The Masked Virtuoso-Chapter 110: A Duel Without Power

The Challenge is Set – Ethan vs. Kael

The echoes of the King’s words still rang in Ethan’s ears.

"You may have fooled the others. But you will not fool me."

King Aldric knew.

He didn’t know everything, but he saw through Ethan’s disguise.

And now, Ethan had been placed directly under Kael’s watch.

Which was already bad enough.

But then—

The King raised a hand.

"Kael. I would see more of this stranger’s skill. You will fight him. Here. Now."

A murmur ran through the noble court.

Ethan blinked. "Wait—what? Again? I literally just fought your murder machine!"

Kael, standing silently beside him, turned to face him. His golden eyes remained unreadable.

For the first time, Ethan saw something different in them.

Doubt.

But Kael didn’t protest. He simply placed a hand on the hilt of his sword and nodded. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Ethan sighed dramatically.

"This is starting to feel personal."

---

The Arena – A Battle Between Shadows

The Grand Arena of Solmara wasn’t a battlefield—it was a monument to war.

The massive circular coliseum loomed over them, torches casting long shadows against the ancient stone. Thousands of citizens packed the stands, eager for bloodshed.

The King sat high above, watching like a god overseeing his domain.

Ethan and Kael stood in the center, surrounded by roaring spectators.

Ethan rolled his shoulders. "Alright, buddy. We doing this the easy way or the hard way?"

Kael remained still. "Do not hold back."

Ethan smirked. "Oh, I won’t. Just making sure you’re emotionally prepared for what’s about to happen."

Kael slowly unsheathed his sword.

The Obsidian Shard embedded in its hilt pulsed faintly.

Ethan exhaled sharply.

"Oh. Right. That thing."

---

The Duel Begins! (Ethan vs. Kael – No God Powers Allowed!)

BOOM!

Kael vanished.

Ethan barely had time to react—Kael’s blade cut through the air, missing Ethan’s throat by an inch.

"Shit—he’s fast."

Ethan sidestepped, barely dodging the next slash. He moved purely on instinct, using years of battle experience to anticipate Kael’s attacks.

Kael didn’t waste movements. Every strike was precise, aimed to kill—not injure.

The Obsidian Shard flickered—Kael’s shadow moved unnaturally, twisting like a living thing.

"Oh, great. He has shadow powers now."

Ethan ducked as Kael’s shadow suddenly lashed out like a whip, aiming to wrap around his throat.

"Nope."

Ethan rolled forward, closing the distance.

Kael moved to block—

But Ethan didn’t go for his sword.

Instead—he grabbed Kael’s wrist, twisted, and slammed him into the ground.

BOOM!

The arena shook.

The crowd gasped.

Ethan smirked. "Gotta admit, that shadow thing is cool. But I fight dirty."

Kael didn’t move immediately.

Then—his hand clenched into a fist.

Ethan’s smirk vanished.

Kael yanked his wrist free and—without hesitation—kicked Ethan in the ribs.

CRACK!

Ethan skidded backward, barely stopping himself from falling.

"Alright. So, he hits like a truck."

Kael rose to his feet, eyes glowing faintly.

His shadow grew darker.

Ethan tilted his head.

"Hey, uh... buddy? You good?"

Kael’s expression didn’t change.

But Ethan saw it.

A flicker of something behind those golden eyes.

Something not human.

---

Kael’s Corruption Begins – The Obsidian Shard Awakens!

The air grew heavy.

Ethan suddenly felt like he was standing next to something ancient.

Something watching.

The Obsidian Shard pulsed again—Kael’s breathing became uneven.

Ethan frowned.

"No. No, no, no. Not now."

Kael rushed forward—faster than before. His sword moved like a black blur, striking at speeds that shouldn’t be possible.

Ethan dodged. Blocked. Countered.

But Kael was relentless.

And then—

Kael spoke.

But it wasn’t his voice.

"This time, I will not fail."

Ethan’s eyes widened.

"Wait. That’s not—"

Kael’s shadow surged upward, forming jagged black tendrils that lunged toward Ethan like spears.

Ethan barely managed to avoid them—but his left arm was cut.

"Tch—!"

Blood dripped onto the arena floor.

The crowd cheered.

The King narrowed his eyes.

Ethan clenched his fists.

"That wasn’t normal. Kael’s being pulled in too deep."

Kael’s body twitched.

Ethan recognized that expression.

Kael was fighting something inside him.

And he was losing.

---

Ethan Ends the Fight – With Words, Not Fists

Kael raised his sword again.

But this time—he hesitated.

Ethan saw it.

The briefest flicker of doubt.

Ethan exhaled sharply. "Kael. You’re not yourself right now."

Kael didn’t respond.

Ethan took a slow step forward. "I get it. You’ve got this... thing inside you, pushing you forward. But you need to stop. Right now."

Kael’s hands shook.

The Obsidian Shard flickered violently.

Ethan smirked. "If you don’t stop, I’m gonna have to do something really stupid."

Kael’s eyes snapped back into focus.

Then—

The King raised his hand.

"Enough."

The duel was over.

Kael took a shaky breath. Then, without a word, he sheathed his sword.

Ethan sighed in relief.

"Crisis averted. For now."

---

Aftermath – The King’s Interest in Ethan Grows

Aldric watched in silence.

He had seen it.

The way Kael’s power had surged. The way Ethan had reacted.

Ethan wasn’t just an anomaly.

He was dangerous.

The King’s voice was calm. "You win, traveler."

Ethan bowed dramatically. "Oh, wow. I’m honored."

Aldric’s gaze darkened.

"You will remain under Kael’s command. But know this, Riftborn—"

Ethan’s smirk faltered slightly.

The King leaned forward.

"You do not belong here. And I will find out why."

Ethan clenched his fists.

"Yeah? Well, good luck with that, buddy."

As Ethan turned to leave the arena, he glanced at Kael.

Kael’s hands were still shaking.

Ethan frowned.

"I need to fix this before it’s too late."

---

Cliffhanger: The Shadows Are Growing

The arena was empty now.

The roaring crowd had dispersed, the torches dimming as the evening air settled over the coliseum.

Kael stood alone in the center of the battlefield, his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword.

His breathing was uneven. His body felt wrong.

The Obsidian Shard pulsed again, a slow, rhythmic thrum against his palm.

Kael’s fingers twitched.

He had held back. He knew it.

And yet—why had he lost control?

His shadow stretched unnaturally, shifting beneath him as if alive.

Then—

A voice.

Not loud. Not forceful.

Just a whisper.

"Soon."

Kael’s grip tightened. "Who are you?"

Silence.

Then—

Another pulse. Stronger this time.

The shadows around him shifted, flickering along the arena walls.

He felt it now—something beneath his skin.

Something waiting. Watching. Growing.

Kael exhaled sharply, forcing the sensation down.

But deep inside—

He knew this wasn’t the end.

It was only the beginning.

---

To Be Continued...