> Power is of the physical. All else is a fatal facade.

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Cheftic, still frozen with a face of the greatest shock, glared for long at his very opponent, and this new factor that acted critically in their bout.

Probacon looked down to his hands, terribly unsure of what had just happened. I…could I even ever do that? It…felt different…not like ki or magic…

But with a dragged huff and puff, he reaffirmed himself of all things. Still…whatever this is…

《Awakening in him was newfound kinesis.》 《Serving mainly to uplift…》

And undertaking a sturdy stance, one prepared for action, all that was written on his face was his sheer determination. It's reassuring…so I'll rely on it too!

《A resolve of great determinacy.》

Cheftic prior shock then transformed into a teeth-baring growl, combined with popping veins and one twitch of a brow.

In the Third-round Seating, David, Wok and Kuroko watched on, analysing Probacon's evolution. "Ha! As foreseen! He truly is something, that youth.” David exclaimed with a bright grin.

"Yeah, no kidding. I mean, awakenings are phenomenons in and of themselves but, in the midst of this battle!? That's wild!" Wok stated.

"Tell me about it…,” said an impressed Kuroko as he lounged back.

"Still, how did he get it?" He asked with fingers on his chin, moving his whole body forward. David and Wok simply exchanged perplexed glances.

《Meridian Powers.》 《Members of the endless list of the talents a Linked can receive.》

《Roused either of unprecedent, an event that turns the “normal” into the “supernormal.》

《Or…of the purest desire. A transcendent want and need. Manifesting mental, spiritual, and metaphysical forte as corporal capacity.》

"We know of the means. The randomised, or the driven…,” purported David, with Wok timing his chime-in. "The second being very flamboyant, if I do say so myself!" "Yeah…so…” Kuroko began to talk once again.

《Something this triad of beings were versed of.》

He posed to them a question, smiling coolly at that. “Which one are you calling it?"

David and Wok gazed at him with heads tilted minisculely to their sides.

"Who knows? Nothing is a certainty in the omniverse.” Wok looked downwards and relayed, plastered with a rather soft smile. "But even still…” David began to say in an uplifted tone.

《But…》

“Knowing him, I prefer to believe a certain one is at play.”

《Were no less invested in.》

Back upon the platform notwithstanding, would the battle rave on, though with a fresh element, in the form of the Djin’s newfound abilities, which were being played to advantage.

With the first of which, the power to return attacks, he'd redirect with a mighty stroke a set of projected fists launched by Cheftic, which varied between being of physical extensions, of magical essence, and of energetical sources.

But Cheftic would in turn defend himself from them with another forcefield.

The Kujijin followed up by firing a shot of solar power, which Probacon had to and did elude with his preternatural swiftness.

He looked to proceed as before, using his newfound abilities in tandem with tactical arrangements, all while barreling at Cheftic head-on.

And as he did this with effectiveness and efficiency did he mentate. I don't really get these powers to the fullest yet. But somehow, I'm grasping them ever so slightly with knowledge I really shouldn't have.

So combined with these…the best line of action is… Then would his velocity rise to the warp speeds it normally could, and he recalled Cheftic’s very words.

To push not his hand, but his mind to the limit…!!!! He rattled Cheftic’s jaw with a strike of immense celerity, one to which his opponent’s defences were not particularly privy to react to.

With a long jump afar from there he would retract himself, looking to repeat as he deemed it the best manner to achieve his intended conclusion, proceeding to go ahead with this tactic for a prolonged period.

A period that would reach its terminus upon Cheftic reaching breaking point.

The Kujijin would begin to employ more “manipulative” abilities including the various alterings of reality, space, and so on. But to shoddy effect, nothing on the level or scope of previous users.

Just as I thought, and as Wok said!, thought Probacon as his resolve grew and he carried on in his march.

With the reflecting ability he sent an attack from Cheftic right back at him, with the attack hitting the latter with even greater vim.

