Hit by the Thunderstorm and Survived

Arena 5 hummed with anticipation as the display screen flickered to life, projecting the name of my next opponent. Oryon Syval, Rank 46, Aquarius awakener from Thunder Peak Academy. A soft chime reverberated in the space around me as the holographic system began its final countdown to the match.

The arena lights flared to life, bathing the enormous circular stage in a cold, metallic glow. It felt like stepping into a world apart—an isolated battlefield sealed from the rest of reality. I could hear my own breathing, slow and deliberate, in sync with the steady pulse of anticipation rippling through me. My opponent, Oryon Syval, stood across the arena, barely moving. Even from this distance, I could sense his calm intensity, his sharp blue eyes focused on me, calculating.

The air was tense. Oryon Syval—a water and thunder manipulator who excels at battlefield control—was known for his swift, devastating strikes and his ability to turn the arena into a storm-ridden hellscape. My opponent had a reputation for keeping his enemies constantly off-balance, forcing them to react to his every move. But today, I was determined to resist the tide.

As the final moments ticked down, a faint green glow appeared on my wrist, displaying my current energy levels and battle stats. My Ophiuchus Binding Chains were ready, but I had to adapt them if I was going to prevent Oryon from overwhelming me.

The system's announcement came through, a mechanical voice devoid of emotion but rich with authority:

"Contestants: Avant Dekus vs. Oryon Syval. Match beginning in 30 seconds."

A holographic display shimmered above us, a digital scoreboard awaiting our performance. It was a constant reminder of what mattered: points.

"Successful attack: 5 points. Successful block or dodge: 3 points. Knock opponent down: 10 points. Force opponent into hazard: 15 points."

The point system flashed in my mind, fueling my resolve. This wasn't just about brute strength; it was about precision, about making every move count. I could feel the weight of the upcoming battle pressing on me like a heavy cloak, but I shrugged it off. I was ready.

The battlefield shimmered before us, morphing into an open terrain littered with shallow pools of water and jagged stone pillars. An ominous gray sky hovered overhead, perfectly suited for Oryon's thunderous attacks. He stood across the arena, his eyes gleaming with confidence. The moment our eyes met, I knew he intended to dominate the battlefield, manipulating it to his advantage.

10 seconds.

I cracked my knuckles, focusing my energy. The familiar hum of the ZUA System kicked in, sensing the surge of power flowing through my veins. My Zodiac energy—the power of Ophiuchus—began to stir. Deep within me, I felt the Ophiuchus Binding Chains responding, eager to be unleashed.

5 seconds.

I glanced at Oryon. He hadn't moved. His calm was unnerving, like the stillness before a storm. His water and thunder-based Zodiac energy would be deadly if I let him control the flow of this battle.

Match Start.

The fight began, and the first thing I felt was the pressure—waves of water rushing toward me. Oryon wasted no time, calling upon his first move: Thunder Current. A towering wave charged with electricity surged across the battlefield. The water was already tainted with the crackling hum of thunder, arcing between the streams like hungry zombies.

I dashed sideways, narrowly avoiding the full brunt of the attack, but the aftershock left me rattled. Every nerve in my body tingled as the electrified water surged past me. I stumbled for a second, but my mind worked quickly, analyzing his strategy. He wanted me on the defensive, constantly moving and reacting, wasting my energy.

Dodge: +3 points.

The system acknowledged my maneuver, but it wasn't enough. Oryon's control over the battlefield was too absolute. Water spiraled around him, forming tendrils that lashed out unpredictably. He wasn't just attacking—he was reshaping the very ground beneath me.

"I can't let him box me in."

I anchored myself, my hands glowing as I summoned my Ophiuchus Binding Chains, dark serpentine chains that wrapped around me, their presence grounding me amidst the shifting currents of battle. I'd need these chains to keep myself steady and, more importantly, to resist Oryon's ability to manipulate the battlefield. I wouldn't let him dictate the fight.

The chain slammed down, slicing through the current as I maneuvered above the battlefield. But Oryon was relentless. His electrified water followed me, shifting, redirecting. He wasn't aiming to hit me yet. He was herding me, limiting my mobility by forcing me into positions where the currents were strongest.

I could feel it now—his strategy. He wanted to corral me into the center of the arena, where his control was absolute.

"Smart," I muttered, eyes narrowing as I noticed the trap unfolding.

But I wasn't going to play by his rules.

Oryon smirked as he activated his Tempest Surge. His body lit up with electrical energy as he shot toward me, a blur of lightning cutting through the arena. Behind him, a trail of electrified water formed, sparking with dangerous energy. I knew if I stepped into that water, the shocks would slow me down—his game was about restricting my mobility.

But I was ready.

