CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

UNLIKELY FIGHTER

Kai’s eyes flew open.

He sat upright and scanned his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was and what happened to him. The cool night breeze blew around him, swaying the grass on the field he lay on. Chirping and buzzing emanated from all around him, signifying that somehow, he’d ended up on the surface.

“That bastard…” he muttered to himself.

The ground trembled then, a sign that the battle was still on. Maybe he could still join in as his master could be in trouble, but he doubted that. After all, Grimm was there to protect him. He struggled to his feet, trying to ignore the stinging in his cheek and the ringing in his ears.

“Ugh…I’ll have to get him back for that,” he muttered again.

“I'm afraid I can't let you do that.” someone replied.

Kai spun around to face the source of the voice and a mysterious figure stood there, clad in all black with a mask and a hat with a feather sticking out of it. His hands were stuffed into his pockets and he swayed a little too much to the side as he walked.

“And who might you be?”

The figure approached. “Me? I go by Astraeus, but you don't need to worry about names.”

“Well Astraeus, I’m Kai.”

“I know who you are.”

Kai’s brow furrowed in concentration as he noticed the tension in the air between them. Something about Astraeus seemed vaguely familiar, but also, maybe he was imagining it. He could just feel the intention in the air.

He just couldn’t tell what kind of intent it was.

“I’m going to have to apologize, Astraeus,” Kai paused for a second, checking to see if pronouncing his name out loud would ring any bells. When it didn’t, he continued, “But I don’t think you have the power to control what I do or not. It was nice meeting you…I think.”

He raised his hand in farewell and turned around, hoping Astraeus wouldn’t be foolish enough to try attacking him from behind.

If that happened, he’d be forced to kill someone he just met, and he wasn’t much in the mood for that.

“Hello again,”

Kai looked up and Astraeus was there, in front of him now instead of behind, where he’d left him. He casually glanced over his shoulder, where Astraeus was a second ago. “You're fast.”

Astraeus shrugged. “I'm just where I need to be.”

“I take it to mean you want to stop me?” Kai sighed.

Fighting Astraeus wasn’t much of a problem in itself, and he wasn’t in much of a hurry to get back to Caden. He might’ve gotten beat by surprise, but Caden was simply in a league of his own. No one in this backwater universe could ever hope to match him in a battle of strength. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“Up for what?”

“Up for standing against us, one of Bellum’s elite. Do you think you can handle that?”

Astraeus sighed and shook his head, “You can't see it, can you? People like you can never see beyond what's in front of you. You fight for Bellum, and for what? He uses you like he uses others. He'd dispose of you in a second if he felt like it.”

“So?” Kai retorted, “you think it's any more sensible to fight against him? He is inevitable. He quite literally goes around conquering dimensions. It's better to be part of a destructive force than to oppose it.”

“It's not better. It's easier.”

“Hmm, maybe so, but is that not what makes it better?”

The air between them crackled with even more tension, their gazes locked as they sized each other up. Kai’s force fields hummed to life around him, a shimmering green aura outlining his frame. Astraeus, on the other hand, was all sharp edges and a calm aura.

“If I were you,” Kai started, keeping his voice firm, “I’d get out of my way. I don’t know who you are, so you’re not important to me right now.”

Astraeus tilted his head slightly, his mask hiding whatever facial expression he was making. “You think you have a chance against me?” he said, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge.

Kai narrowed his eyes, the green energy around him intensifying. “I know what I’m dealing with. Do you?” His fight with Dang was all the warm-up he needed, and now, he felt wide awake. His power raged inside him, begging to be let out.

It’s just a shame he wouldn’t get a rematch with Dang. Not after Caden’s done with them down there.

He put his guard up.

Astraeus made the first move, blurring out of sight and reappearing behind Kai with a sword in hand, pulled from the sheath hidden beneath his black coat. Its hilt was intricately crafted, resembling a classic French model, and its blade glinted menacingly under the moonlight.

Kai spun around, just in time to deflect the strike with a force field that erupted from his arm. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Astraeus was already gone, vanishing as quickly as he’d appeared.

Kai didn’t have time to react before Astraeus reemerged, this time to his left, firing a shot from a gun, also a classic model. One that looked like it belonged in a museum.

Kai’s force field sprang to life again, manifesting on his left side, and absorbing the impact from the shot, but Astraeus had anticipated this. He dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant, and struck at Kai’s exposed side.

Kai grunted as Astraeus’ blow connected, forcing him to stagger back. His force fields were formidable, but Astraeus was relentless.

“You have skill, I’ll give you that,” Kai said, nursing the stinging in his side, “You caught me off guard with that last attack.”

“I don’t know if I can say the same for you,” Astraeus had already appeared several paces back, despite being just inches away mere moments before, “Your attack is very one-dimensional. I’d be hard-pressed to call it skill.”

Kai laughed, “Don’t worry, we’re just getting started.”

