After the stormy competition ended, the arena's noise rose once again.
The announcer stood at the center of the stadium, his voice cutting through the air.
Announcer:
"After that intense clash, we will take a one-hour break before beginning the Third Stone Challenge.
During this time… contestants Valen and Raizen will descend to the bottom of the earth to receive their stones.
This part will not be broadcast due to extreme confidentiality.
See you in one hour!"
Valen froze, his expression tightening.
Valen (whispering):
"Why did he say extremely confidential…? Something dangerous must be waiting down there."
Raizen smirked confidently, lifting his chin.
Raizen:
"Don't worry… your hero is with you."
Valen:
"Stop. There's no way you're my hero.
What do you think—after we get the stones… how about a duel?"
Raizen:
"Deal."
---
The Descent
They descended through a long rocky tunnel until they reached a massive metallic chamber that looked like a military laboratory.
Inside was a white room filled with medical equipment.
Valen (surprised):
"Why are we in a testing room?"
Raizen:
"Do they think we're lab rats?"
The door slid open.
A man in a gray lab coat walked in, his voice cold, his glasses clear like ice.
Scientist – Levan:
"Welcome to my laboratory. How do you feel?"
Valen:
"I'm fine."
Raizen (hesitant):
"I don't feel… like my best self."
Levan smiled with unsettling confidence.
Levan:
"Good. Now we will grant you your stones.
All you need to do is crush the stone and place the powder on your forearm.
If the stone accepts you, you will gain its elemental ability…
But you will lose your Beko.
If the stone rejects you, the pain in your heart will be severe—
and the chance of surviving is only ten percent.
Even if you survive, you will never use Beko again.
You might even lose… parts of your emotions."
A heavy silence settled.
Valen:
"What do you think, Raizen?"
Raizen:
"I think stones don't accept cowards… I'm doing it."
Valen:
"Me too. And after that, I'll beat you in our duel."
Raizen:
"In your dreams."
Levan raised his hand.
Levan:
"Who will begin?"
Valen:
"I will."
Raizen:
"No, I'm first."
Levan:
"Do it at the same time."
The two exchanged a sharp glare.
Valen:
"Ready? …One… two… three!"
---
The Fusion
A muffled scream tore through Valen's chest—
a pain not like a muscle cramp, but deep… directly inside the heart.
Valen:
"AAh— it feels like a spasm… inside my chest!"
Raizen:
"Same—! Agh!"
Raizen struggled to breathe.
Raizen:
"If the minute ends and it doesn't accept me… kill me."
Valen (shocked):
"I can't!"
Raizen:
"I wasn't talking to you… I meant him."
Levan (coldly):
"I would be happy to."
Then suddenly—
Valen's pain vanished.
Valen:
"Wait— the pain stopped."
Levan (smiling):
"The stone accepted you easily. You're already strong."
Valen (awkward laugh):
"Don't embarrass me…"
Seconds crawled by.
Levan counted quietly:
"…eight… nine… ten."
Raizen gasped, holding his chest.
Raizen (relieved):
"It worked… it worked!"
Levan (disappointed):
"My opportunity is gone."
---
The Duel Begins
Tension returned between them.
Raizen:
"Why worry about me? I'm your enemy."
Valen:
"You're not my enemy… you're my rival. Ready for our duel?"
Raizen:
"Yes… but we can't use the stones yet, and our Beko is gone."
Valen (teasing):
"We'll figure it out during the fight… unless you're scared?"
Raizen:
"Never. To the arena!"
---
Unexpected Interference
As soon as they arrived, two figures appeared behind them—Barinta and Zankiro.
Barinta:
"I'll train Raizen."
Zankiro:
"And I'll take Valen."
Each was pulled to a different side of the arena.
Zankiro:
"Your stone's nature is water.
Imagine the part of your body you want to activate… as if it's covered in ice."
Valen:
"Ice?"
Zankiro:
"Try it."
On the other side—
Barinta:
"Your stone is similar to mine.
When I trained for the first time, I imagined myself as the wind."
Raizen:
"Got it."
---
The Battle Begins
The announcer's voice roared above the crowd.
Announcer:
"The Stone Battles begin now!
We have the champion of the First Challenge—Kuwarasi Raizen—versus the champion of the Second Challenge—Valen!"
Valen raised his hands, eyes focused.
Inside his mind, clarity flashed—
Valen – internally:
"Think… how can you slow Raizen down… and how can you increase your own speed?
Focus… you have water. Use it."
His heartbeat steadied.
---
Valen whispered to himself:
Valen – internally:
"Hands… covered with ice."
A thin layer of water formed around his fingers.
Announcer (shocked):
"Look! Water is gathering around his hands!"
Valen dashed forward.
Valen:
"Where is he—?"
Raizen (behind him):
"Here."
A swift strike to the back of Valen's head smashed him into the wall.
Valen – internally:
"One hit… caused this much pain?!"
Announcer:
"He's fast—faster than the eye can see!"
Valen stood with difficulty, fists rising.
Valen – internally:
"Four more hits like that… and I might die."
Raizen (mocking):
"How does it taste?"
Valen didn't respond—
he simply took a fighting stance.
---
Water Transformation
Valen:
"First Form… The Pool!"
Water exploded from the floor, flooding the arena.
Announcer:
"What?! The arena is filled with water!"
Raizen:
"It only reached my legs… I can still mov—"
Before he finished, Valen appeared in front of him with a rapid strike, followed by four consecutive blows.
Blood dripped from Raizen's mouth.
Raizen (panting):
"I took… only one hit!"
He raised his hand:
Raizen:
"First Form — Thunder Step!"
His speed suddenly equaled Valen's.
---
Complete Awakening
Valen – internally:
"Power… is tied to emotion.
Fine… then I'll summon my worst memories."
His expression vanished—
his entire presence transformed.
He suddenly appeared behind Raizen.
Valen:
"Second Form… Water Spark."
Everything froze for a second.
Voices echoed from the stands.
Nakimi:
"Should I kill him?"
Zankiro:
"It's a duel… not a real fight."
Water dripped from Valen's hands—
but now it was steaming hot.
Yakuro (observing):
"The water was boiling…
He lost control of his emotions."
---
The Result
The announcer raised his hand, stunned.
Announcer:
"The winner is… VALEN!"
The crowd erupted—
Before the ground trembled.
A strange gate opened before everyone.
And time… stopped.