Chapter 72 - Duel of Destiny
Silence consumed the clearing.
A transparent barrier of shimmering crystal enclosed the battlefield.
Outside, dozens of contestants watched anxiously.
No one could enter.
No one could interfere.
The only sounds were the gentle rustling of leaves...
And the slow footsteps of two rivals.
Kai Dragonbane.
Darius of the Eclipse Court.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts materialised.
Special Match
Kai Dragonbane
- Rank: Master Beast Tamer
- Star Fragments: 3
- Contract Beast: Crimson Flame Fox
VS
Darius
- Rank: Grandmaster Beast Tamer
- Affiliation: Eclipse Court
- Contract Beast: Shadow Silver Wolf
Victory Condition:
Opponent Surrenders or Becomes Unable to Fight.
---
Darius rested his black spear on his shoulder.
"I've heard so many stories about the Beast Sovereign."
"I hope you're worth the trouble."
Kai calmly twirled his Star-forged spear.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The Crimson Flame Fox stepped beside him.
Its nine tails burned with crimson-gold flames.
Across the battlefield, the Shadow Silver Wolf lowered its body.
Black mist seeped from beneath its paws.
---
"Begin."
Lunara's voice echoed across the arena.
Instantly—
Both fighters vanished.
CLANG!
Their spears collided at the centre of the clearing.
A shockwave tore through the forest.
Ancient trees bent from the force.
Contestants outside the barrier stumbled backwards.
Bjorn laughed despite his injuries.
"Now that's a fight!"
---
Darius smiled.
"Fast."
Kai answered with another thrust.
"But not fast enough."
He activated Spirit Step.
His figure split into three afterimages.
Three spears struck from different directions.
Darius calmly spun his weapon.
A sphere of black energy erupted around him.
Every illusion shattered.
"You rely too much on movement."
---
The Shadow Silver Wolf lunged.
Dark claws ripped through the ground.
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt forward.
"Eclipse Blaze!"
Golden-crimson fire collided with shadow.
The explosion illuminated the entire forest.
When the smoke cleared...
Both beasts stood their ground.
Neither had gained the advantage.
---
The Book flashed.
Combat Analysis
Shadow Silver Wolf
Corruption Level:
37%
Recommendation:
Purification is possible.
---
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"It isn't completely corrupted."
Darius's smile faded.
"You noticed."
He gently placed a hand on the wolf's head.
"I never wanted this."
Kai blinked.
"What?"
---
The duel paused for a heartbeat.
Darius sighed.
"The Eclipse Court offered me power."
"They said they could save him."
"He was dying."
"I accepted."
The Shadow Silver Wolf whimpered softly.
Its crimson eyes briefly returned to silver.
Only for a moment.
Then the darkness swallowed them again.
---
Kai lowered his spear slightly.
"You still care about your partner."
"I owe him my life."
Darius replied quietly.
"But every time I use Eclipse power..."
"He suffers."
Outside the barrier...
Aria whispered,
"So that's why he keeps smiling..."
"He's hiding the pain."
---
Suddenly—
A cold voice echoed through the clearing.
"Enough."
A black crystal floating high above the battlefield began glowing.
The symbol of the Eclipse Court appeared upon it.
Darius's face changed.
"No..."
"Not now."
The crystal pulsed violently.
Dark chains erupted from it.
They wrapped around the Shadow Silver Wolf.
The beast screamed in agony.
Its corruption surged.
37%... 54%... 71%... 89%
Darius shouted,
"Stop!"
The crystal ignored him.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts trembled.
External Interference Detected
Source:
Unknown Eclipse Authority
Battle Rules Violated.
---
The Shadow Silver Wolf transformed.
Its body doubled in size.
Jagged black armour covered its limbs.
Six crimson eyes opened across its face.
It no longer recognised Darius.
The beast turned...
Not toward Kai.
Toward its own master.
"Darius!"
Kai shouted.
The corrupted wolf charged.
Without thinking—
Kai threw himself between them.
BOOM!
The beast's claws struck Kai's spear.
The impact hurled him backwards.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
But Darius remained unharmed.
He stared at Kai in disbelief.
"You..."
"You protected me?"
Kai stood, wiping the blood away.
"A Beast Sovereign protects beasts..."
He pointed his spear at the monstrous wolf.
"...and the people who believe in them."
The Crimson Flame Fox stepped forward beside him.
Its flames burned brighter than ever.
Darius slowly tightened his grip on his black spear.
For the first time...
He stood beside Kai instead of facing him.
"I'll only ask once."
He looked directly at the Beast Sovereign.
"Can you save him?"
Kai smiled confidently.
"I don't know."
"But I'm going to try."
Outside the barrier, Lunara quietly closed her eyes.
"The real trial..."
"...has only just begun."
The transparent barrier dissolved.
The duel was over.
A far greater battle had begun.