LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 17: The Flames and the Abyss
Chapter 17: The Flames and the Abyss
The energy around the World Bladers' Tournament surged like a tidal wave, pulling Bladers and spectators alike into its grip. The arena towered above the city, its glass dome reflecting sunlight like a jewel atop a mountain. Every street leading to it was packed with fans, their chants and cheers filling the air with electric anticipation.
Inside the stadium, banners of famous Bladers waved high. Massive screens displayed the names of competitors, the glowing letters promising battles of unparalleled intensity. At the heart of it all lay the prize: a fragment of an ancient Beyblade core, encased in glass at the tournament's center stage. Its strange, pulsing energy seemed to whisper secrets that no one could hear.
Kai stood just outside the entrance tunnel, holding Inferno Draconix in his hand. The fiery red and gold of his Bey gleamed with a sharp intensity, the core pulsating with contained power. He inhaled deeply, feeling the familiar heat of Draconix warm his fingertips. But today, the fire felt different—flickering with unease.
"Are you even listening to me?"
Taro's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. His best friend stood beside him, bouncing on his heels, his own Beyblade clutched tightly. Taro's usual grin was tempered with nerves as he took in the sheer scale of the tournament.
"I said," Taro repeated, pointing to the throngs of international Bladers milling around, "this is huge. Look at these guys! Bladers from every corner of the world. Africa, Europe, Asia… they're all here. And all of them want that fragment."
Kai's eyes stayed on the glass case in the distance, his voice quiet. "It's not just about winning."
Taro's grin faltered. "You mean Zephyr."
"Yeah." Kai's grip tightened on Draconix. "Oblivion Nemesis… it felt alive, Taro. Like it wasn't just spinning—it was… hungry. That power wasn't normal. It was something else."
Taro swallowed hard. "You're not seriously worried about some dark legend, are you? I mean, yeah, Zephyr was creepy, and his Bey gave me the chills, but you've beaten tough Bladers before."
Kai shook his head. "This is different. Every Bey I've faced—Hiro's Shadow Basilisk, Ryuga's Storm Dragoon—they all had powerful strategies. But Zephyr? He wasn't just controlling Nemesis. It felt like Nemesis was controlling him."
"Bladers!" A voice boomed over the loudspeakers, snapping both boys to attention. "The opening round of the World Bladers' Tournament is about to begin! All registered participants, report to the central staging area!"
Taro slapped Kai's back, grinning again. "Come on, no time for dark prophecies now! We've got battles to win."
The staging area was packed with Bladers of all shapes, sizes, and reputations. Some wore flashy, custom gear adorned with lightning bolts or flames. Others carried themselves with quiet confidence, their eyes sharp and focused.
Kai scanned the crowd, his senses on high alert. He felt the storm brewing, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. His instincts pulled him to a corner where a dark figure leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Zephyr.
The Blader's golden eyes glinted beneath the shadow of his cloak. Oblivion Nemesis rested in his hand, its black and crimson surface rippling with an energy that seemed to distort the air around it.
Kai's heart thudded as their eyes met.
"So," Zephyr said softly, his voice like a midnight wind, "the fire Blader comes to test his flames against the abyss."
Kai didn't flinch. "I'm here to stop you from using that Bey."
Zephyr chuckled, the sound cold and hollow. "Stop me? You don't even understand what Nemesis truly is."
"I understand enough," Kai said firmly. "Power like that always comes with a cost. And I'm not letting you put anyone in danger."
Zephyr's smirk deepened. "Danger? Power is danger. But it's also destiny. Nemesis was forged from the heart of darkness itself. Every clash, every fragment, feeds it. This tournament… it's just a feast."
"You won't win," Kai growled.
Zephyr stepped forward, the air seeming to grow heavier with each step. "You think flames can survive the abyss? Fire burns hot… but it always dies in the cold."
Kai held up Inferno Draconix, its core glowing fiercely. "Then I'll burn brighter than you've ever seen."
Before Zephyr could respond, the announcer's voice filled the arena. "Round one: Kai, Blader of Inferno Draconix, versus Darius of Thunder Cyclone! Report to the main stadium!"
Taro nudged Kai's shoulder. "Looks like you've got a warmup match. Go show them what Draconix can do."
Kai turned without another word, the fire within him blazing brighter.
The stadium erupted as he stepped onto the main platform, cheers echoing off the walls. Across from him, a tall, muscular Blader with wild hair and a lightning bolt tattoo on his arm smirked confidently.
Darius pointed his launcher at Kai. "You might be famous, but Thunder Cyclone is going to tear you apart."
Kai lowered his launcher, a calm resolve in his eyes. "We'll see."
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…"
"Let it rip!"
Inferno Draconix blazed to life, flames spiraling as it tore across the stadium. Thunder Cyclone, a storm-gray Bey with jagged lightning designs, shot forward in a whirlwind of speed and power.
"Cyclone, Thunder Vortex!" Darius shouted.
The stadium filled with roaring winds as Thunder Cyclone created a swirling storm, lightning sparking from its core. The vortex closed in on Draconix, threatening to trap it.
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Draconix, Inferno Shift!"
The flames pulled inward, condensing into a focused core. The Bey shifted its movement, spiraling against the wind with calculated precision.
"Now! Flame Surge!"
Draconix burst forward, a stream of fire cutting through the vortex. The flames collided with Thunder Cyclone, sparks flying. The heat overwhelmed the storm, sending Cyclone skidding back.
Darius gritted his teeth. "No way…"
Kai's voice was steady, unshaken. "Your storm can't blow out a fire that burns from within."
With a final, powerful spin, Inferno Draconix slammed into Thunder Cyclone, shattering its momentum. Cyclone spun once more—then stopped.
The crowd roared.
As Kai stood victorious, he glanced toward the shadows at the edge of the stadium. Zephyr was watching, a dark smile on his lips.
This was only the beginning.
To be continued…