(Back to the present)
"Something funny happened, kid? Why are you smiling?"
Pandora asked while frowning. She thought this would be a sad or complicated scene for him.
Theon looked at her and smiled.
"I was able to say goodbye properly."
Pandora snorted.
"You do realize that this is just a memory, right? He can't actually hear or see you, weirdo."
Theon laughed
"Sure, sure. So, are we done here now?"
Pandora grinned.
"On the contrary, this is where it begins. This is where your story truly began."
The battle was over, and people were cheering. Thalia had a triumphant look on her face. Reyna was sitting in her seat like she had never left. In an official duel, the victor is decided when the opponent loses their life or cannot continue. After 10 seconds, the winner was determined. People started counting.
10, 9, 8,7 …
It was just a formality. The result was already clear. At least that's what they thought. But then, the countdown suddenly stopped. Thalia, who was confused, turned around to see what had happened.
The figure that had fallen and was on his knees slowly got up. Even as he was standing, his form was unstable. As if he could fall down anytime. He slowly took a sword stance and muttered.
"Eclipse sword art, first form"
"What th-"
She suddenly ducked to the side by instinct. She felt a slight pain in her left cheek, and a drop of blood flowed down.
"Mirage sword path"
With that, multiple cuts started appearing on her body. Nothing lethal, but still painful. Both were in an exhausted state, but Thalia was steadily regaining her stamina due to her high recovery speed. She observed him closely and muttered,
"Broth-"
He raised his sword again and took a different stance. Then he launched at her again. He was slow, his form was on the verge of breakdown. But still, he reached Thalia in just a few steps and started striking. Thalia had some trouble due to her injured state, but still, she deflected each strike with her spear.
Theon looked to be unconscious. His eyes were hazy, without any focus. But still, he fought instinctively, avoiding each blow from her spear. It was not speed, but looked to be technique and instinct. Without even being in a proper state of mind, he knew where she would strike and avoided it. Slowly, injuries started piling up on her body. She was still confused about what was going on. Adrian is dead, and she has never seen Theon fighting like this.
She calmed herself. At the end of the day, this is just a desperate struggle. Even if divinity is scarce, her mana has somewhat recovered. She circulated mana and suddenly improved her speed and struck him in the abdomen, leaving no room for dodging.
Theon was thrown away by the blow and landed on the ground. After letting out an agonizing cry of pain, he slowly got up again. Before he could raise his sword again, Thalia launched a fireball at him, putting him down again. His skin was burned in numerous places.
In order to make sure he stays down this time, she focused all her mana into the spear and started walking towards him.
"Stay down, brother. I will explain everything when you wake up."
She was about to knock him out when suddenly, he grabbed her spear with his bare hands. Though the process was faulty and inefficient, he somehow reinforced both his arms mana. It's like he was learning and adapting while fighting. A crimson mana circle appeared at his feet. Before Thalia could realize what he was doing, the circle exploded, with both of them in the blast radius.
The duel that looked legendary, just a few minutes ago, was now replaced with a charade of desperate and suicidal attacks. This was not the young master they knew. This was more similar to a dog fight. But still, he is somehow injuring an avatar. Reyna clicked her tongue and got up from her seat.
"Seriously? Does she have to do everything by herself?"
When the dust settled, both were still standing, but Theon was even more injured. It's a miracle he is still standing. Thalia had a thin layer of silver flames around her body.
Suddenly, Theon started screaming in pain. Different types of white runic symbols started appearing on his body. Then, the white flames burst forward. But rather than bending to his will, they started flowing out of his body and got absorbed in the golden spear. He felt all strength leaving his body and fell.
The spectators realized what had happened. When the patron god of a clan decides to seal away the bloodline of an unworthy person, this incident occurs. It was clear now; young master Theon was abandoned by the gods. He truly has nothing left.
"Give it back."
He slowly muttered. Thalia sighed and went there to land a final blow. She did not enjoy this, but he kept getting back up. At this rate, he will destroy his own body. This time, she raised her fist to strike.
"Give it back." She heard again. She gave a pointed, hypocritical look.
"Brother, this is getting pathetic. Please don't sully your name anymore. Everything is fine now." She raised her fist and struck.
...…..
"Your defiance is admirable, kid. But that's not enough. You need power, influence, or both."
Pandora spoke, observing with a solemn look.
"I know that. It has been a long time since this happened, you know. I still don't understand why you are showing this to me."
Theon grumbled.
"Kid, I want you to understand what belongs to only you. Your own achievements. Among all your achievements until now, the most important ones happened right here."
Theon gave her a confused look.
"Common and rare skills were given to people as per their own characteristics. But there are some skills that were born in desperate, intense situations. Skills that are an extension of their own unyielding will."
That's when Theon understood what she was saying. It's true. This is where his unique skill appeared.
"Also, I wanted you to see the power you inherited at your birth. When you defied death with your own will"
As soon as she finished speaking,
The temperature in the arena suddenly rose. Thalia was thrown back. The ground started shaking, and Theon's voice suddenly reverberated.
"I said, give back what you stole from me."
With that, he got back to his feet. For the first time, he looked Thalia in the eyes. His pupils changed into piercing blue. Thalia felt all strength, leaving her body. She felt as if looking at an absolute being. She froze in shock, and Theon approached her.
Reyna did not understand what was happening. She cursed. At this rate, everything will be for naught. She was weak after what she did to Adrian, but she gathered her remaining divinity and launched it at Theon, freezing him on the spot.
Then she sighed. She threw a look at Thalia, who was still frozen.
"Damn this stupid useless avatar. Why was an incompetent person like this chosen?" She thought. She tried to give her a signal to finish it quickly, but something unforeseen happened.
Reality around Theon started cracking, and he slowly started moving again.
"What the "
She poured even more divinity, but it did not stop. Suddenly, an emerald color flame rose forth, engulfing Theon. The flame raged forth as if challenging the whole world. Theon was covered entirely in flames, only his eyes were visible. He looked like a demon straight from hell.
Under everyone's terrified and helpless gaze, he made his way towards Thalia, who was shaking from an unknown fear. He raised his sword and slashed her abdomen, creating a perfect X mark with Adrian's sword strike.
But he never delivered the finishing blow. The flame vanished as if never appeared. Theon has passed out while standing on his feet. With that, finally, the winner of the duel was decided in one of the most memorable duels.
...….
Pandora looked at Theon while he was observing the last moments of the fight. He had an amazed look on his face.
"Kid, that is the power born out of your own will. A flame which never existed before. Power that belongs to you and you alone."
She stood in front of him in a dramatic manner and spoke.
"Feast your eyes on the Unyielding flame."