ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 235: MIST VS DEVOURING

The lively atmosphere of the Northern Wind Spire Coliseum buzzed with excitement as the final phase of the individual class battles reached its midway point. In the grand VIP section, Marel leaned closer to Castenada, his sharp eyes fixed on the arena below. "The boy, Kaelen, has done well so far," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It’s surprising, though, how all his opponents from Pacesetters have forfeited against him. It almost seems orchestrated."

Castenada smirked, his arms crossed in a calm yet calculating manner. "Not orchestrated, Marel. Loyalty. They see what he is becoming, and they know what’s at stake. Let’s not forget he’s carrying the blade everyone here seems to have their eyes on. A shame that Dragonyx pretends not to know him, yet his interest in Kaelen is so blatant it’s laughable."

Marel chuckled, his gaze shifting to Kelvin, who stood menacingly on the sidelines, his dark scythe resting ominously against his shoulder. "Kelvin is another story. Undefeated so far, and the sheer ferocity he displays with each duel... It’s no wonder the crowd has begun murmuring about him being a potential champion. The feats he’s achieved with that cursed weapon of his are nothing short of terrifying."

Castenada’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Kelvin is powerful, yes. But there’s a recklessness to him. His darkness consumes him, bit by bit, with every swing of that scythe. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes his undoing. Kaelen, on the other hand... He’s evolving. Quickly. Too quickly. He doesn’t rely on brute strength alone; his strategic prowess will carry him further than Kelvin’s fury ever could."

Marel nodded thoughtfully. "A fair point. But if those two were to face off..." He trailed off, letting the unspoken words linger.

Before Castenada could respond, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd, drawing their attention back to the arena. Ethan Kent stood at one end, his twin daggers gleaming with the soft mist magic coiling around them. Across from him, the Devouring King loomed, his clothes which signifies he’s from the Valen military academy billowing as a sinister energy radiated from him.

"Ah," Castenada said, a hint of intrigue in his tone. "Ethan and the Devouring King. This should be interesting."

Marel raised an eyebrow. "Ethan’s creativity with his mist magic is impressive, but the Devouring King’s magic is insidious. He doesn’t just fight; he consumes."

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They fell silent as Seraphine’s voice echoed across the coliseum, signaling the start of the duel. The tension in the arena thickened as the two combatants squared off, their auras clashing visibly, mist against devouring darkness. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, and even in the VIP section, all eyes were glued to the arena.

The tension in the arena grew palpable as the Devouring King stepped forward with his menacing aura, his sword of the Abyss gleaming ominously. Ethan Kent, standing across from him, maintained a calm demeanor, his twin daggers resting lightly in his hands as the faint mist began to swirl around him.

The Devouring King sneered. "Mist magic? A feeble trick. I’ll make this quick."

Ethan smirked, his eyes glinting with confidence. "Feeble? You might want to rethink that by the end of this."

Without warning, Ethan’s figure began to blur as a dense mist enveloped the arena. Within moments, he completely vanished, leaving only an ethereal haze in his place. The crowd murmured in awe and curiosity, but the Devouring King didn’t seem fazed, his expression remaining cold and calculating.

"You think you can hide from me?" the Devouring King scoffed, lifting his sword as an eerie black energy began to ripple around it. "Devouring magic will find you no matter where you run."

He slashed downward, and the black energy shot out in waves, devouring the mist in its path. Pockets of the arena became clear as the mist was swallowed, but Ethan’s figure was nowhere to be seen. The Devouring King’s brow furrowed slightly as he turned his head, scanning the field with a growing sense of unease.

A soft chuckle echoed through the mist. "Looking for me?" Ethan’s voice taunted, coming from all directions at once.

The Devouring King growled, spinning around as his eyes darted through the mist. "Enough of these games! Show yourself!"

Suddenly, a blur darted through the mist, slicing at the Devouring King’s arm. He reacted quickly, parrying with his sword, but not before a shallow cut appeared on his bicep. Another chuckle echoed, and the mist seemed to close in tighter.

The Devouring King steadied his breathing, his grip tightening on his sword. "Clever... but tricks won’t save you."

Ethan’s voice came again, this time closer. "Who said I needed saving?"

