The God of War Calen Storm

Cheating?

Evan laughed, his voice booming across the arena. "Just because you managed to dodge one swing doesn’t mean you’ve won, Calen!" He gestured at the ground, where his massive blade had left a deep scar in the earth. "You haven’t even seen a fraction of my true strength."

The crowd cheered wildly, shouting for Evan to end the duel quickly. “Finish him, Evan!” someone yelled, while others laughed and jeered at Calen.

Calen tightened his grip on his sword, his voice cutting through the noise. “Then stop holding back. Show me everything you’ve got!”

Evan’s grin widened, his teeth flashing like a predator about to strike. "You dare challenge me, you worm? I’ll crush you like a cockroach beneath my foot!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting Evan’s name as he raised his massive sword high. The muscles in his arms tensed, his aura sukirging with raw power. The ground beneath him cracked as he launched himself forward with terrifying speed, his blade slicing downward with enough force to shatter boulders.

When the sword connected with the ground, the arena seemed to explode. Dust and debris shot into the air, and the earth trembled under the force of Evan’s attack. The spectators gasped and shielded their faces as a thick cloud of dust engulfed the battlefield.

“He’s done for!” someone shouted. “No one could survive that!”

As the dust began to settle, the crowd strained to see through the haze. Their murmurs of triumph turned to stunned silence.

Calen was still standing.

His figure emerged from the clearing dust, completely unharmed. His body crackled with arcs of blue lightning, each surge of energy wrapping around him like a living shield. His eyes glowed an otherworldly blue, the same color as the electricity dancing across his skin.

“What is this?” Evan growled, his confidence faltering for the first time.

Calen’s voice was calm but carried an edge of power. “I told you. Now, my turn.”

With a sudden burst of speed, Calen dashed forward. His sword, now imbued with the same crackling electricity, slashed toward Evan. The strike connected, and Evan staggered, falling to one knee as sparks flew from the impact.

The crowd gasped. Whispers spread like wildfire.

“What’s happening?”

“Is this... magic?”

“How is Calen doing this?”

Evan forced himself back to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. "This changes nothing!" he shouted. "I’ll crush you, no matter what tricks you use!"

But the crowd was no longer jeering. Their mocking smiles had vanished, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief. For the first time, they weren’t sure who would win.

Calen attacked again, his blade crackling with arcs of lightning. This time, Evan was more prepared. He deflected the strike with his massive sword, though the impact forced him to stumble back several meters. His boots dragged through the dirt, leaving two deep lines behind.

The crowd gasped in shock, even King Ryan's usually composed face showed a flicker of disbelief. Whispers rippled through the audience.

"What’s happening? Is Calen possessed?" one noblewoman muttered.

"This must be some sort of trickery!" Elijah, the Frost family patriarch, growled. "Someone must be aiding him with forbidden magic!"

Evan sneered, his confidence tinged with fury. "Cheating, are we? It doesn't matter what underhanded tactic you're using, Calen. A loser will always be a loser!"

The crowd erupted in cheers for Evan, chanting his name like a war cry, certain their champion would still prevail.

Calen, standing firm amidst the commotion, narrowed his glowing blue eyes. "And what if you can’t defeat me, Evan? What will that prove about you? A braggart who can’t back up his words."

The mockery struck a nerve. Evan’s face twisted with rage. He pointed his sword at Calen, his voice booming over the crowd. "Impossible! A worm like you could never best me! But if, by some miracle, you do…" He paused, letting the crowd quiet, then added with venom, "I’ll kneel before you and admit your victory. But mark my words, that will never happen!"

A faint smile curved Calen’s lips. He lowered his sword slightly, his voice steady and laced with challenge. "Then hold to your word, Evan. Let’s see who kneels before whom."

Elijah’s voice rang out, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "Even if Calen wins, it’s unfair if he’s cheating! There’s no way he could defeat Evan otherwise!"

Calen turned sharply to face Elijah, his glowing eyes blazing with defiance. "If you think I’m cheating, then prove it! Check me, my blade, or the arena for magic! You’ll find nothing!"

The crowd buzzed with speculation, their loyalties wavering as they debated whether Calen’s sudden strength was natural or supernatural.

Evan raised his hand, silencing both the crowd and Elijah’s protests. "Enough of this nonsense!" he bellowed, his booming voice filled with rage. "I don’t care how you’re doing it, Calen. You’re not leaving this arena alive!"

He raised his massive sword high above his head, its steel gleaming menacingly in the sunlight. "Forget exile—I’ll make sure you die here and now! That way, you’ll never again stain Aerondale with your pitiful existence!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their bloodlust ignited by Evan’s fiery declaration.

Calen tightened his grip on his sword, his electric aura sparking with renewed intensity.

"You talk too much, Evan. If you’re so eager to kill me, then come and try!"