Chapter 11: The Duel Between Shadows and Determination

The arena seemed to hold its breath as the next match was announced: Midoriya Izuku versus Jace. Whispers rippled through the crowd as they debated how this would play out. On one side stood Izuku, known for his grit and unyielding spirit. On the other was Jace, a combatant whose shadowy powers had struck fear into his opponents throughout the festival.

Jace stood at the edge of the arena, his face calm but unreadable. The shadows beneath his feet pulsed rhythmically, as if alive and eager for the impending battle. Across from him, Izuku stepped into the light, his green eyes sharp with determination. His freckles seemed to fade under the intensity of his expression, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Midoriya, huh?" Kael's voice echoed in Jace's mind, taunting. "This one has a fire in him. Don't go too soft."

"I'll handle it," Jace muttered under his breath, his gaze locked on Izuku.

Midnight's voice cut through the tension. "Competitors, are you ready?"

Izuku nodded sharply, his eyes narrowing. Jace offered a slight tilt of his head, his movements as fluid as the shadows coiled around him.

"Begin!"

Izuku wasted no time, charging forward with his enhanced speed. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he propelled himself toward Jace, his fist glowing faintly with One For All's energy. Jace watched him carefully, his shadows rippling in anticipation.

Just as Izuku's punch was about to connect, a tendril of darkness shot out, wrapping around his wrist and redirecting the blow. Izuku stumbled, his momentum thrown off, but he recovered quickly, spinning into a kick aimed at Jace's side.

Jace dodged with ease, his movements almost lazy. The shadows around him surged forward, attempting to ensnare Izuku. But Izuku was relentless, weaving through the tendrils with an agility that surprised even Jace.

"Not bad," Jace muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He raised his hand, and the shadows around him coalesced into a massive wave that swept across the arena.

Izuku's eyes widened, but he didn't falter. Instead, he leapt into the air, using One For All to propel himself above the wave. He twisted midair, aiming a powerful downward kick at Jace's head.

The kick connected—or so it seemed. Jace dissolved into shadows, reappearing a few feet away with a faint chuckle.

"You'll have to do better than that."

Izuku landed, his legs trembling slightly from the force of his kick. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He's too fast, and those shadows are everywhere. I need to find a way to close the distance.

As if sensing Izuku's thoughts, Jace moved, his shadows surging forward like a living entity. They struck at Izuku from all sides, forcing him to block and dodge in rapid succession. One tendril managed to wrap around his ankle, pulling him off balance and slamming him into the ground.

Izuku groaned, but he didn't stay down. With a burst of energy, he broke free, the tendril disintegrating under the force of his power. He lunged at Jace again, his fists glowing brighter as he pushed One For All to its limits.

The impact of Izuku's punch shattered the shadows around Jace, forcing him to take a step back. For the first time, Jace's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"You're stronger than you look," Jace admitted, his tone almost approving.

Izuku didn't respond, his focus unyielding. He charged again, each strike faster and more powerful than the last. Jace met him blow for blow, his shadows weaving around them like a dark storm. The arena trembled under the force of their clash, and the crowd was on their feet, cheering wildly.

But even as Izuku fought with everything he had, Jace's mind was elsewhere. Kael's voice whispered in the back of his head, mocking and insistent.

"You're holding back. Why?"

"I don't need to win this," Jace thought, his gaze flickering toward Izuku. "He does."

As their battle continued, Jace began to falter—intentionally. He allowed Izuku's punches to land, each one pushing him closer to the edge of the arena. The shadows around him weakened, their movements sluggish.

Izuku noticed the shift but didn't let up. With a final burst of energy, he delivered a powerful uppercut, sending Jace sprawling. The crowd erupted as Jace hit the ground, his shadows dissipating completely.

Midnight's voice rang out, declaring Izuku the winner. The green-haired boy stood in the center of the arena, his chest heaving and his body trembling with exhaustion. He looked down at Jace, his expression a mix of relief and confusion.

Jace sat up slowly, brushing dirt off his jacket. He met Izuku's gaze and gave a small nod, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"You earned it," he said simply, standing and walking off the battlefield without another word.

In the waiting area, Jace leaned against the wall, his head tilted back as he closed his eyes. Kael's voice was quieter now, but the disapproval was still there.

"That was pathetic. You could've crushed him."

Jace didn't respond. Instead, he focused on the faint cheers still echoing from the arena. Izuku had won, and that was what mattered. The festival wasn't just about victory—it was about growth. And Jace knew that sometimes, losing was the only way to truly win.