The Forbidden Element

The battlefield was silent for a moment.

Only the crackling of flames and the distant screams of the fallen echoed through the ruined city.

Surya stood firm, golden energy crackling around him. His breathing was heavy, his grip on his sword tight.

Opposite him, Lord Varun stood calm. Relaxed. Unshaken.

He was playing with him.

And that infuriated Surya.

Without hesitation, Surya rushed forward.

BOOM!

His blade glowed, slashing through the air with blinding speed.

CLANG!

Varun blocked it effortlessly.

A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Faster than I expected."

Surya gritted his teeth. Not fast enough.

He twisted, launching another attack—this time aiming for Varun's side.

But—Varun wasn't there.

A gust of wind brushed past Surya's face.

His eyes widened.

Behind me—

CRACK!

A sharp kick slammed into Surya's ribs, sending him crashing into a stone wall. The impact shook the ground, debris raining down around him.

He coughed, spitting blood.

Varun sighed, rolling his shoulders. "You fight with fire, but you lack finesse."

Surya pushed himself up, wiping his mouth. He couldn't let this man walk all over him.

He had to think.

Surya's mind raced. Rushing in blindly wouldn't work.

Varun was stronger, faster, more experienced. His attacks weren't just brute force—they were calculated.

But Surya had something he didn't.

A warrior's instinct.

Surya took a deep breath. Focus.

Golden energy surged around him as he charged again.

Varun met his attack head-on. Their blades clashed, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Sparks flew, flames whipped around them.

But this time—Surya adapted.

Varun swung—a downward slash meant to break his defense.

Surya sidestepped, twisting his body just enough to avoid it.

A fraction of a second. That was all he needed.

He countered.

SLASH!

A clean cut ran across Varun's armor, sparks flying.

The impact forced Varun back a step.

A flicker of amusement crossed his face.

Then, he laughed.

Varun touched his armor where Surya had struck, examining the slight scratch.

Then, he grinned.

"Finally."

The air around him shifted.

The playful amusement in his expression vanished. His presence grew heavier.

Surya tensed.

Something was coming.

Varun lifted his sword—and the ground trembled.

"No more games."**

A sudden wave of pure pressure crashed against Surya, forcing him to his knees. His arms trembled, his breath caught in his throat.

What... is this?

Varun's golden-red eyes glowed.

And then—he moved.

Faster than sight.

Surya barely had time to react.

BOOM!

Varun's sword slammed into him, sending him skidding across the battlefield, crashing through a burning building.

Pain exploded through his body. His vision blurred.

He struggled to breathe—to move.

Varun stepped through the flames, unscathed. His sword rested casually over his shoulder.

"You don't stand a chance."

Surya gritted his teeth, his fists clenching.

He couldn't let it end like this.

He wouldn't.

A golden light flickered in his eyes.

He pushed himself up. One more time.

To Be Continued...