In the naval arena, a heavy silence reigned, broken only by the sound of water cascading over the surrounding glass walls. The air was thick with a strange energy, a blend of the sea's aura and the ice's chill, locked in a struggle as if nature itself held its breath, awaiting the outcome.
Selena's heart trembled as she gazed at Lucien, that serene face that concealed an uncontrollable storm beneath his eyes. Before him stood her brother, Atlas, his head held high with regal pride.
Both raised their weapons simultaneously: a blue spear that gleamed like the depths of the sea, a long, icy spear that sliced through the air with a sharp, resonant sound.
Their weapons clashed with incredible speed, sparks flying in every direction. The ground crackled beneath their feet. Dozens of blows were exchanged in mere seconds, each action met with a counter-action, each burst of energy followed by an even more powerful one. The blue aura rippled across the arena like a tornado, while Saruto stood aloft, grinning. "They're evenly matched… this is amazing."
But something changed suddenly. Atlas smiled, took a half-step back, and plunged his spear into the ground with such force that waves erupted beneath his feet. "You've been lenient enough," he said, his voice hoarse with regal pride. "It's time you saw my true power."
He stretched his arms toward the sky, and blue energy erupted from his body like a cascade of light, enveloping him completely. His clothing began to change, transforming into a deep blue armor covered in shimmering scales resembling the skin of a sea dragon. Behind him, the symbol of Poseidon appeared on his chest. "Brother… no, you'll lose control!" Selena cried out in fear.
But Atlas didn't hear her. He moved with astonishing speed, as if swimming in the air itself. Every step he took pushed waves of watery air around him, and every spear thrust created a massive vortex that engulfed everything in its path.
Lucian stumbled backward, trying to fight back, but the water pressure was overwhelming; even the hall walls began to crack under its force.
Blow after blow, ripping through the air, leaving scars on the floor. "Poseidon's Skill: Dragons of the Deep!" Atlas roared, brandishing his spear.
Whirls erupted behind him, and from them emerged five enormous water dragons, swirling around each other in a raging vortex, then hurtling toward Lucian. "Lucian!!! Back off!!" Selena screamed, reaching out to him.
But the attack was too fast to repel. The dragons swallowed him whole. Thick steam rose as the dragons sustained Lucian. "This is the end for you… you arrogant fool," Atlas grinned, panting.
But his voice trailed off. The water dragons began to freeze slowly.
They cracked, their bodies turning to transparent crystals, then they all shattered at once!
From the cold dust, Lucian emerged with slow steps, his eyes glowing with a dim blue light, his body enveloped in a thick aura. The air around him grew heavy, and the temperature dropped so drastically that even the sea beyond the glass began to freeze slowly.
"It has begun… the Ice Emperor's awakening," Sarotto murmured with a faint smile.
Lucian raised his head, looked at Atlas with cold confidence, and said, "We've only just begun… why the rush?"
Atlas didn't give him time to speak. He lunged at him with incredible speed, but Lucian moved instantly, vanishing from his vantage point and reappearing behind him in the blink of an eye. He raised his foot and struck Atlas in the stomach with devastating force, sending his body crashing against the stone wall of the hall. The walls cracked as if an earthquake had struck.
The hall shook with shock, and steam rose from the ruins, while Lucien stood in the center of the arena, his eyes blazing, his ice spear in hand. Everyone around him, even Selena, was speechless.
Only then did they all realize… that what stood before them was no longer just a man. It was a true Ice Emperor, reborn beneath the throne of the sea.