The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 118: Battle of Legacy: Rise of the Dark Demoness

Chapter 118: Battle of Legacy: Rise of the Dark Demoness

Alex looked around, searching for Serene. He spotted her sitting in one of the VIP areas. Their eyes met, and they both nodded, a slight smile tugging at their lips.

On the opposite side of the arena stood the Noctshade Club, led by none other than Meika Noctshade.

As the Noctshade Club entered the battle arena, a single chant echoed through the stadium:

"Dark Demoness! Dark Demoness!"

Following them, the Rebel Club stepped into the arena.

This time, the chants split like thunderclaps across the crowd:

"Lioness of Roarhart!"

"Ice Phoenix Princess!"

"Fire Dragon!"

"Earth Dragon!"

Cheers erupted in divided waves, each group rooting passionately for their favorite warrior.

Alex took in the roaring crowd, feeling the electricity in the air. He muttered, "The crowd’s unusually fired up today. Why?"

Luther stepped forward, placing a hand on Alex’s shoulder with a grin. "That, my friend, is because this isn’t just a tournament—it’s legacy. What happens here will echo for years. These warriors—some of them will become legends, sages even. Their titles today will follow them for the rest of their lives."

Alex was stunned. He didn’t respond—he just nodded, absorbing the weight of those words.

The whistle blew.

The umpire’s voice rang out, commanding, "STEP FORWARD FOR THE TOSS!"

Meika stepped forward from the Noctshade Club, while Darian Terravyrn approached from the Rebel Club, wearing his usual confident smile.

As they met at the center of the platform, the entire arena fell into a hush—so quiet it seemed the crowd was holding its breath, eager to hear even the faint clink of the coin about to be tossed.

Darian looked at Meika and said in his deep, rumbling voice, "You really are something, newbie. Making it to the semifinals after all those losses?"

Meika smiled calmly. "Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Terravyrn. I’ve learned a lot... from talented seniors like you."

Darian chuckled. "Hahaha! You’re quite good—unlike your brother."

Before Meika could respond, the umpire stepped between them and announced, "PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR SIDE."

"Dragon," Darian said immediately.

"Phoenix," Meika responded with a faint smile.

The umpire flipped the coin high into the air. It spun, catching the lights, before falling.

Clank!

Everyone leaned in.

The umpire crouched down, glanced at the result, and declared, "Phoenix!"

The crowd exploded with cheers.

Darian’s smile faltered for a moment, stiffening slightly. Then he exhaled and glanced toward Meika, who stood calmly, her smile turning proud.

She looked at the umpire and asked, "What will be the zone?"

The umpire replied, "It will be the Tempest Zone—lightning strikes and cyclone winds."

Meika’s eyes widened briefly, but she quickly masked her reaction and responded in a composed voice, "Noctshade will take the attacker’s role."

The umpire nodded.

Meika turned gracefully, her sleek black leather hugging her body like second skin. Her high heels clicked sharply against the platform, and her jet-black hair flowed like ink in the wind.

Behind her, Darian’s smile returned, wider and more mischievous than before. He turned back to his team and barked with enthusiasm,

"We’ll act as defenders!"

A cheeky brat stepped forward with his arms raised high.

"Finally! It’s my turn to shine!" he shouted, grinning ear to ear.

Alex sighed and turned to leave the battle arena—but before he could take a step, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder.

He looked back.

A broad smile greeted him—belonging to none other than the brown-haired gorilla himself.

Darian laughed. "You’re our anchor, Alex."

Alex frowned. "No, I’m not. I’m not built for defense."

Darian slung an arm around his shoulders like a gorilla hugging a cub. "You’re one of our best anchors. Come on! We’re huddling for strategy."

Without waiting for an answer, he dragged Alex into the group like an adult pulling in a reluctant child.

"Huddle up! Strategy time!" the cheeky brat yelled, voice echoing across the arena.

They formed a tight circle.

Darian began, "It’s the Tempest Zone."

The cheeky brat nodded and pointed at positions as he spoke, serious for once.

"I’ll take the fourth column as trapper. Luther will anchor the last column. Our ghost member—second last as backup anchor. And Captain, you take first column... but I suggest you shift toward the middle. Meika—the Dark Demoness—won’t be stopped if she breaks through early."

Darian nodded thoughtfully. "Our strategy guy’s got a point. Let’s roll with it."

Then, with a grin, he raised his fist. "Let’s win this."

"Hoooo!" the team echoed in unison, breaking the huddle with energy pulsing through them.

Noctshade Team Huddle...

Meika’s sharp eyes scanned each teammate one by one before she spoke.

"I’ll move as a Dasher. Vishal, you’ll be our Shield Breaker. You two—Blasters. The rest of you will move as Dashers as well."

She paused, her tone shifting—strong, commanding.

"I trained you day and night for this moment. I want results. This is a team effort. Help each other—if anyone abandons their teammate, they’ll face the consequences."

Her eyes glinted coldly as they swept over the team.

"Let’s win this. Nothing else matters. Victory—or nothing."

"Yes!" a chorus of voices answered, fierce and united.

The Noctshade Club broke their huddle, eyes sharp, hearts ready.

The Rebel team, acting as defenders, took their positions across the columns.

Moments later, the Noctshade Club stepped into formation—standing like an army ready to march, cold and precise.

Whistle blew.

30:00

Another whistle.

29:59

The Tempest Zone activated, swallowing the entire battle arena.

Howling cyclones and streaks of lightning tore across the sky.

Rumble!

The sound was deafening, drowning out the cheers and chants of the crowd.

Cyclones—some massive, some swirling like dancing serpents—erupted across the battlefield.

Wind and thunder clashed, a divine symphony of chaos—

As if the God of Air and the God of Lightning were waging war.

Then she appeared.

Meika cloaked herself in dark elemental energy—wrapping tightly around her body like a second skin.

It crawled up her form, covering her head in a visor-like helmet.

Two small, jagged horns emerged from it.

Her glowing eyes gleamed beneath the visor—

Predatory, cold, and ready to strike.

The crowd’s chant pierced through the storm:

"Dark Demoness! Dark Demoness!"

Crouched low, her form sleek and lethal, ready to pounce.

Meika smiled beneath her helmet and whispered to herself,

"I’ll win this."

Then she vanished—melting into the shadows and diving straight into the heart of the storm.

Thunder crackled.

Cyclonic winds tore across the battlefield.

The very air sliced the ground open.

Any normal person would’ve died instantly if they dared step into this chaos.

But Meika was no ordinary person.

She swam through the shadows, embraced by them like a second world. This was her domain. She was its master.

Slipping between currents of darkness, she glided past obstacles, aiming to cross the first column.

Then—

A chill ran down her spine.

Instinct screamed.

She veered sharply to the side and stepped out of the shadows.

Shunk!

Several stone spikes erupted from the ground where she had just stood.

Her narrowed eyes scanned the battlefield.

Then she saw him.

Darian Terravyrn.

He stood in the first column, brown eyes locked onto her like a beast on prey.

A heavy brown aura surged around him.

In one hand, he held a colossal shield—like it weighed nothing.

He didn’t speak.

He didn’t move.

He just watched, his gaze unblinking, daring her to try again.

Meika didn’t flinch.

She pulled out her twin daggers.

Shadow wrapped around the blades, swallowing them until they became part of her.

She moved again—vanishing and reappearing—blinking across the battlefield like a shadow skipping stones.

Darian crouched down.

He adjusted his stance, planting his feet, shield braced.

The brown aura flared.

Earth pulsed beneath him.

Thunder rumbled.

Wind howled.