The moment Kian Balthor's veins awakened, the world seemed to shatter.
A thunderous boom tore through the Awakening Chamber, followed by an explosion of energy so immense that the very air trembled. The massive stone floor cracked beneath Kian's feet, splintering like glass under pressure. The glowing lines of power coursing through his body pulsed in an intricate web of void-like darkness and electric fury, a combination so rare it should have been impossible.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as onlookers shielded their eyes from the blinding black and violet light emanating from Kian's body. Even the Awakening Instructors stood frozen. No one had ever witnessed an Awakening of this magnitude.
Then came the pressure. A force like a gravity storm crashed outward from Kian, knocking back students and judges alike. The ceremony grounds trembled as deep cracks splintered the marble stage. Even Kian, amidst the chaos, barely knew what was happening. His veins burned, his hands crackled with energy, and with a single motion, a swirling void of darkness erupted around him, swallowing the very air.
For a brief moment, the entire world seemed to bend.
A collective silence fell over the arena. People stared, caught between fear and awe. Then, the whispers began.
"A Mythical Vein… He has Mythical veins!"
Power like this was the domain of the gods, of legends. And now, it belonged to a 16-year-old boy.
Before Kian could even process what had just happened, the ground stabilized. The energy crackling around him dissipated into wisps of violet lightning, and the weight of hundreds of eyes pressed down on him.
Then, the questions began.
"Who are you?"
"What are your powers?"
"Which family are you from?"
And, most importantly, the murmurs that rippled through the crowd like an oncoming storm:
What tier did he awaken into?
But Kian didn't know. His mind was still reeling from the explosion of power, the whispers surrounding him, and the way even the instructors looked at him—not just with admiration, but fear.
He barely had time to react before an announcement cut through the noise:
"The Awakening Tournament will begin shortly. Participants, prepare to showcase your power."
The world's eyes were on him. Now, it was time to prove himself.
Tournament
The tension still hung thick in the air as the announcement echoed through the Awakening Hall. The Tournament of Awakening—a tradition held every year to test the fresh awakenings—was about to begin. For most, it was a way to gauge their potential, a controlled environment to experiment with their newfound abilities.
For Kian Balthor, it would be a statement.
He took a breath, steadying himself as he walked towards the preparation area. Around him, the other awakened teens whispered, some glancing at him in awe, others with barely disguised resentment.
"I bet he doesn't even have full control."
"Mythical veins? Tch. If he can't handle his own power, it's worthless."
"Hope I don't have to fight him."
Kian ignored them. He didn't care about proving anything to them. He just needed to understand what had awakened inside him.
As he reached the tournament staging grounds, the massive arena was already shifting. Stone pillars rose from the ground, forming a battlefield of uneven terrain. High above, floating platforms hovered, serving as vantage points for higher-ranked instructors and nobles who had come to observe.
The rules were simple:
Participants would fight one-on-one, testing their powers in controlled combat. No lethal moves. The matches were meant to challenge, not kill. The winner was determined by knockout, surrender, or if the instructors deemed the fight too one-sided.
Kian clenched his fists, his veins still pulsing with residual power. He could feel it inside him, like an untamed storm waiting to be unleashed.
The first few matches went by quickly. Lira Seftan, the fire-wielding girl, torched her opponent with a blazing wave of flames, winning almost instantly. Zara Quinn, with her lightning abilities, moved so fast that her opponent barely had time to react before being struck down. Soren Feldt, the teleporter, danced across the battlefield, slipping through attacks with ease.
Then, the announcer's voice rang through the arena.
"Next match: Kian Balthor vs. Xan Zaire."
Kian stepped forward, his eyes locking onto his opponent.
Xan.
The boy who had awakened Uncommon veins. The one whose water-based powers had failed to manifest properly, leaving him stuck at Tier 10 with barely a flicker of ability.
Xan's face twisted with something between frustration and determination. He had something to prove.
"Don't think just because you've got a flashy awakening, you're better than me," Xan growled as he stepped into the ring.
Kian didn't respond. He just rolled his shoulders, feeling the electric energy surging within him. He still wasn't sure how much he could control.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Xan wasted no time. He lunged forward, fists coated in thin layers of water, attempting to enhance his physical strength. A desperate move, but fast—faster than Kian expected.
