The arena pulsed with anticipation, the crowd teetering on the edge of disbelief as they witnessed Skylar Blood, the blood manipulation user was on one knee, his breaths rasping through clenched teeth.
His body trembled from the effects of the dozen palm strikes to his body.
00:04.
But then, as it is nearing the time limit that he can stay outside the ring, with a roar, with a guttural cry, Skylar threw himself forward and barely managed to land back on the platform.
His boots scraped against the concrete platform. A few gasps rose from the crowd. Others watched in stunned silence.
On the platform, Orion remained unmoved.
His golden aura shimmered gently, going back to calmness.
Skylar wiped blood from his chin, chest heaving. "What… the hell was that?" he growled, his voice ragged.
Orion exhaled slowly, the breath audible only to the closest observers.
"I stopped fighting against the world," he said simply.
Skylar squinted through the pain. "What?"
