A mighty blow echoed across the field. Shocked gasps filled the air as Snow wasn't smashed to bits. He stumbled back a few steps, but Larry got knocked even further. Disbelief twisted the faces in the crowd - wide eyes, slack jaws, all mirroring the same "What the hell?" moment. Snow, the runt of the litter, was trading hits with their golden boy, Larry!

Cherry Shadoway, watching from the crowd, couldn't hide her astonishment. Humiliating Snow before leaving him for Larry now seemed foolish. "Holdin' back," she mumbled, a seed of doubt sprouting in her heart. "But can I trust someone so sneaky with my future?" Clinging to a shred of hope, she thought, "Larry's got the better moves! You ain't gonna beat him!”

Even the seasoned Elders were caught off guard. Silas, the Fourth Elder, his face full of surprise, lurched to his feet, only to sink back into his seat a moment later. "I underestimated the kid," he muttered, a trace of unease crossing his features. "He's been hidin’ his true power. But," he added quickly, a strained smile plastered on his face, "Larry's experience is top-notch. This fight ain’t over yet."

Cedric, the Shadoway Chieftain, remained a stoic island amidst the sudden chaos. Unlike Silas, he didn't believe Snow was hiding his abilities. The boy's recent surge in power was undeniable, a stark contrast to his near-death experience at Larry's hands just a month ago. Something extraordinary had transpired. Regardless of the source, this newfound strength was a boon to the Shadoway family's prestige. Still, a shadow of doubt lingered in Cedric's eyes. Though determined to protect Snow, Cedric doubted his victory against Larry, a seasoned fighter.

Larry, the most stunned of all, reeled back. A searing pain racked his right hand, as if he'd punched solid steel. He'd messed up, underestimating Snow big time. "You sneaky little bastard!" he roared. "You couldn't have gotten this much stronger in a month!"

Snow held his ground, a hint of disappointment crossing his face. Even using only the power of the fifth level, he'd anticipated a more decisive victory. This display only placed him marginally above Skyfall's strength when he was at this level. Yet, confidence remained. With the Essence of Earth, his power would doubtless skyrocket.

Larry smirked. "Strength ain't everything. Get ready for my Stone Claw!"

Snow, recognizing it as an advanced technique reserved for high-ranking members, frowned slightly. Larry clearly didn't qualify. Unfazed, Snow scoffed. His Tempest Strikes were a symphony of power and finesse, leagues beyond Larry's rudimentary Stone Claw.

Larry lunged, claws aimed for Snow's throat – a lethal move for anyone unprepared. Cedric, enraged, slammed his fist on the chair. “Silas! Larry ain’t supposed to be usin’ Stone Claw, is he?" He glared at the Fourth Elder before charging to intervene. Ezra, the First Elder, however, blocked his path.

"Lots of children use Stone Claw, Chieftain," Silas countered.

Ezra chimed in, "Maybe it's time to rethink that restricted techniques rule. It's holdin' the family back.”

Cedric roared, "Bullshit! It keeps 'em motivated! Get outta my way! This duel ends now!”

"Clan rules say no one interferes," Silas countered, and Ezra held his ground. He didn't want to fight Cedric, but a moment's delay meant Snow's demise.

Cedric blasted Ezra with a surge of energy. Ezra staggered back, coughing blood, looking at Cedric in shock. The Chieftain's power had grown significantly. As the Chieftain and elders argued, Snow surprised everyone by effortlessly dodging Larry's Stone Claw.

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Cedric's eyes narrowed. This footwork... it wasn't a Shadoway technique. Yet, Snow used it with an agility that left the Chieftain speechless.

The unexpected onslaught continued. With a blur of movement, Snow dodged another attack before unleashing a brutal blow to Larry's back. A spray of blood erupted as Larry crumpled, a look of pure terror contorting his face.

Overwhelmed and in pain, Larry forgot to concede defeat. Snow advanced, seizing this opportunity, he fully intend to kill Larry. “You're gonna pay for what you did," Snow snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

Larry shuddered and finally remembered to surrender, but the words died on his lips as Snow clamped a hand over his mouth. He hoisted Larry into the air, the humiliation evident in the younger man's wide, terrified eyes.

Stunned silence descended upon the martial arts field. This swift and brutal outcome defied everyone's expectations. Disbelief hung heavy in the air.

Suddenly, the Fourth Elder, the one who moments ago had argued against interference, lunged onto the stage. "Stop!" he roared.

Snow, consumed by murderous rage, scoffed. He'd made his decision. But before he could deliver the final blow, a blinding flash of light split the air. The terrifying aura that accompanied it sent shivers down his spine.

"Get away!" The primal scream echoed in his mind. Death threatened to engulf him. He knew continuing the execution would mean his own demise.

With a desperate leap, Snow abandoned Larry and barely avoided the razor-sharp sword strike that carved a deep gash into the platform. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. A fraction of a second slower, and he would have been sliced in two.

"Kill him, Grandpa!" Larry's panicked shriek echoed through the arena. The glimpse of Snow's intent to kill had left him utterly terrified.

"You rascal! Slayin' your own kin? You'll be the ruin of the Shadoway name!" The Fourth Elder's voice boomed with fury as he lunged at Snow, a blade of energy crackled with power.

Terror flooded Snow's veins. His heart hammered against his ribs, and a cold sweat slicked his skin. He knew this wasn't a playful spar – Silas meant to kill him. His seventh-level Forging wouldn't be enough to withstand a full-powered attack from the Elder, a peak level Aer Weaver, on the cusp of entering Wave Weaver's realm. Defeat was inevitable.

"No!" Zoe's scream ripped through the air. Snow had defeated Larry, and just as a sliver of hope bloomed in her chest, it was brutally crushed.

A figure materialized between Snow and the deadly blade. With a flick of his wrist, the Chieftain effortlessly intercepted the attack, shattering the sword light into harmless motes of energy.

"Silas," Cedric's voice was laced with ice, a chilling rage burning in his eyes, "you've gone too far."

The Fourth Elder paled. He was no match for the Chieftain. Fear replaced his rage as he stammered, "He... he threatened a fellow Shadoway! I merely acted out of... a momentary lapse in judgment."

Fury ignited in Zoe's eyes. She stormed onto the stage, placing herself protectively in front of Snow. "Don't you dare lay a hand on him, old man?" she roared, her voice trembling with righteous anger. "Ain't my son just as much a Shadoway as yer precious grandson? Where was all yer righteous anger when Larry near beat Snow to death? Now, in a sanctioned duel, Larry won't own up to bein' beat. Even if Snow had to finish him, it wouldn't break no rules! Larry can strike down a fellow Shadoway, but Snow can't defend himself within the rules you all set? What kind of twisted justice is that?"

The Fourth Elder's face drained of color. The confident sneer he wore moments ago had vanished. "Snow… a loser. How can he compare to…" His voice trailed off, the insult dying in his throat. Now that Snow stood victorious against Larry, the Elder's words hung heavy with irony.

Cedric and Zoe exchanged a cold glance in the Fourth Elder's direction. Before the situation could escalate further, Ezra intervened, his voice a calming balm. Meanwhile, the Second Elder perched on the high platform observed the scene with a hint of amusement, a silent smirk playing on his lips.

"Enough!" Cedric boomed, his voice echoing across the field. "Take your people and leave. Remember, Larry's resources are forfeited. They now belong to Snow. From this day on, if Larry wants resources, he must contribute to the family and earn them!"

A wave of relief washed over the Snow family. Justice, long denied, had finally been served. They basked in the sweet satisfaction of victory, the sting of past injustices fading with each passing moment.