Kai centered himself, drawing on the deeper reserves of his power. The green outline around him darkened, becoming almost solid.

Astraeus ignored it and lunged at him again, but this time, Kai was ready. His force field fitzed, then expanded outward, trapping Astraeus in the bubble of green energy.

He tried to escape, but the force field followed his movements, pinning him in place. Kai smirked and clenched his fist, “To me.”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

The bubble obeyed, dragging Astraeus through the air and towards him.

“Impressive,” Astraeus remarked, his voice strained but carrying a mocking tone. “But is that all you’ve got?”

Astraeus sent a fist into the force field with all his might, the impact sending ripples across its surface.

“Don’t be stupid, you couldn’t break it even if you were the strongest man on earth,” Kai said, walking closer to the entrapped Astraeus.

“And why’s that?”

“Because the shield absorbs and redirects energy. Punch and kick all you want, you’re not breaking out of there. Heck, even having this conversation is strengthening it.”

Astraeus’ hand went to the surface and ran it across the shield’s length. The hum of energy coursed through his fingertips, “Energy redistribution eh? I wonder…”

He placed his full hand on the shield and it shattered, freeing him, and he landed gracefully on the soft earth.

“Well, that was easy.”

“I see,” Kai growled, seething. This was the second time tonight that his impenetrable shield had been bypassed, “You vibrated the molecules of my force field, disrupting the structural integrity, and made it shatter. Well done.”

“What can I say,” Astraeus shrugged, “I’m just that good.”

Kai put his guard up again and Astraeus followed suit.

“Okay then,” Kai said, “You seem like a worthy opponent. Let’s get serious.”

He held eye contact. Astraeus’ fingers twitched near the hilt of his sword. The world around them seemed to hold its breath.

Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Kai's force field flared to life, glowing green and powerful. The battle was on, and Kai wasted no time asserting his dominance.

He outstretched his arm and his force field surged forward, wrapping around Astraeus like a vise. The speedster tried to dart away, but the energy field was too fast, too strong.

With a flick of his wrist, Kai sent Astraeus crashing into the ground, the impact creating a small crater beneath him. Astraeus quickly regained his footing, but before he could launch a counterattack, Kai was already on him, his fists covered in his glowing green energy.

Astraeus tried to dodge, to use his speed to slip away, but Kai wouldn’t let him.

His movements were fluid, almost effortless, as he closed the distance between them time and again. The green outline around him seemed to pulse with every strike, growing brighter, more intense, as if feeding off his dominance.

“YOU DON’T GET IT, DO YOU!” Kai roared, “MY POWER IS ENERGY MANIPULATION! I GET STRONGER WITH EVERY HIT I TAKE AND EVERY HIT I GIVE! THAT’S TRUE POWER!”

Kai swung again, but in an instant, Astraeus’s body seemed to phase out, slipping through the hold of the force field like a ghost. He reappeared outside the bubble. His movements were a blur, a series of afterimages that surrounded Kai.

“Two can play at that game.”

Kai swiped at him, sending a force field crashing down where Astraeus was a split second ago, but it hit nothing but air. Astraeus was everywhere and nowhere, his form flickering in and out of existence. It was like trying to fight a shadow.

“I thought this would be more fun,” Astraeus taunted, his voice echoing from all directions. “But you’re just too slow.”

Kai gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over.

Suddenly, one of the afterimages lunged at him, a blur of motion aimed directly at Kai’s side. Kai spun to meet it, his force field expanding in a protective bubble. The afterimage disappeared on impact, revealing itself as a mere illusion.

The real Astraeus was already moving, coming in from behind with a flurry of punches that struck Kai’s force field. Every punch reverberated through the barrier, sending shockwaves rippling across its surface.

Kai could feel the force behind the attacks, but his force field held firm, absorbing the impact and charging it up. He narrowed his eyes, focusing harder.

Astraeus was fast—faster than anyone he’d ever faced before, but speed wasn’t everything. Kai knew he had the power to win, he just needed to find a way to land a solid hit. That’ll be the decisive blow. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and then unleashed a burst of stored-up energy from his force field, sending a shockwave rippling outward in all directions.

The shockwave tore through the afterimages, dissipating them one by one.

Kai turned, tracking the real Astraeus’ movements as best he could, but the speedster was relentless.

Then, just as Astraeus was about to land another strike, Kai caught a glimpse of his true position. With a quick flick of his wrist, Kai expanded his force field, catching Astraeus mid-attack and sending him sprawling backward.

Astraeus skidded across the ground but quickly regained his footing, a smirk on his face.

“Not bad,” Astraeus said, his voice filled with grudging respect.

Without waiting for a response, Astraeus vanished again, his afterimages splitting off in every direction and Kai braced himself.

The speedster’s strategy was clear: overwhelm Kai with sheer speed, and keep him on the defensive until he couldn’t keep up anymore.

He might not be such a pushover after all, Kai thought, but he wasn’t about to let that happen.

