The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 160

Meanwhile back at the arena.

The crowd leaned forward in frozen silence as Lucian charged. His attacks were relentless, a blur of speed and power few could even track, let alone match. Jaden blocked and parried, but it was clear—Lucian wasn’t playing anymore.

He was out for blood.

And Jaden? He was still standing.

Lucian’s footwork was a dancer’s. His fists, sledgehammers. He threw a spinning kick, a knee, a jab combo that ended in a brutal elbow—only for Jaden to duck, pivot, and counter. But this time, Lucian didn’t pull back.

He snapped.

“ENOUGH!” Jaden bellowed.

A sudden burst of energy surged from his core. In a blink, he twisted his body, cocked his fist back, and drove it straight into Lucian’s chest.

The impact was thunder.

Lucian’s body flew across the arena like a missile. He hit the ground hard, bouncing once, twice, then skidding on his back as a trail of blood followed.

The crowd gasped.

Then silence.

Whispers broke the quiet like cracks in glass.

“…Did he just…?”

“Lucian’s down?”

“No one’s ever done that.”

“Not just down—he’s bleeding!”

“Bleeding? No one’s even touched him before.”

“Is this it? Is Lucian… done?”

In the prep booth above the arena, Michael stood frozen in front of the holo-screen. His fists clenched. Eyes wide.

“No… Father…” he whispered.

Even the announcer didn’t know what to say. His mic crackled. “…I-I can’t believe what we’re seeing, folks…”

All eyes remained on Lucian’s motionless body.

Until—

A low chuckle.

It grew. Became deeper. Darker.

Lucian pushed himself up from the ground. Blood dripped from his mouth, painting his jawline crimson. He rose, laughing—slowly, then madly.

Then he spoke, his voice cold and giddy with thrill.

“Bravo, Jaden…” he said, grinning as he tasted the blood on his lips. “You’re the first to make me bleed in years. You should be proud.”

He tore off his upper garments, revealing a body chiseled like stone, covered in scars, runes, and the faint glow of dormant power now waking.

“But enough warm-up. Time to show you real pain.”

The air trembled.

Lucian roared—and with it, a pulse of dark, ancient energy exploded outward. Dust lifted. Cracks formed on the ground beneath his feet.

He took his stance.

Jaden narrowed his eyes. He could feel it. The change. Something primal.

Lucian grinned. “Let me show you something special. I didn’t want to waste this on a brat like you, but hey—you earned it.”

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