Kian dodged instinctively, twisting his body to the side just as Xan's punch grazed past him. The moment he moved, something clicked.
The air around him hummed. The world seemed slower.
His veins burned, and before he could even think, his body reacted—an arc of green lightning erupted from his fingertips, striking Xan in an instant.
The explosion sent Xan flying across the battlefield, his body skidding across the stone.
A stunned silence filled the arena.
Kian blinked. He hadn't even tried to attack. The power had just—reacted.
Xan groaned, struggling to rise, his arms trembling. He shot Kian a glare filled with humiliation and fury, but the fight was already over.
The instructor didn't even wait.
"Winner: Kian Balthor."
The silence was quickly replaced with murmurs, whispers, and then outright chatter.
"Did you see that?"
"That was Tier 8-level speed at minimum!"
"No way, he just awakened today!"
Kian exhaled, glancing at his fingertips where the last traces of green lightning crackled before fading. He clenched his fist.
He was strong.
Stronger than he even realized.
But this was just the beginning.
Got it! I'll include the interaction between the villains and Kian's opponent, expand on the other fights in the tournament, and make sure Kian is still struggling to control his power. Also, I'll remove the "Infinite Void" reference and adjust accordingly.
The UnleashingThe Offer
Reo Vale sat in the dimly lit waiting area, gripping the bandages on his forearms so tightly his knuckles turned white. He could feel his newly awakened power inside him—an unstable, seething heat that rolled beneath his skin like a caged beast. Electrokinetic fire. A rare fusion of elements. A rare gift. But it wasn't enough.
He had seen Kian Balthor's awakening firsthand. The way the air had crackled. The way space itself seemed to twist around him. That kind of power wasn't normal. He had felt the fear seep into his bones the moment Kian had stepped onto the stage.
And now, the bracket had chosen Reo to fight him next.
He was going to lose. Badly.
Unless…
"You don't have to."
The voice came from the shadows, slithering around him like a cold wind. Reo tensed, eyes darting to the entrance. There, partially veiled by the darkness, stood three figures.
One stepped forward, their face mostly concealed by a hood, save for a pair of sharp, amber eyes. "We've been watching you, Reo," they said, voice smooth as silk. "Such potential. It would be a shame to see it wasted."
Reo's brow furrowed. "Who are you?"
The figure ignored his question, instead holding out a small vial filled with a pulsing, crimson liquid.
"This is for you. A… booster. It will push your power beyond its limits."
Reo hesitated. "That's cheating."
The figure chuckled. "Is it? What's cheating, really? They throw you all into a pit like dogs and tell you to prove your worth. You have the talent, Reo. What's wrong with a little… extra help?"
Reo swallowed, looking at the vial. He clenched his fist, wrestling with himself. He knew this was shady—knew this was a bad idea. But what were his options? Step into the arena and get torn apart by the monster that just lit up the sky with emerald lightning?
His breath hitched. This was his one shot at proving himself.
He grabbed the vial.
The Fights Begin
The roar of the crowd filled the air as the second round of fights began. The arena was divided into four sections, with four battles taking place simultaneously. Giant holographic screens hovered above, displaying each fight for the audience.
Kian barely paid attention as he stood near the fighters' entrance, still feeling his power buzzing beneath his skin, unpredictable, like a storm on the verge of breaking loose. He clenched his fists, trying to focus. But something in him was still resisting.
The Matchups:
Ava Trestor (Wind Manipulation) vs. Jace Vyrn (Earth Manipulation)
The match was a clash of elements. Ava sent powerful gusts of wind, trying to keep Jace at bay, but Jace's ability to solidify the ground beneath him gave him an advantage. He pulled jagged rocks from the arena floor, creating barriers to block her attacks. But Ava was faster. With a burst of wind, she sent Jace crashing into the arena wall, ending the match.
Zara Quinn (Lightning Manipulation) vs. Vera Andros (Time Manipulation)
The moment the match began, Vera blurred forward, slowing time around her to dodge Zara's electrified strikes. But Zara wasn't easy to overwhelm. Her lightning flickered erratically, moving like a living thing, reacting to Vera's time distortions. It was an intense back-and-forth, but in the end, Vera made one mistake—she miscalculated her time dilation and got caught in an electric storm. She was knocked out cold. Zara advanced.
