– Storm and Shadow: The Roar of Legacy

The sound was deafening.

The crowd erupted in screams, flashes, and chants. The stands shook as if the very world was announcing the arrival of something historic.

At the center of the arena, two young men faced each other.

Ryu Nox, the Prince of Shadows.Ethan Stormbreak, heir of the Storm.

Ryu cracked his neck with a smirk.

— "Dude… don't hold back. Because today, it's no jokes. It's all or nothing."

Ethan, serious, took the offensive stance once used by his grandfather Ray — daggers raised, eyes locked.

— "No problem, my friend. I'm all in too."

The bell rang. The judge shouted:

— "FIGHT!"

They launched forward.

Purple and red lights collided.Daggers versus sword. Shadow versus lightning.

The arena became a field of cosmic chaos.

In the Hero Booth:

Lorien stood up.

— "They're too fast… it looks like a veteran-level fight!"

Darius whistled, stunned.

— "Is this generation… blessed?"

Inavy crossed his arms with a small smile.

— "Maybe. But for once… I'll agree with you."

— "Look who's here." — said Diana Flamesoul, entering with her son Dante Valtier.

Lorien grinned.

— "Son! Where've you been? This Draft's insane!"

— "Watching closely. But I already know who will win," Dante said calmly.

Lorien laughed.

— "You're in for a surprise… And you, my favorite Phoenix?"

Diana smiled.

— "I was teaching our son something… final."

Back to the fight:

Ryu vanished. Reappeared above Ethan.

— "SHURA KAGE-REN!"

Seven sword slashes combined with advanced taijutsu in three seconds.Shadows trailed his every move, expanding the range of his attacks.

Ethan blocked, struggling, then countered:

— "SACRED TEMPEST!"

He stabbed the ground with his daggers.Lightning exploded like divine serpents, electrifying the entire arena.

Ryu was struck… but vanished.

— "Shadow clone?!" Ethan muttered.

— "SHINIGAMI KAGEIRI!"

Ryu emerged from Ethan's own shadow like a reaper, delivering a devastating blow.Ethan was launched, body skidding.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. But he smiled.

— "Heh… you're good, my friend. But now… I'm ending this."

He raised Raijin and Arashi.

Lightning rained from above, converging on the blades.The daggers transformed into two crimson spears made of pure electricity.

In the Booth:

Lorien jumped to his feet.

— "IMPOSSIBLE! HE'S GOING FOR THE THUNDER SPEAR!"

Inavy's eyes widened.

— "But… I never taught him that. Neither did Ron."

Darius, laughing:

— "He totally saw it in the video game. It's Ray's ultimate in Legends of Heroes Online! He's just replicating it 'cause you suck at teaching, Inavy!"

Inavy, dead serious:

— "That technique... is SS+ rank. It's on par with my Void Spear."

Lorien snapped his fingers, summoning the Aurora Shield — a golden dome of light protecting the crowd.

— "If he misses… he could destroy the stands."

In the Arena:

Ryu laughed.

— "You think that'll stop me, Ethan?"

He slammed his katana into the ground.

— "RYŪZAN: DRAGON SHADOW LANCE!"

Darkness condensed behind Ryu, forming a colossal dragon made of liquid shadows.It roared, charging toward Ethan.

Ethan shouted:

— "DOUBLLEEEE THUNDER SPEAAAAR!"

He hurled both spears.Midair, they merged into one divine lance, flaming, vibrating, divine.

Clash of Titans.

The Thunder Spear soared like a divine comet.Ryūzan tore through the ground like an end-times beast.

Collision.

The arena exploded into a storm of energy.Winds slashed. The earth cracked.Thunder and dragon roars echoed like gods fighting atop the world.

Silence.

Smoke engulfed everything.

The crowd held its breath.

Two silhouettes.

One standing.One fallen, body slammed into a wall, clothes torn.

Ryu was unconscious.Ethan was still on his feet, swaying… until Ron caught him before he collapsed.

— "Well done, kid… you fought like hell."

Bells rang.

The announcer, stunned, shouted:

— "AND THE WINNER IS… ETHAN STORMBREAK!"

The crowd erupted.

Inavy stood up:

— "THAT'S MY BOY!!!"

Rose jumped from her seat:

— "THAT'S MY SOOOOOON, HELL YEAH!!"

Darius nearly fell out of his chair laughing.

— "Rose is loving this way too much!"

Social media collapsed.

#NewStormbreak#EthanVsRyu#ChildrenOfTheGods

Cameras zoomed in on Ryan and Annie.

Ryan, eyes glowing galaxy-blue, whispered:

— "They're incredible..."

Annie smiled:

— "Looks like we've got a new peak to reach."

From afar, Kane watched Ethan and Ryu with disdain.

— "You… haven't seen anything yet."

[END OF CHAPTER 22]