The Commentator's hand hovered above Dara's, poised to declare him the victor. But before he could complete the gesture, a collective gasp echoed through the arena, freezing his movement. The air was electric with anticipation as the commentator's gaze followed the crowd's, his eyes widening in astonishment.
Trevor, the battered warrior, emerged from the arena entrance, his figure silhouetted against the bright lights of the arena. The commentator's voice trailed off, his words lost in the stunned silence. The man walking towards them was indeed Trevor... Or at least, he wore Trevor's uniform. However, it was the mask that adorned his face that truly captured everyone's attention. A mysterious-looking visage that seemed to hold great power (but in reality,it was just an ordinary mask), and the crowd's curiosity was piqued.
As Trevor approached the commentator and Dara, who both stood in the middle of the arena, the silence was broken by a sudden burst of energy from the crowd.
"The fight is far from over!" The commentator exclaimed, his voice booming through the arena. The spectators erupted into louder cheers, their voices a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the venue. Many questions swirled in their minds: How could Trevor possibly return to the battle after sustaining such grievous injury? Why Trevor suddenly came out wearing a mask? The only certainty was that the fight was about to take an unpredictable turn, and the crowd was eager to witness the drama unfold.
•••
Meanwhile, in the healing hut, Trevor still laid on the bed, his battered body undergoing Jacquie's ministrations. The healer's hands moved with a gentle precision, her focus solely on repairing the damage inflicted upon Trevor's form. The sound of the horn, signaling the start of the fight, pierced the air, and Trevor's eyes snapped open. He sat up with a sudden movement, his gaze locking onto Jacquie's.
The room's occupants (Nick, Derek and Jacquie) turned to face him, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern. It was then that they noticed Stanley's absence, and the realization dawned on them. Without a word, they rushed out of the room, their footsteps echoing down the steps as they hastened to the arena. The desire to witness the impending spectacle drove them forward, their hearts pounding in anticipation.
"Oh my!" Derek exclaimed. "What was he thinking?" The father was devastated. He couldn't get himself to think about Stanley getting hurt in that battle.
Trevor just stood there and watched. He didn't know what to say. But he believed in Stanley. He knew his brother meant well and he believed he'd win, after all, he was a better fighter than himself.
•••
As they emerged into the bright lights of the arena side, the roar of the crowd enveloped them. Stanley stood tall, his masked face an enigma, his eyes burning with an inner fire. The air was thick with tension, and the crowd's collective breath seemed to hold in anticipation of what was to come. Stanley's opponent stood ready, his eyes narrowed in calculation, his stance a testament to his determination to emerge victorious.
The commentator's voice rose above the din, his words a clarion call that signaled the resumption of the battle. The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch as Stanley and Trevor's opponent faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. The mask on Stanley's face seemed to gleam in the light, a symbol of his unyielding resolve. The battle was far from over; in fact, it was only just beginning.
The arena's atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation and curiosity. Stanley's determination was palpable, and the crowd sensed that they were on the cusp of witnessing something extraordinary. As the fight resumed, the outcome hung precariously in the balance. Would Dara prove too strong, or would the masked warrior's unyielding spirit propel him to victory? The crowd's roar grew louder, their voices a testament to the captivating spectacle unfolding before them.
In the midst of this chaos, Stanley stood as a figure of focus, his masked face a shield that hid his emotions. His eyes burned with an inner fire, a flame that fueled his determination to emerge victorious. This wasn't just about him. It was more. He had to win for his brother because he knew that if it was him, Trevor would do more.
The battle raged on, each blow landing with precision, each movement a testament to the warriors' skill and endurance. The crowd's cheers grew louder, their voices a deafening roar that seemed to drive the fighters forward.
As the fight reached its climax, the tension in the arena became almost unbearable. Dara landed a series of powerful blows, but 'Trevor's masked face seemed to absorb the impact, his determination never wavering. The crowd's anticipation reached a boiling point, their voices a cacophony of cheers and shouts. The outcome of the battle hung precariously in the balance, and the crowd knew that they were witnessing something truly extraordinary.
Stanley, devoid of powers, relied on his extraordinary speed, agility, and strength, honed through rigorous training and his mentor's privilege. The crowd watched in awe as he dodged and weaved, avoiding the lightning bolts with an uncanny precision. Though, once struck by the electricity, Stanley's determination never wavered.
The lightning wielder, Dara, confident in his powers, launched a barrage of attacks. Stanley danced around the arena, his movements were fluid and calculated. He parried and riposted, using his agility to evade the lightning bolts. The crowd erupted into cheers, marveling at Stanley's skill and bravery.
As the fight intensified, Stanley began to tire. The lightning wielder's strikes were taking their toll, and Stanley's movements slowed. The crowd held its collective breath as Stanley stumbled backward, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
In a final, desperate bid to turn the tide, the lightning wielder unleashed a devastating bolt of electricity. Stanley, anticipating the attack, leapt to the side, but the lightning struck him with incredible force. Stanley's body arced backward, his vision blurring as he felt himself slipping into a different state.
The world around him dissolved, replaced by the ethereal realm of the Eylon State where time lost all meaning. Stanley stood before Master Lee. He wasn't sure why the Old One pulled him into the Eylon State in such a crucial moment in the battle but he knew it was important.
"Huh? Hey! Been a while, yeah? Why'd you summon me?" Stanley thought he still needed to catch his breath but then noticed he wasn't feeling any fatigue.
"You're dead! That's why I summoned you!" Justice Lee said without hesitation." The lightening is going to kill you because you haven't jumped your maind energy, so your body won't be able to hold the pain nor heal... So, you die!"
"Hell no! No dying! I can't die! You told me I have a very bright future, is this it? Nah. I can't die!" In one breath, Stanley spoke. He was scared. His voice and body were pleading without his permission. "There has to be a way out. Isn't that why you summoned me?"
With his usual radiation of aura and wisdom, The Master of Hit said, "Well, you have a point. I do have a solution and that is why I summoned you. But the question is: Are you ready?"
"Will it guarantee my survival?" Stanley asked.
"Yes."
"It's done. What'll I do?"
With a snap of his fingers, they arrived at the regular spot where Stanley meets with the man in his dream.
The Older Man led Stanley to stone pedestal that was in the clearing not far from where they stood. The man summoned a small, glowing crystal — Focus Crystal. At the sight of this relic, Stanley's face fell in disappointment. The last few times he tried to do something — anything — to the stone, he couldn't. And now, he's survival depends on it.
"Now, move it. This time, it's not about "you should move it", it's about "you must"! You must move it to awaken your power. You're the Inheritor. You have to move the stone. That way will you jump start all of your other gifts. Now, move it!" Justice Lee spoke. His voice was harsh but with the usual slowness.
Stanley said nothing to the man. Right now didn't seem like the best time to talk back. The man seemed serious than usual. And so, should he. After all, it's his life on the line here. With the ultimate desire to survive, Stanley started his attempts.
•••
For fifty years, Stanley stayed in the realm, guided by his ancestor's wisdom. It took fifty human years to finally awaken. Of course, time was so slow in the physical realm that it could be said to have paused. But he achieved it.
He learned, harnessed the energy, and awakened the dormant powers within him. As the years passed, Stanley's spirit grew stronger, his connection to the Seth Realm and few ancients deepening. Justice Lee's voice was all he heard for fifty years in the Seth Realm.
Now, it was time to return.