Kazaf: The upside down

A deep, unnatural silence settled over the battlefield. The clash of weapons, the cries of warriors—all seemed distant, insignificant compared to the energy radiating from Kazaf.

His body pulsed with raw power. His golden aura, once bright and controlled, now burned with an untamed, almost feral intensity. His eyes, molten with energy, locked onto Vahir with a newfound determination.

The Elara Sect disciples watched in awe. Even the elders, who had seen countless battles, felt a shiver run down their spines.

"This… this is different," Elder Nadim whispered.

Vahir, however, remained unshaken. Instead, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. "Now this is interesting."

Kazaf exhaled, steadying himself. His limbs no longer felt heavy. The pain that had threatened to drag him down was now distant, replaced by an overwhelming surge of strength.

Then, he vanished.

Vahir barely had time to react before Kazaf was upon him. A devastating fist crashed into the general's chest, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.

Vahir's body lurched backward. For the first time, his stance wavered.

Kazaf didn't stop. He struck again, this time with a spinning kick to Vahir's ribs. The impact sent the armored warrior skidding across the ground, carving a deep trench in his wake.

The sect disciples gasped.

"He's—he's pushing him back!" Rahim shouted in disbelief.

Asma's eyes widened. "That's… Kazaf's true power?"

Vahir, now kneeling, placed a hand on his chest. The dull ache where Kazaf had struck him was proof of something undeniable.

The boy was evolving.

Vahir slowly stood, his expression unreadable. Then, he chuckled. "Good. I was beginning to get bored."

With a flick of his wrist, a deep crimson aura erupted around him. The ground beneath him cracked as the air became thick with oppressive energy.

Kazaf felt the shift immediately. This wasn't the same Vahir.

Then, the general disappeared.

Kazaf's instincts screamed. He spun around just in time to block a devastating punch aimed at his head. The force still sent him sliding back, his feet digging into the earth.

Vahir was on him again in an instant. Their movements blurred as they exchanged blows at lightning speed. Fists clashed against fists, energy colliding with energy, each strike sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

The spectators could hardly keep up.

"Unbelievable," Elder Rafiq muttered. "They're fighting on a completely different level now."

Kazaf gritted his teeth as he deflected another punch. But before he could counter, Vahir's knee drove into his stomach, knocking the breath from his lungs.

Kazaf staggered, but he refused to fall.

He clenched his fists. "Not yet."

A deep growl rumbled from within him. Then, his energy exploded outward.

A massive wave of force tore through the battlefield, forcing even the strongest warriors to shield their eyes.

When the dust cleared, Kazaf stood taller, stronger. His aura was no longer just golden—it was laced with streaks of deep crimson, as if something hidden inside him had awakened.

Vahir watched with intrigue. "So, you're finally tapping into your true heritage."

Kazaf's breathing was steady. He didn't know what this power was. He could feel it burning within him, raw and untamed. But he didn't care.

He had a fight to win.

Without warning, he shot forward. His speed was unreal. One moment, he was standing still. The next, he was right in front of Vahir, delivering a devastating uppercut.

The force sent the general soaring into the sky.

Kazaf leapt after him. In mid-air, he twisted, channeling all his energy into a single, earth-shattering punch.

The impact sent Vahir hurtling back down, crashing into the battlefield with an explosion of dust and debris.

Silence.

The warriors of Jalwa hesitated. Their strongest enforcer had been struck down.

"Did he… win?" Harun whispered.

Kazaf landed softly, his eyes still glowing. He didn't relax. Not yet.

Then, the rubble shifted.

Vahir rose from the crater, his armor cracked, his mask slightly broken—revealing a glimpse of his face beneath. He wiped a trickle of blood from his lip.

And then, he laughed.

"You're the real deal, aren't you?" Vahir said, cracking his neck. "Now I really want to take you back to Jalwa."

Kazaf growled. "Not happening."

Vahir raised his hand. Dark energy swirled around his palm, condensing into a spear of pure destruction. The air around it twisted and warped.

"If you won't come willingly," Vahir said, his voice colder than ever, "then I'll break you."

Kazaf braced himself.

Before Vahir could launch his attack, a new voice rang through the battlefield.

"That's enough."

Everyone turned.

A tall figure walked through the chaos, his long robes flowing behind him. His presence alone was enough to command silence.

Elder Rafiq's eyes widened. "It's… Grand Elder Basir!"

The Grand Elder of the Elara Sect had finally arrived.

Vahir's smirk faded. He lowered his spear but didn't dispel it. "You're late, old man."

Basir's eyes, sharp and calculating, settled on Kazaf first. He studied him for a moment, then turned to Vahir. "Take your men and leave."

Vahir chuckled. "You know that's not happening."

Basir sighed. "Then I'll make you leave."

With a flick of his wrist, the entire battlefield shifted. The earth trembled as an invisible force pressed down upon Jalwa's warriors. Several of them staggered, gasping for breath.

Vahir's smirk finally disappeared.

"Tch," he muttered. "Fine. We'll retreat—for now."

He turned to Kazaf, his eyes gleaming with something between respect and anticipation. "You're not bad, kid. But you're not ready for Jalwa yet."

Kazaf didn't respond. He simply watched as Vahir and his warriors began to vanish into the shadows.

The battle was over.

But something told Kazaf this was only the beginning.

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