He would not rest, and immediately barrelled the Kujijin with a dash ending in two concurrent attacks, an electrified palm and spherical ki upon each hand, delivering them to Cheftic's chest with a result of adequate reactions for each strike.

He psychically lifted his opponent, levitating him far from the ground.

And now,… He thought in preparedness for yet more biffs, as ki and magical energy began flowing about his skywards fists.

~A MAGI FIST GANTLET!~ And with those fists would an attack of hyperfast repeated punches be unleashed onto Cheftic from below, completely battering him through their sheer fury and haste, and inability to be counteracted or defended against.

“HAAA!!!” Probacon yelled with the final strike, which launched Cheftic away.

And with painful force would the latter crash onto the earth once again.

He began to stand and crawled out of a crater formed by that landing, furiously gnashing his teeth.

Probacon jumped to right where he stayed, giving him a serious stare.

Cheftic would look up at him, and his ire would grow even more.

Probacon opened his mouth to speak. “Tell me…”

"What is the harm in acknowledging others not like you in terms of talents? Those without the All-Meridian?”

“Huh?,” mumbled a perplexed Cheftic, an emotion seen in both face and tone.

What's this…? Fighter thought with a raised brow.

Cheftic would begin to laugh in his hysterics.

"The heck's so funny, slug?,” aggressivley asked an irked Probacon.

Cheftic stopped laughing. "Simple. Your self-induced lackadaisical nature.”

"Hmm…"

"You all lack true strength. So you look to other things; excuses and reasons and whatnot, to justify it.”

“A putrid disgrace, that’s how I see it. Instead of looking for true strength, you settle for the barrel-bottom scraps you have. Pitiful…”

"Uh-huh. Sure. So, is ‘true’ strength having all possible abilities of the Meridian?" Probacon asked with annoyance visible in all his expressions, even capable of being sensed from his energy signature.

This question angered Cheftic, but the Djin cared little and continued his speech. "...That strange idea of yours that strength equals power and ability, it irks me, mostly because there's more to it than just that.”

“You ignore all else for…reasons I don't know or may not be able to relate to.”

“Still, you have no right to disavow the strength of others. It's more than just tangible energy you can control. I don't need to say more to tell you what it is, do I?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Cheftic simply chuckled as he looked to the ground.

"Is that so?"

"The Grandmaster Deity…very likely has the complete arsenal of all abilities AND tools at his disposal! What do you make of that?!!" He posed to the young Djin, who initially froze in confusion.

The Kujijin would smirk, perceiving a possible triumph in this physiological battle.

But Probacon gathered himself, releasing a huge sigh.

He presented his reply, drawing Cheftic's attention. "And so what? It matters little His potence.”

“What matters most is His ultimate act: Us. All of us, and all of this.”

And for a reply wholly heartfelt and honest, the masses would grant him even more cheers and appraisal.

《The sincere appraisal of the work…》 《Of the One who creates and loves.》

But Cheftic gnashed his teeth even more violently, in pure contempt of the Djin’s insight.

"Heck, that’s quite literally the most irrelevant example! Don’t use it as a crutch!" Probacon yelled with a cracking voice.

But he saw he was getting the better of his own self, so he settled his emotions to end this debate. "Y’know what? It's fine. Clearly, you're not one to see your own blatant flaws..."

His speaking continued to expand Cheftic's rage. And the Kujijin used that rage to begin his slow rise from the ground.

"So…,” said Probacon, taking a different poise from before, one of more fluidity and freedom this time around.

“Let's do this the old-fashioned way!"

Cheftic rage had still not yet left him, and even looked to have worsened.

But surprisingly, he would change his expression into one of a smile.

"One thing we can agree on, rat.”

The two began to go at each other yet again, with the crowds hollering in their ever-apical excitement.

