The next morning in Eridale was different. The streets were alive, but not with joy — with whispers. The man who brought frozen milk that danced on tongues, metal chariots that flew without beasts, and glass screens that spoke stories... had lost.
A duel, yes. A minor setback. But people murmured: "Can gods bleed?"
---
Enterprise Arena — Midday
Zayden stood inside the modified duel arena, now enhanced with his Adaptive Kinetic Mesh — a new invention fresh off last night's failure. Black nanofiber plates layered into his outfit, near invisible, but pulsing slightly like the heartbeat of a beast.
Across him: Red Fang again.
This time, Zayden didn't smile. He let his opponent lunge first.
Clang!
The moment Red Fang's blade struck, the mesh absorbed the kinetic force, shimmered, and discharged a pulse of reactive energy.
Red Fang was blown back five feet.
Zayden stepped forward, voice low and sharp:
"Every scar you gave me, I turned into armor. Want to teach me more?"
---
The Crowd
Gasps. Laughter. Cheering. The fear was gone. Their icon was back.
A peasant yelled, "Lord Zayden! Make me some scar-armor too!"
Zayden called back, "Sure, but I charge per bruise."
---
After the Duel
Red Fang bowed. "You learn too quickly."
Zayden smirked. "Blame my AI. She's got better instincts than most kings."
Behind them, Seraphina watched from a balcony. Her red robe fluttered like fire in the wind, but her eyes… they didn't smile.
---
That Evening — The Garden Dome
Zayden and Seraphina walked among the glowing flora he imported from future biolabs. Trees that changed color with music, fireflies that floated in loops above them.
"You never asked why I came with you," Seraphina said suddenly.
Zayden glanced at her. "Because you liked my face and fries?"
She chuckled softly. Then whispered:
"I saw a vision. Of fire swallowing the sky. Cities made of glass crumbling. And you… broken in a field of ash."
Zayden stopped walking. The air grew still.
"You're talking riddles, Seraphina."
"Not riddles. Warnings."
"You sound like them. The ones who hacked my systems. Who sent shadows and ancient symbols."
She turned, her eyes glinting.
"Maybe they're trying to protect time itself."
Zayden's face hardened. His signature charm faded, just for a second.
"Protect it from what? From hope? From light? From burgers and clean water?"
"From you, Zayden. From what you'll become if no one stops you."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then she stepped forward, pressed her lips softly against his cheek.
"I'm still here, Zayden. But I won't be, forever."
She walked away into the red glow of the garden, vanishing like smoke.
---
Final Scene — M.A.I.A.'s Voice
"She knows more than she says."
Zayden stared at where Seraphina had stood. "Then we'll figure it out. But until then…"
He opened a glowing blueprint hovering in his hand.
[NEXT PROJECT: Sky Blades — Anti-Gravity Combat Drones]
"…I build."
---
End of Chapter 22