Chapter Thirty-Six – Resolve
As Lio's kick smashed into Atta's ribs, the young prince grunted in pain and was sent flying high into the sky. Before he could recover, Lio leapt after him, grabbed his leg midair, and slammed him back into the arena floor with crushing force.
The crowd roared in excitement, their cheers echoing through the stadium like thunder.
But Lio didn't stop. He blurred forward, appearing above Atta, and drove his fist down. The blow crashed into Atta's jaw, breaking two of his front teeth. Before the next punch could land, Atta rolled aside, barely escaping the follow-up. Using his arms to launch himself upward, he flipped and kicked Lio across the head from behind, sending the angel stumbling forward.
That single strike bought Atta the opening he needed. He rose to his feet, yanked Derona from his back, and leveled the glowing blade toward his opponent.
Lio exhaled and straightened, brushing the dust from his sleeve. "If I'd landed just a few more hits, this would've been over already," he said casually. "I don't like long fights."
Atta smirked and whispered softly, "Derona… he's strong, isn't he?"
The sword's spirit answered in his mind, its voice calm and feminine. "Yes, Master. His mana is immense—at least fifty times greater than yours."
Atta grinned. "Then it'll be fun." He dashed forward, swinging Derona straight for Lio's neck. Lio leaned back, narrowly dodging the blade, feeling the air slice across his chin.
"Well," Atta murmured, "I'm still not afraid. After all… I have you, Derona."
The sword's spirit giggled faintly in his mind. "Master… are you trying to charm your sword spirit?"
Lio's counter-kick came fast, but Atta raised Derona and blocked it, the impact sending sparks through the air.
"Not really," Atta muttered with a smirk. "I'm just saying you're important."
Then his face hardened. His aura shifted—cold and focused. "Let's get serious, Derona. You know the rules."
Atta's eyes flared red. Derona's blade began to glow with the same crimson light, humming with restrained power.
Lio stopped mid-kick, smirking faintly. "Looks like you're serious now. That's good. I'll stop holding back too."
He vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Atta. The next moment, a heavy kick slammed into Atta's back, sending him staggering forward. Atta swung Derona backward on reflex, but Lio had already disappeared again—his movement leaving afterimages. The blade instead sliced through the arena wall, carving a massive crack.
Before Atta could react, a crushing blow came from above, driving him toward the ground. Lio hovered midair, electricity flickering around him like living light.
"I don't like using magic," he said with mock regret. "But you've earned it."
Thunder rolled through the sky as sparks exploded around his body.
Atta tried to rush forward, Derona raised, but Lio's voice cut through the crackling air: "You don't have enough mana to keep up, human. It's futile."
His tone turned cold. "Distant Thunder."
A massive bolt of lightning fell from the heavens, striking Atta dead-on. The explosion of light and sound was deafening—the arena trembled as the ground scorched black.
High above, Luke Blackwood and David Diamante, both Guardians, watched grimly.
David smirked. "Looks like your prince is done for."
Luke exhaled heavily. "Prince Atta was born with almost no mana. He's mastered only swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Lightning magic is the worst possible matchup for him."
David crossed his arms. "There's hardly a royal alive who can't use magic."
Luke shot him a cold glare. "I suggest you mind your tongue. He's my prince—and I won't tolerate any insult toward him."
David raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. Just stating facts."
Before Luke could respond, a voice echoed in his mind—deep and heavy. King Rauf.
Luke froze, listening through telepathy. As the king spoke, his face went pale.
"My king…" Luke whispered aloud, trembling. "How could this happen? Who would dare—"
King Rauf's voice was cold as stone.
"We don't know yet. But you understand what's at stake. Bring Prince Atta home. Immediately."
Luke's expression hardened. "Understood, my king."
David frowned. "What's going on? You look shaken."
Luke turned toward him. "There's an emergency in the Human Kingdom. I have to leave—now. You're in charge of tournament security."
David's tone grew serious. "Understood. Be careful."
Luke looked back toward the arena—his eyes widened.
Atta was still not knocked out.
Kneeling on one knee, body smoking, chest burnt and torn open, he held himself up by Derona's blade. His breaths came shallow, but his eyes burned with defiance.
His Thoughts. "I wanted Mana too, I wanted to be Acknowledged too, I wanted to Make my Kingdom Proud of me too, Why am I so weak When father and Sisters are so Strong Even a normal child in my kingdom has more Mana then me, I want to prove myself I can't lose, Even if I was born with no Mana I'm Still Prince Of Humanity"
As a Tear fell from Atta Eye into The Blood Splattered Around him
Lio's jaw dropped. "How… how are you still conscious? That hit should've killed you!"
His expression darkened, electricity gathering once again around his arm. "Then I'll finish this now."
A Human Prince Born with no Mana But only Resolve to Stand Against Gods and Defiance To Turn against Faith.
To be continued....