Chapter 6 – Clash of Monarchs
The skies darkened above the rooftop battlefield.
A vortex of flame and frost rose to the heavens, as Lee Hwan and Elira prepared their final attacks. The ground cracked beneath them, the very city around trembling as if dreading the impact of what was coming.
Lee's body glowed with True Flame Dragon Aura. His flames danced wildly, fueled by rage, instinct — and vision. His eyes shimmered, seeing 8 seconds into the future. Every breath, every shift in the wind, he could feel.
Across from him, Elira's presence was majestic. She stood still like a winter queen, her hair flowing like icy mist. Her aura had thickened, condensed. Her expression was calm, eyes sharp.
This was Monarch of Ice in full form.
And neither of them were holding back anymore.
Lee raised his hand. "Let's finish this."
Elira nodded. "Agreed."
At once, they launched forward, their auras burning through space.
"Dragon's Wrath!!"
"Absolute Zero Lance!!"
A dragon made of pure golden fire collided with a spear of divine frost.
The impact was catastrophic.
A dome of energy burst outward in all directions. The sky split with a shockwave, clouds torn apart like paper. Buildings nearby shattered. Trees were uprooted. The rooftop they stood on crumbled under their feet — and time seemed to freeze for a moment.
Then—
Boom.
A second explosion. And then silence.
The dust cleared.
Both Lee and Elira were pushed back. Elira landed hard on one knee, panting, her hand slightly trembling. Her ice armor was cracked across her shoulder and chest.
Lee was standing — but swaying. Blood dripped from his mouth, and burn marks covered his right arm.
But something was wrong.
His aura flickered.
The fire that had once blazed so furiously was starting to dim.
He blinked once. Then again.
No…
Not yet…
He tried to lift his arm — but it fell limp.
And that's when Elira stood up, slowly, steadily.
She dusted her hands, her face showing signs of fatigue, but far more composed than Lee.
"You're strong, Lee," she said quietly.
He looked at her, breathing hard.
"You made me use 90% of my power," she continued. "No one else has ever done that. Not even Monarch-ranked challengers."
Lee's eyes widened slightly.
"Ninety… percent?"
Elira nodded. "But... my overall strength is still greater."
Lee's knees buckled, and he dropped to one knee, using his hand to steady himself.
So close… yet still not enough.
He looked up at her with a smirk, despite the blood at the corner of his lips.
"So… I made you sweat."
Elira smiled faintly. "You did more than that."
She stepped toward him, her ice aura dimming down.
"You've grown faster than anyone I've ever met. If you keep this up... you might even surpass me."
Lee chuckled. "That… was the plan."
Elira extended her hand. Lee looked at it, then grabbed it, and she pulled him up.
"You may have lost this round," she said, "but I doubt I'll win the next one."
Lee's breathing slowed, his stance stabilizing again. "Next time… I'll be stronger."
Elira looked at him warmly. "I'll be waiting."
They both stood in silence, the battlefield around them in ruins.
The fight had ended — but the rivalry had only just begun.