael, lying on the ground, struggled to open his eyes and looked up at the sky.
Red.
Black.
Two energies clashed above the arena.
Noah's scream grew louder and louder.
After a moment...
The black sphere burst.
— I... I can't believe it... — Azazel whispered.
Noah broke through the explosion.
And struck.
His fist hit Azazel square in the face.
The blow was powerful.
Azazel flew down like a meteorite and hit the ground with tremendous force.
The arena shook.
Dust rose into the air.
When it settled...
Azazel lay motionless.
The black aura disappeared.
Noah hung in the air for a moment.
The fire around him died down.
— I... I won...
His body began to fall.
— AZAZEL HAS BEEN DEFEATED! — shouted the commentator. — HIS FORM HAS BEEN DEFEATED!
Noah was falling straight onto the stone arena.
Valdor was too far away.
Arwen and Mayuri were blocked by their opponents.
No one could catch him.
Then Kael opened his eyes.
He clenched his teeth.
— Not... yet...
He got to his feet.
Unsteadily.
With his last ounce of strength, he threw himself toward the spot where Noah was falling.
And caught Noah in midair.
They both crashed to the ground.
Kael fell first, cushioning the blow.
— Idiot... — he whispered weakly. — Next time... land on your own...
***
The fight in the arena continued.
Valdor and Arok stood facing each other, breathing heavily.
Valdor raised his sword.
— You see... we have a chance to defeat you...
Arok looked at him calmly.
— You fight well...
He was silent for a moment.
— I am pleased with this fight... We haven't fought such opponents in a long time...
Valdor narrowed his eyes.
Arok added coldly:
— You defeated Azazel only because he was weak.
— Aren't you worried about your people? — asked Valdor.
Arok did not answer.
His gaze was cold.
As if the outcome of their battles meant nothing.
***
On the other side of the arena, Mayuri and Arwen hid behind a magical shield.
Nebuko's swords continued to fall from the sky.
Destro struck the barrier with powerful blows.
The shield shook.
— We need a plan. — said Arwen.
Her eyes scanned the battlefield.
Thanks to her sharp eyesight, she noticed something.
A small gap.
A brief moment in Destro and Nebuko's defense.
Arwen smiled slightly.
— I have an idea.
Mayuri looked at Arwen.