ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 232: A FORBIDDEN NAME

The tension in the Northern Wind Spire Coliseum reached a crescendo as Seraphine declared for the next challenge to be issued. The air crackled with anticipation, and the crowd fell into a hushed murmur as none other than the Devouring King stepped forward. His imposing figure radiated authority, his black robes fluttering as an ominous, devouring aura seemed to ripple around him.

The spectators erupted into discussion, voices overlapping in excitement and speculation.

"Who will he choose this time?"

"Devouring King always picks someone strong—could it be Kaelen or Aric?"

"I bet he’s going to dominate this match, no matter who it is."

In the VIP section, Lysander, the Crown Prince, leaned back with a smug look, his fingers lightly drumming on the armrest of his luxurious chair. A faint smirk adorned his face as he muttered under his breath, "Show them who’s boss, Devouring King. Crush anyone who dares stand in your way."

Meanwhile, in the arena, the Devouring King stopped at the center, his cold gaze sweeping across the lined-up contestants. His pause heightened the suspense, and the murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Then, without warning, he raised his hand and pointed directly at Forbes Hernandez, his tone unwavering as he declared, "You. Step forward."

The arena erupted into gasps and murmurs of shock.

"Devouring King challenged Forbes!"

"Isn’t this the rivalry that’s been brewing for years?"

"This is it! We’ve waited three years to see these two face off properly!"

Even in the VIP section, the tension was palpable. Alden leaned over to Griffo, whispering, "This will be interesting. Forbes has always been a tough match for him." Griffo nodded but remained silent, his eyes glued to the arena.

Forbes, standing amongst the other contestants, remained calm. When he heard the challenge, he smirked faintly, the kind of smirk that hinted at both confidence and a subtle dare. Without a word, he stepped forward, his movements deliberate and composed. As he approached the arena, his sleek sword rested calmly at his side, glinting under the sunlight.

"Finally," Forbes said as he stopped at his designated position. He looked at the Devouring King with sharp eyes that glinted with determination. "It seems we’re settling this once and for all."

"Indeed we are Forbes" The Devouring King replied with a solemn look on his face. "But I should let you know that this settlement won’t be in your favor"

"Well we will see about that" Forbes said with a calm smirk still on his face.

Seraphine, standing above the arena, raised her hand, her voice clear and commanding. "The next duel is between the Devouring King and Forbes Hernandez. Let this be a battle to remember. Begin!"

As her hand dropped, the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts, the excitement nearly drowning out the faint hum of magic that began emanating from the two titans in the arena.

"Hear my call!! Sword of the Abyss!!"

The moment her words faded, the Devouring King erupted with an aura of immense devouring magic. A black and purple vortex of energy spiraled around him, distorting the very air as he lunged toward Forbes with a speed that seemed almost unnatural. His blade, inwhich he called the Sword of the Abyss, howled with power as it sliced through the space between them, leaving a trail of consuming darkness.

The audience shivered collectively, some clutching their seats as the sheer pressure of the Devouring King’s presence overwhelmed the coliseum. Even a few seasoned warriors like Alden and Kael’s aged right hand man in the VIP section couldn’t help but acknowledge the suffocating intensity of his aura.

But amidst this storm of chaos, Forbes Hernandez remained a picture of calm. His Silent Swordplay, a discipline of absolute serenity and precision, allowed him to move like a leaf in the wind—unfazed and untouchable. With a subtle step back, his sword whispered through the air, deflecting the Devouring King’s aggressive strikes with effortless grace. The clash of their weapons echoed like thunder, but Forbes’ movements were so fluid that it seemed as though he wasn’t even trying.

The Devouring King gritted his teeth as his relentless barrage was met with silence. Every time his blade came close to striking Forbes, it was parried or redirected with the barest of effort. Frustration began to build in his expression as Forbes started countering, his sword arcs appearing almost ghostlike in their speed and precision. A swift riposte from Forbes cut across the Devouring King’s armor, leaving a glowing mark that sizzled ominously before fading.

The Devouring King roared, his devouring magic surging to greater heights. The ground beneath him began to crack as the dark energy expanded, forming tendrils of destruction that lashed out toward Forbes. But Forbes didn’t falter. With a single breath, he executed a Silent Void Step, vanishing from sight just as the tendrils reached him.