Soren Kael (Metal Manipulation) vs. Desi Vren (Blood Manipulation)
The most brutal match. Desi moved like a shadow, controlling her own blood like spears and whips, while Soren manipulated the metal in the arena floor. Sparks flew as metal met blood, and the crowd gasped when Soren's arm was pierced clean through by one of Desi's attacks. But in the end, Soren encased her in a cage of solid steel and forced a surrender.
And finally…
Kian Balthor (Void Lightning) vs. Reo Vale (Heat Surge)
Kian's pulse quickened. The energy inside him still felt too raw, too wild. He had spent the past hour trying to get it under control, but his body burned like a power grid about to short-circuit.
The moment the match started, Reo exploded forward, his speed unnatural, his veins pulsing a dangerous, dark red. Kian's eyes flickered—something was wrong. Reo's flames were wilder than before, tinged with a dark, sickly glow, spreading across his arms like a living entity.
Then, Reo's muscles bulged unnaturally. His veins, now blackened and bulging, pulsed violently as he let out a guttural roar, and then—he vanished.
Kian barely had time to react before a blazing fist crashed into his chest. The force sent him skidding backward, his feet carving deep trenches in the arena floor.
The audience gasped. This wasn't the same Reo from before. He was faster. Stronger. Unnatural. His fire, once flickering and weak, now burned with an intensity that rivaled the sun. But there was something wrong—his face twisted in pain, eyes bloodshot, veins bulging with an eerie darkness.
Reo grinned maniacally. "They told me you'd be strong, Kian." His voice was different now—distorted, wrong. "But I'm stronger."
He lunged again, flames bursting from his fists. This time, Kian didn't just stand there. His own power answered, lightning crackling around him as his muscles tensed. Green arcs of electricity sparked across his arms as he raised them just in time to block the strike.
A shockwave exploded from the impact, shaking the entire stadium. The force sent Kian sliding back, leaving burnt streaks on the stone floor. The crowd gasped.
Kian clenched his fists, eyes burning like emeralds. He could feel something was wrong with Reo—his power was off, unstable, unnatural. And worse yet, his own abilities were raging inside him, demanding to be released.
Then, Reo howled. His veins darkened further, and the fire in his hands turned from bright orange to a deep, sinister purple. It flickered and cracked unnaturally, as if it had a mind of its own. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps.
Kian's eyes narrowed.
Something was very, very wrong.
Chapter 1: The Unleashing (Continued)The Breaking Point
Kian's breath was steady, but his heart pounded like a war drum. His instincts screamed at him—Reo wasn't himself anymore. Whatever was flowing through his veins, it wasn't just enhancing him. It was breaking him.
Across the battlefield, Reo stood hunched over, chest rising and falling in erratic, heavy breaths. His veins pulsed violently beneath his skin, dark as ink, his muscles twitching uncontrollably. The fire that coated his arms was no longer bright and natural—it was corrupt, an unnatural purple glow mixing with its usual orange hue.
Kian took a step forward, lightning flickering at his fingertips. "Reo, stop."
Reo's head jerked up. His eyes—once clear and determined—were now bloodshot, pupils shrinking to unnatural pinpricks. His lips curled into a sneer.
"You think I care what you have to say?" His voice came out hoarse, almost layered, as if something else spoke with him.
Kian barely had time to react before Reo exploded forward again, this time even faster than before. His movements were unnatural—jerky, erratic, yet overwhelming in sheer force.
BOOM!
A fiery fist came crashing down toward Kian's head. Lightning surged in response, his body moving on instinct. He ducked, twisting to the side just in time to avoid the impact. The moment he moved, however, Reo's other fist was already there—a flaming uppercut aimed straight at his gut.
Kian gritted his teeth. Too fast.
But not faster than his lightning.
CRACK!
A green arc of energy erupted from his arm, clashing against the blow. The resulting shockwave sent both of them skidding backward, the ground beneath them scorched and cracked.
The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps, but Kian wasn't paying attention.
He had felt it.
Reo's attack wasn't just enhanced—it was unstable. His power was running out of control, burning his body from the inside out.
And then Reo staggered.
His body trembled. His breathing hitched.
For a second, the fire on his arms flickered—like a candle fighting against the wind.
Kian narrowed his eyes. "You can't handle it, can you?"
Reo snarled, forcing himself back up, but the moment he did, his leg buckled. He let out a pained gasp, gripping his arm as blackened veins pulsed across his skin like cracks on shattered glass.
