The crowd's roar shook the walls of the coliseum as Ezekiel hurled a devastating sonic pulse from his hands. The shockwave cracked through the air like a thunderclap, shattering Dan's bracelet into glittering fragments midair before slamming hard into Dan's chest. His body flew like a ragdoll across the stone floor and crashed into the arena ground with a sickening thud, dust rising around him.
"Wow! What an end!" the announcer bellowed from his platform above, voice amplified by chi-enhanced sound stones. "A swift and savage victory!"
Ezekiel flicked the dust off his shoulders, his eyes cold and proud. "Easy," he muttered, smirking at the silence that followed.
But then—
Crackling.
Hissing.
Tiny arcs of blue light began to dance over Dan's body.
The dust hadn't even settled when lightning burst from his limbs. His fingers twitched, then clenched into a fist. His eyes opened, glowing faintly with raw power. Gasps erupted across the coliseum like a wave.
Ezekiel turned back, ready to raise his arms in triumph—only to be blinded by a sudden flash of light.
"Wha—?!" he shouted, shielding his face.
Dan rose slowly from the crater, lightning surging around his arms like living veins. He stepped forward, his hand outstretched, electricity crackling at his fingertips.
What is this? Dan thought, dazed. I lost… or did I? I'm back up. I'm faster than I've ever been before… But why? Am I using... lightning?
He didn't have time to answer.
With a blur of motion, Dan vanished and reappeared in front of Ezekiel. He drove a lightning-charged fist into Ezekiel's stomach, doubling the boy over with a guttural grunt. Without pause, Dan unleashed a flurry of rapid punches and spinning kicks, electricity trailing each strike like snapping whips of energy.
Ezekiel staggered back, dazed, struggling to regroup.
I have to bridge the gap— he thought, preparing a move.
But Dan seized both his wrists with shocking speed.
"You'll pay for destroying my mom's bracelet," Dan snarled.
He pulled Ezekiel forward and slammed a final, thunderous punch into his jaw.
BOOM.
The impact echoed like an explosion, silencing the arena. Every mouth stood agape. Even the announcer paused.
Then, shakily, the announcer lifted his mic crystal again. "T-T-The winner is... Dan! From the Lightning Nation!"
Dan stood in the center of the scorched arena floor, lightning still flickering faintly across his skin. His eyes were wide with confusion.
What the hell? he thought. How did I manifest... this sacred power?
Suddenly, chains shot from the ground and coiled tightly around his body.
"Guh—!" Dan grunted, struggling.
From the edge of the arena, a woman in a red military armour stepped forward, her arms glowing with chi chains. She had fierce black eyes and black braids tied up like a crown. This was Vixen, vice-captain of the Fire Nation and a chain chi user.
"Sir, I've secured him," she called.
Beside her appeared a more composed man with silver streaks in his red hair, a soft but alert gaze watching Dan carefully. He was Talar, vice-lieutenant and user of empathy chi.
"Thanks," Talar said. He stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Dan's forehead. "Sleep."
Dan's body went limp, eyes closing as his lightning flickered out.
Talar turned to the crowd. "Apologies for the disruption. Please enjoy the remaining matches. This matter is now under control."
A Private Room in the Arena
The room smelled faintly of incense and smoke, a contrast to the bright arena outside. A lamp flickered on the wooden desk, casting long shadows. Dan lay in a reclining chair, his body still bound in light chains.
Talar stepped forward and touched his forehead again. "Wake up."
Dan's eyes shot open. "H-Hey! How dare you—"
A silver chain snapped across his mouth mid-sentence.
"Shut it," Vixen snapped, stepping from the shadows. "You've no idea the trouble you're in."
Another voice, deeper and more laid-back, echoed from the side of the room.
"Hey Vixen," said DG, a tall, broad-shouldered man with thick glasses and a calm tone. He leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Greg told you to chill with the chains."
Vixen sighed, then reluctantly released Dan.
Dan sat up, rubbing his wrists, heart pounding. What are they going to do to me…?
A cloud of cigar smoke drifted into the air.
From the side door walked in a man with red armour, his short black beard neatly trimmed. A cigar smoldered between his fingers. He pulled out the chair across Dan and sat down.
This was Greg, captain of the Fire Nation's 13th branch family—The Denvers. His aura radiated dominance.
"Well, well," Greg said, exhaling smoke slowly. "A lightning user, huh? Tell me... are you a spy?"
Dan trembled. Greg's presence was overwhelming. I have to choose my words wisely…
"N-No, sir. I just discovered my abilities now. I swear I'm not a spy."
"Bullshit," Vixen snapped.
Greg raised a hand. "That's enough, Vixen."
The room went silent.
"I believe him."
Everyone turned, shocked.
