The arena buzzed with restless energy as the remaining students gathered for the first ability-authorized matches of the Crucible. Only sixteen combatants remained—those who had survived the brutal initial cuts. Among them, four stood out:
Kenneth Prince, who had dismantled his opponent with surgical precision
Zarek Volen, whose lightning had scorched through three consecutive matches
Cassian Veyne, the mimic who adapted faster than anyone could anticipate
Kael Drayven, whose tactical brilliance compensated for his lack of raw power
Master Rhelgar's voice cut through the murmurs.
"The Gauntlet begins now."
A holographic bracket flickered to life above the arena floor. The first match glowed brighter than the rest.
ZAREK VOLEN vs. CASSIAN VEYNE
---
Zarek stepped into the ring first, rolling his shoulders as blue-white sparks danced between his fingers. He had been waiting for this—a real fight, not the restrained brawls of the ability-less rounds.
Across from him, Cassian entered with silent focus. His gold-flecked eyes scanned Zarek with unsettling precision, already analyzing.
The referee's hand sliced downward.
"Begin."
---
Zarek moved instantly, a whip-crack of lightning lashing toward Cassian's chest.
Cassian twisted—but not fast enough.
The bolt grazed his shoulder, searing fabric and flesh. The scent of burnt cloth filled the air.
Zarek smirked. "Not so easy to copy speed, huh?"
Cassian didn't react to the taunt. He touched the wound briefly, fingers coming away smeared with blood. Then he settled back into stance.
"Again."
Zarek obliged.
Lightning arced again—this time in a controlled burst, meant to corral rather than strike. Cassian dodged, but Zarek was already moving, closing the distance with a crackling fist aimed at his ribs.
At the last second, Cassian's hand snapped up—
—and caught Zarek's wrist.
For a single, suspended heartbeat, the two stood locked in contact.
Then Cassian's veins lit up with stolen lightning.
---
Zarek barely had time to wrench free before Cassian retaliated.
A mirrored bolt—his own lightning—seared back at him. Zarek barely dodged, the heat singing his hair.
"Tch." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Knew you'd pull that."
Cassian didn't gloat. He adjusted his stance, testing the unfamiliar energy coursing through him. Lightning flickered at his fingertips—not as fluid as Zarek's, but just as deadly.
The crowd roared.
Zarek grinned.
"Now it's fun."
---
What followed was a storm given form.
Zarek wove through Cassian's retaliatory strikes, his movements a blur of electricity and instinct. Cassian adapted with terrifying speed, but Zarek had spent years mastering his power—his control was second nature.
A feint left. A bolt aimed low. Cassian blocked, but Zarek was already pivoting—
—and drove a knee into his ribs.
Cassian staggered. Zarek pressed the advantage, lightning gathering in his palm—
—only for Cassian to grab his arm again.
Another exchange. Another stolen spark.
This time, when Cassian unleashed the lightning, Zarek caught it.
The two surges collided midair in a deafening crack, throwing both combatants back.
Smoke curled from their clothes as they regained their footing.
Zarek's grin had sharpened. "You're good."
Cassian exhaled, his borrowed lightning flickering. "Not enough."
---
Zarek attacked differently now—no more straightforward bolts. Instead, he weaved the lightning, creating a crackling net between his fingers, forcing Cassian to either retreat or risk another touch.
Cassian chose neither.
He charged.
Zarek's eyes widened as Cassian barreled through the electric web, taking the shocks in exchange for closing the distance.
A fist collided with Zarek's jaw.
The lightning-wielder reeled—but recovered fast, countering with a brutal elbow to Cassian's temple.
The mimic stumbled.
Zarek didn't let up.
A knee to the gut. A crackling palm to the chest. Cassian blocked what he could, but the onslaught was relentless.
Then—
A hand clamped around Zarek's forearm.
Cassian's eyes burned with stolen lightning.
"Got you."
---
The arena lights flickered as the two fighters stood locked in a deadly embrace—Zarek's lightning surging, Cassian's stolen power flaring in response.
Somewhere in the stands, Kenneth leaned forward, his fingers tightening around the railing.
Kael adjusted his tech-lens, muttering calculations under his breath.
And Master Rhelgar watched, silent, as the storm between the two raged on.