Kian's eyes widened. "That drug is killing you."
Reo screamed. A mixture of pain and rage, his voice echoing across the stadium. Flames erupted from his back like wings, spiraling out of control. His body was fighting itself, unable to contain the sheer force that had been injected into his system.
For the first time since the fight began, fear flashed across Reo's face. He realized it too.
And then, his body collapsed forward, convulsing violently.
The match was over.
The Aftermath
The crowd murmured as medical teams rushed onto the field, attempting to restrain Reo as he screamed in agony. His flames flickered wildly before vanishing altogether. His skin had taken on a grayish tint, veins still bulging unnaturally. His breathing came in erratic, choked gasps.
Kian stood there, staring down at the boy who had tried to fight him.
He wasn't angry. He wasn't satisfied with his victory.
He was furious.
Not at Reo—at whoever had done this to him.
His hands clenched into fists, green sparks flickering around them as he turned toward the stands where his parents sat.
His mother, Lena Balthor, was already standing, her sharp eyes locked onto Reo's writhing form.
His father, Kairo Balthor, sat beside her, arms crossed, expression unreadable. But Kian could tell—he was thinking the same thing.
Someone had interfered with the tournament.
And they needed to find out who.
Meanwhile: The Villains' Hideout
Beneath the city, deep within an abandoned underground facility, a group of figures stood around a dimly lit table. A single screen floated in the air above them, displaying Reo's broken form being carried away from the arena.
A deep chuckle filled the room.
"Well, that was disappointing."
A man leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the metal armrest. His face was partially obscured by shadows, but the faint glow of a single cybernetic eye flickered in the dim light.
Across from him, another figure—a woman with long, dark hair tied in a high ponytail—crossed her arms. Her golden eyes gleamed with amusement.
"What did you expect?" she mused. "The drug isn't meant for weaklings. If they can't handle it, they break."
Another voice scoffed from the side. "Reo was a test. Nothing more."
A low, mechanical hum filled the air as another figure stepped forward. Unlike the others, this one wore a mask, concealing their entire face. Their voice was distorted, artificial.
"What matters is that we confirmed it works. Temporary power, at the cost of everything else."
The cybernetic-eyed man smirked. "And we now know Kian Balthor's potential." His fingers tapped against the table once more. "He is exactly what we need."
Silence fell over the room for a moment.
Then, the masked figure chuckled. "We just need to push him further."
Back at the Arena: Kian's Next Step
The tournament continued, but Kian barely paid attention anymore.
Something had shifted.
He knew, deep down, that this wasn't just about winning matches anymore.
Whoever was behind that drug… whoever was testing their power…
They weren't done yet.
And neither was he.
Tournament Matches
Match 1: Zara Quinn vs. Rylan WexlerZara Quinn (Epic Veins – Lightning Manipulation)Rylan Wexler (Rare Veins – Shadow Manipulation)
The match began with Zara's lightning crackling in the air, illuminating the arena. Rylan, unfazed, melted into the shadows, his figure flickering as he avoided her strikes.
Zara fired a rapid bolt of electricity straight at Rylan, but his shadowy form dispersed, reappearing behind her. He lashed out with tendrils of darkness, aiming to constrict her movement, but Zara countered with a sudden electrical pulse, forcing him back.
Realizing he couldn't dodge forever, Rylan lunged forward, his shadows stretching out like claws. But Zara anticipated the move. With a quick step, she unleashed a thunderous arc of lightning, striking Rylan mid-motion. His body seized up, the electric current running through his veins, forcing him to collapse.
Winner: Zara Quinn.
Match 2: Vera Andros vs. Soren FeldtVera Andros (Legendary Veins – Time Manipulation)Soren Feldt (Epic Veins – Short-Range Time Travel)
The moment the match started, both fighters vanished—or at least, that's how it seemed. The air shimmered as Vera slowed time around herself, while Soren blinked through short time jumps, predicting her next move.
Vera extended her hand, and the space between them distorted, freezing Soren mid-step. But Soren smirked. He had already jumped a few seconds ahead, appearing behind her. He lashed out with a fierce kick, only for Vera to accelerate time around herself, dodging at the last moment.
The battle became a chess match of time manipulations and counterplays. But Soren had a limit—his jumps drained him quickly. He tried one final leap, aiming to strike before Vera could react. But she had been waiting.
