The air around Adam rippled with golden energy as his nuclear core surged to life, brighter than it had ever been since his reincarnation. His companions stood frozen, stunned by the sheer weight of the moment. Duncan's blood pooled beneath his still form, Liria trembling as she tried to move closer but was forced back by the suffocating aura of Veylor Maldrak, the maniac swordmaster of the Ascended Seven.
Veylor stood at ease, his greatsword lazily balanced on one shoulder. His blood-red aura flickered like wildfire, casting a sinister glow against the empty streets of Eldwyn. He grinned, a twisted mix of amusement and disdain plastered across his face.
"You're radiating more power now," Veylor taunted, tilting his head. "But what's the point of all that energy if you don't know how to wield it? Do you think anger alone will help you win?"
Adam didn't respond. His golden eyes narrowed, focusing entirely on Veylor. The nuclear energy radiating from him began to stabilize, forming a faint golden aura around his body, amplifying his speed and strength. He stepped forward, his grip on his sword tightening as his energy hummed with deadly precision.
"Everyone," Adam said quietly, his voice steady but firm, "get back."
Seren, though reluctant, grabbed Kaela and Eryk by the shoulders, pulling them away. "Liria, stay behind me!" she barked, shielding the trembling healer, who still knelt beside Duncan's motionless body.
"Adam—" Seren started, but he cut her off.
"Now!" Adam's voice boomed with authority, leaving no room for argument.
The Fight Begins
Veylor chuckled darkly, his crimson aura intensifying. "A one-on-one fight, huh? How noble. But if you think you'll be the one to take me down, you're delusional."
In a blink, Veylor was in motion. His greatsword came down in a vertical slash, the sheer force of it splitting the ground as Adam sidestepped at the last moment. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the street, shattering nearby windows and sending debris flying.
Adam retaliated with a sharp upward slash, his blade glowing with nuclear energy. The strike connected with Veylor's blade, and the clash of their opposing forces sent sparks flying. Adam poured more energy into the attack, his golden aura flaring, but Veylor's grin widened as he pushed Adam back with ease.
"You've got power," Veylor said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But no finesse. No control."
Adam ignored him, focusing instead on keeping up with the swordmaster's relentless attacks. Veylor's movements were precise, every swing of his blade calculated to exploit Adam's weaknesses.
Adam's enhanced speed allowed him to dodge most of the attacks, but Veylor's power and technique kept him on the defensive. Each time their blades clashed, the force rattled Adam's arms, and it became increasingly clear that Veylor was toying with him, drawing out the fight for his own amusement.
Adam's Desperation
"You're sloppy," Veylor sneered, slamming his greatsword down again. Adam managed to block the strike, but the sheer force drove him to one knee, the cobblestones beneath him cracking under the pressure.
"Come on, 'hero,'" Veylor said, leaning closer. "Is this the best you've got? How do you plan to protect anyone when you can't even protect yourself?"
Adam's jaw tightened, his nuclear core pulsing erratically. The words stung because he knew there was truth to them. Duncan's lifeless body was a stark reminder of his failure. He wasn't strong enough—not yet.
But he couldn't give up. Not now. Not ever.
Adam's aura flared brighter, and with a burst of energy, he pushed Veylor back, swinging his sword in a wide arc. A wave of golden energy erupted from the blade, surging toward Veylor in a blinding flash.
Veylor's eyes gleamed with excitement as he raised his greatsword, splitting the energy wave in two with a single swing. The attack crashed harmlessly into the buildings behind him, leaving massive scorch marks but doing no real damage.
"You're predictable," Veylor said, his grin widening. "But I'll give you credit—at least you're entertaining."
He lunged forward again, his movements blindingly fast. Adam barely had time to react as the greatsword came at him in a deadly horizontal slash. He ducked, the blade narrowly missing his head, and countered with a strike aimed at Veylor's midsection.
For the first time, Adam's sword connected, slicing through Veylor's armor and leaving a faint trail of golden energy on his torso.
