Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 24: Breaking the Fortress

The moment Aether said, "We’ve learned enough," the atmosphere in the arena changed.

Until now, the battle between him and Kellan had been slow, controlled, and analytical. Most students watching from the stands understood that both fighters were testing each other, searching for weaknesses rather than trying to end the fight quickly.

But something in Aether’s tone made it clear that the next phase had begun.

Across the battlefield, Kellan noticed it immediately.

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"So you’ve found something," he said.

Aether didn’t deny it.

"Yes."

The Crystal Bastion Turtle shifted its stance, its shell glowing with reinforced crystal energy. The entire battlefield still resembled a fortress — crystal pillars rising from the ground, narrow paths restricting movement, and barriers designed to trap opponents.

But Aether had been observing carefully.

And now he understood something important.

The fortress wasn’t just a defense.

It was a system.

A system with a center.

Aether looked at the Fire Pup.

"We change strategy."

The small beast’s flames grew deeper in color.

Students in the audience leaned forward.

Liora crossed her arms, already realizing what was about to happen.

"He’s going to dismantle the entire formation," she muttered.

---

Kellan made the first move this time.

He raised his hand sharply.

"Crystal Surge."

The battlefield reacted instantly.

Several crystal pillars extended outward, forming jagged spikes that rushed toward Aether from multiple directions.

But Aether didn’t move backward.

Instead, he stepped forward.

The Fire Pup dashed ahead with surprising speed, flames trailing behind it.

Aether’s voice was calm but precise.

"Right flank. Break the first anchor."

The Fire Pup released a concentrated burst of fire that struck one of the larger crystal pillars near the edge of the arena.

The crystal cracked.

Not shattered.

But weakened.

Kellan frowned slightly.

"He’s not attacking randomly."

Aether’s movements were calculated.

He wasn’t targeting the turtle directly.

He was attacking specific structures within the fortress.

The Crystal Bastion Turtle fired another barrage of crystal shards, forcing the Fire Pup to dodge and maneuver around the battlefield.

But Aether continued giving small commands.

"Three steps left."

"Low flame burst."

"Now retreat."

Each movement had purpose.

Each attack targeted another structural point.

Students watching from the stands began noticing something strange.

"The battlefield... is changing."

The crystal formations were slowly becoming unstable.

Because Aether had discovered the truth.

The fortress depended on several **energy anchor pillars** that distributed power across the arena.

And those anchors had limits.

---

Kellan realized it at the same time.

His expression became more serious.

"You figured it out faster than I expected."

Aether replied calmly,

"You built a strong defense."

"But not a perfect one."

Kellan nodded slightly.

"Then let’s see if you can break it."

The Crystal Bastion Turtle roared and slammed its foot into the ground.

This time, the battlefield reacted even more violently.

Dozens of crystal spikes erupted simultaneously, turning the arena into a dangerous maze.

Students gasped.

The Fire Pup narrowly avoided several spikes, flames burning intensely as it dashed through the battlefield.

But Aether remained calm.

"Phase two," he said quietly.

The Fire Pup’s flames suddenly intensified.

Not explosive.

But hotter.

More concentrated.

The small beast leapt onto one of the remaining anchor pillars and unleashed a spiral of fire.

The crystal structure cracked loudly.

A shockwave of energy spread across the battlefield.

Several smaller crystal formations collapsed instantly.

The audience reacted loudly.

"He’s destabilizing the arena!"

Liora smiled.

"He planned this from the beginning."

---

However, Kellan was not an easy opponent.

The moment the fortress began losing stability, he adjusted his strategy.

"Defensive contraction," he commanded.

The Crystal Bastion Turtle withdrew part of its energy from the outer battlefield and reinforced its core defense instead.

The large beast moved forward for the first time in the match.

Heavy.

Unstoppable.

Students in the stands felt the pressure.

Even with the fortress weakening, the turtle itself was still extremely dangerous.

Aether watched carefully.

"Now he’s shifting from battlefield control to direct defense."

The Fire Pup landed beside him.

The small beast looked excited.

Aether smiled slightly.

"Yes. Now the real fight begins."

---

Kellan spoke again.

"You’re impressive."

Aether nodded politely.

"So are you."

"But this battle isn’t over."

The Crystal Bastion Turtle roared and released a massive wave of crystal energy that spread across the arena like a wall.

Aether’s eyes sharpened.

"Jump."

The Fire Pup leapt forward just as the energy wave reached them, flames swirling around its body.

The audience gasped again.

The intensity of the battle had increased dramatically.

And yet...

Aether still looked calm.

Almost as if he had already predicted the outcome.

High above the arena, the faction observers were paying even closer attention now.

One of them spoke quietly.

"That boy dismantled a defensive fortress mid-battle."

Another replied,

"He’s dangerous."

A third added,

"And extremely intelligent."

They continued watching carefully. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Because this kind of ability was rare.

And valuable.

---

Back on the battlefield, the crystal structures continued collapsing one by one as the Fire Pup destroyed the remaining anchors.

But the Crystal Bastion Turtle itself remained standing like a mountain.

Kellan’s strategy had shifted.

He no longer needed the fortress.

Now he was relying on pure endurance.

Aether understood immediately.

"He wants to drag the fight into a stamina battle."

The Fire Pup’s flames flickered slightly.

Aether placed a hand on its head briefly.

"We’re almost done."

Across the arena, Kellan’s eyes narrowed.

"Almost?"

Aether looked at the battlefield one last time.

The crystal fortress had mostly collapsed.

Only a few structures remained.

But that was enough.

Because Aether had been preparing something else the entire time.

He raised his hand.

"Now."

The Fire Pup’s flames erupted into a spiral of intense heat.

But instead of attacking the turtle directly...

It targeted the ground beneath the remaining crystal pillars.

The heat spread quickly through the arena floor.

Melting.

Destabilizing.

Weakening the entire battlefield.

Kellan realized it too late.

"You’re collapsing the base!"

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

Within seconds, the last crystal anchors shattered.

The Crystal Bastion Turtle lost the support system that had been feeding its defensive formation.

For the first time in the entire battle...

The massive beast staggered slightly.

And the moment it did—

Aether said calmly,

"Final sequence."

The Fire Pup’s flames surged forward.

The decisive moment had arrived.

And the battle...

Was about to end.