Episode 17: Clash of Pride

Lian Vey vs Joran Velt — The Clash Begins

Lian Vey and Joran Velt stand opposite each other in the arena, a storm of tension swirling between them.

Joran (smirking): "Hey, Lian. Be ready to serve under me."

Lian (focused): "We’ll see about that."

The bell rings.

Joran charges in instantly.

Joran (while rushing): "I'm just in a hurry today, so I'll finish this quick!"

He throws a powerful Thunder Jab, but Lian blocks it with a Starwind Veil, countering with a leg aimed at Joran’s head. Joran blocks with his arm. Both back off slightly before clashing again, exchanging one blow each.

Joran swings a Volt Arc — Lian dodges. Lian strikes back with a Starwind Veil — Joran deflects with a Shock Pulse.

Joran: "Is that all you've got? I expected more from you."

Lian tries again with another Starwind Veil, but Joran blocks with a Thunder Jab.

Joran: "You know what, Lian? You're just like me. Always looking down on others."

"After hearing that, Lian suddenly remembered his fight with Bobby and Joran’s fight with Marin — and in that moment, he saw himself in Joran.”

Lian (angered): "I’m not like you."

Lian loses composure and begins unleashing rapid Starwind Veil techniques. Joran dodges with ease.

Joran: "You’re always trying to protect your image — that’s what you really care about, isn’t it?"

Fueled by emotion, Lian attacks recklessly with Starwind Veil. Joran sees an opening, counters with a Surge Strike, and sends Lian flying.

Joran (taunting): "See? That’s what happens when you challenge me."

He turns to the clan leaders.

Joran: "Is this the best you’ve got?"

Shade Sol (disgusted): "Fool…"

Crowd (shouting): "No way! Lian got knocked down?!"

Garron Blaze (concerned, muttering): "Lian... don't lose yourself."

Tero Volt (stern): "Focus, Lian. Show your heart, not just your strength."

Lian’s Father, Zane Vey (clenching his fists): "Get up, son. Show him what the Gust Clan stands for."

Lian’s Father (voice echoing):

"Stay true to yourself, no matter what.”

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Lian slowly rises, breathing deeply.

Lian: "Hey, Joran."

Joran (turning back): "You’re standing? Faster than I thought."

Lian: "You were right about me. I do care too much about my name… I’ve looked down on others."

Joran: "See? We’re the same."

Lian: "But I’m not a lunatic like you."

Joran (angrily): "What?!"

He launches a Volt Arc — Lian dodges cleanly.

Joran: "What?! He dodged it?"

In a flash, Lian appears near Joran’s face, landing a Starwind Veil that Joran barely blocks, forcing him back.

Lian: "Now I understand what my father meant..."

Kael Zephyr (from the stands, serious): "His stance has changed. He's grounded now."

Dren Bolt (grinning slightly): "There it is. That’s the Lian I know."

Joran, enraged, charges with furious Thunder Jabs. Lian dodges, blocks, and counters with Starwind Veil.

Lian (thinking): "Until now, I thought I wasn’t pretending. But I was. I got angry at Bobby... not because of him, but because I was afraid of losing my name and pride."

Lian (out loud): "So win or lose... no matter what, I have to stay true to myself."

Lian punches Joran in the gut with a Starwind Veil, sending him back.

Crowd (cheering wildly): "He’s fighting back! Lian’s turning the tide!"

Rhea Lux (watching with hope): "He's not fighting to win... he's fighting to grow."

Lara Blaze (softly, hands clenched): "Don’t stop now, Lian..."

Joran: "That’s it!"

Joran unleashes his most powerful Surge Strike. Lian runs backward, leaps off the wall, and mid-air —

Lian: "Oblivion Storm Reaper!"

Joran redirects his Surge Strike upward, meeting Lian midair. The two powers collide in a thunderous explosion.

When the dust settles, Lian is standing.

Joran lies unconscious on the ground.

Crowd (in stunned silence, then erupting): "Lian won!! He did it!"

Zane Vey (eyes filled with pride, softly): "That’s my son."

Lian (calmly): "That’s how I can improve... by being honest with myself."

Announcer (voice echoing): "The winner is Lian Vey! Today’s battles are officially over!"

Announcer: "And also, tomorrow's battles will be Shade Sol vs Lian Vey and Lara Blaze vs Bobby."

Crowd (murmuring): "Lian vs Shade?! That's going to be insane!"

Crowd (another section): "Wait... Lara vs Bobby? That kid's really going to fight her?"

After the Match — At the Medic Camp

Rhea and Lara rush to the medic camp to check on Marin. When they arrive, Marin still hasn't opened her eyes. They sit beside her in silence until she slowly begins to stir.

Rhea: "Hey, you're finally awake."

Lara: "Are you okay now?"

Marin: "Yeah, I'm feeling better."

She takes a few shallow breaths, then suddenly remembers something.

Marin: "What happened to Lian? Is he alright?"

Rhea: "Lian?"

Lara: "He's fine. And he beat the crap out of Joran."

Marin: "Wait, Lian and Joran fought?"

Rhea: "Yeah. And Lian won."

Marin: "oh, i should thank him for saving me ."

Nearby, Elyse begins to regain consciousness, her mind swirling.

Elyse (thinking): "Why didn't any of my attacks hurt him? Shade... I don’t understand."

Lara notices and speaks up.

Lara: "Are you okay now?"

Elyse turns to see Lara, Rhea, and Marin watching her.

Elyse: "Yeah... I'm okay now."

Rhea quickly scoots closer.

Rhea: "Your fight was amazing!"

Lara: "Rhea, give her a bit of space."

Rhea: "Oh, right. My bad."

Elyse: "So, are you Shade's friends?"

Rhea: "Yeah, kind of."

Elyse: "There was something strange about him."

Lara: "When it comes to battle, he doesn’t hold back a bit."

Marin: "But as far as I know, he was really kind."

Rhea: "He also distanced himself from others ."

Elyse (in her mind): hmm...

Later That Evening — Outside the Medic Room

Bobby is seen shadow-boxing quietly near the medic hut, practicing his for his match tomorrow. Ryn Ember walks up and notices him.

Ryn: "Bobby..."

Bobby turns around.

They both enter the medic room. Ryn sits at the edge of a bed and gestures for Bobby to sit beside her.

Ryn: "So, you’re practicing for tomorrow’s match?"

Bobby: "Yeah. I have to be ready for it."

Ryn (concerned): "But look at your hand… it’s still not fully healed."

Bobby: "Don’t worry about that. By tomorrow, before the fight, I think it’ll heal."

Ryn takes a breath and slowly looks at Bobby.

Ryn: "Will you do something for me?"

Bobby: "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

Ryn: "Tomorrow… don't come to the Resonance Clash."

Bobby: "What??"

To be continued…