Ascendant Among All

Chapter 149 (Relentless Duel)

The air crackled with tension as Noctis and Brass circled each other, their eyes locked in fierce determination.

Without warning, both warriors charged, each propelled by unrelenting strength. The sound of impact reverberated through the icy ground as their fists collided in a brutal punch to each other’s midsections. Noctis felt the sickening pressure as Brass’s fist dug into his gut, the force behind it almost knocking the breath from his lungs. Pain bloomed like fire across his abdomen, and for a moment, he fought the urge to retch.

Brass, too, staggered from the blow, his icy form splintering where Noctis’s fist had made contact. Another jagged crack ran across his midsection, shards of ice falling to the ground. Yet he merely narrowed his glowing eyes, ignoring the fractures. Both warriors stepped back, a flicker of mutual respect passing between them even as they sized each other up, breathing heavily.

As they steadied themselves, a transformation began to take hold in both f