Chapter 20 – The Duel for Dominion

 The clash of wills was palpable. The room itself seemed to quiver under the intensity of the moment, as though it too could feel the weight of the impending battle. Caius, standing tall and resolute, gripped his Abyssal Blade firmly, its dark energy humming through the air. Opposite him, the newly awakened champion, standing with its crimson blade raised, exuded an aura of cold calculation.

Their gazes locked, and for a moment, the entire world outside of that chamber seemed to fade away. It was as though time itself had slowed, preparing for the inevitable storm that was about to unfold.

"I am not like the others," the champion said, its voice steady and calm, as if this was merely a formality. "You may have freed me from my prison, but my loyalty is not easily won. I will not bow to anyone without a test of strength."

Caius's lips curled into a half-smile. "Then let this test be one to remember. Show me what you have."

With that, the battle began.

The champion moved first, its red blade arcing through the air with a speed that belied its seemingly ponderous frame. It struck at Caius with deadly precision, aiming for his torso. But Caius was faster. He sidestepped with unnatural grace, the Abyssal Blade cutting through the air in a fluid motion as he deflected the champion's attack.

The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the room, and the floor beneath them cracked, splintering from the sheer power of their strikes. Caius's eyes burned with the fire of the Abyss, his body moving with a fluidity that defied mortal limitations. He was no longer the man he had once been, but something greater—something more.

"You are strong," the champion remarked, its voice laced with both surprise and respect. "But strength alone will not win this battle."

Caius didn't respond, his mind already calculating his next move. He stepped in close, using his agility to his advantage. With a swift flick of his wrist, the Abyssal Blade sliced through the champion's defenses, leaving a shallow cut across its shoulder. The champion staggered back, but there was no sign of pain on its face. If anything, its gaze only grew more focused.

"You wound me," it said, its voice tinged with something darker. "But you will not break me."

In the blink of an eye, the champion's blade surged with power, and a storm of crimson energy erupted from it. The force of the blast knocked Caius back, sending him crashing into one of the stone pillars lining the chamber. Dust and debris filled the air as the pillar shattered from the impact.

Caius's chest heaved, but his eyes remained sharp. He was not defeated, not by a long shot. He knew that this was just the beginning. The champion was powerful, but so was he.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his companions—Elira, Selena, and the rest—watching from the sidelines, their expressions tense. He knew they had his back, but this fight was his to win or lose. No one could fight his battles for him anymore.

Shaking off the dust, Caius pushed himself to his feet. He glanced at the champion, who was now standing tall, its body crackling with energy. The fight was far from over, but Caius could feel the tide of battle shifting in his favor.

"You fight with honor," the champion acknowledged, nodding once. "But I will not yield. Not yet."

Caius narrowed his eyes. "Then let's end this."

In a blur of motion, he surged forward, his Abyssal Blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc. The champion parried, but Caius was already on the move again, using his speed to dart behind the champion. He swung low, aiming for the champion's legs. The attack landed with a resounding thud, but the champion recovered quickly, spinning around to face him.

For a brief moment, the two fighters locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. This was no longer a mere contest of strength. It had become a battle for their very souls, a test of who would emerge as the true ruler of this broken world.

And in that moment, Caius realized something that he had not fully understood before. This fight, this struggle, was more than just a way to gain power. It was the final step in his ascension. He was no longer a mere man. He was a Lord—a ruler who could command the Abyss itself.

He surged forward, his blade crackling with dark energy. The champion raised its sword to block, but Caius was already several steps ahead. With a deft move, he disarmed the champion, sending its crimson blade clattering across the floor. Before the champion could react, Caius was upon it, his blade pressed to its throat.

The chamber fell silent. The tension in the air was palpable, a moment frozen in time.

The champion, its breathing labored, looked into Caius's eyes with a mix of admiration and defeat. It had underestimated him. It had thought that this was simply a battle for supremacy, but it had become something else entirely.

"You have won," the champion said, its voice soft but filled with an undeniable respect. "You are the Abyssal Lord."

Caius stood over the fallen champion, his blade still pressed to its throat. His chest rose and fell with the exertion of the battle, but his gaze never wavered. He had claimed his victory, but this was not just a victory of strength—it was a victory of will.

The Abyss had chosen him, and now the champions themselves were bowing before him.

"You will serve me," Caius said, his voice unwavering. "All of you."

The champion nodded, its once-proud demeanor humbled but not broken. "We serve you, Abyssal Lord."

With that, Caius withdrew his blade and stepped back. The battle was over, but the war was just beginning.