He spent the rest of the days before the duel like that too. Kael Hound would train them from morning to night, both in skill and essence forging.

By the time the time rolled around, Azaroth was the strongest he had ever been. Not only as an Awakener but as a human too; his physical strength and reflexes had increased greatly, more than the others because the chaos core itself improved him.

"Are you ready?" Kael Hound asked immediately he came downstairs.

Azaroth had just finished bathing, his white hair flowing behind him and his red eyes sharp as ever. He carried his sword on his waist.

The others stood around him, dressed and ready too with their weapons with them. Everyone was strangely silent as he led them out of the building.

This was the second time they would be outside their training area in East Haven; the morning sun was warm on his face as Azaroth went out.

The air touched his hair and tickled his nose. Azaroth frowned. Freedom, that was what he was feeling, but he knew should he try to escape now, then he would die. Not only was he powerless to escape here, he’d be dead in less than a week out there.

Azaroth had no illusion as to his own strength. That was the reason some people end up dead; they overestimate themselves too much.

Kael Hound navigated them through the numbers of buildings, taking his time because he was also using this time to lecture them. "There are different types of techniques out there. Strange ones too. There are some that won’t even make sense and right now, the Yama project is trying to raise Hounds with that type of diverse techniques."

"What’s Darian’s technique?" Stallus asked. Even outside, she moved like a cat, as if she might have need to spring an attack anytime without warning.

Azaroth was sure Kael Hound was smiling as he said. "You’ll have to find out yourself. Unfortunately for Azaroth, you can easily tell by his aura what his technique is."

Azaroth frowned a little. He had an ace up his sleeve, and that was his second core. He didn’t wish to make use of it, but he would if forced to. He could not lose this duel.

He could now control a thin thread of his chaos technique. He didn’t know how useful it would be in this fight. The thread was invisible to all but him.

They reached where they were going. It was a small arena building made of metal with an open top. Hounds were already going into the building, here for the free entertainment.

"Here we are," Kael Hound said.

They entered, and the people inside were even more than they thought. They sat on stone seats; already some were betting on who will win the fight.

Azaroth saw them immediately. The second team. Zephyra Hound stood with them in the middle of the arena, and Kael Hound crossed to join them.

The two Captains, their masks black and hard, clasped hands.

"I thought you might have chickened out, Kael Hound," Zephyra Hound said. She clenched her hand tight on Kael’s own, and he returned the favor; their auras clashed and caused a small wind to blow before they both removed it.

Kael gestured. "Do you invite them? It’s something you will do."

Zephyra Hound snorted. "No, I did not. News travels fast here, and they are here for the show. Not much else going on around here."

It surprised Azaroth that the two were speaking as if they didn’t just want to tear their heads off each other minutes ago. He turned to the second team instead. He studied them.

Like them, they also wore black training robes. The twins still held onto each other, their weapons by their side. Darian seemed even taller and bigger, if that’s possible, and he stood beside Bella with the crazy knife.

Their expression was that of gloating, especially from Darian. Today, he carried a large axe on his back.

In time, the two Captains stopped talking and turned to them.

Zephyra Hound began. "This is a challenge duel from them and we responded appropriately! Between Azaroth and Darian, Hounds to be!"

"This came about because your team disrespected mine!" Kael said.

"Let’s see who deserve the disrespect!" Zephyra Hound said, and the two, together with the others, gave them space. Leaving only Azaroth and Darian standing.

Darian grinned. "You are stupid. You really did come. I thought you will be smart enough to stay behind but you must love to get beat."

Azaroth said nothing to that. It was a useless taunt that had no effect on him. He stared at the big boy flatly. Let their weapons do the talking and gloating.

"You can start when you’re ready!" Kael shouted.

Azaroth’s hand went to his sword. "Well, then," he said softly.

Then he began forging. Red energy covered him; from his hands it stretched to the rest of his body, covering his robe in thin layers of essence.

Darian grunted as if impressed, his eyes gleaming. Then essence covered him too; it was purple. Azaroth didn’t know what the color or the strange feeling he got from Darian’s aura meant. But Kael did, and he cursed.

"I’ll finish this in seconds, no need to even use a sword!" Darian bent low, his left shoulder thrust forward, eyes on Azaroth.

Won’t use a weapon? Azaroth thought. This growing bull really didn’t know what’s good for him. Trying to be arrogant and take him on without a weapon?

Azaroth decided to teach him a lesson. He tightened his hand on his weapon as he watched Darian’s legs for movement.

Immediately he moved, Azaroth exploded forward, his essence-forged legs carrying him forward. He saw Darian smirk as he got close and then something hit Azaroth in the chest like a hammer and he flew backward, slamming into the ground.

Darian was right, Azaroth thought. It didn’t take a second.