– Storm vs. Shadow: Legacy Enters the Arena

The sound of falling water echoed constantly in the locker room of the Supreme Arena.Ethan Stormbreak wiped the sweat from his forehead, his breath still heavy. His eyes were fixed on the floor — but his mind? In turmoil.

He knew this next fight was different.Not just a duel…But an echo of the past.

The door creaked open.

— "Hey there, kiddo."A deep, familiar voice.

Ethan looked up in surprise.

— "Uncle Ron?!" He smiled and stood up. "I thought you were still on a mission!"

Ron Stormbreak, the legendary wandering swordsman and Inavy's younger brother, stepped in with a wide grin.

— "I was. But your dad told me you'd be in the Draft… if it were anyone else, I'd send the vice-captain of Thunder Guild to watch. But you? I had to come in person."

Ethan blinked, the pressure in his chest easing for a second.

— "Thanks, Uncle. And my dad? Is he in the stands?"

Ron laughed.

— "Anxious. Nervous. But excited. After all… a Stormbreak has never beaten a Nox in the Draft."

Ethan's eyes widened.

— "Wait… what?"

— "First time it happened was when your father, Inavy, lost to Ryu's father, Kelvin. Ironic, huh? Now the sons are repeating history."

Ethan clenched his fists.

— "But this time will be different, Uncle. I promise."

Then, Ron pulled out a sealed case marked with the lightning symbol.When he opened it, two curved daggers shimmered with ancient energy.Engraved with the kanji 雷 (lightning), they pulsed like they were alive.

— "These are Ray Stormbreak's daggers," Ron said reverently. "Raijin and Arashi. They were made for him. But… it feels like they were waiting for you."

Ethan touched the blades.

FLASH.

His mind merged with ancestral memories:Ray fighting divine beasts, shielding children, saving humanity…And finally — sacrificing himself to protect Inavy.

A single tear fell.

— "I'll honor this legacy… I promise, Grandpa."

Ron smiled and snapped his fingers.

— "Then go out there and… as he used to say: BREAK YOUR LIMITS, ETHAN!"

SUPREME ARENA – 20 MINUTES LATER

Screens lit up across the world.HeroX crashed.Tikhero froze.Trending topics were flooded by one tag:

#StormbreakVsNox

Millions watched.

A highlight reel began.

Archive footage: Kelvin vs Inavy, decades ago.Swords clashed. Lightning and shadows roared. Kelvin's victory.

Cut to Ryu Nox — shadow traps, blinding speed, arrogant triumphs.

Then… Ethan Stormbreak — sharp mind, precise strikes, his composed smile…And now, the daggers inherited from the greatest of all time.

In the VIP Booth

— "You beat me that day by pure luck, huh Kelvin?" Inavy teased.

Kelvin gave a small smirk, arms crossed.

— "Not luck… experience."

The lights dimmed.

Lanterns danced across the crowd.

The announcer appeared like a falling star in the darkness.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR… THE MOST ANTICIPATED FIGHT OF THE ENTIRE DRAFT!"

Purple flooded the arena.

"ON ONE SIDE… THE PRINCE OF SHADOWS!HEIR TO THE REDEEMED MONARCH OF DARKNESS, SON OF KELVIN NOX — VERSATILE, DEADLY, GENIUS… RYUUUUUUUU NOOOOOX!"

Shadow exploded around him.Floating seals swirled like serpents around Ryu.He raised his katana, throwing a mocking gesture to the crowd.

The world went wild.

Then… lightning split the digital sky.

Smoke. Thunder.

"AND NOW! GRANDSON OF LEGENDARY RAY STORMBREAK!SON OF ROSE ELDARA, ONE OF PHOENIX GUILD'S GREATEST HEROES!NEPHEW OF RON, SON OF INAVY, THE HEIR OF CHAOS… THE EMBODIMENT OF LIGHTNING… ETHAAAAAAAN STORMBREAK!"

Ethan emerged from the smoke with Ron beside him — like a protective shadow.They walked in perfect sync.

Ethan pulled back his hood.

Now streaks of white ran through his hair — a tribute to his father.His eyes glowed crimson.In his hands — Raijin and Arashi.

— "That kid…" Inavy whispered, emotional. "He's a genius."

Darius, beside him:

— "And he learned how to make badass entrances from you, huh Inavy?"

Lorien laughed.

— "Can't even deny it."

— "KICK HIS ASS, SON!" shouted Rose Eldara from the stands, drawing loud laughter from the whole booth.

From the bleachers, Ryan watched, heart racing, eyes wide.

— "They're not even heroes yet… but it feels like I'm watching the greatest of all time battle.I'm not staying behind."His eyes glimmered — a deep galactic blue.

In the Arena

Ethan and Ryu stared at each other.

The crowd faded.The world vanished.

Only the two of them remained.

Shadows and lightning danced across the floor.Legacies of generations — about to collide.

[END OF CHAPTER 21]