The stage was already set, the air thick with tension.

Every major organization was present—not just to honor Theron's coronation, but now to witness the royal siblings clash for the throne.

Vaelen removed his robe slowly. Strangely, he was calm as his eyes locked on Caius.

"Brother, when was the last time we actually fought?" Vaelen asked first.

"When we were five," Caius replied after a moment, his mind flashing to the past. "Back when no one knew I was a bastard prince."

"Yes… I remember. I didn't give up that day, not until I had no strength left to even stand. Hahaha… brother." A faint smile tugged at Vaelen's lips.

"This time will be no different. Even if death comes close, I won't stop coming for you. I'll fight until I lose consciousness and can't move anymore. So… elder brother—are you ready?" Vaelen said, voice sharp with challenge.

Their conversation echoed across the Federation, touching hearts everywhere. People felt the love, the rivalry, the unshakable bond between the siblings. But just as quickly, that emotion turned to hype.

"Let it begin," General Drezan's voice cut through the air.

With his command, the tension tripled. The atmosphere thickened until noses flared from the pressure, and the wind swept everyone's hair back.

The two brothers stared at one another.

…

BOOM!

A sonic boom erupted. Metal clashing against metal—that was the sound that shook the platform.

At the center, the ground dented from the impact. Caius and Vaelen had met. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the N0velFire.ɴet

Vaelen was pushed back four steps. Caius, only one.

Already, the difference in strength was shown. But this battle had only begun.

"Come on, bro… come on," Vaelen said with a chuckle, his eyes deadly and bloodthirsty.

Then his aura erupted, stunning everyone.

Galaxy Realm, Stage One!

"How…?"

The crowd was stunned.

"Surprised?" Vaelen asked, grinning.

Caius smiled faintly. "No. Joyful. At least this fight won't be one-sided."

General Drezan released his own aura, shielding the Federation so the citizens wouldn't be crushed by the terrifying power of the two siblings. Even so, the weight of a galaxy pressed down—but Caius didn't flinch.

BOOM!

In an instant, Vaelen's aura was pushed back. The very air exploded into violent waves.

Galaxy Realm, Stage One… Caius as well.

"The rumors are true!"

"The eldest prince really has changed!"

"Unbelievable…"

The Federation was in shock, but excitement surged even higher.

Vaelen's heart pounded like a war drum, heatwaves radiating from his body.

Pao!

He blurred, dodging aside as a terrifying attack that could collapse a galaxy ripped past him, smashing harmlessly into General Drezan's barrier before dissipating.

The crowd collectively gulped. That single strike could have erased a galaxy—yet Caius had unleashed it casually, and Vaelen had dodged.

"Eh? Hehe…" Vaelen grinned as his hair grew longer, flowing like water. His eyes faded into pure white.

"Alright then. Run it up."

He vanished.

"—!"

Caius staggered, blood erupting from his mouth. A hole the size of a fist marred his robes.

"What…?" Caius frowned. He hadn't even seen Vaelen move.

Yet Vaelen stood in the same place.

"Behold, brother. A glimpse of my power. At this stage, I can move a hundred times faster than light. Reality bends to my will—I can strike before you even process it."

The hall erupted in disbelief.

"One hundred times!? But Stage One Galaxy Realm only allows twenty times the speed of light…"

"This is impossible!"

"Isn't this battle already over?" someone whispered.

"There's no way the eldest prince can counter this…"

The younger ones panicked, but an aged man shook his head.

"Young fools. Quick to decide, quick to judge. Do you think Prince Vaelen is the only one with secrets?"

The crowd fell silent. He wasn't wrong. The true powerhouses leaned forward—because for them, this battle was just beginning.

"Brother, I know you're hiding something," Vaelen smirked. "But remember, this is only the first step of my power. I'll keep getting faster and faster. Can you keep up?"

Even Darius was shaken. Darwin more so. But Theron… his expression darkened.

"So that's why… He never feared me. Only Darius. Does he really think I'm weak?" Theron thought bitterly.

"Come on," Caius wiped the blood from his lips and stood firm.

Lydia's heart nearly leapt out of her chest, but she dared not distract her man.

"Okay… let's go," Vaelen said.

Caius tried to track his brother's movements. I just need to see where he starts, anticipate his direction—

But his thoughts were cut off as his body was suddenly lifted off the ground.

BOOM!

Caius skidded across the platform, clutching his abdomen in pain.

He tried to rise, but it wasn't fast enough.

Vaelen was already on him.

BOOM. BOOM.

PAPAPA! DOOM!

Fists blurred. Dozens of blows landed in a single breath. Caius' body soared through the air before crashing heavily into the ground.

BOOOOM!

The platform dented, dust flying. Caius coughed up more blood, his body trembling. The arena material was strong enough to withstand a Universal Realm's full power—but even so, the shock was terrifying.

"Brother, will you still not give up?" Vaelen asked coldly, his eyes pure white. "I've been hitting you, and you can't even dodge."

Caius spat blood, struggling to sit up.

"Are you sure… I did no damage?" he smiled faintly.

"Hm?" Vaelen's eyes widened.

On his arm—a drop of blood. His blood.

"You—" Vaelen froze, disbelief flashing across his face. He hadn't even noticed the strike.

"Yeah, brother…" Caius coughed, smiling through the blood. "This battle is just beginning."

**********

"What do you think?" Dared asked from the crowd, his eyes flicking to Jake—who never once looked away from the platform.

"Both fighters are adequate," Jake replied calmly. "At least their realms aren't too low to make this boring. This is just the early stage… there's much more to come."

"True," Dared admitted, then hesitated. "But aren't you in the same rank as them?" After all, he himself was also at Galaxy Realm, Stage One.

Jake finally shifted his gaze toward him, his voice cold.

"At the same realm, I could beat you. And you're already stronger than Caius. You know the answer."

His tone sharpened. "Even if every Stage One Galaxy Realm member of the Dreadborne came at me together… it would still be a massacre."

Dared's heart sank at those words.

******************************************************