As he neared, I swung one of my chains in his path, aiming to intercept his movement. He barely flinched, his lightning-fast reflexes kicking in as he dodged mid-air, avoiding the chain's bite. I grit my teeth and pivoted to block his follow-up attack, a sharp strike aimed at my torso. Our eyes met, and I could feel his confidence radiating through that smirk again.

Successful Block: +3 Points

The shock of the collision echoed through the arena, but I held firm. My chains grounded me, allowing me to absorb the impact of his attacks. I countered with a swift strike of my own, sending one of my chains snaking around his legs. For a brief moment, I felt it tighten, but Oryon released a burst of water energy, freeing himself before I could fully bind him.

First Attack Landed: +10 Points

I could feel the tide shifting. He was fast, but not invincible.

Suddenly, Oryon raised his hand, and I could see the air around him shimmering. He was preparing for another wide-range attack. His voice carried across the arena, calm and collected. "You're trying to resist the flow, Avant, but I am the current. You can't escape."

He raised his hands high, and the pools of water around us started to converge, forming a massive, electrified wave. He was bringing out the big guns, and I knew this attack could end the match if I didn't stop it. But I had an idea—a risky one, but it might just work.

"Let's see if you can handle this," I muttered as I activated Ophiuchus Binding Chains again, this time using them in a different way. Instead of lashing out at him, I sent the chains down into the ground, embedding them deep into the arena floor. The chains glowed as they anchored me firmly in place, and I braced myself for impact.

The wave crashed into me with the force of a thunderstorm, but instead of being swept away, my chains held fast, absorbing the impact. The electrified water roared around me, sparks flying as the energy crackled through the air. I could feel the vibrations pulsing through the chains, but I didn't budge.

Oryon's eyes widened in surprise. "How...?"

Successful block: +3 points.

For the first time in the match, he looked less sure of himself. I could feel the subtle shift in the air. He had been banking on his ability to control my movements, to use the currents to keep me unbalanced.

But my Ophiuchus Binding Chains didn't just hold me steady—they were about to turn the tide.

Before he could react, I yanked on the chains, pulling myself out of the water and toward him with lightning speed. He didn't expect me to move so fast through the wave he had created, and that was his mistake.

With a grunt, I pulled on the chains, launching myself forward toward Oryon. His electrified water lashed out to intercept me, but I twisted mid-air, dodging the blow and landing in a low crouch.

Successful dodge: +3 points.

As I landed, I lashed out with my chains, sending one directly toward Oryon. He was fast—his reflexes razor-sharp—but not fast enough to avoid the strike. The chain wrapped around his arm, briefly pinning him in place.

Successful attack: +5 points.

Oryon's face twisted with frustration, but he didn't panic. Instead, he flowed like water, slipping free from the chain's grip and retaliating with a blast of water aimed straight at my chest.

I barely managed to cross my arms in time, the force of the current hitting me like a battering ram. The impact sent me skidding back, but I held my ground.

Successful block: +3 points.

I didn't have time to catch my breath before Oryon was on the move again. He spun in place, his arms outstretched as water spiraled around him like a whirlpool. The entire arena was now his weapon, and he wasn't pulling any punches.

I swung one of my chains, this time aiming for his torso. He tried to dodge, but the surprise slowed him just enough for the chain to wrap around his midsection. I pulled hard, sending him crashing into the jagged rocks behind him.

Knock Opponent Down: +10 Points

I wasn't done yet. The moment he hit the ground, I called upon my next move: Ophiuchus Precision Strike. The chains around me glowed with dark energy, and I directed all of them toward Oryon. He scrambled to his feet, but it was too late. The chains struck with pinpoint accuracy, binding his limbs and immobilizing him.

Successful Attack: +5 Points

Force Opponent into Hazard: +15 Points

He struggled against the chains, his eyes wild with panic. The arena went silent for a moment, save for the crackling of electricity in the air. I held my position, my breath coming in slow, controlled bursts. I could feel the exhaustion setting in, but I couldn't let up. I had him.

Oryon let out a frustrated growl and unleashed one final burst of electrical energy, trying to break free. But my chains absorbed the energy, feeding off it, strengthening their hold.

Victory by Knockout: Match Ended

A loud chime echoed through the arena as the holographic scoreboard materialized in front of us, displaying the final point tally.

Avant Dekus: 98 Points

Oryon Syval: 45 Points

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding as the chains slowly unraveled and dissipated. Oryon slumped to the ground, breathing heavily, his body crackling with leftover energy.

He looked up at me, defeated but still retaining that sharp, calculating gaze. "You're tougher than you look, Dekus."

I offered him a hand, helping him to his feet. "You're not so bad yourself, Syval. But next time, you'll need more than water and lightning."

He chuckled, a brief smile crossing his lips as he took my hand. "Next time."

The crowd roared with approval as the scoreboard flashed the final results, and I stepped forward, letting the energy of the victory wash over me. My chains had held strong. I had resisted the current, adapted, and won the battle.