Both fighters moved. Riser flew into the air and started launching fireballs at Raza’s position. Raza was fast and agile; he dodged the incoming fireballs with ease. Riser covered his fist in flames and launched himself towards Raza. Raza made a quick step out of Riser’s way. Riser then continued his aerial assault. Raza moved—he dodged another fireball, and another.
Riser then charged one bigger than the others and threw it at Raza. He saw Raza get directly hit by it. Riser smirked, but then saw Raza appearing out of the flames, black flames now covering his body. The black flames had protected Raza from the impact.
Riser sneered, “There you are, Black Phenex. Finally decided to go all out?”
Raza looked at Riser but didn’t answer him. Raza then intensified the black flames and took to the air as well, going right after Riser. Riser flew away, and Raza gave chase. Riser threw fireballs towards Raza, who dodged them, maneuvering mid-air. Raza was gaining on Riser fast. Suddenly, Riser stopped and turned towards Raza, his fist covered in flames, and swung at him. Raza caught his incoming fist.
They both struggled, each trying to break free from the other's grip, then both went back to the ground. When they landed, Riser tried to sucker punch Raza. Raza weaved away and push-kicked Riser away from him. Both fighters then watched each other, coming to a stalemate.
Outside the pocket dimension, everyone was watching the fight. Sirzechs had his hand on his chin. “Those black flames aren’t what I expected. It is fascinating how much control Raza has over them.”
Rhea said in a quiet voice, “Yes. Raza had spent the past two years away from the Phenex territory to improve his magic control and abilities.”
Sirzechs replied, “Ohhh, I see. The amount of progress he made in such a short time speaks volumes.”
Rias was currently watching with her hand on her heart. She hoped that Raza would return safe.
Back to the fight. Riser and Raza stared each other down when Riser smirked. “It’s pathetic, really. Having been watching you all these years struggle and endure. And for what? You think you are going to be returning as a hero after this fight? Just accept it, brother. You are never going to be one of us. Even the way you fight isn’t like that of a Phenex. You truly are a failure.”
Raza just looked at him. Riser continued, “Ahhh. What a waste of time. At least I can get this over with finally. Set things the way they should be. But honestly, I just feel bad for Mother the most.”
This caught Raza’s attention; he flinched slightly, his fingers twitching.
Riser pressed, “Poor, poor Mother. All these years she shielded you. All these years she wasted her precious time on someone like you. And because of you, she wasted everything away for an outsider like you. Truly, how foolish can some—”
Raza, his voice low and dangerous, said, “Shut up.” It was the first time Raza had spoken since Riser had named his price. Even Riser froze for a moment at Raza’s sudden words. Everyone watching held their breath. Raza had clenched his fists, his expression angry. Riser’s shocked face slowly turned into a smirk.
“Was it something I s—?”
Riser could never finish that sentence, as Raza suddenly appeared in front of him and drove his fist straight into Riser’s face. Riser’s eyes went wide in shock. Raza swung again. “All these years—” He threw a left hook at Riser. “Don’t. You. Dare. She was the only one—” Riser tried to fight back, but Raza dodged and landed another critical hit to Riser’s midsection. “Who cared for me—” then another punch. “Supported me—” another punch. “Loved me—” another punch. This time, Raza swung harder, “PROTECTED ME—” He hit Riser so hard that Riser flew into the air, backwards. But Riser didn’t crash to the ground. Raza had caught him, one hand holding his jaw and lifting him into the air. Raza’s voice was filled with venom:
“And right now, who is going to protect YOU from ME, brother?”
Raza threw Riser away. Riser looked surprised and shocked, but there was no time to doubt—Raza was moving towards him.
Riser launched a fireball at Raza. Raza burst into black flames and took to the air, dodging incoming fireballs and making his way towards Riser.
Airborne, Raza threw a punch that connected with Riser’s face. Riser flew away again. Raza, who was slightly thrown back by the impact, landed and looked up. Black flames surrounded his body as he launched himself towards Riser. Riser was breathing hard. He picked himself up and covered his fist in flames.
Raza and Riser both swung; their fists collided. The ground cracked and broke. The sheer force of that impact shattered the ground, but it was Riser who was sent backwards. He lost his balance. When Riser looked down at his hand, he realized it was gone, and Phenex regeneration had already kicked in.
When Riser looked up, he met Raza’s fist. Raza was on him. He swung towards Riser’s face, landing multiple hits. Then Raza swung an uppercut, catching Riser off guard. Raza planted his foot and pulled back his arm; his arm immediately erupted in black flames. Raza drove his arm into Riser.
Riser coughed blood, but Raza wasn’t done. He executed a front flip, hitting Riser’s jaw and launching Riser into the air.
Raza landed, crossed both his arms in front of him, flames erupting on both. Raza yelled and threw his hands up in the air.
Riser, still airborne, didn’t know what was happening. One moment there was nothing, and the next—it was like getting hit by a bomb. An explosion erupted below Riser. A pillar of black flame reached into the air. The arena shook.
Back at the ballroom, everyone was watching in awe and horror at Raza’s display of power. “He is defeating Riser,” Saji said.
“No, he is dismantling him,” said Sona. Rhea’s eyes were wet as she looked at the screen. The Gremory peerage stared, mouths agape at the explosion. Rias also looked on in awe. Regulus’s expression was unreadable, his eyes fixated on the screen. Ravel had covered her mouth. Sirzechs seemed impressed, while Grayfia watched with her usual, expressionless face.
Back to the fight. Riser managed to get out of the rubble, crawling on the ground, gasping for air. His Phenex regeneration was working overtime, trying to heal the burns on his body. Riser collapsed. He was losing his vision.
He lifted his head, and what he saw made him freeze in fear.
Raza’s silhouette stood afar, just standing there, his body covered in shadows.
Riser couldn’t make out his face, but he knew Raza was looking at him.
For the first time in his life, Riser felt fear. He trembled slightly.
Raza opened his hand and took a stance, lifting his hand up slightly and pulling back instead of stretching it.
A black fireball slowly formed.
Raza started to speak, “No flesh—” The black fireball grew larger.
“No bones,
no ash—” The fireball shook, distorted, then reformed as if it wanted to be released.
Raza shouted, “BURN. IN. HELL!” and launched a beam of fire, which spread wider and became even bigger, towards Riser.
Riser saw the black beam and realized this was it—this was where he died.
The beam of fire covered the entire horizon in Raza’s direction.
Everyone watching was silent, eyes fixed on the screen.
Rhea was held by Venelana, who was also watching.
When the fire died down, the whole place—the forest, half of the arena—was gone, burned and evaporated instantly.
On the ground, a heavily breathing Riser Phenex lay on his back, eyes wide, trembling.
He looked at Raza again, this time able to see his brother clearly.
Raza looked at him with a neutral expression, then turned away and walked.
The watchers realized that Raza had aimed towards the air instead of directly at Riser. Raza had chosen not to kill his brother, despite everything.
Riser watched him go with a terrified expression.
Slowly, his eyes grew heavy and he lost consciousness.
The announcement came instantly, the announcer’s voice clearly shaken: “R-Riser Phenex is unable to continue.
The w-winner is... RAZA PHENEX.”