Proof at the Blue Bridge

The permission barely settles before the most expensive-looking attack ship sweeps low over the shoreline, its polished armor reflecting fire from the distant battle. The four Blue Bridge Watchers tighten around Gengiun as the defense line struggles to track it.

A concentrated surge of ki pours from the ship’s underside and condenses on the shore into a huge adult man with a massive, Nappa-like build. Royal armor frames his broad body, a long blue cape snaps behind him, and medium black hair shadows his hard face.

Varkon never looksVarkon, a narrow scar cutting through one eyebrow, never looks toward the burning ships or the shoreline defenses. His focused aura presses across the grass, and every set of his shoulders announces that the battle around him is temporarily secondary.

Above, another attack ship banks toward the distant defense line while Varkon lowers his center of gravity and fixes his unwavering stare on Gengiun. The watchers hold formation, waiting to see what he does.

Gengiun’s quiet threat carries across the shoreline. Varkon’s expression barely shifts, but the ship overhead steadies its course toward the distant defense line instead of withdrawing.

Varkon steps between Gengiun and the four shoreline guards, cape snapping in the hot wind. Above, targeting lights slide across the water toward Nammune’s forming defense line.

The challenge narrows the battlefield to the space between Varkon and Gengiun, while the attacking ship maintains its aim beyond them. The watchers hold their ground, unable to intervene without exposing the defense line.

After a brief stillness, Gengiun advances with his guard high. His first testing strike snaps toward Varkon’s shoulder, followed by two tight blows probing the king’s balance and reaction.

Varkon turns the opening aside, but Gengiun’s follow-up clips the armored warrior’s ribs and forces him half a step across the purple grass. The impact proves the defense can be breached.

Varkon answers with a compact body blow. Gengiun keeps his guard intact, but the force drives his boot through the loose shoreline soil and leaves a hard bruise beneath his battle armor.

Behind the locked duel, the targeting lights shift away from the exposed shoreline. Varkon resets his stance, now treating Gengiun as a genuine opponent rather than an interruption.

Gengiun gives ground in short, measured steps, letting Varkon’s sweeping strikes cut through empty air. He pivots around the king’s reach and drives a hard kick into an exposed thigh, then another into the armored ribs.

The kicks land cleanly and force Varkon sideways across the grass. Gengiun’s supporting ankle twists under the sudden torque, sending a sharp strain up his leg, but he keeps the distance he sought.

Varkon lunges to close the gap. Gengiun slips beyond the punch and snaps a final kick into the king’s open abdomen, buckling his advance and leaving a clear mark beneath the royal armor.

Varkon plants one boot and steadies himself, breathing harder while Gengiun remains outside his immediate striking range. The targeting lights stay diverted, buying Nammune’s defenders precious time.

Gengiun feints high, drawing Varkon’s guard upward, then drives a straight kick into the king’s face. The impact snaps Varkon’s head back and breaks his stance.

Gengiun’s ankle twists sharply beneath the forceful extension, sending pain up his leg as he retracts. He keeps his balance, but the clean strike costs him a steadier footing.

Varkon stumbles two steps across the purple grass, one gauntlet rising to his face. A thin line of blood marks his lip, while his cape whips around his recovering frame.

Varkon lowers his hand and squares himself again, breathing harder now. The targeting lights remain turned from Nammune’s defenders, but his eyes sharpen with renewed respect.

The offer reaches Varkon without force or triumph. For one suspended moment, the king studies Gengiun’s guarded stance, the diverted targeting lights, and the defenders beyond them.

Varkon’s hand drops from his bloodied lip. Instead of pressing the duel, he turns his head toward the fleet and raises two fingers, giving a sharp signal through the comm-link in his gauntlet.

The targeting lights freeze, no longer advancing toward Nammune, but the concession offers no peaceful departure. Varkon lowers his center of gravity and commits to ending the challenge now, forcing Gengiun to face the king rather than negotiate another delay.

Gengiun surges across the narrow gap, driving his knee toward Varkon’s chest. The king reads the charge early and pivots hard, turning his armored torso aside.

The knee skids across Varkon’s lower armor instead of striking squarely. Gengiun’s momentum carries him past the king’s center, and his strained ankle twists sharply beneath the recovery step.

Varkon hooks an armored forearm across Gengiun’s shoulder and shoves him sideways, forcing separation rather than allowing the missed knee to become a clinch. The king regains his stance.

Gengiun ends several paces away, one foot planted carefully while pain pulses through the ankle. Varkon now stands between him and the defense line, guarding the distance with both fists raised.

Gengiun settles into a guarded stance instead of chasing Varkon. When the king drives forward, Gengiun turns with the attack, keeping his injured ankle planted and his body between Varkon and the defense line.

Varkon’s fist cuts toward Gengiun’s head. Gengiun raises both forearms and redirects the blow across his guard, absorbing the force without giving up ground or exposing the watchers.

A second strike follows low. Gengiun shifts his weight through his hips and catches Varkon’s armored wrist, forcing the king’s momentum outward while preserving the narrow space he controls.

Beyond the duel, the four guards reposition toward Nammune’s inland defenses. Varkon breaks free and resets, but Gengiun’s defense has secured the battlefield’s critical distance.