The Strength of the Bull
The air in the arena was thick with anticipation, buzzing with the intensity of a hundred eyes locked on the arena below. I stood in the center, my heart steady but my mind sharp, calculating. Devon Starbolt, a hulking figure from the Ecliptic Blade Academy, loomed across from me. His reputation was known far and wide—a Taurus Awakener with unmatched physical strength and mastery over the earth itself. But reputation alone wasn't going to decide this fight. It would be decided here, in the gritty exchange of blows and tactics.
The arena was circular, the ground below a mixture of packed dirt and stone. Devon's gaze was intense, his fists clenching as he sized me up, likely deciding how quickly he could overpower me with brute force. I knew his type—fighters who thrived on dominance, on overwhelming their opponents with relentless strength. But there was always a flaw in that strategy, a rhythm to their attacks that could be read, countered, and exploited. I just had to find it.
"Contestants: Avant Dekus (Celestial Academy) vs. Devon Starbolt (Ecliptic Blade Academy) Match beginning in 10 seconds."
A holographic display shimmered above us, a digital scoreboard awaiting our performance.
I adjusted my stance, feeling the familiar hum of the ZUA System activate around us, recording everything, from the tension in the air to the first strike that would inevitably come. I breathed in deeply, centering myself, feeling the faint pulse of Ophiuchus energy stirring inside me. This match was mine to win, not just by surviving but by outsmarting Devon's brawn with calculated precision.
5 seconds.
The countdown timer appeared in the sky above us, projected by the Zodiac Universe Awakener System, counting down the last few seconds before the battle commenced.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
"Begin!" The signal resounded through the arena, and Devon wasted no time.
"Let's get this over with," Devon rumbled, his voice like distant thunder. His eyes flared with determination as he stomped forward, his massive arms swinging loosely at his sides like clubs waiting to strike. His first move was immediate and aggressive, just as I anticipated.
With a growl, Devon slammed his fists into the earth, sending ripples of energy through the arena. His Earthquake Slam rocked the ground beneath me, cracks spiderwebbing outward as the very ground I stood on became unstable. I had no time to think—just react. I leaped back, narrowly avoiding the worst of the quake, feeling the tremors threaten to pull me off balance.
Successful dodge, +3 points
Devon wasted no time; with a snarl, he was charging at me, his Bull's Charge tearing across the arena like a battering ram made of pure muscle and stone.
I sidestepped, barely avoiding his rush, but even as I did, I felt the force of his momentum. Devon wasn't just fast—he was devastatingly precise, his massive bulk moving with surprising agility.
Successful dodge, +3 points
The ground beneath his feet cracked and cratered where he passed, his control over the earth shaping the terrain to his advantage. As he turned to face me again, I realized I couldn't let him dictate the pace of this fight. If I let him continue pressing the attack, I wouldn't last long against his sheer power.
He lunged at me again, this time aiming a hammer-like punch straight at my torso. I raised my arms, bracing for impact, and felt the jarring force of his fist slam into my guard. My feet skidded back across the dirt as the force reverberated up my arms. Pain flared in my muscles, but I kept my stance, using the momentum to put distance between us.
Successful block, +3 points
"You're good," I muttered under my breath, even as I grimaced. Devon was strong—stronger than most—but strength wasn't everything.
Before Devon could capitalize on his momentum, I channeled my Zodiac energy, my hand raising instinctively as I activated Ophiuchus' Guardian. The celestial serpents materialized from the ether, rising from the ground in a swirl of radiant energy. They coiled around me protectively, their shimmering scales gleaming with cosmic light. Their bodies intertwined, forming a barrier that encased me in their celestial embrace.
Successful block, +3 points
The system kept notifying me of my points, I find it distracting right now as I try to maneuver my way through this fight. I decided to mute the notification so I could fully concentrate. "System Mute."
Devon charged again, his fist meeting the serpentine barrier. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but the serpents held firm, absorbing the brunt of his attack. I could see the frustration flash in his eyes as he drew back for another strike, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
With a thought, I commanded the serpents to lash out, their bodies snaking forward to strike at Devon. One coiled around his arm, another around his waist, their celestial energy draining his strength as they wrapped tighter. He roared in defiance, slamming his free hand into the ground. The earth beneath us responded with a rumble as jagged stones shot up around him, creating a fortress of rock—a defensive move I recognized as his Earthen Shield.
The chains tightened, but Devon's raw power broke through the first few bindings, shattering them as he summoned more stone to his side. His Earth's Embrace surrounded him, a towering wall of rock that rendered my chains ineffective for a moment. I frowned, quickly assessing my next move. Devon's defense was formidable, but I could see the cracks in his strategy—literally. His barrier was strong, but it wasn't impenetrable. And with the chains still siphoning a portion of his energy, he wouldn't be able to maintain it for long.
I couldn't let up. Focusing my Zodiac energy, I summoned more chains—dozens of them—each one glowing with celestial power as they wrapped around Devon's stone fortress. This time, I infused the chains with more energy, the serpents biting into the rock, tightening their grip until cracks began to form in the stone. Devon roared again, his strength faltering as the chains drained more of his energy. His Ground Quake erupted beneath us, but I anticipated the move, leaping into the air just as the shockwaves tore through the ground where I had stood moments before.
Now was my chance.
With a flick of my wrist, the chains tightened once more, pinning Devon in place just long enough for me to close the distance. My hand glowed with Zodiac energy as I focused everything into a single strike—my Precision Strike. I could feel the energy coalesce at my fingertips, sharp and focused, like a blade honed to a razor's edge. I aimed for the weak point in his armor of stone, right at the base of his shoulder where the rocks had cracked under the pressure of the chains.
I struck.
The blow landed with pinpoint accuracy, the force of it shattering the stone and sending a shockwave through Devon's body. He staggered back, his Earthen Shield crumbling as he fell to one knee. The chains tightened around him once more, sapping the last of his strength as I stood over him, breathing heavily but steady.
The ZUA System's voice echoed through the arena as the timer ran out signaling the end of the match.
I stepped back, releasing the chains. The celestial serpents dissipated into the air, their job done. Devon slowly rose to his feet, breathing heavily, his eyes still burning with defiance but tempered with a new respect.
"Good fight," he grunted, rubbing his shoulder where my strike had landed. "Didn't think you had that kind of strength in you."
I nodded, offering him a hand. He hesitated for a moment, then took it, allowing me to help him to his feet.
"It's not all about strength," I said, my voice low but firm. "Sometimes, you've just got to find the right moment."
Devon chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yeah, I'll remember that next time."
We stood there for a moment, catching our breath as the crowd roared around us. The scoreboard System displayed the final score: 125 points to 102. I had won on points, as expected, but Devon had given me a run for my money. His strength was overwhelming, but my precision and strategy had carried me through.
The crowd roared with applause as we both stood in the center of the arena, exhausted but victorious in our own right. Devon had fought with everything he had, and I had pushed myself to my limits. But in the end, strategy and precision had won the day.
As we walked off the arena floor, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. This wasn't just another match—it was a testament to my growth, to the control I had gained over my Zodiac powers. I wasn't the same Avant who had entered the academy months ago. But more importantly, I had proven to myself that I could stand against the strength of the bull—and win.
The path ahead would only get tougher, the challenges more daunting, but for now, I allowed myself a moment of quiet satisfaction. Victory tasted sweet, but it was the knowledge I gained from the battle that would drive me forward into the next challenge.
It wasn't just another win—it was proof that I was growing stronger, that my journey was just starting to unravel with every victory. With Devon's respect earned and another victory under my belt, I walked off the battlefield with my head held high.