It became an even grander contest, with the focal intent of closing out the contest. Although Cheftic kept on with his usage of his manipower, he was abysmally outclassed in battle skill, in addition to Probacon focusing on a bit of everything, looking to meld and mould all prior plays into one winning strategy.

《Both proceed with a spiteful tango…》 《A drive to end with the victor's gold.》

Cheftic gained the upper hand immediately, using a mastodonic energy construct to push Probacon towards the ground and look to flatten him.

Probacon slipped out however by spaghettifying his form, and sharply resorted to attacking his opponent with a Red-Hot Shooting, which was all but evaded.

Cheftic attempted to use some form of energy, but one of neonic hues. That's-! Probacon exclaimed mentally.

But with his limited mastery, and being “out of it” as Wok had previously presented, his attempt to slow down time around Probacon backfired and unprecedentedly hastened it instead.

Using it as leverage, the Djin would counterattack with a fast-paced attack barrage.

Cheftic would just manage to reverse that effect, going on to blast Probacon with assorted elemental attacks.

While seemingly knocked out, Probacon immediately resuscitated with a swift opening of eyes.

He would act to both blitz his opponent yet again by stretching his neck to and clattering his forehead onto the others.

Should I? Probacon thought as he stepped back with a tensed grit of his teeth, and his eyes somewhat fixated on the deepest depths of the outer void.

Now or never, thought Wok with a slight furrow and frown, as if in telepathic speech, with his fingers intertwined.

Probacon seemingly read this thought, and prepared for the hopeful, final attack.

He flew to Cheftic, who was caught off-guard by it.

He continued attacking similar to how he did at the beginning of their battle, only more vigorously, unrelentingly, and unequivocally raging in his action

And just as before, it annoyed Cheftic to his very core.

It caused him to charge a great amount of energies into a gargantuan sphere of even higher concentration than ever before. There it is!, thought Probacon.

Cheftic would send out the sphere, aimed at Probacon at astonishing velocities. "RAAAGGGHHH!!!”

Concentrate. Concentrate…, thought Probacon, infusing ki and magic, and aspects of his newfound Link, all into the palms of his hands.

And……act now!

Use that reflection power…at full force! And with the current peak capacity of his ability to reflect, he completely instantly pushed the sphere back at his highly baffled opponent.

It caused an explosion strong enough to completely wipe an infinitesimal fraction of the even more gargantuan platform.

The dust settled, revealing an infuriated mid-recovery Cheftic, rambling in his fury. "Y-you…"

But Probacon ignored him, turning away from him as he took in a heavy huff.

And then released a ferocious shout which tore a rift through space, astonishing many through this bizarre feat.

He extended an arm into said rift, as though he intended to retrieve something from within, at the same time recalling once again his talk with Wok. "Here. Take this.”

***

“It's a ‘gift’." Wok said, placing his hand over Probacon’s and then an unknown item into the palm of the Djin.

"Huh? What is it?" Probacon asked, blankly staring at his hand as Wok folded it.

"It's related to the All-Meridian.” Wok replied as he took seat more casually, bringing only further confusion to the mind of his companion.

"You'll figure it out in time. Make sure to keep it someplace decent. Somewhere in space, maybe…"

***

And in returning to the current period, Probacon raised up his clenched hand which held the still undisclosed item, which in turn began to indiscriminately absorb energy from all around.

From there would he enter great heights into the air, moulding an orb similar to his prior earthen-obliterating asteroidal attack, but of much greater breadth and potency at once.

Cheftic looked at the sight with hints of worry and fear in his expressions.

“AAAAHHH!!!” The Djin yelled, charging at the ground at full speed with the directing of the grand energy orb with his palm towards it as well.

"DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK!!!" Cheftic shouted, creating a hemispherical offensive barrier of great size and fortitude.

The orb would collide into the barrier, with force mightier than a thousand suns.

And an exceptional pushback would commence, as both beings struggled and gritted their teeth in the final push for victory.

