The arena's atmosphere had shifted. The energy, once thick with tension, now felt charged with an odd sense of calm. Kael stood in his usual composed posture, his eyes never leaving the boy in front of him.
The boy, however, was no longer as confident.
His breathing was heavy, and though his body still radiated strength, there was something in his posture—a slight slump, the way he held his head—that indicated his carefully constructed facade was crumbling.
Kael's movements were deliberate, controlled. He hadn't rushed, hadn't overestimated his opponent. The boy had been playing a game, but Kael had played it better.
The boy, visibly sweating and with his clothes torn from the previous exchanges, grinned weakly. "You know, I was really hoping you'd fall for it longer."
Kael didn't answer right away. He took a small step forward, his eyes scanning the boy's body, noting the flaws in his defense. The boy's acting had been good, but not good enough.
The boy blinked, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. The arena had gone eerily quiet—except for the subtle hum of the Overseer AI in the background, its usual sarcastic tone now absent.
Zappy's voice broke the silence, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"I think this might be the end, Kael. He can barely stand now. You've got him right where you want him."
Kael's lips twitched in a small, almost imperceptible smile. But he didn't rush the finish. Instead, he continued to read his opponent's movements.
The boy took a step back, attempting to regroup, but the signs of exhaustion were now clear. His earlier feigned struggles had drained his energy, and the confidence he had once radiated was beginning to fade. He clenched his fists, trying to maintain some semblance of his former bravado.
The boy's voice came out, quieter this time, but still laced with defiance.
"I gotta admit... I didn't think you'd keep your cool like this. Most people would've gone in for the kill by now."
Kael's eyes narrowed. He had already known what to expect from the boy—theatrics and all. But now, with the act falling apart, he saw the boy for who he truly was. Someone who wasn't as resilient as he made himself out to be.
In a blur of motion, Kael struck—precise, calculated, and quick. A blow to the boy's side knocked him off balance, sending him to his knees.
The boy grunted in pain but managed to stay on his feet, though it was clear his strength was waning. Kael didn't give him the chance to recover. In one swift motion, he landed another strike—right to the boy's chest. This time, the boy staggered backward, his eyes wide in surprise.
There was no more grin. No more cocky attitude.
The boy collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, his body sprawled out on the arena floor. The fight was over, but Kael didn't move to finish it just yet.
Kael stood over him, waiting. The arena fell completely silent, as if waiting for the boy to make his move.
The boy, looking up from the ground, let out a deep sigh, almost as if he was relieved. His body trembled slightly from the impact, but there was no bitterness in his expression. Instead, there was something almost… playful.
"Ahhh, you got me, man," the boy said, his voice surprisingly light, as though he had been waiting for this moment all along. "It was fun to play with you, Kael."
Kael's expression remained neutral, though inwardly, he couldn't help but feel a touch of amusement at the boy's unexpected reaction.
The boy pushed himself up, wincing but somehow managing to keep his posture. He wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth and locked eyes with Kael.
"I gotta admit," the boy continued, his voice almost teasing now, "you really caught me off guard. But, hey, I'm curious. Where'd I mess up? I thought I had you for a second there, but you turned the tables."
There was no bitterness in his tone. No hatred. Just a genuine curiosity, as if he was asking for feedback after a friendly sparring match.
Kael didn't immediately answer. He just stood there, his arms at his sides. His eyes studied the boy, now lying defeated before him. Despite everything, Kael could see the boy's nature—playful, unpredictable, and deeply calculating.
The Overseer AI's voice rang out, breaking the moment with its usual flair:
"Oh, what a twist! A plot with no villain! Someone give this boy an award for drama, please! But oh, what a shame. We all thought it was going to be a grand finale. But noooo, the boy just asked for advice!"
Kael's gaze flickered to the AI, then back to the boy, who was still waiting for an answer, like a student waiting for his teacher's verdict.
"You were too predictable," Kael said, his voice low and steady. "You built the entire fight around a false narrative. You tried to make me believe I was in danger when you were the one exposed the entire time. Your moves were calculated, but they lacked conviction."
The boy stared at him for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I got too carried away with the performance. Thought I could get you to drop your guard, but you never did."
There was a beat of silence.
Finally, the boy dropped his head slightly, as if acknowledging his defeat. "Fair enough. You got me. I won't forget this, Kael. Not for a second."
Kael nodded once, turning to leave as the arena fell into silence once more.