Chapter eighteen: The Ice Titan vs The Berserker

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as Krayos, the master of absolute frost, stepped onto the battlefield. His mere presence sent a chill through the air, frost forming beneath his feet. Opposing him was Gears, a warrior driven by pure rage, his body pulsing with raw energy.

Gabriel raised his hand. "Begin!"

Krayos lifted a hand, and instantly, the temperature plummeted. Frost spread across the ground like a living entity, creeping toward Gears. But Gears only grinned.

With a roar, he slammed his fists together, igniting his berserker state. His muscles swelled, his veins glowing red as raw power coursed through his body. The ground beneath him cracked, resisting the cold with the sheer heat of his energy.

Then, he charged.

Krayos remained still, waiting. As Gears lunged forward, Krayos flicked his wrist—an ice wall erupted between them. But Gears smashed through it effortlessly, shards flying in all directions.

Krayos barely evaded as a fist swung toward him, the sheer force of it sending a shockwave through the air.

He countered instantly, summoning jagged ice spikes from the ground, aiming to impale Gears. But the berserker didn't stop. He shattered each spike with brute force, ignoring the wounds they left on his arms.

"You can't stop me with ice," Gears growled.

Krayos narrowed his eyes. "I don't need to stop you. I just need to slow you down."

He spread his arms wide, and suddenly, the battlefield transformed. A blizzard erupted from his body, winds howling, snow blinding.

Gears stumbled for a brief moment, his movements slowing as frost coated his skin.

But then—he roared.

The sheer force of his rage burned through the ice, steam rising from his body as he forced himself forward. His fists ignited with energy, and with a single, devastating punch, he shattered the ice storm surrounding him.

Krayos barely had time to react before Gears was upon him. A fist struck his chest, sending him flying across the arena. Ice shattered where he landed.

The crowd held its breath.

Krayos groaned, trying to stand. But his body was already stiffening—Gears' blow had disrupted his internal energy. He tried to summon more ice, but his limbs wouldn't move fast enough.

Gears walked toward him, his expression fierce but respectful. "You're strong, but I fight with everything I have."

With that, he delivered the final blow, knocking Krayos unconscious.

Gabriel stepped forward. "Gears is the winner!"

The arena erupted in cheers.

As Krayos regained consciousness, he smirked weakly. "You're a monster."

Gears extended a hand. "You're not so bad yourself."

The next match was set:

Thremos vs Gyro.

The battle of crystals and black holes was about to begin.