Chapter 48: The Strongest of GODS

Strength doesn’t always spring from a desire to dominate, but from the need to protect. Yet when both impulses collide in the same body, what emerges is not a warrior… but a monster.
Some train to perfect their technique, some study to find balance between body and soul, and some fight to overcome past trauma. But there is a kind of person who fits none of those categories: one whose very existence is a threat to the established order.
A lightning bolt doesn’t ask permission to strike. A roar doesn’t wait for consent to tear the silence. And there are gazes that, once fixed on a target, have already dictated its fate before the first move.

Among all the names that echo through the ranks of the new gods, one rises without needing to proclaim itself. Not because it seeks a throne, but because the fight itself calls to it, recognizes it, needs it — as if chaos whispered in its ear during every battle: “You were not born to lose.”
And while the seas churn, the skies tremble, and the old heirs of the throne watch closely… a new force begins to manifest, one that neither experience, nor blood, nor royalty were prepared to face.
Because on the field of the chosen, the winner is not the noblest.
Nor the wisest.
Nor even the most just.
The winner is…
the strongest.

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The sky was clear, but the tension in the air felt like thunder about to fall. Face to face, Yohei and Atlas studied one another with a mixture of respect and hunger for combat.
—I’m glad to know you’re one of the strongest, —Yohei said, flexing his fingers.
—Given your record, you don’t seem weak either, —Atlas replied with a slight smile.
—Thanks for the compliment, —Yohei shot back with a half-sharp smile—. But I won’t disappoint you… I’m going to tear you apart.
—Come, —Atlas said, and that was all.

They both lunged at each other and the crash of their fists rang like a lightning strike. A shockwave shook the island, cracking the ground beneath their feet. Stone slabs began to splinter as if the place itself were unready for such force.
—Looks like I was right to leave the city, —Atlas murmured, glancing at the fissures.

Thunder began to roar overhead. A colossal cloud formed above them, charged with electricity.
—Hey, hey… is this for real? —Atlas joked, raising an eyebrow.
—Die, —Yohei whispered.

A lightning bolt descended at an impossible speed, striking the center of the field with a titanic explosion. The sea trembled. The island, unable to withstand it, began to sink beneath the waves.
When the smoke cleared, part of Atlas’s clothing hung in tatters; his torso bore the marks of the impact.
Without pausing for respite, Atlas launched himself again and the exchange of blows shook the sky. Each clash of fists sounded like war drums.

From the city, Zef watched the spectacle with his eyes wide open.
—He’s a monster…
Yuki swallowed, unable to look away from the fight. She thought: I’ve never seen anything like this. No one gets that close… not even Edén.

With a roar, Yohei landed a direct punch to Atlas’s abdomen; the prince spat blood as his body folded from the impact. Another blow to the back sent the Atlantean prince flying until he crashed into the water with a muffled boom.
Yohei fell to his knees, exhausted, breathing hard. Sweat ran down his forehead. Suddenly Atlas surfaced slowly from the sea, his gaze steady.
—I yield, —he said in a calm voice.

Yohei looked at him, surprised.
—Why?
—It’s clear I can’t beat you. It’s hard for me to admit… but you’re far stronger than I am.
—But I still sense energy in you. Why don’t you continue?
—My duty is to be your teacher, not to beat you senseless. Besides, you’re nearly out of energy. That will be your first lesson.
—A lesson?
—You lack experience controlling your energy. Every attack you used was at maximum, with no control. That’s why you’re like this. In a real fight, you’d already be dead.

Yohei fell silent. Then, humbly, he bowed his head and pressed a clenched fist to his chest.
—Then… allow me to be your pupil.
Atlas regarded him with respect and smiled.
—It will be a pleasure to turn you into a monster.
—Thank you, Lord Atlas.
—That’s enough for today. Go rest. From tomorrow, I won’t stop.
—Yes.

The steam of the hot spring floated in the air like a warm mist. Surrounded by volcanic stone and blue-tinted thermal waters, Jason, Yohei, and Zef soaked up to their shoulders, letting the day’s exhaustion slowly dissolve.

—How was your first day of training? —Jason asked, leaning back against a rock, eyes half-closed.

Yohei, body relaxed but gaze still sharp, replied:
—Nothing out of the ordinary. Lord Atlas was just testing me… real training starts tomorrow.

—At least you did something, —Zef muttered lazily—. I was forced to sit on the beach all day. No instructions, no orders… nothing. Just staring at the sea.

Jason let out a quiet, nasal chuckle.
—Then it doesn’t sound that bad.

—Maybe... —Yohei murmured, thoughtful.

Jason looked at them with more seriousness.
—Have you taken care of the other matter?

The mood shifted instantly. Both lowered their gazes, their expressions tensing.
—Impossible, —Yohei said.
—Nothing at all, —Zef added with a sigh.

Jason slowly sank into the water until only his nose remained visible, resigned.
—Did you already forget what you came here for?
—I promise I’ll look into it more tomorrow, —Zef said, clenching his fists beneath the water.
—Me too, —Yohei nodded.
—What long days await me… —Jason muttered before disappearing completely under the water.

Hours later, the scene had changed. Yohei was in an open training arena, his bare torso gleaming with sweat as Atlas watched with arms crossed.
—Don’t try your usual trick, —Atlas instructed firmly—. Don’t send all your energy to a single point. It takes too long. The enemy would kill you before it even lands. Use only what’s necessary… just enough to hit.

Electric energy began to flow through Yohei’s body, crackling in the air. His pupils narrowed in concentration.
—Try to send the lightning to me at full speed. Don’t think. Just do it, —Atlas ordered.

A bolt shot from Yohei’s fingertip but faded halfway, losing strength until it was nothing but a spark.
—That didn’t even tickle, —Atlas said impassively—. Come on, again.

Yohei growled and unleashed a series of quick attacks, but all were equally ineffective. His body trembled from exhaustion.
—If you don’t learn to control your powers like this, you’ll lose every advantage you have. Electricity and light depend on speed and precision. Without that, you have no future against real enemies.
—Yes… —Yohei murmured, barely breathing.
—Again! —Atlas shouted.

Yohei closed his eyes. His breathing slowed. The world around him faded from his mind. He stopped thinking. Stopped forcing it. Stopped… and let his body act.

The electricity flowed like water — effortless, silent, lethal.

Atlas blinked. And when he opened his eyes, it was already too late. The bolt was right at his chest.
The impact was clean. Precise. Without warning.

Atlas stepped back. A shallow burn glowed on his torso.
—I’m sorry, master. I didn’t mean to—
But Atlas was looking at him with a mix of surprise and delight.
—You truly are a monster.

In silence, he analyzed what had just happened.
He completely hid his energy… and not only that, he channeled it with power and speed without any loss. A genius…

—Come on, let’s fight. And this time, don’t hold back.
—Yes! —Yohei answered, eyes blazing.

They both charged at each other. Their fists collided like meteorites, each clash sending tremors that shook the sea and made the heavens crack. The sand rose in spirals, as if the very world acknowledged the birth of a new titan.
And amid the lightning and blows, the faces of Yohei and Atlas showed only one thing—pure exhilaration.