Finally, the barrier would be compromised, as much to Cheftic’s unprepared disbelief cracks began to spread across its outer edge.

“RAHHH!!!” But Cheftic was not one to back away so easily, pushing the barrier outwards with enough force that it seemingly engulfed both Probacon and his attack.

However, Probacon would appear right above Cheftic, as he had powered through both barrier and orb in simultaneous occurence, leaving Cheftic at a loss for words.

Moving even quicker, he would place the item on the unsuspecting Cheftic's chest.

“You…how…” Cheftic muttered incoherently.

And the Djin responded, carrying himself gently, yet convincingly. “I'm…strong.”

Cheftic's eyes widened, realising the implication of the statement, and a light glow shone from where the object had been placed.

And moments later, a powerful explosion would occur, bursting out of the forcefield and decimating the lengthy surroundings.

The masses would keep watch, anxiously anticipating the true conclusion of the bout.

The dust began to settle and dissipate. And faces of anxiety would swiftly switch to beams of jubilant confirmation.

Probacon stood over Cheftic, victoriously lifting his right hand up.

《He defies it yet again…》

The crowds cheered with great intensity. The Djin truly was a favourite of the many. And his progression was but a gift to their eyes.

《The gifted everyman. Through resolve alone…》《Giving to all these people…》

"That was…a foreign item…" Dgiag noted, gaining a short chuckle from Tōmii in response.

"Such wast ne’er saith to be forbidden.” He replied sharply, causing Dgiag himself to chuckle heartily.

"Well then...”

"THE VICTOR OF THIS BOUT IS…DJIN PRO!!!" Cheers, jeers and whistles of all types followed the host’s declaration, announcing once again, Djin Probacon had beaten odds.

《Victor: Djin Pro.》

Pro basked in it all, the fruit of his labour, the acceptance of his own works.

And David, Wok and Kuroko, now joined by Noot, watched on with congratulatory smiles.

But elsewhere, beyond the cheers of the masses, Kai's group continued their investigation of the rift, as no matter their best attempts, they failed to find a way to uncover its nature. They all stayed gathered around the rift.

"Void Rein!,” shouted Kai with a strained voice, attempting to do as they had time and time again.

"Kai m’gent, that's like…the seventeenth attempt. Just give,” imparted a yawning Yurupt, who was immediately reprimanded by Umbra. "Only fools surrender when nearing success.”

"We don't even know what it is, and we're probably better off that way too.” “Correction. We don’t know, because you are too coward to tell us!”

"Will both of you zip it? I'm concentrating…” A Kai with closed but twitching eyes shot at the two, who carried on with their conversation with less tension. “(Look man, even I don't fully get it…)” “(Would disclosing it to us not aid in that?)”

Purogu looked at their lot, sitting with crossed legs and a palm holding her chin, assessing the current status of the situation.

Seems like no matter individual capabilities, we still fall short. And who knows how critical this might be…

Her eyes suddenly widened in swift apprehension. Wait…that's it!

"Guys, I have a solution! Follow my lead.” She echoed, drawing all their attention.

They all placed their palms forward, concentrating certain of their abilities and essences to just one section of the rift, notably its centre. If we can all perform a well-ordered division of labour…and create an incursion at the centre, a “rift within a rift”, then maybe…

Her prediction proved correct, as without any prior indicate the rift began acting strangely, with constant distortings.

Then it began to deform, which was taken notice of by the group, although they failed to grasp the how and why of this odd behaviour.

And suddenly, without warning, it detonated with great force.

Luckily, they were shielded by a forcefield put up by Yurupt just in time, though they were still pushed back. “Is everyone good?” He asked, his hands placed on the barrier as he panted. “Ngh…yes…thanks.” Purogu responded as she rose to her feet, with the others recovering around her.

Turning to look at the spot of the rift, they all saw something else, something which made them share a general broadening of eyes, and a few hanging of jaws, in pure terror of whatever this sight was…

《This is…》

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