Ascension: Rebirth in a World of Powers-Chapter 24 - : The Storm Breaks

The silence between the two groups was electric, the calm before the chaos. Eren's heart pounded as he stared down Darius, whose confident smirk grated on his nerves. Behind Darius, his team looked equally self-assured. They weren't just a group of bullies; they were a well-oiled machine, each member ready to complement the others in battle.

Kaelena took a step forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Eren. "We know what you've done, Darius. This isn't about power—it's about the lives you've trampled to get it."

Darius laughed, the sound cold and hollow. "Spare me the speech, Kaelena. Power is the only thing that matters in this world. If you're too weak to take it, you don't deserve it."

Eren tightened his grip on the Shard. Its light pulsed in sync with his heartbeat, filling him with a mixture of anxiety and resolve. "You don't get it, do you? Power isn't just about control. It's about responsibility. You've abused yours, and it ends here."

Darius's smirk widened. "Then show me, Eren. Show me what you think real power looks like."

The first attack came without warning. One of Darius's teammates—a wiry boy with superhuman speed—darted forward, aiming a punch at Eren's gut. Eren barely managed to sidestep, his fireball igniting in his palm as he retaliated. The boy dodged effortlessly, reappearing behind Eren and forcing him to spin around to block the next strike.

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Kaelena was already in motion, her lightning arcing toward another attacker who had tried to flank them. The bolt struck true, sending the girl stumbling back, but not before she launched a wave of frost that Kaelena had to deflect with a hastily conjured barrier.

Kain roared as he charged into the fray, his immense strength scattering two of Darius's allies like bowling pins. Mira provided cover, her precision energy blasts forcing the opponents to keep their distance.

Eren's group was holding their own, but Darius had yet to make his move. He stood back, watching the battle unfold with a predator's patience.

"Focus on the team," Kaelena called out. "Darius wants to wear us down before he steps in!"

Eren nodded, dodging another strike from the speedster. He summoned a wall of flame, forcing the boy to retreat. "We need to take them out one by one. If we scatter, we're done for."

Elara's barriers became the turning point. With her protective magic shielding the team, they could move more freely. Eren coordinated with Mira to focus their attacks on the frost-wielding girl. She crumbled under the pressure, her ice defenses shattering as Mira's blasts and Eren's fire overwhelmed her.

One down.

Next, they turned their attention to a burly opponent with the ability to manipulate earth. His strikes were powerful but slow, and Kain took full advantage. Charging headfirst, Kain grappled the man, using his brute strength to force him into submission. A quick energy bolt from Mira knocked him out cold.

Two down.

The speedster proved more difficult. He darted between attacks, landing hits on Eren and Cyrus whenever they let their guard down. But Elara's barriers finally boxed him in, slowing him just enough for Kaelena to land a direct hit with her lightning. He collapsed, twitching as the electricity coursed through him.

Three down.

That left Darius.

"Impressive," he said, stepping forward at last. His tone was mocking, but there was a flicker of anger in his eyes. "I didn't expect you to take out my team so quickly. I guess I underestimated you."

Eren glared at him. "It's over, Darius. You don't have anyone left to hide behind."

Darius chuckled, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to fight. "Who said I need anyone?"

The air around Darius began to ripple with power. His ability to manipulate gravity became evident as the ground beneath him cracked and trembled. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a crushing force toward Eren, who barely managed to dodge.

Kaelena countered with a bolt of lightning, but Darius deflected it effortlessly. He turned his focus on her, increasing the gravity around her until she fell to her knees, struggling to breathe.

"Kaelena!" Eren shouted, rushing to her side. He released a wave of fire toward Darius, forcing him to release the pressure on her.

"Is that all you've got?" Darius taunted, his confidence unwavering.

Eren gritted his teeth, feeling the Shard's power surge within him. It was as if the artifact itself was urging him to act. He hesitated, the weight of the Shard's unknown consequences holding him back.

Kaelena's voice broke through his hesitation. "Eren, use it! We don't have a choice!"

Eren met her gaze and nodded. Clutching the Shard tightly, he allowed its power to flow through him. Heat radiated from his body, the air around him shimmering as flames erupted in a brilliant display.

Darius's smirk faltered as the full force of the Shard's energy became clear. Eren advanced, each step sending waves of heat toward his opponent.

"You wanted to see real power?" Eren said, his voice steady and commanding. "Here it is."

The courtyard was illuminated by the clash of their powers, the fight reaching its climax.