Chapter 3

His metal boots clanged as he stomped his way up the staircase that led to the arena. The massive gates were raised with the applause and cheers of the spectators rising from all corners. Ragnos could see the glow in the eyes of the Vegan lords witnessing his arrival into the arena, this was the round that was going to determine the winner of the Tortenium tournament - the grand finale and he was going to make sure that the prize didn't fall into the hands of a Revil.

That fearless grin was boldly sculpted on Xenthor's face, for three years he had been down, for three years he had been broken, for three years he had felt pain, for three years he had awaited this day and for three years he had thirsted for victory. Now that day had finally come and not even this arrogant Vegan was going to stop him from taking the crown. The memories of all the things he had forsook and left in order to achieve this dream of his hovered over his consciousness, the taunts, mockery, haters and the losses. But they will be worth it, just one more - one more battle and all the pain and suffering will be worth it.

Walking towards the approaching Ragnos to take the ceremonial handshake, Xenthor wasn't surprised to see the flash of a burning sword coming for his neck, catching the burning blade with his fingers, his still uncovered face peered deeply through the visor of that cold helmet of steel.

Still smiling, Xenthor unleashed that string of fire from his core, streaming its way up his arms, it etched itself on the menacing sword of his opponent shattering it at that instant. The explosion which erupted was severe, that it threw Ragnos a few metres backwards, his metal boots screeching as he tried to bring the sliding to a stop.

Ragnos was stunned by the power that energetic surge possessed, releasing such a furious wave of energy would definitely drain an opponent especially within the Tortenium arena which was designed to make difficult the ability to hone one's core during battle. But to his and the spectators' surprise, the Revil was still on fire, that cyclone of marmoreal flames swirling like an interstellar storm around him.

The horns sounded signifying the start of the battle, Ragnos' eyes caught his opponent's form fray into thin air like a dune of lightning flashes. His heart sank, even he couldn't move at such a sonic rate, who was this Revil ?! A war titan ?! He caught sight of his of his opponent's fang like sword slashing his way, parrying the mighty blow, Ragnos felt his arms breaking, he couldn't hold on, allowing the impact throw him off balance, he crashed to the ground like a meteor.

"What did I tell you Ragnos ?" Vage whispered to himself as he watched the match from the holographic screen in the locker room with a can of juice dangling from his fingers. "Even though this guy is a Revil, you're fighting with someone above your league."

Ragnos groaned as he strained to get back on his feet, the burning wound running down his right arm steamed, the battle had only begun and he was already injured.

"... IF YOU LOSE, WELL ... YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT."

"I can't lose." Ragnos muttered trying to silence his brother's words in his head. How could a Revil defeat a Vegan, that would be a disgrace.

"I'm not a coward like you Vage," Ragnos said to himself, "I'm going to prove to you that I'm the one who deserves to be the heir to the throne."

Roaring to the skies Ragnos unleashed that aureole of fire from his being, it was taking him his all doing this but he had to push himself hard if he wanted to win.

Charging at his opponent like a burning sea of lightning, Ragnos sent the entire arena quaking.

"Arrogance." Xenthor chuckled, his burning eyes blazing even brighter. He could hear the cheers and applause from the Vegan spectators, did they think that this weak move of their hero was enough to take down a being like him. He didn't blame them though, they didn't know who he was, of they did, they'd all shudder down their spines. That's because, he was ...

Lifting both arms into the air, Xenthor summoned the depths of his core, feeling the waves of the astral heavens glide over his palms like silken fabrics, he sent the once peaceful skies into a mountainous sea of rising flames - a raging tsunami of fire.

Ragnos felt the heavens crashing like a sea of fire towards him, honing his shield, he battled to protect himself from getting burnt by the raging flames which had an intensity unlike anything he had felt before. Unleashing that surge from his core, Ragnos confronted Xenthor's sea of fire with his energetic waves of lightning.

Both forces of raging fury crashed into each other but one was of a raw and savage origin. Possessing an astral aura - it was Xenthor's.

Ragnos felt the impact of his storm crashing with Xenthor's slam him mercilessly to his knees, he struggled to stand up but he was unable to do so, what he was only capable of doing at this moment was making sure that he didn't get crushed beneath the burning waves of this mighty sea of enflamed lightning.

"Yield idiot," Vage said taking a gulp from his can of juice, "that's better than commiting suicide."

Ragnos fought hard to get up but he just could, he felt like a termite trying to lift a mountain, a herculean task that could crush him if he didn't accomplish it. These were the only choices left for him, he could either yield or allow himself get severely injured and burnt along with the agony of defeat. Not to mention, these old wizards wouldn't even consider him worthy of their praise of he decided to play the role of a martyr as he had lost to not just anyone but a Revil. To them, that was a disgrace.

"I yield !" Ragnos yelled. "I yield !"

That grin etched itself on Xenthor's lips, victory was finally his. Taking delight in seeing the torture he was making his opponent undergo, Xenthor kept the burning waves of his flames flaring at his opponent's feeble shield.

"Can't you hear me !" Ragnos, a frustrated man screamed. "I yield !"

Xenthor could hear, but his thoughts were in a different dimension,and when the storm calmed at its own will. Xenthor's flaring eyes unveiled a burning world of angles and within it was that astral being clad in a satin and golden armour of fiery intensity. For he was both Xenthor Giga and Ejan Ter Velor.