The second battle had ended, and the stadium buzzed like a live wire. Every spectator leaned forward, hearts pounding.
"Now it's time for the final match!" the announcer shouted, voice booming across the stone terraces. "The last two warriors, step forward!"
A boy appeared in the center of the arena, holding a bow. His posture was calm, almost regal, yet every muscle radiated tension and readiness. A faint golden aura shimmered around him, and the wind seemed to bend slightly in his presence.
"I know none of you have seen me before," he said, voice steady, carrying like a bell through the crowd. "But from today, you will remember me because of my victory. After that… I will introduce myself. Thank you."
The spectators whispered among themselves, the energy in the stadium crackling.
"This kid has guts, don't you think?" someone murmured.
"Hah? Asking me? He's just a loudmouth," another replied.
"Hey, I remember him. He killed that giant bear in the forest."
"What? He killed that giant bear?"
"That's impossible. Even Rank One and Rank Two guardians couldn't defeat that monster."
"I'm not lying," the man insisted. "I was there. I saw it. One second. That's all it took."
"So that means you're weak," a voice shouted. "How can you protect people from Ashura if you can't even fight a bear, you weakling?"
The crowd exploded into laughter.
"I bet when he saw that bear, he hid in its cave like a scared cat!"
The boy's eyes narrowed, a golden flare sparking along his pupils. "I'm not weak, and I didn't hide. And you know what? When you see that bear… you'd probably soil yourself."
The stadium fell into stunned silence. Then… laughter crashed down upon the insulted man instead.
"The Seventh Temple?" the Fifth Great Sage asked, curiosity sharpening his gaze.
"As expected, you don't know him," said the Seventh Sage. "I'll explain later. It's… complicated."
Hahaha! The First Sage laughed loudly. "What's wrong, Great Seven? You don't look happy after seeing him."
I should have told him to stay away from this fight, the Seventh Sage thought, a dark premonition tightening his chest. If this continues, it will be too late.
"Lord Seven, what are you thinking?" someone asked, tension in their voice.
The Seventh Sage spoke quietly, his eyes fixed on the boy. "The boy with the bow… he is far stronger. Deva cannot win. His weakness is not his body—it is his soul. He has been cursed since that night. If he uses his true power, his soul will fall into darkness forever."
"Then we must stop the fight," said the Second Sage, voice firm.
"If his soul is cursed," added the Sixth Sage, "evil may take control of his body."
"Tell me," the Third Sage pressed, "does this boy wield divine power, or is he the reincarnation of a Devta?"
"We don't know," the Seventh Sage answered, gaze shadowed. "He is a mystery."
"Don't worry," the First Sage said, a faint, knowing smile curling his lips. "Let him fight. If something goes wrong, I will put him to sleep myself."
I want to see your true power, the Seventh Sage thought, a shadow of concern in his calm demeanor. You're hiding something—but not from me.
Deva's chest rose and fell as he stepped forward slowly.
"I have trained under many sages… under many masters," he said, voice quiet but carrying through the arena. "But today… after seeing every warrior's strength, I realize I cannot prove myself."
He sank to his knees. Dust swirled around him in a small whirlwind, caught in the tension of the moment.
"Please forgive me, everyone—and the Great Sages. Today… I cannot fight."
The stadium froze. Even the Seven Great Sages exchanged subtle, sharp glances.
"What are you saying?" Hari demanded, stunned. "You mean… you won't fight?"
"Please forgive me, Master Hari," Deva said. "I have my reasons."
"Are you serious?" Maya shouted, eyes wide. "Did he just say he won't fight?"
"I heard it too," Devi whispered.
"Is he injured?" Maya asked, disbelief cutting through her tone.
"He must have a reason," Devi murmured.
"Reason or not," Sun said, voice cold, "people will call him a coward."
Hah. Indra laughed, the sound sharp as lightning. "He knows he'll lose… so he gave up. Honestly, I'm glad. Now I don't have to watch a boring fight."
Maya's fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms. "I thought you were an idiot before—but now I'm 100% sure."
"He did what?" the Sixth Sage asked.
"He refused to fight," said the Second Sage.
"Did you tell him to do this?" the First Sage asked the Seventh.
"No," the Seventh Sage replied. "Even I am surprised."
"This boy truly is strange," the Fifth Sage murmured.
"I don't care if he's strange," said the Third Sage. "He's a coward."
"He saved his life—for today," the Fourth Sage said calmly.
