Chapter 18: The Clash of Strength and Spirit
As the next match was announced, Vex stepped forward, cracking his fingers. "I'm going, guys," he said confidently, stepping into the battlefield. His teammates watched closely, knowing Vex had been waiting for his moment to prove himself.
Across from him stood a small figure—a mere eight-year-old child. The stadium erupted into murmurs and laughter.
"What is this? A joke?"
"They're sending a kid? This match is over before it even begins!"
Vex, however, remained silent, his eyes locked on the child. Ardyn narrowed his gaze, sensing something unsettling about this boy. He's no ordinary kid. I can feel it.
The child, named Ariel, walked forward with an innocent smile and extended his tiny hand. "Good luck, Vex."
Vex hesitated for a second before shaking his hand, his instincts warning him of an impending storm.
The bell rang.
Before Vex could react, Ariel vanished. A sudden force struck his gut, sending him staggering back. The impact was so fast that Vex didn't even register the movement. He coughed up blood, eyes wide in shock.
What just happened?!
Ariel stood in front of him, still smiling. Then, in an instant, he moved again—his small frame a blur as he unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches at blinding speed. Vex barely had time to react, raising his arms in defense, but the force was overwhelming.
This isn't normal… This kid is a monster!
Determined not to be overwhelmed, Vex activated his Body Armor technique, covering himself in a hardened shield. He then Phantom Dashed forward, closing the distance and suplexing Ariel into the ground. The stadium shook with the impact.
For a moment, it seemed like Vex had gained the upper hand. But as the dust settled, Ariel remained unscathed. With eerie calmness, he launched himself back at Vex.
"Now, let me show you my primary combo," Ariel said, his voice cold and precise.
He moved with unnatural agility, weaving past Vex's defenses and initiating his Fallen Combo—a brutal, relentless series of strikes. His punches broke through Vex's armor like it was paper. He landed twenty consecutive kicks before flipping behind Vex, grabbing him, and slamming him into the ground with devastating force.
The battlefield cracked beneath them.
Vex's body ached, but he refused to give up. He struggled to rise, only for Ariel to deliver the final blow—launching him out of the designated ring.
Silence filled the stadium.
The announcer finally broke it: "The winner is… Ariel!"
A deafening roar erupted from the crowd. "Ariel! Ariel! Ariel!" The people chanted his name, celebrating the small warrior's unbelievable strength.
Vex sat on the ground outside the ring, blood dripping from his mouth. His hands trembled as he stared at the arena. I lost… to a kid? The realization crushed him. Doubt swirled in his mind like a storm.
Am I really this weak?
As these dark thoughts consumed him, a shadow loomed over him.
It was Ardyn.
"Vex," Ardyn said, his voice calm but firm. "Listen to me."
Vex didn't respond, still lost in his own failure.
Ardyn crouched beside him. "Being strong isn't just about winning fights. It's not about having the most power or being unbeatable in combat. True strength comes from who you are inside."
Vex clenched his fists, his emotions boiling over. "Then why do I feel so useless? I trained for this. I worked for this. And I still lost!"
Ardyn placed a hand on his shoulder. "And yet, you stood your ground. You fought till the end. That's why you're strong, Vex."
Vex looked up, eyes filled with frustration and self-doubt.
"Your siblings treated you like you were nothing, right?" Ardyn continued. "But we—we chose you to be one of us. Because we see your worth. Because we know what you're capable of."
Zion smirked and crossed his arms. "Yeah, bro, don't let some little brat mess with your head. You're our guy."
Kai added, "You're not weak, Vex. You're one of the strongest people I know."
Steel grinned. "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. And you're not the type to give up, are you?"
Vex stared at them, his emotions shifting.
He had never had this before. A group that truly believed in him.
His lips curled into a small smile.
"Thanks, guys," he said, standing up. He wiped the blood from his face, his determination returning. "I won't lose again."
As he stepped back into the team's area, the tournament continued.
But deep in the crowd, watching from above, a mysterious figure smirked. "Interesting… this team might be worth watching after all."