Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 17: The Giant Steps In

In the depth of Councilor Vane's dark chamber,  Councilor Vane stood tall. His hands were behind his back while his voice was cold and commanding.

Before him, knelt an enforcer, Mark as his eyes peered into his.

“You will challenge Kai Draven to a death battle,” Vane ordered without hesitation with his harsh glare. 

Mark’s heart froze on hearing. As he completely processed the information, his head snapped up and his face went pale. “M-My Lord… I’m no match for him. He’ll kill me.” He stuttered in panic and his heart pounded hard against his chest. 

Vane turned slowly, a lowly smirk curled his lips. “I know. You’re not a match for him. Let me say that you are just the spark. And don’t worry… you won’t die if you follow simple instructions.” His eyes thinned as he picked his words carefully. 

Swallowing hard with bulged eyes, Mark bowed his head. “I understand.” He was still scared but he just had to pretend as if he understood and he had to carry out the order. His eyes fiercely ran across the ground that he faced. 

Meanwhile, Kai sat quietly in the open area of the big third-degree cell. He was meditating beneath a stone archway carved with fallen student's names. 

BANG!

A loud clang echoed through the air and the cell doors were forced open. An enforcer stepped in with a fierce gaze. His aura was imposing and fierce stance was echoing the threat.

Kai opened his eyes fiercely and he turned at once to behold the sight, “What is it now?” Kai asked and rose to his feet while he narrowed his gaze.

The enforcer shot a deadly glare at him. “You’ve been challenged to a battle,” the enforcer announced with a smirk. 

Kai’s brow furrowed. “By who?” As he asked, his heart went straight to the giant, ‘Could it be the giant?’ His heart slowly raced not with fear but with surprise. He didn't expect it would be that fast.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” came the clipped reply from the enforcer.

‘It's the giant,’ he concluded within himself. Kai followed him with clenched fists and unease twisting in his gut.

As he reached the battle ground. There was an uproar. The battle arena buzzed with heavy whispers. Students packed the stands, murmuring in confusion and curiosity.

“What's happening? Why is Kai having a battle confrontation while getting punished in the  third degree cell?” 

“I don't know either. Are they trying to bypass the law?”

 As they echoed in confusion, Kai was dragged onto the stage by the enforcer and irritation etched on his face.

He turned toward the high platform where Councilor Vane sat with the academy officials. He grinded his teeth before he opened his mouth to speak. 

“This is absurd!” Kai yelled. “My power was flagged forbidden and it is your own ruling! According to Academy Law 73B, I’m disqualified from any sanctioned battle! why am I here?” Kai confronted him. 

Vane’s eyes narrowed with intense breath, but he kept calm.

“That’s correct,” he said and he stood on his feet. His eyes descended on the crowd before he finally fixed his eyes on the Kai. “But your punishment cannot be limited to mere imprisonment. You must endure public penance, battle after battle. That is why you were sent to the third-degree cell.” He explained.

Kai scoffed and his jaw tightened. ‘So the rules only mattered when they favored the powerful. This is corruption.’ He refuted. Kai decided that he would fight the battle since that was what he wanted.   He nodded with his teeth grinded one another, “Let’s get this over with.” He spoke loudly.  

‘You don't know what is coming for you.’ Councilor Vane's face darkened and he sat down.

The Battle Began after the countdown. Mark, Level 7, stepped into the arena with a sharp glare. His energy radiated forcefully. He didn’t speak but his fear and frustration masked behind discipline. ’I hope this won't be my end.’ Mark breathed slowly as his heart raced against his chest.

Kai narrowed his gaze on him and the battle horn blared.

Kai charged forward with his movements, fluid and relentless. He threw the first punch, Mark managed to dodge it. Kai didn't stop and he threw blow after blow until he overwhelmed Mark. The crowd watched in stunned silence as Mark fell to his knees and coughed out blood.

With breath puffing out of his nostrils, ‘Councilor Vane told me I won't go down. But I am losing my life slowly. Why is he yet to do anything?’ As he thought in his head with disappointment. He stood strong against Kai.

Councilor Vane stood after he had satisfied the urge to watch. He turned and silently left the arena. His enforcers followed behind.

No one knew he left the battle arena except for Kai who caught his sneaky movement from the corner of his eye while he was battling Mark.

‘Where is he going…? Could he be up to something dangerous?’ Kai arched his eyebrows in thought. 

In the depths of Ironsphire academy, seated was an ancient prison sealed away. Councilor Vane arrived at the it's high gate. Chains rattled behind the steel bars as Karly Ray - the Giant stood on his feet after so many years of slumber.

Councilor Vane used his innate system power to break the prison barriers. “You are free,” Vane announced. “But act like you escaped. Go to the arena and kill Kai Draven. Do you understand?” 

The giant growled low but he was still in disbelief. “And then I am free afterwards to rule?” He asked with half -excitement.

“If he dies, no one can stop you,” Vane whispered. ‘You ain't free after killing him. Once a garbage, Karly, you will be forever.’ He echoed within himself as he gazed at the gate with disgust.

Without hesitation, the giant burst forward and he smashed the gates with monstrous strength. The academy shook on its impact. But none of the students were aware because they were all at the battle arena.

But before entering the arena, Karly made sure Vane had returned to his seat. The plan was to make Karly’s breakout look like he escaped from the cell.

Back in the arena, Kai spotted Councilor Vane when he returned to his seat. His eyes thinned, ‘What’s happening?’ He was confused. 

Kai stood over Mark and he was ready to deliver the final blow.

Then…. “STOP!” A voice like an earthquake boomed through the arena. Interrupting Kai's final strike. 

The academic student gasped with shock and surprise. The ground trembled under his feet.

Kai raised his head and when he beheld the giant, ‘Karly… So, Councilor Vane summoned you.’ He connected the dots but he remained unfazed.

The Giant marched into the arena. He was towering with radiating power and vengeance was in his eyes. His presence drowned the air in fear.

“I’ll be your opponent,” he snarled with a deep echo. “Leave that weakling. Come face someone your size.” He spoke fiercely.

Kai stepped back slowly and  his breath caught in his throat.

The students in the crowd stood frozen in shock. As their jaw dropped.

“Is that… the giant from the prison?” The student expressed. All they heard was stories  about the giant and now, they could tell he was real.

“He’s real? But he was sealed away!” Another echoed.

The academy council members stood in confusion.

“What’s happening? How did he escape?” one asked. “The seal wasn’t supposed to break!” Another person intoned.

Soon, all their eyes turned to Councilor Vane.

Even though Councilor Vane saw their heads turning to him, he sat still and his lips pressed together while he watched the storm he had just unleashed.