The sky above the stadium turned pitch black, as if the end of the world were approaching. The screen glowed red with the words: FINAL MATCH – KAEL vs VIREX. Shiro and Akira watched the arena, holding onto the railings – Akira's hand was white on the cracked Shadow Cyclone.
Kael and Virex faced each other. "Today you will lose your balance, Kael!" Virex roared, a purple aura surrounding him. Kael stared straight ahead, his peonza already shaking with the accumulated energy in his hand. "The Axiom will not fail."
"3... 2... 1... SPIN!"
The ground shook as the two peons slammed into the arena. Purple flames immediately erupted around the Nova Strike, and the dark Phoenix rose from it with huge wings, filling half the arena.
But Kael's peonza was not far behind. A blinding column of orange and red fire shot skyward from the Axiom's core. From the flames materialized the giant, flaming-armored Axiom—a demonic protector with enormous horns and a glowing inner fire. As it appeared, it soared above the peonza and roared into the stadium, its heat felt even in the stands.
The two giants slammed into each other at the first impact. Axiom's flaming fists slammed into the Phoenix's wings. Blue, red, and purple lightning zigzagged, and the stadium floor cracked deeply beneath them.
"Changing Center!" Kael shouted.
The peonza suddenly changed direction, and the giant Axiom creature moved with it. It slammed the Phoenix into the side with a huge, fire-soaked blow. The Nova Strike tipped over, the Phoenix screamed in pain, its dark feathers scattering in the air.
"OVERSTREAM!" Virex roared, and the Phoenix's body turned into a distorted, black void. A black ring opened around the track, sucking out all light.
Kael closed his eyes. He connected with his peonza, feeling the searing heat. "Axiom... now let's show them! ABSOLUTE JUDGMENT!"
The Axiom peonza centered itself and began to spin at incredible speed. The creature towering above it raised both hands, forming a mini-sun between its palms. When the Phoenix struck with full force, the Axiom did not dodge. He stopped in the path of the Nova Strike, and the creature caught the attack with both hands.
The two energies strained against each other. The Axiom creature's armor began to glow, and the black ring cracked from the pressure. Finally, the creature shattered the darkness with a huge explosion. The core of the Nova Strike split, and the Phoenix form fell to pieces and vanished into thin air.
The peonza slowed... staggered... and finally stopped.
Silence. The display flashed: WINNER - KAEL.
The stadium erupted in cheers. Virex fell to his knees, his peonza no longer emanating dark energy. "You stopped... Him..." Virex whispered, then slowly walked away into the shadows.
In the distance, in a dark place among the remains of the black ring, two red eyes opened. "The seal has weakened... Prepare... the Heir of the Vortex."
Kael stood on the hilltop with his friends. The Axiom was in his palm, vibrating quietly. But the crack in the Shadow Cyclone still glowed faintly in the distance.
Something was not over yet.
THE STORY CONTINUES