Greg continued, "That bracelet we found—on the floor of the battlefield—it was a Chi-Blocker. A rare one. Suppresses a person's chi completely."
Dan blinked. "A what?"
"Tool used to keep chi hidden. Where'd you get it?"
Dan hesitated. "My mom gave it to me…"
Mom… why would you…?
Greg nodded. "Alright then. We can't disqualify you now. You'll finish the exams."
"But sir—!" Vixen began.
"Enough," DG said, stepping forward. "You want to question Boss's orders?"
Vixen backed down with a grumble.
Talar stepped forward. "Sorry for earlier."
Greg smirked. "Your next match is in three days. Prepare well."
That Evening – Zaki Residence
Dan sat in the restaurant with Sofia and the Zakis.
"Guys... I want to see all of you."
"We expected this," Sofia said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Mr. Zaki nodded. "Your mother knew this day would come."
Mrs. Zaki joined them, gently guiding everyone to sit.
"Dan," Mr. Zaki said slowly, "your mother… wasn't from the Fire Nation. She was from the Lightning Nation. She served the Lightning King... your father."
Dan's heart skipped. "Wait... what? My father is the Lightning King? Did you guys see him"
Mrs. Zaki shook her head. "We never met him. Only your mother. She came here sixteen years ago, holding a crying baby. We gave her a job, then she became family."
Dan lowered his gaze. "Why would she hide my power? Why the bracelet? Was she ashamed?"
"No," Mr. Zaki said. "She feared you'd be in danger… or dragged into the path of knighthood. She wanted you to live free. She loved you more than anything."
"She really did," Sofia said.
Dan stood, shoulders straight. "I've had a long day. But if this is my truth… I'll aim even higher."
Sofia raised a brow. "What's higher than being a knight?"
Dan smiled. "Becoming the Lightning King."
Later That Night
A soft knock came at Dan's door.
He opened it to find Ruby, his shy, red-haired friend from the karate dojo, standing nervously, a small box behind her back.
"H-Hello," she stammered.
"Oh hey, Ruby," Dan smiled.
"I… heard about today."
"Yeah. Crazy, huh? Me, a kid from the Lightning Nation."
Ruby's cheeks turned pink. Her heart pounded.
"I-I… got something for you," she said, shutting her eyes and thrusting the box forward.
Dan took it, curious.
"It was supposed to be part of your birthday gift. I forgot it yesterday."
Dan opened it carefully. Inside lay a silver necklace with his name engraved on the pendant: Dan.
His eyes lit up.
"This is... beautiful."
Ruby smiled, eyes wide. He loves it!
"It's nothing—" she mumbled.
"No. It means a lot," Dan said. "I'm going to train harder than ever to make you—and everyone—proud."
Ruby blushed. "Y-You better."
Three Days Later
Dan stood tall at the entrance to the arena. The wind stirred his hair as the sun rose high.
Sofia waved from the stands. "It's D-Day! Good luck!"
Dan smiled. "Thanks."
So this exam has 20 pots. Five rounds in each. I finished the first. Four more to go… I'm hyped.
Near the arena gates, Dan spotted Ezekiel yelling at DG.
"That kid was listed as non-chi! He's a liar! I demand a rematch!" Ezekiel shouted.
Vixen appeared, binding him with chains.
"Thanks," DG said. "Sorry, Ezekiel, but if you need to know your opponent's power to win, you were never ready."
Vixen released him. "Get lost."
"Damn you all," Ezekiel spat.
He turned and locked eyes with Dan.
"You—"
Dan flipped him over with one motion.
"Didn't you hear them?" Dan said coolly. "You were outclassed. We're not the same. So long, loser."
Back in the Arena
The crowd chanted: "Dan! Dan! Dan!"
"The match you've all been waiting for," the announcer boomed, "The whip chi user, Icar… versus the rising storm from the Lightning Nation—Dan!"
Dan waved at the crowd. "Wow… I've really packed a crowd."
Across from him, Icar cracked a smirk. He was lean and sharp-eyed, with palms glowing faintly.
"I don't care where you're from," Icar sneered. "You're going down."
"Okay, okay, whatever."
"Match start!" the announcer cried.
Before Dan could move, whips of glowing chi burst from Icar's hands and lashed him across the chest, sending him tumbling back.
"I told you!" Icar roared. "You're going to lose!"
Dan gritted his teeth, lightning building in his veins.
"As if."
He burst forward, a blur of blue light, pummeling Icar with precise blows. A final thunderous punch to the chest hurled Icar backward.
"Let's go, Dan!!!" the crowd roared.
Dan flashed a peace sign—
—but a whip shot from Icar's hand, razor-thin and aimed directly at Dan's eye.
"I got you!" Icar screamed.
The arena gasped—
(To be continued…)