The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 156

Inside the elite prep chamber lined with reinforced screens and war-grade tech, Lucian Thornfell leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching the broadcast in silence.

Jaden’s fight was still echoing across the ship — the image of Rafe’s unconscious body and that terrifying one-hit finish frozen on screen. The cheers hadn’t died yet, but Lucian was already calculating.

His lips curled.

“So… you’re one down.” His voice was cool, precise. “Interesting. I guess it’s bound to be me and you in the final, Jaden.”

No one else in the room said a word. No one dared.

Lucian Thornfell didn’t talk often. But when he did, you listened.

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“Next battle! Lucian Thornfell versus Kael Stormhart!”

The lights dimmed again.

Lucian stood and walked out slowly. Unrushed. Controlled. Like the outcome had already been written, and he was just showing up to sign the paperwork.

Across the arena, Kael Stormhart was already waiting. Robes swirling. Sword sheathed on his back. His energy buzzed in the air — thick, furious, alive with rage.

Kael’s eyes locked onto Lucian the moment he entered.

“You showed up.” His voice was sharp, tense. “I’ve been waiting years for this.”

Lucian didn’t even glance at him as he stepped into his corner. “If I knew it was you, I might’ve stayed in bed.”

Kael’s aura flared.

Gasps echoed through the crowd as visible energy spiraled around his body like a storm. His blade glowed, ancient runes lighting up along the steel.

“You think this is a joke? You humiliated me at the last Bloodborne Trials. I trained for this. Bled for this. Every night, I saw your face while I swung this sword—”

Lucian rolled his neck. “And somehow, you still sound weak.”

Kael snapped.

With a shout, he unsheathed his sword, slamming it down into the arena floor. A shockwave tore through the stage, shattering the tiles around him as a golden aura exploded from the blade.

Jaden, seated in the VIP booth, didn’t even blink.

“Those that talk too much,” he muttered, sipping his drink, “always lose.”

Kael didn’t wait.

“Let me show you the extent of my power!”

He struck first — a horizontal slash blazing with force. The sword screamed through the air, lighting up with a crescent-shaped energy arc.

Lucian didn’t move until the last second.

He tilted to the side.

BOOM!

The attack smashed into the arena wall behind him, obliterating it in a burst of glowing fragments. Stone cracked, and dust blasted across the first row of seats. The crowd went wild.

“Did you see that?!”

“He’s not the same Kael from last year!”

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