A thunderous roar echoed throughout the stadium.
Wearing a pristine sleeveless black robe trimmed in crimson, a tall, muscular man stood at the center of a massive square arena crafted from polished white stone.
His bronze skin gleamed beneath the midday sun.
Golden eyes surveyed the thousands gathered around him.
"Let's hear it one more time for our first finalist—ZEKE SAMUS!"
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
The crowd erupted into deafening applause.
Zeke raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight as he struggled to gather his bearings.
Something about this felt... strange.
The chubby announcer adjusted his gaudy sunglasses and flashed an exaggerated grin.
"And now, introducing the beautiful and deadly Ice Empress herself! The woman capable of freezing a man's heart with nothing but a glance! Give a warm welcome to AKARI SAITO!"
Cheers exploded throughout the stadium.
A graceful figure emerged from the opposite tunnel.
Akari Saito entered the arena with her usual composed elegance.
Her dark-blue military uniform hugged her athletic frame, while light armor protected her shoulders and forearms.
Matching blue hair was tied into an immaculate bun.
Cold blue eyes locked onto Zeke immediately.
The crowd adored her.
Akari ignored them all.
"We meet again, youngest child of the Samus family."
She stopped across from him.
"This time, there will be no interruptions."
Zeke groaned.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Just call me Zeke."
Akari remained unmoved.
"That title is part of your identity."
"No. It's part of my headache."
For a brief moment, her lips twitched upward.
A rare victory.
Unfortunately, it didn't last.
"Regardless," she continued, drawing her twin rapiers, "our duel has been postponed long enough."
Zeke sighed.
"Have you noticed all the shady things happening around this martial conference?"
His gaze drifted toward the stands.
"If you ask me, this whole event feels like a disaster waiting to happen."
"Are you trying to jinx us?"
Akari asked seriously.
Zeke stared at her.
"You're the one jinxing us."
"Hmph."
She lowered her stance.
"The world could be collapsing around me, and I still wouldn't take my eyes off you."
Zeke blinked.
"...Was that flirting?"
A faint blush appeared on Akari's cheeks.
"...Enough talking."
Her expression instantly returned to normal.
"Draw your weapon."
"My name is—"
"Youngest Child of the Samus Family."
"You're impossible."
The announcer shouted for the match to begin.
Neither contestant waited another second.
Steel collided.
The championship battle commenced.
....
Several hours later, the world was burning.
The once-glorious city surrounding the martial conference had been reduced to rubble.
Buildings collapsed.
Flames consumed entire districts.
Panicked civilians fled through smoke-filled streets.
The scent of blood lingered everywhere.
Zeke stood among the destruction.
Akari's limp body rested in his arms.
A molten spike protruded from her torso.
The attack had been meant for him.
"Why...?"
His voice trembled.
Akari managed a weak smile.
"Because..."
Blood trickled from her lips.
"...I couldn't let someone else steal my rival."
Her eyes slowly closed.
"Akari!"
For the first time in years, genuine fear gripped his heart.
Mary immediately rushed forward.
The orange-haired healer knelt beside them.
"Move!"
Green light gathered around her hands.
After several tense moments, Mary finally exhaled.
"She's alive."
Zeke froze.
"Really?"
"Critical condition."
Mary nodded.
"But she's alive."
Relief nearly buckled his knees.
"Thank you."
Mary offered a small smile.
"I'll stabilize her."
Zeke glanced upward.
High above the city floated the architect of this disaster.
Magma.
The demonic disciple grinned down at them.
Half his body had transformed.
Horns protruded from his skull.
Crimson veins crawled across pale skin.
The Devil's Advocate pill had pushed him into the realm of a Pseudo Stage 4.
"Tsk."
Magma laughed.
"What now, hero? Are you going to cry?"
Zeke slowly stood.
His expression was devoid of emotion.
"No."
The temperature around him seemed to drop.
"You should be afraid."
Magma burst into laughter.
"And why is that?"
Zeke's golden eyes met his.
"Because I'm stronger."
"Blood Coffin."
The technique activated instantly.
A crimson prison erupted from Magma's own wounds.
The demonic cultivator didn't even have time to react.
His smile vanished.
"What—"
Thousands of blood-forged weapons materialized within the coffin.
The screams that followed echoed across the ruined city.
....
Years passed.
Zeke lay beneath warm blankets, staring at the ceiling.
Beside him rested Akari.
She traced lazy circles across his chest.
"Something wrong?"
Zeke asked.
Akari hesitated.
"...Sometimes I think about our duel."
Zeke smiled.
"What would you call what we were just doing?"
Akari pinched him.
"You know exactly what I mean."
His smile softened.
His gaze drifted toward the scar stretching across her shoulder and ribcage.
A permanent reminder of that day.
Even after all these years, guilt lingered.
Akari followed his gaze.
"Stop."
"What?"
"Blaming yourself."
She shifted closer.
"I chose to save you."
Silence lingered between them.
Eventually, she smiled.
"Besides..."
Her eyes softened.
"I have no regrets."
She pressed her forehead against his.
"I love you, Zeke."
His chest tightened.
"I love you too."
....
Years later, they stood together beneath a sky of endless blue.
Surrounded by flowers and loved ones.
The priest smiled warmly.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Akari's eyes shimmered with tears.
"So..."
Zeke grinned.
"Does this mean I finally won?"
"No."
She pulled him closer.
"It means we're tied."
They kissed.
The crowd erupted.
Somewhere in the audience, Jin Jo was already drunk.
"THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND!"
....
Time continued to move forward.
Years became decades.
Peace settled into their lives.
One evening, Zeke prepared to leave after receiving an urgent summons from the Elemental Sect.
Before he could depart, Akari tugged on his sleeve.
"Wait."
Something about her expression seemed different.
"What is it?"
Akari looked away.
"I have something to tell you."
Zeke immediately grinned.
"You've gained weight."
Akari stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying—"
"Zeke."
"Yes?"
"I'm pregnant."
Silence.
"...What?"
Akari sighed.
"I'm pregnant."
Several seconds passed.
Then Zeke exploded with excitement.
"WHAT?!"
He lifted her off the ground and spun her around.
Akari laughed despite herself.
"Careful!"
"The baby!"
Zeke immediately stopped.
"Oh."
His eyes widened.
"The baby."
Akari nodded.
"The baby."
A stupid grin spread across his face.
"What if it's a boy?"
"We don't know."
"What if it's a girl?"
"We still don't know."
Zeke placed a hand over her stomach.
A warmth spread through his chest unlike anything he had ever experienced.
For the first time in his life...
Everything felt perfect.