LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 20: The Fire within
Chapter 20: The Fire Within
The morning sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the tournament grounds. Despite the bright day, a chill clung to the air—a lingering reminder of the darkness that had come so close to consuming everything the night before.
Kai stood alone at the edge of the training field, his fingers wrapped tightly around Inferno Draconix. He replayed the battle against Zephyr in his mind, searching for any weakness in Nemesis he might have missed. The memory of that swirling darkness, powerful and relentless, made his heart pound.
"Focusing too hard will burn you out, you know."
Kai turned to see Raven leaning casually against a nearby railing, her silver-flamed jacket glinting in the light. She tossed a small stone into the air and caught it with ease, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"You survived Zephyr," she said with a nod. "That's impressive."
Kai met her gaze. "It's not over. Nemesis is still out there. And it's stronger than I thought."
Raven smirked, walking over to stand beside him. "Of course it is. Darkness like that doesn't just go away because you push it back once. It grows. It waits." She flicked the stone into the air again, catching it without looking. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
"I did," Kai admitted, gripping Draconix tighter. "But knowing it and feeling it are two different things."
For a moment, the two Bladers stood in silence, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Then Raven tilted her head, a curious gleam in her eyes. "What drives you, Kai? Why do you fight so hard? What is it you're really protecting?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. He looked down at Draconix, the fiery core pulsing gently in his hand. "I'm fighting to protect what matters—my friends, my future. And to stop anyone from being consumed by power like Nemesis."
Raven studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "That kind of resolve… it's rare. And it's exactly what you'll need."
The next round of the tournament was set to begin. The stadium was alive with energy, the roar of the crowd shaking the ground beneath Kai's feet as he stepped onto the platform. Across from him stood a tall, broad-shouldered Blader with a fierce grin and a massive, shark-themed Beyblade spinning in his hands.
"Bladers, take your positions!"
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena as the countdown began.
"Three… two… one… Let it rip!"
Inferno Draconix launched from Kai's hand with a roar of flames, streaking across the stadium like a comet. The shark-themed Bey, Tempest Leviathan, shot forward with a surge of water-like energy, the air around it rippling like waves.
"Leviathan, Tidal Break!" the opposing Blader commanded.
Tempest Leviathan spun faster, creating a vortex of water that rushed toward Draconix. The swirling force pushed against the flames, threatening to drown them out.
"Draconix, Inferno Spiral!" Kai shouted.
The fire dragon blazed with renewed strength, flames twisting into a spiral pattern that surged through the water vortex. Heat clashed against water, steam hissing and filling the arena. Sparks flew as the two Beyblades collided, each fighting for dominance.
"You won't last!" the Blader taunted. "Leviathan's got the stamina to outlast any fire!"
Kai's eyes blazed. "Then we'll burn brighter! Draconix, Blazing Rebound!"
Draconix shifted its spin, absorbing the impact and redirecting its force. The fiery spiral grew stronger, pushing back the water vortex. With a final burst of power, it slammed into Tempest Leviathan, sending it flying across the stadium.
The crowd erupted as Leviathan wobbled, its spin slowing… and stopped.
"Winner: Kai and Inferno Draconix!"
The cheers roared in his ears, but Kai's focus remained sharp. He picked up Draconix, its core burning hot. Another victory—but the true battle was still to come.
Later that day, as Kai left the stadium, he felt the familiar chill of darkness creeping in. A figure stood at the far edge of the field—Zephyr, his golden eyes gleaming.
"The fire grows," Zephyr murmured. "But every flame eventually turns to ash."
Kai's grip tightened. "Not this one."
To be continued…