The Forbidden Element

Chapter 32: Eclipse of the Forsaken

"This isn't teleportation..."

No—this was different.

His form flickered in and out of existence, like he was weaving between reality itself.

Surya barely blocked another strike, the impact shaking his bones.

His breathing was heavier now. His body felt slower.

The Forgotten One wasn't just moving faster—he was warping reality itself.

And Surya was trapped inside his domain.

Saria clenched her fists, her heart pounding.

"Surya is losing."

Rohan's flames dimmed, his usual cocky smirk nowhere in sight. "This isn't even a fight anymore..."

Aaryan's eyes were sharp, calculating. "He's doing something unnatural. The way he moves—he's bending reality."

Saria's eyes widened. "Bending...?"

Aaryan nodded grimly. "It's as if space itself bends to his will. Surya is fighting something beyond human comprehension."

Rohan cursed. "Then what the hell are we supposed to do?"

Saria took a step forward. "We have to help—"

Aaryan grabbed her arm. "No. We can't."

Saria turned, eyes blazing. "You're telling me to just stand here?!"

Aaryan's grip tightened. "If we interfere, we die. Instantly."

Saria gritted her teeth.

"Then what do we do?"

Aaryan's eyes didn't leave the battlefield.

"Surya has to evolve. Or he dies here."

Surya's vision blurred for a moment.

He wasn't sure how long he had been exchanging blows.

A second? A minute? An hour?

His body burned, his muscles screaming. Every attack, every dodge—it was costing him.

"This isn't working."

"I'm reacting. But I need to act."

The Forgotten One stepped forward, his presence looming.

"You're reaching your limit, aren't you?"

Surya exhaled, his mind steadying.

Then—he let go.

Not of his sword.

Not of the fight.

But of fear.

His body relaxed.

His golden aura flared.

And suddenly—he felt it.

The flow.

The rhythm.

The pattern.

This wasn't speed.

This was something deeper.

Something fundamental.

"It's not that he's fast... it's that he's shifting in ways reality allows him to."

"If I can predict the pattern—"

"I can intercept it."

The Forgotten One lunged—his speed blurring.

But this time—Surya moved before him.

A golden arc slashed through the air.

CLANG!

The Forgotten One's eyes widened slightly. "Oh?"

For the first time—Surya had countered.

The Forgotten One smirked. "Now you're interesting."

The golden aura around Surya's body intensified.

He exhaled.

The pain, the fatigue—they were still there.

But now, they didn't matter.

Now—he could see it.

"Let's go again."

The Forgotten One grinned. "With pleasure."

And they clashed once more.

(TO BE CONTINUED...)