NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: A PRINCE'S RESOLVE II
CHAPTER 9 : "A PRINCE'S RESOLVE II"
The morning sun cast its golden glow over the training grounds, a gentle breeze carrying the whispers of anticipation. The air was electric with excitement as instructors and trainees alike paused to witness the spectacle unfolding before them. Even the elite classes, notorious for their haughty disdain, watched with rapt attention.
Stephan, a behemoth of a man, burst into motion, his massive frame belied by astonishing speed. Thrain, lean and agile, dodged the charging blow with ease – or so it seemed.
The crowd's collective chuckle echoed through the grounds as Thrain stumbled backward, slammed by the very same left hand he thought he'd evaded. Regaining his footing, Thrain's confusion deepened.
"Didn't I just dodge that?"
His gaze snapped to Stephan, who was already unleashing another flaming fist. Thrain's eyes widened as he grasped the truth – Stephan's attack had been infused with flames, allowing it to strike Thrain despite his successful dodge.
The flames danced across Stephan's hand, casting flickering shadows on his determined face. With no time to ponder, Thrain braced himself for the incoming assault.
Thrain sprang backward, attempting to create distance, but Stephan's flaming fist still managed to clip him. The unexpected speed and range left Thrain reeling.
As he stumbled, Thrain grasped the unsettling truth: Stephan's flames not only augmented his strength but also accelerated his attacks after a successful dodge. The revelation sent a shiver down Thrain's spine – this was only a fraction of Stephan's true potential.
"Enough."
Thrain's resolve shifted from defense to offense. No more dodging, no more reacting. It was time to seize control.
With a deep breath, Thrain centered himself, his eyes locking onto Stephan. Ryker's words echoed in his mind: "A true warrior understands the balance between defense and offense."
Thrain charged forward, his movements fluid and deliberate. The time for caution had passed; it was time to unleash his own fury.
Thrain sprinted forward, his speed a blur, but Stephan had anticipated this move. His calculating gaze had analyzed Thrain's tactics, and he was prepared.
With an air of strategic superiority, Stephan unleashed his countermeasure. Eight massive fireballs erupted from his body, each one bursting forth from his muscles like volcanic eruptions. The precision and control were testaments to Stephan's exceptional intellect.
"Checkmate," Stephan's expression seemed to say, as if he'd outmaneuvered Thrain before the fight even began.
Thrain's eyes widened as the inferno bore down on him. The fireballs were enormous, each capable of incinerating a trained warrior. Stephan's strength was staggering, his endurance seemingly limitless.
But what truly set Stephan apart was his cerebral approach. He hadn't relied solely on brute force; instead, he'd leveraged his knowledge of Thrain's speed and tactics to create an inescapable trap.
Stephan's calm demeanor and measured breathing underscored his intellectual dominance. He had calculated every variable, predicted every move, and prepared the perfect counter.
Thrain realized he faced not just a formidable warrior but a master strategist.
Stephan stood serene, his calm demeanor a testament to his mastery over his craft. He harnessed his strength through sheer muscle control, a deliberate and calculated approach.
His intellectual prowess proved to be a formidable edge, as he had anticipated Thrain's every move.
Thrain, despite his valiant efforts, was unable to evade the onslaught. Four fireballs struck him with unrelenting force, sending him crashing to the ground. The remaining four sailed past, harmless now that their target was down.
For an instant, Stephan thought victory was his. But then, a spark of flames flickered on Thrain's prone form, growing with astonishing speed. The blaze engulfed his body, flames dancing in shades of orange, red, and – eerily – blue.
The crowd held its collective breath as the inferno intensified, yet Thrain's figure remained visible, unscathed. Then, as suddenly as it began, the flames died down.
Thrain stood up, his clothes burnt and tattered, but his skin untouched. The onlookers were stunned, whispers of awe spreading through the crowd.
The instructor's eyes shone with excitement. "He's really awakened! And his flames are colossal! The blue hue indicates an extraordinary strength"
Stephan's expression transformed from confidence to curiosity, his strategic mind racing to reassess the situation.
Thrain's statuesque form remained frozen, as if chiseled from stone. Then, with deliberate slowness, his lids lifted, unveiling eyes that blazed like pools of liquid gold, radiant and mesmerizing.
Stephan's ire surged, his face twisting in rage. With a swift gesture, he unleashed a blazing fireball, hurtling it toward Thrain.
The infernal sphere reached Thrain's position, only to instantaneously dissipate, its flames extinguished as if swallowed by an unseen force. Thrain stood unwavering, his golden eyes fixed intently on Stephan.
Stephan's face darkened, his anger simmering. The instructors' teachings echoed in his mind: harness your rage, unleash your power.
Taught to channel emotions into strength, Stephan's breathing grew labored, fueled by rising fury. Few opponents ever rose after taking a direct hit from him, and Thrain's swift recovery ignited a fierce determination within.
With a snarl, Stephan charged forward, his massive frame propelled by unbridled anger.
—-
Thrain summoned colossal wings of flame, their fiery feathers coalescing behind him like a celestial aura. The majestic appendages, born from his inner fire, towered above, casting a blazing glow across the landscape.
Thrain leaped into the air, his figure soaring upward. Above Stephan, he unleashed a single, mighty wing of flame, its base striking the ground with incredible force, mere feet from Stephan.
The impact sent shockwaves through the earth, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed the surrounding area. Onlookers recoiled, shielding themselves from the intense heat.
Stephan, directly beneath the blast, stumbled backward, his footing precarious as the inferno raged around him. The explosion's fury shook the air, leaving ears ringing and vision blurred.
The instructor's ears still ringing from the explosion, he struggled to open his eyes, only to be met with a thick veil of dust and debris. He squinted, attempting to pierce the haze.
As the dust began to settle, his gaze lifted upward, and his breath caught. Thrain hovered above, radiant like a fiery deity, his wings of flame beating powerfully. The instructor's eyes widened in awe.
"By the gods, what power...," the instructor thought, stunned. "No one of that age has ever—"
But before he could complete the thought, Thrain's wings vanished, and his body hurtled toward the ground.
Thrain crashed to the earth, his body sliding to a stop next to Stephan, sending dust and debris flying. The instructor rushed forward, his anxiety spiking.
******
Thrain opened his eyes to find Meryl standing over him, her expression neutral.
He swiftly sat up, scrambling to put distance between them.
Thrain's eyes flashed with annoyance, and he unleashed a sudden burst of flames.
The force sent him stumbling backward, Meryl leaping out of the way.
As the flames died down, Thrain regained his footing, his gaze cold and unforgiving.
Meryl's voice cut through the tension, laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Charming. Is this how you repay someone who's been watching over you while you slept?"
Thrain's jaw clenched, his silence a stark response.
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