The infirmary was silent.
The steady beeping of monitors filled the air as a golden healing light washed over Inavy Stormbreak's body. The wounds from his last battle still burned beneath the bandages wrapping his arms and chest.
The medic stepped back, adjusting his glasses with a nod.— "You're stable. But you need to rest for at least one hour before your next match."
Inavy let out a tired sigh.— "Just one hour, huh..."
He turned his head slowly. On the bed beside him lay Darius Valtier, hands folded behind his head, the same easy grin plastered on his face.
— "You gave me the most trouble in this whole Draft, Darius," Inavy said with a faint laugh.
— "You think so?" Darius smirked. "Or are you just feeling sorry for me?"
Inavy chuckled softly.— "Maybe a bit of both. But honestly, I hope we end up in the same guild. We'd be unstoppable."
Darius laughed lightly, staring at the ceiling.— "Yeah… just don't go hogging all the spotlight, alright?"
— "I promise," Inavy replied, smiling sincerely.
Their brief moment of peace was interrupted by a familiar voice.
— "Inavy!"
Rose Eldara rushed into the room, her blonde hair still damp with sweat from her own match. Her bright blue eyes were filled with worry.
— "Are you alright?!"
Inavy gave her a soft, crooked smile.— "About… eighty percent, I'd say."
Rose exhaled in relief and sat down beside his bed.Darius watched the two of them with an amused grin.
Inavy leaned back slightly.— "You know… it'd be great if the three of us ended up in the same guild."
Rose tilted her head.— "Really?"
— "Yeah. You've got that healing water thing going on — and I tend to get hurt a lot. Darius has divine light and spatial fields. Me? I've got chaotic lightning… and terrible decisions."
Darius laughed.— "We'd be terrifying."
Then he paused for a moment before asking:— "If you had to choose, which guild would you pick?"
Inavy shrugged.— "As long as I feel like I belong there… I'm fine."
Rose rested her chin on her hand, thoughtful.— "I think I'd go with the Phoenix Guild. It's led by Diana Flamesoul. She's insanely strong… and kind of scary."
Darius nodded in agreement.— "Good pick. The Guild of a Thousand Lights already has a Valtier — and Kelvin. He and Lorien are the faces of that guild."
Inavy smiled faintly.— "Then let's hope Phoenix gets the top three picks."
Silence filled the room once more — a rare moment of calm before the coming storm.
One hour later.
Heavy boots echoed down the hallway. The air seemed to shift, charged with a familiar weight.
Ray Stormbreak, the legendary Storm Hunter, entered the infirmary. His presence alone commanded attention — calm, powerful, like thunder before it strikes. His long black coat swayed behind him as his sharp gaze softened upon seeing his son.
— "Hey, kid," Ray said, voice deep and steady. "How're you holding up?"
Inavy looked up and smiled, bandages still across his face.— "I'd say… eighty percent fine, I think."
Ray's eyes fell on the Blade of Chaos, resting on an energy rack beside the bed. The weapon pulsed faintly, alive — as if breathing.
He stepped closer.— "So… son," he repeated softly.
Inavy's lips curved into a smaller, hesitant smile.— "Dad."
Ray noticed the hesitation in his son's eyes as he glanced at the blade. He walked forward, the faint static aura around him flickering like distant lightning.
— "Your battle with Kelvin will be tough," Ray said, voice laced with both pride and worry. "If you don't want to use the Blade of Chaos, take my daggers instead — Raijin and Arashi. They still remember the touch of thunder."
Inavy looked down at the twin blades his father extended toward him. They gleamed in hues of silver and blue — powerful, reliable, familiar.But he took a deep breath and shook his head.
— "Thank you, Dad… but I'll follow my own path."
Ray remained silent for a moment, studying the determination in his son's eyes. Then, slowly, he nodded.
Inavy reached toward the Blade of Chaos, his hands trembling slightly. The air around him began to hum. The instant his fingers touched the hilt, a surge of energy rushed through him.
The blade responded.
It vibrated, alive, resonating with his very soul. Streams of black and azure light spiraled around him, intertwining in perfect harmony. His aura flared, syncing flawlessly with the weapon's chaotic pulse.
The monitors flickered. The entire room seemed to tremble.
— "Dad… this is incredible…" Inavy whispered, eyes wide with awe.
Ray stared, stunned.— "I–Incredible…" he breathed. "That sword… it actually accepted you."
Before they could say more, the arena's announcement system blared:
"Inavy Stormbreak, report to the Main Arena!"
Inavy drew in a deep breath and stood up. His body ached, but his spirit burned.— "I'm heading to the arena, Dad."
— "I know, son," Ray said with a proud smile.
As Inavy reached the door, the Blade of Chaos now sheathed across his back, his father called out again.
— "Hey, son."
Inavy stopped.— "Yeah, Dad?"
Ray met his gaze — eyes of the same stormy blue they shared.— "Go… and break your limits."
Silence lingered for a heartbeat. Then Inavy smiled — that same fearless smile that always came before a storm.
— "You got it."
He stepped into the hallway, his footsteps echoing alongside the faint hum of the blade.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Narrator:
Inavy Stormbreak vs Kelvin Nox.
Two of the brightest stars.Two fates on a collision course.
And now… one of them wielded a blade that even destiny itself seemed to fear.