The cultist froze, glancing down at the wound. Then, slowly, he began to laugh.
"That's it?" Veylor said, wiping the small trickle of blood from his chest. "You think a scratch like this is enough to stop me?"
The Turning Point
Veylor's aura flared dangerously, the blood-red energy surrounding him growing darker and more violent. "Enough playing around," he snarled, his earlier amusement replaced with cold fury. "Let me show you what real power looks like."
With a burst of speed, Veylor closed the distance between them, his greatsword glowing with malevolent energy. Adam raised his sword to block, but the impact was overwhelming. The force sent him flying backward, slamming into the wall of a nearby building.
"Adam!" Seren shouted, starting forward, but Adam held up a hand to stop her.
"I'm fine," Adam said, though his voice was strained. He pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from a cut on his forehead. His nuclear core hummed faintly, struggling to keep up with the demands of the fight.
"You're not fine," Veylor said mockingly. "You're barely standing. But don't worry—I'll make this quick. Your death will be a lesson to anyone foolish enough to challenge the cult."
Adam's fists clenched, his aura flickering as his nuclear core surged again. "You're wrong," he said, his voice low but steady. "I'm not dying here. And you're not killing anyone else."
The golden aura around him grew brighter, more intense. His nuclear core burned hotter, and for a brief moment, Adam felt a familiar power stirring deep within him—the faintest trace of the strength he'd once wielded as the Nuclear Sentinel.
A Dangerous Gamble
Adam knew he couldn't sustain this level of power for long. His nuclear core wasn't fully reawakened, and pushing it too far could kill him. But he didn't care. If this was the only way to protect his companions, he'd risk everything.
The air around Adam shimmered as his aura expanded, golden energy swirling around him like a storm. The cracks in the ground deepened, and the oppressive weight of his power sent a ripple of unease through Veylor's confident facade.
"Ah," Veylor said, his grin faltering slightly. "So you've got a bit more fight in you after all. Good. Show me everything you've got before I kill you."
Adam didn't respond. With a burst of speed, he charged forward, his blade glowing with radiant energy. Veylor met him head-on, their swords colliding in an explosion of light and sound that rocked the street.
This time, Adam pressed the attack. His strikes were faster, more precise, each one imbued with the full force of his nuclear energy. Veylor was forced to step back, his earlier arrogance replaced with grim focus as he struggled to match Adam's ferocity.
The Battle's End
Despite his surge in power, Adam's body began to falter. His stamina was draining rapidly, and every swing of his sword felt heavier than the last. Veylor, sensing his advantage, launched a brutal counterattack, forcing Adam to his knees.
"You put up a good fight," Veylor said, raising his greatsword for the finishing blow. "But in the end, strength alone isn't enough."
As the blade came down, Adam's nuclear core pulsed one final time, and a burst of golden light erupted from his body, deflecting the attack and sending Veylor staggering backward. The cultist cursed, but before he could recover, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
"That's enough!" a commanding voice boomed.
Both Adam and Veylor turned to see a group of Eldwyn's elite guards rushing toward the scene, their weapons drawn. At their head was Captain Vaelis, the leader of the city's defense forces.
Veylor frowned, his crimson aura flickering. "Tch. I'd love to stay and finish this, but it seems our fun is over."
He sheathed his greatsword, his grin returning. "This isn't the last time we'll meet, 'hero.' Next time, I'll finish what I started."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving Adam and his companions to regroup.
As the guards secured the area, Seren and the others rushed to Adam's side.
"Adam!" Seren shouted, kneeling beside him as he slumped to the ground. His golden aura flickered out, leaving him pale and exhausted.
"I'm... fine," Adam said weakly, though his trembling hands said otherwise.
Kaela shook her head. "You're not fine. You pushed yourself too far."
Liria placed her glowing hands on his chest, channeling healing energy into his battered body. "You can't keep doing this, Adam," she said, her voice soft but firm. "You're going to get yourself killed."
Adam's golden eyes met hers, his gaze unwavering. "As long as it means keeping all of you alive... I'll take that risk."