The Everlasting Awakened Fury 3

The arena's atmosphere was electric as the battle raged on, both combatants refusing to yield. Ubel stood tall, despite the bruises and burns marking his body, his fiery determination unwavering. Krieg, still towering and monstrous, snarled as his extra limbs clawed at the ground, ready to strike again.

"You're persistent," Ubel muttered, wiping the blood from his lips. His mind raced, formulating a strategy. He extended his hand, summoning a katana wreathed in flame. The weapon's hilt was intricately designed, resembling flower petals that seemed to bloom under the fiery glow. Ubel gripped the katana tightly and pointed it toward Krieg. "It's time I ended this."

Krieg roared, lunging forward with all four arms. Ubel sidestepped the initial strike and countered with a sweeping slash, his blade igniting mid-swing. Flames danced along the edge, searing into Krieg's flesh. But Krieg barely flinched, his focus entirely on crushing Ubel.

"What's the matter?" Ubel taunted, stepping back just out of reach. "Getting tired?"

"I'll crush you," Krieg growled, his voice a guttural snarl. He swung again, his massive fists tearing through the air. Ubel ducked, then leapt backward, creating distance. He needed Krieg to believe he was gaining the upper hand—to think that victory was within his grasp.

"Come on," Ubel said, feigning exhaustion as he staggered slightly. "Is that all you've got?"

Krieg's lips curled into a twisted grin. He charged again, his massive frame shaking the ground with each step. Ubel parried the first strike, dodged the second, and spun around to land a precise cut across Krieg's side. The blow didn't do much damage, but that wasn't the point. He was buying time.

With a flick of his wrist, Ubel conjured a series of fiery weapons in the air around him—swords, spears, and axes glowing with heat. He sent them hurtling toward Krieg, who swatted some away with his enormous arms while dodging the others. The weapons that missed soared into the sky, their fiery trails lighting up the battlefield.

"Is that all?" Krieg taunted, his confidence growing. "You can't even hit me!"

Ubel smirked. "Who said I needed to?" With a subtle motion of his fingers, the fiery weapons arced downward, homing in on Krieg's exposed back. They struck with explosive force, staggering him and driving him to his knees. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, the intensity of the fight leaving them breathless.

"It's ready," Ubel announced, his voice carrying across the arena. He raised his hand, conjuring a ball of fire that crackled and swirled with immense energy. The flames seemed to dance in rhythm with his heartbeat as he shaped the orb into an arrow. The fire hissed and roared, the heat palpable even to the audience.

Krieg, still on his knees, looked up and growled. "You think that's enough to stop me?" He opened his mouth wide, intending to absorb the fiery projectile as it came.

Ubel loosed the arrow. It streaked through the air like a comet, its fiery light reflecting in Krieg's eyes. He tried to swallow it, but the power was too much. The flames exploded within him, sending fire and smoke billowing outward. Krieg roared in pain, his massive form staggering under the overwhelming force.

Seizing the moment, Ubel dashed forward, his blade igniting once more. Krieg's chest was exposed, his heart—the source of his regeneration—beating visibly beneath his scarred flesh. Ubel's grip tightened around his sword as he prepared to strike the final blow.

Years ago, on a remote island far from the chaos of the mainland, a young Ubel ran through a grand garden filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming roses, and the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below provided a soothing backdrop. This island, once a thriving territory, had become Ubel's sanctuary.

He wasn't alone. Beside him was a girl with golden hair that shimmered like the sun and eyes as blue as the ocean. She was an Etrean, kind-hearted and gentle, with a smile that could light up even the darkest days. Ubel adored her, not just as a friend but as someone who brought meaning to his life.

"Watch this!" Ubel said, holding a flame in his palm. He shaped it into a tiny bird, which flapped its fiery wings before dissipating into sparks. The girl clapped her hands, laughing with genuine delight.

"You're amazing, Ubel," she said, her voice soft and warm. "I wish I could do that."

"You've got your own attunement," Ubel replied, grinning. "That smile of yours? It's more powerful than anything I can do."

They spent their days exploring the island, sharing stories and dreams. But their peace was shattered when the Authority invaded. Soldiers stormed the island, their armored boots crushing the flowers Ubel and the girl had cherished. Fires consumed the once-beautiful garden, and screams filled the air.

Ubel and the girl ran, their hands clasped tightly together as they tried to escape the carnage. But their path was blocked by a man—an Adret with white eyes that glowed with ominous rings. His presence was suffocating, his power undeniable.

The man raised his hand, and the air around them grew frigid. Ice spread across the ground, trapping them in place. The girl clung to Ubel, her fear palpable.

"Run," she whispered.

"No," Ubel said firmly. He summoned flames to his hands, propelling himself forward in a desperate attempt to strike the Adret. But the man's ice was too strong, his power overwhelming.

Realizing they couldn't escape together, the girl stepped forward. Her voice trembled, but her resolve was unshakable. "Take me instead," she said. "In exchange, let him live."

The Adretian's eyes narrowed as he considered her words. She turned to Ubel, tears streaming down her face. "I'll always be with you," she said softly. With a final, defiant act, she used her own life force to imbue Ubel's flame with incredible power, forging it into a weapon. The sudden surge of energy caught the Adret off guard, and Ubel seized the opportunity to escape, his heart heavy with grief.

Ubel's katana gleamed with fiery intensity as he plunged it into Krieg's exposed heart. Flames erupted from the wound, consuming Krieg's regenerating flesh. The monstrous form faltered, then collapsed, the heart's power extinguished.

With grave injuries, Ubel stood in the arena, holding his sword aloft. The crowd roared in approval, their cheers echoing across the battlefield. Ubel's voice was barely a whisper as he looked to the sky. "This was for you, my love."

"The winner is… Ubel!"

The medical team rushed in to tend to Krieg, whose body began reforming into its original form, but for Ubel, the battle was more than just a victory. It was a tribute to the one he had lost and a vow to honor her sacrifice.