As he emerged from his jump, Vera reached out and slowed time completely, leaving Soren moving at a snail's pace. With a simple flick of her wrist, she sent him crashing into the ground. He groaned, unable to move fast enough to defend himself.
Winner: Vera Andros.
Match 3: Ava Trestor vs. Xan ZaireAva Trestor (Rare Veins – Wind Manipulation)Xan Zaire (Uncommon Veins – Weak Water Control)
The crowd barely paid attention to this fight. Ava was confident, while Xan was sweating before the match even started. His control over water was weak, barely stronger than a glorified garden hose.
The second the match began, Ava unleashed a sharp gust of wind, knocking Xan off balance. He tried to summon water from the moisture in the air, but the droplets barely formed before her wind pressure dispersed them.
Xan grew desperate. He charged at Ava, hoping to close the distance. Big mistake. With a flick of her wrist, Ava sent a razor-like wind arc cutting across the stage. Xan yelped as his body was flung backward, skidding across the ground before he tumbled out of bounds.
Winner: Ava Trestor.
Match 4: Ethan Gorov vs. Lira SeftanEthan Gorov (Uncommon Veins – Super Strength)Lira Seftan (Rare Veins – Fire Manipulation)
This was a clash of brawn vs. firepower. Ethan's muscles tensed, his veins bulging as his super strength kicked in. Lira's hands ignited with brilliant flames, her eyes focused.
Ethan rushed forward, his foot stomping down so hard the arena cracked. Lira barely dodged in time, countering with a column of fire, but Ethan punched straight through it, his skin slightly scorched but otherwise unharmed.
Realizing she couldn't overpower him directly, Lira changed tactics. She leapt backward, sending waves of flame in rapid bursts, forcing Ethan to keep dodging. But he was relentless.
With a roar, Ethan closed the distance and swung his fist forward, aiming for a decisive blow. But Lira smirked. The second before impact, she detonated a concentrated fire explosion beneath him, sending him flying into the air. He crashed outside the ring, groaning in defeat.
Winner: Lira Seftan.
Kian Balthor vs. Vera Andros – The Final Match
The crowd had fallen silent. Everyone knew this was the match that mattered.
Kian stepped into the arena, his green lightning crackling wildly around him. Across from him, Vera stood calm, the air around her subtly distorting with temporal energy.
"Don't hold back," Vera said coolly.
The match began.
Kian vanished in a green flash, reappearing above Vera, lightning surging through his fist. He brought it down in a crushing blow, but Vera slowed time just enough to step aside, dodging at the last moment.
Kian landed and spun, releasing a storm of green lightning that ripped through the ground toward her. Vera flicked her wrist, accelerating time around herself. She blurred forward, dodging the attack, before slamming her hand against Kian's chest.
For an instant, everything slowed down. Kian could feel the weight of time pressing against him, making his movements sluggish.
But then—
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted as Kian forced his power outward, shattering Vera's time field. She stumbled back, surprised, as Kian lunged forward with a lightning-infused punch.
It connected. Vera gasped as she was sent flying, skidding across the ground.
The crowd erupted in cheers. But Kian didn't hear them. Something was wrong.
His arm ached, a sharp pain coursing through him. He looked down. The wound from his previous fight had reopened, his veins pulsating erratically.
Then—his lightning surged out of control.
Green electricity arced violently, lashing out at the surroundings. The ground beneath him fractured, the air humming with unstable energy. Vera, still recovering, tried to stand—but Kian's lightning lashed out uncontrollably, sending her crashing down again.
The officials moved immediately.
A booming voice echoed through the arena: "STOP THE MATCH!"
Several tournament enforcers rushed in, activating powerful restraints to contain Kian's unstable power. The crowd backed away as the arena shook under the weight of his untamed energy.
For a moment, Kian's vision blurred. His head pounded. He felt… powerful. Overwhelmingly powerful.
Then—his father's voice rang out.
"Kian! Control it!"
The words cut through the haze. Kian clenched his fists, forcing his lightning to subside. The storm around him died down, and finally, the chaos ended.
Vera had been knocked out. Kian had won.
But no one was celebrating.
The crowd stared at him in fear.
The higher-ups in the VIP section exchanged uneasy glances. This was beyond powerful—this was a threat.