Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

The air inside the arena was electric with anticipation, the collective murmurs of the audience echoing through the stands. A sea of faces displayed a range of emotions, from sheer excitement to eager curiosity. The spectators leaned forward in their seats, their eyes glued to the center stage where the next thrilling spectacle was about to unfold.

As the crowd roared in anticipation, the infectious energy of their cheers reached a fever pitch. The atmosphere was charged with an almost tangible excitement, and the vibrant sound of applause filled the air. The audience was united in their shared enthusiasm for the match.

Amidst the clamor, Esmeralda and Branden exchanged hesitant glances. The deafening cheers seemed to linger in the air, creating a momentary pause that added to the suspense. The realization dawned upon them that this was no ordinary match; it was an arena where not only victories and defeats were determined but also a crucible where combatants could forge themselves into something greater.

In the end, they didn't do anything and could just hope that their decision wouldn't lead them to lose one of those powerhouses… Despite the damage, Rain raised his right arm and assumed his fighting stance while keeping his face as neutral as possible…

Seadrei checked the damage for a moment and realized that another hit on the same spot would lead him to a knockdown of several days… The temple area is composed of various tissues, including skin, muscle, and bone. The bone structure in this region is part of the skull, specifically the temporal bone.

The skull's temporal bone is in close proximity to the brain. A forceful impact on the temple area can result in a head injury, ranging from a mild concussion to a more severe traumatic brain injury. The brain may be jolted or injured due to the impact, and the severity of the injury can vary based on factors such as the force of the blow and the angle at which it is delivered.

In some cases, a strong blow to the temple area can lead to loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness may be brief or prolonged, and it is a serious sign that medical attention is needed. Seadrei knew all that, but he also knew that he would be fine as long as he protected the area with his right guard… that would decrease his attack power a bit.

Still, it would be enough against Rain, who couldn't use his dominant arm anymore.

Seadrei changed his posture to the side and assumed a left-handed stance, even though he was clearly right-handed. While seeing that, Rain didn't react in any shape or form…

All of a sudden, Seadrei charged in with his right guard close to the right side of his head. Despite that, he bombarded Rain with an insanely fast sequence of jabs… if Rain didn't know any better, he would have thought that Seadrei was a boxer once as well.

Rain waved his body from one side to the other and avoided all the hits, but eventually, Seadrei got closer, and dodging the attacks became more difficult. With all the motion, Rain's arm began to throb, and in one of those moments of sharp pain, Seadrei almost hit his face… Rain blocked with his wounded arm.

"Ugh…" Rain groaned in pain.

Rain's face contorted in pain for a moment, and then Seadrei used that moment to put all his body in a left straight… Rain recovered exactly at that moment, and then he swung his left fist as well. Another thunderous impact happened as their bodies trembled and vibrated thanks to the impact… cracks began to appear in the arena at the same time.

Despite the apparent equal amount of power behind their strikes, the aftermath told a different tale. The collective gasp of the audience echoed as they witnessed the consequences of the fierce exchange.

As the echoes of the impact lingered, a subtle yet ominous sound followed—a sharp snap, like the breaking of a brittle twig. The once-neutral expression on Rain's face contorted with pain as the realization hit him. His arm, strained and battered, succumbed to the tremendous force it had just endured.

In the midst of the chaotic scene, the audience fell into a stunned hush, their eager murmurs replaced by a collective intake of breath. Rain's arms, the very tool of his combat prowess, now hung at an unnatural angle, the bone visibly fractured, and the muscles strained beyond their limits.

As Rain grappled with the agony, the situation of the battle shifted. Seadrei, aware of the advantage that he had agaisnt Rain's difficult state, pressed on with renewed vigor. Or so he had planned… Rain, as if he had known that things would end like that, moved as soon as Seadrei relaxed a bit. He jumped and then kicked the right side of Seadrei's face with all his might.

Seadrei raised his arm and blocked the attack… but his guard wasn't firm enough. His arm was pushed to his face, and the power of the impact reached his head… Seadrei felt like a hammer had smashed his face. Seadrei clenched his teeth to withstand the pain, but soon, his eyes rolled upward and turned white… in the next moment, his body fell upward like a stringless puppet.

Rain glared at Seadrei falling while breathing roughly, waiting for the moment that guy would get up… people waited for the moment that Rain would attack the fallen opponent… his face showed how hot his blood was, and there was no telling what someone would do in that situation.

"Rain is the winner!" Esmeralda declared.

After hearing that, Rain relaxed a bit… and while taking deep breaths, his head and body cooled down. That only made the pain in his arms throb even more annoyingly. He couldn't recall the last time his face contorted in pain, and he felt pretty embarrassed thanks to it. Still, Rain soon began to use Full Heal, and the pain weakened.