"Or maybe," added the Seventh Sage quietly, "he saved many lives."
The First Sage's smile was subtle but approving.
The crowd erupted again, voices like crashing waves.
"What is this kid saying?"
"Hah… he's just scared!"
"He's a coward! Go hide in your mother's room!"
Slippers and scraps of food rained down on Deva, but he remained kneeling, aura beginning to flare faintly around his bowed head—a golden, dangerous light.
Amid the chaos, a small voice cried out.
"Aaniya!"
A young girl pushed through the people, tugging her mother's hand.
"Where did you go, Aaniya? I was searching everywhere!"
"I'm sorry, Mom. I saw butterflies… then I got lost."
"It's fine. Let's go home now."
"Don't ever show your face here again, coward!"
"If you have any shame, go die somewhere!"
Aaniya froze, then looked back at Deva kneeling amidst the storm of mockery.
"Mom…" she whispered, "why are they being so cruel? Did he do something wrong?"
Her mother sighed. "He surrendered. He didn't fight."
Suddenly, Aaniya's voice rang out like a clarion bell.
"He's not a coward!"
"Stop it, Aaniya!" her mother urged.
"No, Mom! He's not a coward!"
Tears filled her eyes as she glanced back one last time. I'm sorry, big brother… this is all because of me.
Maya's fists were white-knuckled. "This is enough! How can people be this cruel?"
Sun shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. Leave it to the Sages."
Deva remained on his knees, aura flickering, the tension of his suppressed power visible even to the untrained eye.
Maya screamed, "Stand up! Say something, damn it!"
Devi covered her ears. "I can't listen anymore…"
Indra frowned. "Just stand up and leave. The crowd is out of control."
"Enough!" Maya bellowed toward the platform. "Master Hari, stop them!"
Hari stepped forward. "Everyone… calm down!"
The roar of the crowd only intensified.
Then—
Crack.
Karan crushed the arrow in his hand. Light surged around his body, crackling along the bow like living energy.
He raised his dhanush to the sky—without nocking an arrow—and released.
BOOOOM!
A sonic blast ripped through the stadium, shockwaves bending the air. Even the Seven Great Sages staggered, eyes wide. Dust and debris spiraled as the force slammed into the terraces.
Deva's voice thundered across the arena:
"Enough! Don't mock him, you cowards! He has his reasons—didn't you hear him?!"
His eyes burned with righteous fury, golden sparks dancing like embers.
"You're worse than animals! At least animals feel sympathy. You people are selfish… weak… spineless!"
"Do you know what Guardians endure?! Friends, teachers, family—slaughtered by Ashuras! Broken ribs, torn flesh, shattered bones! This is the price we pay to protect you!"
"And instead of thanks… you throw slippers and call him a coward?! You're insulting every Guardian who has bled for you!"
"If you're desperate for a fight…" He stepped forward, golden energy flaring like fire across his body. "Then fight me. Silence yourselves! Show me courage!"
Hand over his chest, voice unwavering:
"I am Karan—student of Master KyRo, sibling disciple of Lord Third and Lord Fourth. I accept your challenge."
Fear rippled through the audience like wildfire.
Did he say… KyRo?
No way… he trained under him?
The Lords whispered, stunned.
Lord First smiled faintly. "So Lord Second and Lord Third found a sibling student."
Lord Second frowned. "KyRo abandoned teaching… how is this possible?"
Lord Sixth nodded slowly. "He must be special."
Lord Fifth asked, "What about the boy from the Seventh Temple?"
Lord Fourth replied calmly, "He belongs to Lord Seventh. His fate is his decision."
Lord Third to Lord Seventh: "What do you think?"
Lord Seventh exhaled deeply. "For now… he is disqualified. Whether he becomes a Guardian… we will decide later."
Lord First chuckled. "Don't be too harsh. He is still your disciple."
"Enough," Lord Third's voice echoed. "The boy from the Seventh Temple is disqualified."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Hari announced, "Due to inability to fight, Deva is disqualified. The winner is… Karan."
Deva's eyes shimmered with regret.
"I'm sorry, Karan. You wanted to prove yourself… I ruined it."
Karan smiled gently. "No need. I know your reasons. Next time, fight me properly. You'll have to prove yourself."
As Karan walked off, Deva swore silently: I will prove myself.
Indra asked, "Hari sir… what now?"
Hari replied, "We wait for the Lords' decision. After that… you'll receive your weapons and uniforms."
Maya's eyes sparkled. "New outfits, huh?"