Dimensional Descent

The clanging of metal sounded as the Bear Rose faction members stripped down from their armor. Piece after piece clanged to the ground, resounding throughout the quiet arena.

It felt as though every action taken in during this Selection had a deeper meaning, as though every battle should put them at their edge of their seats. Even the audience didn't understand why this was, but it still felt like the metal pieces were crashing against their hearts rather than the stone platform.

Though the Bear Rose Faction member didn't say a single word, the action of being forced to take off their armor was humiliation enough. It felt as though, simply by standing there, Leonel was smearing their faces.

Compared to Dune, though, this Bear Rose Faction member was far calmer. By the time he tossed off his helmet, revealing the expressionless visage within, the audience had already seen his battle worn body through and through.

Though this faction member was a level beneath Aphestus in terms of muscle definition and fast twitch fibers – maybe even two or three levels, in fact – the strength his body was bursting with was undeniable. Even the scars that ran across him didn't detract, but rather added to this perceived strength, leaving those watching on holding their breaths.

At that moment, there were many in the crowd who suddenly recognized the young man before Leonel.

Quite ironically, this was a young man who had had a falling out with Hero Peak as well. But, rather than not joining any Peak like Leonel had, he rather chose to join the Peak of their direct competitors.

Those that knew him called him Jeren the Scythe… Despite the fact he didn't wield a scythe at all.

Leonel stood with his arms crossed across his chest, not moving an inch as he watch Jeren take his armor off. Even though the battle had technically started already, Leonel didn't seem to care.

The stones beneath his feet began to ripple, beginning to glow a faint red.

palm flipped over, revealing a katana of outrageous length and with a curve just as obscene.

two, plunging

"Leonel Morales, is it?"

His heartbeat grew steady as a mountain, its every thump sending a surge of blood through his body. His veins

control the strength of his heart, every

can't cross no matter how much potential you have. Vice Leader Abethor can't be here to deal with you personally for the slight of taking his family's heirloom, and quite frankly, can't be bothered to deal with you personally. I will be the

"Are you done?"

by a whole inch. The air seemed to collapse, fine ripples of space discharging in every direction. On

Leonel spoke again, taking a

quaking became more harsh, the ground groaned and

I put your heads on a pike? If I desecrated your corpses? If I pissed on your graves? Is that what you

outside of his control, soaking the hilt of his katana through. The grip of the

around him caused the air to crackle and pop,

asked you a question." Leonel's words

felt as though he was facing an Oryx Chief. Somehow, Leonel's body seemed to be

into a skyscraper of energy. He took a heavy step forward, pushing his fear down. He had seen too much on the battlefield, he had no intention of falling without fighting. He had his own

body, his eyes

leaving streaks of