Shadow Being System

The intense heat from Liam's flames mixed with the cold rain, creating a thick cloud of steam that rose from the alleyway. The air was now charged with two conflicting forces—Billy's crackling lightning and Liam's searing flames. Every drop of rain that fell in Liam's vicinity evaporated instantly, leaving a dry circle around him in an otherwise waterlogged battlefield.

Billy, still confident in his power, sneered at the sight of Liam. His lightning eyes glinted with amusement, though a hint of caution now flickered behind them. He had knocked Liam out earlier, sure, but things had changed. With the artifact disabled, Liam's fiery soul essence had returned, and he was not the same helpless kid who had fallen before.

Liam's flames burned brighter, his clenched fists glowing like molten steel. His lips curled into a grin as his fire surged, reflecting the intense emotions swirling inside him. "You messed up, Stark," he said, his voice as fiery as the flames surrounding him. "You should've kept the artifact running."

Billy scoffed, though his lightning-charged fists sparked a little more furiously now. "Big talk from someone I already beat once today."

Liam's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "That was before I got serious, and remember, I also beat you last time in the cafeteria."

The atmosphere in the alley shifted as both boys prepared for their clash. William, still on the ground a few feet away, struggled to pull himself up. His body screamed in protest from the beating he'd taken, but his mind was sharp. He knew this wasn't over.

With Liam gaining his ability back, he had a strong ally, but it didn't mean the fight would be easy, if he guessed right, Liam was just putting up a facade to seem okay, but the truth was that his injuries were still affecting him. The fight wasn't over, if anything, things were about to get even more intense.

Liam took a step forward, flames licking the ground beneath his boots. "You think you can handle me now?" he asked, his voice steady despite the rage burning inside him.

Billy's smirk faded slightly, the flicker of doubt crossing his features for the first time.

He had never fought two opponents this skilled at once, although now that he has gotten his soul essence back, William was no longer a threat, but liam was a big threat to billy, billy still remembered how easily liam beat him at the cafeteria, and while his family's training had prepared him for battle, there was something about Liam that felt different. Liam wasn't just a regular student.

Billy clenched his fists, sparks of lightning zipping across his knuckles. "I'll take you down, right here right now."

With a burst of speed, Billy lunged at Liam, his body a blur of motion. Lightning streaked around him, the crackle of electricity loud enough to drown out the thunder above. Liam met him head-on, his body igniting into a fiery inferno as he charged forward.

The collision of their attacks sent a shockwave through the alley. Lightning and fire clashed violently, the two elements tearing at each other as the boys exchanged blow after blow. The very air around them sizzled with raw energy, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Liam threw a fiery punch toward Billy's face, but Billy dodged it with an inhuman twist of his body. He countered with a lightning-charged uppercut aimed at Liam's chest. But before the punch could land, Liam caught Billy's wrist mid-air, the flames from his grip scorching Billy's skin.

Billy grimaced but quickly retaliated, sending a bolt of electricity through his arm. The lightning surged into Liam's body, causing him to wince in pain. The force of the shock sent Liam staggering backward, but he quickly regained his footing, his flames roaring hotter than ever.

William watched from the sidelines, his heart pounding in his chest. The fight between the two powerhouses was unlike anything he had ever seen. Both boys were pushing themselves to their limits, their abilities threatening to tear the alley apart.

But as much as William admired Liam's resolve, he knew that the fight couldn't continue like this. Liam's wound was dragging him, the longer they dragged it out, the more dangerous it became for both of them. William needed to act.

His body ached, but he pushed himself to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth. His mind raced as he watched Billy and Liam continue their brutal exchange of blows. Every time Billy landed a punch, lightning surged through Liam's body, and every time Liam countered, his flames burned through Billy's defenses.

There has to be a way to turn this around, William thought.

Then, it hit him.

The artifact!

The jade bracelet that Billy had deactivated—if William could get his hands on it and re-enable it, they could neutralize Billy's soul essence again. Without his lightning abilities, Billy would be at a huge disadvantage. He might be a skilled fighter, but without his powers, he was beatable.

William's gaze darted toward Billy's wrist, where the bracelet still hung loosely. It was their only shot.

Taking a deep breath, William summoned what little energy he had left. His soul essence wasn't fully recovered, but he could feel a small surge of power return to his limbs. It would have to be enough.

"Liam!" William shouted, his voice barely audible over the clash of lightning and fire.

Liam turned his head slightly, just enough to acknowledge William without losing focus on Billy.

"The bracelet! We need to re-enable the artifact!" William called out, his voice urgent.

Liam's eyes flicked to Billy's wrist, understanding dawning in an instant. His flames flared even brighter as he launched into a renewed assault, pushing Billy back with a series of rapid-fire punches and kicks. Each strike was calculated, forcing Billy to defend with everything he had.

Billy grunted as he blocked Liam's attacks, frustration building in his chest. He knew what they were trying to do, but he wasn't about to let them succeed.

"I'm not stupid!" Billy growled, sending a massive bolt of lightning toward Liam's chest.

Liam barely dodged, the lightning singeing the edge of his uniform, but it was the opening William needed.

With a burst of speed, William dashed toward Billy, his eyes locked on the jade bracelet. Billy saw him coming and threw out a wild punch, but William ducked under it, his fingers brushing against the cold jade.

For a split second, time seemed to freeze. William twisted the bracelet back into its original position, the intricate designs glowing faintly as the artifact reactivated.

Suddenly, the lightning surrounding Billy's body sputtered and died, and the fire surrounding Liam's body died down also and liam fell down, his injuries finally cutting up to him again.

The air grew still, the crackling of electricity fading into nothingness. Billy's eyes widened in horror as he felt his soul essence drain from his body once again.

"No…" Billy whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

William smirked, his exhaustion replaced by a surge of triumph. "Looks like round two is over," he muttered, his voice low and determined.

William stepped forward. "Now, it's time for the final round."

Billy's eyes flickered looking at William, his fists clenching in frustration. He was outmatched, and without his abilities.

And for the first time, fear crept into his heart. Enjoy exclusive content from empire