Kai gathered his energy, focusing it into a concentrated burst that wrapped around his fists. The green energy crackled and surged, growing brighter and more intense. He was ready for Astraeus this time.

When Astraeus came at him again, Kai was prepared. He timed his movements perfectly, swinging his fist in a wide arc just as Astraeus appeared in front of him. The punch connected, catching Astraeus off guard and sending him flying backward with a grunt of pain.

Kai didn’t let up. He pressed the advantage, throwing more attacks that forced Astraeus to stay on the defensive.

The speedster dodged and weaved, but Kai’s strikes were getting closer, each one forcing Astraeus to retreat a little further.

Astraeus responded with a burst of speed, creating more afterimages, and having them surround Kai again, but Kai was ready. He spun in place, expanding his force field into a wide dome that pushed the afterimages back.

Astraeus was forced to retreat to a safer distance.

“Tch. That’s one annoying power you have.” Astraeus said, pretending to stretch. “I’d be in trouble if I wasn’t…you know…me.”

“You’re one to talk about annoying powers,” Kai responded. He took the opportunity to catch his breath, his force field pulsing around him.

He could feel his energy reserves dwindling, but he couldn’t afford to show any weakness. Astraeus might have been stronger than he had anticipated, but Kai wasn’t about to let him take control of the fight.

Astraeus, too, seemed to be feeling the strain, his movements less precise than before, but the speedster wasn’t done yet.

He reached into his belt, unsheathing his sword that shimmered under the bright moonlight. Astraeus gripped the hilt tightly, his eyes locked onto Kai’s as he prepared for another attack.

Kai watched as Astraeus charged at him.

He raised his arm, blocking the strike with his force field, but the impact sent a jolt of energy through his body.

Astraeus followed up with more slashes, each one aimed at a different part of Kai’s body, and Kai deflected them with his force field, but he could feel the strain with each hit.

Astraeus was pressing him harder, trying to find a weakness, a gap in his defenses that he could exploit.

Kai wasn’t about to give him that chance.

He countered with a powerful punch, forcing the speedster to dodge. Astraeus retaliated with a spinning swing of his sword, the blade singing through the air as it came dangerously close to Kai’s head. Kai ducked, then lashed out with a kick that caught Astraeus in the side, sending him stumbling back.

Astraeus gritted his teeth.

He was fast, but Kai was matching him blow for blow, refusing to give ground. He knew he needed to change tactics if he was going to win this fight. He drew his gun from his belt and fired a shot directly at Kai.

The bullet hit Kai’s force field, causing it to ripple and waver.

He fired again, then again, each shot chipping away at Kai’s defenses. The force field flickered under the attack, but Kai held his ground.

Astraeus was relentless.

He fired off a rapid succession of shots until it clicked, signaling that he was out of bullets.

“A normal gun? Really?” Kai lowered the force field.

“You know what they say,” Astraeus responded, tucking the gun back into his belt, “the more complex someone’s power is, the funnier it is when their natural weakness is a gun.”

Kai smirked. “You think a regular gun would bypass my forcefields.”

“Yeah,” Astraeus shrugged, “I mean, your powers aren’t anything special anyways.”

At this, Kai laughed.

“Let me show you just how special my powers are.”

Kai roared, forcing his power levels up like crazy, and the green energy around him flared brighter, and suddenly, the air around them shifted. The space between them rippled, and in the blink of an eye, the world around them dissolved.

When the world solidified again, they were no longer in the open field. Instead, they stood in a distorted, sandwiched dimension, where the sky bled into the ground and everything seemed to stretch and twist. This was Kai’s domain—his territory.

Astraeus stared at the distorted ground, his eyes scanning their new surroundings. His anxiety was apparent even under the mask he was wearing. He griped his sword tighter, “What is this?”

Kai didn’t respond. Instead, he focused on maintaining the integrity of the space, locking Astraeus within it. The territory responded to his will, walls of green energy rising and falling like waves, each one closing in on Astraeus from all sides.

“It’s rude to ignore people, you know?” Astraeus lunged at Kai, his sword aimed at his chest. Kai brought up a force field to block, but Astraeus twisted at the last second, sliding past the barrier and slashing at Kai’s side. The blade connected with something hard.

A force field had appeared in the exact spot where he intended to strike.

Astraeus leaped back, putting some distance between them, “Okay, I’ll wait.”

“It was over for you the moment you got caught in this space,” Kai said, “This is my ultimate move. Domain Expansion: Death’s Playhouse.”

“Isn’t that name too childish for you?”

“Joke as much as you want. It’ll be the last thing you ever do. My power is absolute here, and you’re not getting out unless I want you to. You’re completely trapped.”

Astraeus eyes the walls of the dimension, his mind racing as he thought of a way out. When no obvious ones came, he shrugged, “Hey, if you think keeping me here is a good idea, go ahead…but make no mistake,”

He entered his fighting stance.

“you’re the one trapped in here with me.”