Before the Devouring King could respond, the mist grew thicker, and faint silhouettes of Ethan began to appear all around him. The Devouring King unleashed another wave of devouring magic, obliterating a few illusions, but the real Ethan struck from behind, his daggers slicing toward the King’s neck. At the last second, the Devouring King twisted his body, blocking the strike with his sword.

The force of the clash sent ripples through the mist, but Ethan vanished again before the Devouring King could counterattack.

The crowd leaned forward, captivated by the duel. Even in the VIP section, notable figures exchanged intrigued glances. Castenada murmured to Marel, "That boy’s precision is remarkable."

Kael Dragonyx, however, remained silent, his eyes sharp as he observed every move, his interest piqued by Ethan’s unique combat style.

The Devouring King, now visibly irritated, muttered under his breath. "No more playing around."

With a sudden surge, his devouring magic erupted outward in all directions, sweeping the arena with devastating force. The mist recoiled, revealing Ethan standing just a few meters away, his calm demeanor unwavering despite the oppressive energy.

"Impressive," Ethan admitted, twirling his daggers. "But you’ll have to do better than that."

The Devouring King smirked darkly, his confidence returning as he readied another attack. "Oh, I will."

"Ahhh!!"

Suddenly, the arena buzzed with tension as the Devouring King stood tall, his aura swelling with an ominous force. His dark magic spiraled and intertwined with the energy of his Sword of the Abyss, creating a vortex that seemed to consume all light. Slowly, he raised his sword, its edge shimmering with an abyssal blackness that radiated an overwhelming pressure. The entire coliseum hushed as he roared, "This is the Slash of Nothingness! Let’s see if you can escape your fate, Ethan Kent!"

Ethan, unfazed by the pressure, narrowed his eyes. A glint of determination sparked in them as his mist magic intensified, the arena rapidly filling with an otherworldly haze. The mist began to twist and turn unnaturally, bending space and light around it. The air shimmered as the mist seemed to create illusions of alternate realities—shadows of what could be. Ethan’s twin daggers pulsed with a bluish hue as he spun them, and with a resolute shout, he unleashed his ultimate attack inwhich he gave it’s name on the spot. "Reality Rend!"

The crowd gasped as the two forces collided in a spectacular clash. The Slash of Nothingness met the Reality Rend in a cataclysmic explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the arena. A colossal black and silver sphere formed at the point of contact, pulsating violently as if the very fabric of reality was being torn apart. Seraphine instinctively reinforced the barrier around the arena, her eyes narrowing at the chaotic power.

For a fleeting moment, Ethan’s attack seemed to push back the devouring void. The bending reality contorted the Devouring King’s magic, creating momentary distortions in the Slash of Nothingness. But then, with an almost sentient ferocity, the devouring magic surged, consuming Ethan’s mist entirely. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the Slash of Nothingness absorbed the Reality Rend and, like a predator toying with its prey, redirected the remnants of Ethan’s own power toward him.

"Ethan! Look out!!" Kaelen suddenly yelled out from his position amongst the participants when he noticed what is about to befall on Ethan.

But unfortunately, Ethan staggered back, his eyes wide as he tried to summon a defense, but it was too late. The overwhelming force struck him head-on, blasting him across the arena. His body tumbled to the ground, his daggers clattering away as he lay motionless. For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, Ethan groaned and pushed himself up, his body battered but alive.

The Devouring King stood triumphantly, his sword resting on his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips. He looked down at Ethan and declared coldly, "It’s over. Remember this: nothing can escape the void."

The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs, marveling at the raw power of the Devouring King. Even those in the VIP section, including Castenada and King Alexandria, exchanged intrigued glances at the display of dominance. Kael Dragonyx, however, remained silent, his gaze fixated on the arena as if pondering the implications of such power.

As Ethan was escorted off the field by the medics, he glanced back at the Devouring King, a determined glint in his eyes. Though he had lost, this defeat had only fueled his resolve. Meanwhile, the Devouring King raised his sword high, basking in the applause and solidifying his place as one of the most formidable contenders in the final stage.

But unbeknownst to him, the most formidable contenders where coming up next.