LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 13: Shadows Rekindled
Chapter 13: Shadows Rekindled
Kai's heartbeat thundered in his ears as he faced Hiro once again. Shadow Basilisk pulsed with dark energy, the aura around it thick with menace. The underground arena felt colder, the air heavy with anticipation.
"You've gotten stronger," Hiro said, his voice a quiet storm. "But strength alone isn't enough. Shadows aren't defeated by fire. They consume it."
Kai clenched his fist around Inferno Draconix. "You talk a lot, Hiro. Last time, you lost. This time will be no different."
Hiro's smirk deepened. "Last time, I underestimated you. That won't happen again."
He stepped forward, holding up his Beyblade. The dark serpent coiled within Shadow Basilisk seemed alive, its eyes gleaming with hunger.
"Let's see if your flames can survive when the shadows rise again."
The referee's voice echoed through the empty arena. "Bladers, ready your launchers!"
Kai and Hiro loaded their Beyblades, their gazes locked like two opposing forces of nature.
"Three… two… one… Let it rip!"
Inferno Draconix shot forward, flames spiraling behind it. Shadow Basilisk slithered into the arena, dark tendrils of energy radiating from its spin.
"Draconix, Flame Spiral!"
The vortex of fire roared to life, flames swirling outward in a blazing arc. The heat filled the arena, light pushing back the encroaching darkness.
Hiro remained calm. "Basilisk, Shadow Veil."
A wave of dark energy poured from Shadow Basilisk, enveloping the flames. The fire flickered and twisted, struggling against the suffocating shadows. The arena dimmed as the darkness grew stronger.
Kai gritted his teeth. "Draconix, push through! Burn brighter!"
Inferno Draconix blazed, its flames surging higher. It charged toward Basilisk, fire and shadow colliding in a storm of sparks. The clash sent shockwaves through the stadium, the very ground trembling beneath the force of their battle.
Hiro's eyes gleamed with triumph. "You don't learn, do you? Fire can't defeat what it can't touch. Basilisk, Shadow Bind!"
The dark tendrils lashed out, wrapping around Draconix and dragging it into the swirling shadows. The flames sputtered, choked by the crushing darkness.
Kai's heart raced. "No…!"
Taro watched from the sidelines, his fists clenched. "Come on, Kai! You've got this!"
But the shadows tightened their grip, and Draconix's spin weakened.
Kai closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying his breath. Flames can't be wild. They need focus. Control. Adaptation.
"Draconix," he whispered, "we're not just fire. We're more than that."
He opened his eyes, his determination burning. "Draconix, Inferno Shift!"
The flames around Draconix pulled inward, condensing into a brilliant core. The Beyblade's spin sharpened, its movements precise and fluid. The dark tendrils weakened as the fire concentrated into a single, searing point.
Hiro's smirk faded. "What…?"
"Break free!" Kai shouted. "Flame Surge: Ignis Strike!"
Inferno Draconix erupted with focused energy, the flames blasting outward in a spiraling inferno. The concentrated fire tore through the Shadow Bind, light piercing the darkness like a sword.
Shadow Basilisk was thrown back, its spin faltering as the darkness shattered.
The arena grew silent for a heartbeat.
Shadow Basilisk wobbled, slowed… and stopped.
Inferno Draconix spun proudly in the center, its flames dancing victoriously.
The silence broke with a roar of triumph from Taro. "Yes! Kai, you did it!"
Kai exhaled, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Hiro stood still, his eyes dark and unreadable. He picked up Shadow Basilisk and looked at Kai with something almost like respect—beneath the cold fury.
"This isn't over," Hiro said quietly. "You've pushed the shadows back… for now. But darkness is always patient. It will return."
Kai met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "And when it does, my flames will be ready."
As Hiro disappeared into the shadows once more, Kai felt the fire inside him burn brighter than ever. His battle wasn't over—
It was just beginning.
To be continued…