Mysterious Redhead

After seeing to Uriko and Vin getting to the medical treatment center inside the tournament arena. I finally relaxed and turned and headed to the battlefield. I knew it was my turn a semifinal match. It was the new mystery opponent as mentioned prior. 

Once I arrived at the battlefield in the arena, I hear the announcements, and the crowd got excited and intrigued by the new mystery. The atmosphere in the arena grew tense as the semifinal match was announced. 

 A mysterious figure stepped into the center of the ring, cloaked in dark robes that shimmered under the arena lights. His presence was commanding, yet unsettling, as if he carried a storm within him. The crowd fell silent, sensing that this opponent was unlike any they had seen before.

I stepped into the arena, heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and resolve. I could feel the weight of the crowd's gaze, but more than that, I felt the familiar flicker of anticipation. This was a test, one that would push him beyond his limits. My opponent, the mysterious man, moved with a strange grace, pressing the fighting style that Terran had begun to adopt. As Enuma taught me this new style. It was more befitting my attributes, a swift, aggressive striker style infused with raw energy and unorthodox tactics.

The man spoke with a domineering voice, asking "Why do you fight without a sword?"

The man’s movements were fluid and unpredictable, weaving in and out of my defenses, pressing him harder than ever. It was clear that this newcomer was here to challenge the new fighting style I had embraced, 

I was unable to reply, as it was taking my entire focus to not get blown away by this opponent. 

People had already thought the son of the Hero had brought great shame to the Auron Empire for breaking tradition. Every strike, every dodge, seemed designed to test whether Terran was just a pretender abusing a cheat in some way.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Enuma leaned back with a bored expression, as he already knew the identity of the mystery opponent. The Demon King was being patient and waiting for everything to come to fruition.  Enuma's voice echoing in Terran’s head. “Why bother, this is just another pointless test. Watching him stumble is more amusing than assisting.”

I clenched my fists, fighting the distraction. “Master, I don’t need your help. I’ve come this far on my own. Besides, I want to prove—”

I tried to utilize my core techniques, as they have gotten me this far. The basic left jab, quick and fierce. Repeatedly trying to land and make the opponent lose momentum. Yet the opponent was blocking all of the jabs with his sword. 

The fight intensified. My strikes became faster, more unpredictable, channeling the jabs with a ferocity that surprised even himself. The mysterious opponent pressed him relentlessly, countering with precise sword techniques that shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow.

I refused to just accept this man being stronger, I was disciple of the Demon King. I used all my training and made use of my great footwork. Dodging his swordsmanship, he was not as precise as Reval. Yet each sword stroke was quite powerful, that it felt heavier than anything Reval used. 

Suddenly, in the middle of their grueling clash, the opponent’s mask slipped, revealing a familiar face. It was my father, the great hero. The crowd gasped. The legendary hero, Heero. Who is renown across the empire. Yet he was the mystery opponent in this semifinal match. Then most of the crowd caught on. 

The father was fighting his own son, wielding a mixture of magic sword skills and a strange, ancient technique that radiated power and discipline. 

Heero’s voice, calm yet tinged with confusion, echoed through the arena. “Terran… why have you changed so much? You fight differently than I ever taught you. Are you being corrupted by remnants of the demon army? Or is this your true strength?”

Terran, breathless, pushed himself to the limit, forcing his body into defend against his father great hero strength. His strikes were rapid, explosive, combining raw physicality with flashes of magic infused through his fists. His strategy was unorthodox, an aggressive striker style that relied on speed, precision, and relentless pressure. He poured all his will into the fight, determined to prove himself.

I finally able to speak, I did not hold back. I scolded the redhead hero, "What have you ever taught me! This is me, Terran! I have trained so hard to breakthrough to surpass you!" and as of that moment I utilized my breakthrough magic as green light shined as I kept my magic around my body. Then my fighting abilities doubled as I moved even quicker than before.

Enuma, watching from afar, scoffed in his invisible form.  “Prove what? That you’re better than your father? Ha! The great Heero? He’s just a man, boy. A hero, yes, but still mortal. You’re forging your own path now, whether he likes it or not.”

Terran ignored the demon king’s taunts. He focused on his breathing, on his movements. With a sudden burst, he unleashed a series of strikes, each infused with the green glow of Gaia’s magic. A technique he had learned during his training with the Demon King.

Heero imposed his strength and casted a powerful Mega Fire attack with his sword. Then he said, "You are using the Demon King's magic against me of all people?" 

I secretly thank Enuma for recent Jump Rope training, as I could feel the difference in my body. Previously it was a training I joked and mocked at first as an awkward, almost silly exercise.  

It had turned into a powerful combat technique, increasing my explosive agility and strength to levels even his father couldn’t match. The training had turned my green breakthrough enhancements to another level yet to be seen.

Heero, surprised by the ferocity and speed of Terran’s assault, tried to counter, but the younger warrior’s relentless barrage broke through his defenses. With a final, decisive strike, my fists glowing with the green energy. I had drove my father to his knees.

Heero looked up, breathing hard, eyes filled with a mixture of pride and confusion. “You’ve surpassed me,” he admitted softly. “Your strength… it’s new. Different. But it’s yours. I see now why you changed. You’re forging your own legend.”

Terran, battered but triumphant, lowered his fists. “Thanks, Dad. I’ve been working on my own style. This move helped me become faster and more agile to benefit my style. Even you, the Great Hero, couldn’t keep up.”

Heero nodded, a rare smile breaking his serious face. “I’m proud of you, son." 

Enuma jeered, "No thanks to you, you brute! I am the one that succeed when you failed." 

I felt a swell of relief and pride. For the first time, he truly understood that his path wasn’t just about fighting. 

As the crowd erupted into applause and cheers, Enuma’s voice echoed in the back of his mind once more, amused and mocking. “Well, well, son of the hero. Looks like you’re finally starting to impress even me. But don’t get comfortable. The real battles are just beginning.”

Both me and my father walked out of the arena to the recovery area. Then Heero said, "I’ve got news. Your mother’s recovery since the Dark Valkyrie battle is progressing well. She’s stronger than ever. I only wish I was there to fight side by side with her again. And with you.”

I put a look of remorse on my face. "You already heard about that?  Even though everything was best results to defeat one of the six supremacy. I feel really awful that Mom took so much damage for me."  

With a hearty laugh, Heero slapped my back with massive thwack that almost made me fly away. He replied, "That is her style. She takes on so much. Only due to me does she hold back, as she knows she needs to heal me after a battle so she cannot take such risks."

I busted out a laugh, and asked, "Why do you two sound like a story book perfect couple?"

They both gave a big laugh and Enuma was in background with his jaw dropped stunned how humans and fight bitterly and make up so easily. 

I went to go check on Uriko and Vin in medical center and Heero followed me. I was smiling softly, looked up at the sky. I was ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.