SSS Void Ascension: I Devour All Elements

"This is nothing," Reginald told himself. "I had to experience far worse to get here. I'll just use those warnings well."

Those in the crowd raised their voice in murmurs, complaining among themselves about the attacks that they couldn't be sure were in their best interest in mind.

Evelyn leaned back on her seat. "I take it back. Keith has a good chance if he is creative with his lightning shaping. A good chance isn't always a win though."

Killian glanced at her with a judgmental expression, wondering when she became a match analysis person.

So far, Keith had been doing better than he expected, and worse than he expected at the same time. This was his first time seeing him fight seriously, at least, as far as he could be sure.

He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I got a fright when I saw that light. Even if it didn't reach me, it was very uncomfortable. My skin even grew bumps."

"Hmm?" Evelyn turned to him.

That was when Killian realized he just rambled about something she wouldn't be able to understand.

He sighed, shaking his head. "It's alright, though."

Evelyn's eyes shifted to his hands, and she noticed how pale his knuckles had become. "Do you want my cap for next time?" she flicked the cap on her head.

A smile reached Killian's lips as he nodded. A part of him appreciated that she didn't ask for more details. "Thanks, Evelyn."

She handed the cap over to him, and crossed her legs. Her eyes returned to the match.

Within the arena, it was as if the Great World Order had reincarnated into a small arena to fight a young Warden.

Or so the crowd whispered as they watched Keith pull out his lightning javelin stuck to the ground.

He raised it above his head, as if proclaiming victory.

The lightning dispersed and the weapon lost its form, returning to nothingness. Keith dropped his hand and calmly returned to the end of the arena, facing Reginald.

His eyes shifted to the match Coordinator, who wore a distraught look as he watched the boys.

"I just have three warnings left." Keith told himself. "That will be enough. It has to be."

His eyes locked on his opponent, standing on an injured leg. He needed to make the most of that injury since his limping elbow was a major handicap.

His legs were still sturdy despite the Pressure Crush he had survived. He could tell his opponent still had more skills to show with how confident he looked.

Keith breathed out heavily. Checking the corners of his eyes, he spotted his older brother still in the crowd.

If he was being watched by his older brother, then he didn't want to mess up so blatantly. That would be a complete waste of his brother's time.

"No need for this stall." Reginald broke the silence between them. He leaned on his good leg. "Come at me if you need to. You narrowed my movements. Wasn't that to come at me when you want?"

Keith looked down at the ground, being aware of his Lightning tracks for the first time. He masked his surprise with a nod. "I'll come."

He tapped his feet on the ground, twice, for each leg. He thought of warning Reginald for his next move, but he had already been giving the call to come.

"I'll come," he repeated, most sure of his next action. He slid his leg forward and blue streaks of lightning followed.

He kept his eyes on his opponent as his opponent kept their eyes on him. The other leg pushed forward, a burnt mark left on the ground by lightning.

Then Keith vanished.

Blue streaks remained where his feet had been. The ground cracked beneath the sudden force.

A few in the crowd blinked, then searched the arena for him. Others lost sight of him entirely.

Reginald's eyes widened, his shoulders lowering. For a brief moment, he had lost his focus and now he lost sight of what was going on.

He expected a lightning attack. Something shaped from the lightning or an actual Lightning Skill that Keith might've been saving.

His breathing hitched as he caught sight of it. That was the last thing he expected.

A six-foot figure crossing the arena in a speed blitz.

The faint afterimages left by Keith's legs looked less like movement and more the lightning itself decided to run.

Reginald's thoughts raced within the few nanoseconds he had left. There was a possibility it could be a direct attack.

His hand rose instinctively. If it was a punch, the best he could do within such short notice was to brace for it. Yet confusion followed that thought after.

There was no reason to use that speed for a punch. His hand dropped, and he curved his palm. Wind gathered around him, forming a shield.

But he raised his hand again. If it was truly a direct attack, then just bracing for it was better than a counter. Lightning dispersed his Wind anyway.

Then Keith arrived in front of him.

His hand reached out. Tap.

His hand on Reginald's shoulders was so light that several people in the crowd almost missed the tap.

The arena fell silent, watching and waiting.

Even Reginald looked surprised at what happened. His raised hands still stayed in place over his face.

Then his body jerked. Violently.

Electricity burst inside him, and blue lightning wrapped around his figure.

"AAARGH!"

Reginald's muscles tightened and his blood flow stopped. The Wind shield shattered, and he felt a thousand nerves being stung with a needle at the same time.

Keith remained standing before him, his hand still touching his shoulder, with a blank expression on his face.

The crowd finally understood what was happening.

A conduction of lightning and Reginald was an unwilling participation. Lightning poured through both of them in equal bouts but while one's body was built for it, the other wasn't.

The Match Coordinator's eyes widened as he frantically waved an orange flag. He moved closer despite his worries for his own health.

"Release him! That is a Fatal Move!"

Keith did not move.

"Release him!"

Lightning continued to roar.

Reginald's scream echoed throughout the arena.

Several older Coordinators in the crowd stood from their seats, but they didn't move towards the arena yet. The crowd merely stared with pale faces.

The lightning eventually weakened. Keith gently took his hand off and stepped back.

Reginald's body collapsed heavily onto the ground.