Chapter 36: The Duel Intensifies

The stadium shook before the sheer potency of their wrath. Axel and Cyrus fought anew, fists thundering through air like claps of thunder. Dust enveloped them, motion a blur of strength and pace as the vehemence of the battle brought onlookers and recruits abegging awe. The plain brute force poured out by both warriors overwhelmed that around them as if the rest of the battle was reduced to this single brawl.

Axel ducked Cyrus's deadly swing, the force of the punch sending the air whistling over his head. Twirling around, he struck back, slamming a bone-jarring elbow into Cyrus's ribs. Cyrus dodged to the side in time, absorbing the blow with a grunt before delivering a savage uppercut. Axel was only able to get his arms up to parry in time, staggering back as the shock ran through his arms.

"You're hanging in there longer than I gave you credit for," Cyrus snarled, his gaze burning with an unnatural fire. His feral smile spread, wider and wider, as he moved forward, his weight heavy but somehow more mobile. "But it won't be official. You're wearing down, Sage."

Axel's amber eyes glowed brighter as he steadied his stance, his breathing controlled despite the strain. "I'm not slowing down," he replied sharply, his voice cutting through the noise. "You're just getting predictable."

Cyrus's smile faltered a beat, his fists tightening. Tension hummed in the air as the two combatants moved in tandem, their blows meeting with enough power to cause the earth to tremble. Spectators who cheered from the stands ceased, gasping as pieces flew, the hum of conversation silenced by the cacophony.

Meanwhile, Ava and Atlas pushed on with obstinate resolve, blue flag still held tightly in Ava's hand. The goal line was just steps away, but Sigma's new recruits were closing fast, desperation spurring them into action. **062** and **045** advanced to cut them off from either side, their movement well-timed as they tried to cut them off.

"They're not giving up," Ava growled, her voice coarse as she dodged a broken barricade.

"They don't need to," Atlas said, his deep voice unshakeable as he pinned Ava back to protect against **062**'s attack. The two fought in heavy blows, Atlas's raw strength against **062**'s speed. "Make it to the base!"

Ava nodded, her hold firm on the flag as she stepped forward. But **045** was too fast—too fast. He moved in, his arms out to grab the flag. Ava spun hard, her claws flashing through the air as she sent his reach flying. She spun again, landing a good kick in his stomach that sent him reeling back.

"Not today," Ava spat, her eyes flashing defiance.

At the back of the defensive line, Lila and Eli still held strong, repelling Sigma's push. Lila's sniper rifle cracked like thunder, each shot precise and calculated as it pinned **021** in position behind cover.

"They're unstoppable," Lila growled, her voice seasoned with frustration as she readied her shot.

"That's nothing new," Eli replied, grabbing another piece of debris and hurling it toward **021** to force him out of hiding. "But we've got this. Just keep them off our backs."

Kaid, standing nearby, grinned as he delivered a powerful punch that sent **062** reeling. "He's right. They're the ones who should be worried."

But even with all of their bravado, tension was present in the arena. Cyrus's change had unnerved them all, and though Axel stood his ground, tension of the duel was already affecting him.

Axel sidestepped another of Cyrus's overpowering blows, his steps quick but unstable. Each blow was stronger, each block leaving him breathless. Cyrus wasn't fighting with fury alone—he was fighting with anger, a strength that seemed to drive him even as his body strained at the limits of its endurance.

"Ahhh, this ain't gonna cut it forever, Sage," Cyrus snarled, spewing words laced with hate, striking Axel for the second time.

Axel dodged out of reach, answering back with a cracking, short hit to Cyrus' shoulder. "Neither can you," answered Axel calmly, steadfastly.

Cyrus hesitated, his motion slowing just enough for Axel to catch it. It wasn't much, but it was a crack—a flaw hidden beneath the surface of Cyrus's brute force. Axel's cold, hard eyes narrowed, his mind whirling as he started to piece it together.

"You're crazy," Axel said quietly, his tone laced with comprehension. "You're going too hard, burning too fast. You can't handle it, can you?"

Cyrus's eyes flared into firestorms of rage, his fists clenching tighter. "Shut up!" he roared, rushing at Axel with renewed ferocity.

Axel readied himself, avoiding the first strike and striking back at Cyrus's ribcage. The punch sent Cyrus reeling, his heavy gasps rough as his movement became increasingly stiff. Axel capitalized on the move, his own punches more rapid and precise as he probed the gaps in Cyrus's guard.

But even as Axel started to turn the tide, madness on the battlefield still prevailed. Ava and Atlas were mere inches from the goal line, their actions frantic as Sigma's recruits made one final push to try and halt them. **062** tried to grab Ava, but Atlas intercepted him with a shoulder block that sent both recruits crashing to the ground.

Go on!" Atlas roared, his throat raw but firm.

Ava nodded not even glancing back. She weaved around the final barrier, the end zone a stride ahead of her. Her breasts were laboring with exertion as she gripped the flag hard, all her senses alert as she was about to deliver the final thrust.

Standing on the elevated stage, Commander Rourke observed the combat rage on, his sharp eyes narrowing as he watched Axel and Cyrus's struggle. "It seems Sage is finally getting the idea," he murmured quietly, his voice steady though it was full of interest.

Next to him, Victoria nodded, her eyes cast towards the battlefield. "And Cyrus?" she asked softly, a quiet stillness of interest in her voice.

Rourke smiled weakly, his face a blank. "He's out of time."

In the arena, Axel and Cyrus fought again, their fists meeting with a deafening crash that shook the ground. The two men reeled back, their bodies straining to the breaking point. The air between them pulsed like a live wire, their eyes caught in a silent stare-down.

This wasn't finished—not yet.