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Reappearing behind the Devouring King, Forbes slashed upward, forcing his opponent to pivot with a desperate swing of his blade. The two exchanged blows at lightning speed, the arena shaking under the weight of their clash.

"Why won’t you fall?!" the Devouring King snarled, his voice reverberating with the power of his magic.

Forbes finally spoke, his tone quiet yet cutting. "Because brute force alone will never defeat technique."

With that, Forbes unleashed a devastating sequence of strikes, his sword flashing with blinding speed. The Devouring King’s movements became erratic as he struggled to keep up, his devouring magic faltering under the unyielding precision of Forbes’ Silent Swordplay.

Sensing his impending defeat, the Devouring King unleashed his trump card. His Void Slash, a technique capable of consuming all in its path, tore through the arena like a black tidal wave. The audience gasped, many shielding their eyes as the overwhelming attack surged toward Forbes.

But Forbes stood firm, his eyes narrowing as he channeled his focus. "Silent Horizon," he whispered, his blade glowing faintly. With a single, perfectly timed stroke, he split the Void Slash in two, the dark energy dissipating harmlessly around him.

The Devouring King staggered, disbelief etched on his face. Forbes didn’t give him a chance to recover. With a final step forward, his blade moved in a silent arc, cutting through the remnants of the devouring magic and striking the Devouring King’s shoulder. The impact sent the larger man crashing to the ground, his magic completely dispelled.

The coliseum erupted in stunned silence as Forbes sheathed his sword, his calm demeanor unshaken. The Devouring King lay motionless for a moment before finally raising a trembling hand in surrender.

"Forbes Hernandez is the victor!" Seraphine’s voice rang out, breaking the silence.

As the crowd roared in a mixture of awe and disbelief, Forbes turned and walked toward the sidelines without a word, his calm confidence unshaken.

In the grand VIP section of the Northern Wind Spire Coliseum, Castenada and Marel quietly sipped their drinks, their eyes on Forbes Hernandez, who was making his way back to his position in the arena.

"Well played," Marel commented, his tone calm but laced with approval.

Castenada gave a subtle nod. "Indeed. That boy has the makings of a true legend. The precision of his Silent Swordplay technique is remarkable."

As Castenada finished his remark, his eyes flickered toward Lysander Alexandria. The crown prince sat motionless, his expression as unreadable as a stone. Castenada smirked inwardly, wondering what thoughts churned behind that calm exterior.

Back in the arena, Kaelen approached Forbes as he returned to the gathering area. "That was amazing, Forbes! The way you executed that Silent Swordplay... It was flawless!"

Forbes, ever humble, waved off the praise. "It wasn’t anything special. I only did what was needed to win."

Ethan Kent, leaning casually against a pillar, chimed in, his curiosity piqued. "You and the Devouring King—what’s the story between the two of you? I heard rumors about your rivalry spanning three years."

Forbes halted briefly, his demeanor remaining composed. "It’s nothing dramatic. Our abilities are somewhat alike. That similarity drew comparisons, and people wanted to see which of us was superior. But we never had the chance to settle it officially until today."

"Oh...." Ethan muttered as he began to ponder rather deeply. "If so, then does that mean Forbes also has Devouring Magic?"

Kaelen, intrigued, suddenly asked, "The Devouring King—what’s his real name? And why doesn’t the organization call him by it?"

At this question, Forbes’ expression suddenly darkened, and his calm demeanor took on a grim edge. His sharp eyes locked onto Kaelen, and his voice dropped to a serious tone. "Kaelen, you might not know so I’m warning you for your own safety. Don’t ever ask that question again—especially not in public. If you value your life, forget you ever brought it up."

Kaelen froze, startled by Forbes’ sudden shift in tone. "What...? Why?"

Forbes simply turned away, unwilling to elaborate further. "It’s better for you not to know. Some secrets are dangerous, even for the curious."

As Forbes walked off, Kaelen stood rooted to the spot, his mind swirling with questions. ’What could possibly make a name so forbidden? And what kind of past does the Devouring King carry for Forbes to react that way?’

Despite Forbes’ warning, Kaelen couldn’t help but wonder about the enigma surrounding the Devouring King. Something told him this mystery was far deeper—and far darker—than he could imagine.