SOUL-SEEKER || (On Hiatus)

(Chapter 40) Together, Invincible.

Surrounded by mountains of debris that used to be a fully functioning tarmac, the remnants of shattered concrete and twisted metal bore witness to the relentless clash between Niko and Ayume. The air crackled with the intensity of their movements, each strike sending shockwaves through the chaotic landscape. Niko, with a swift and calculated finesse, parried Ayume's attacks with a mastery that hinted at years of disciplined training. His movements were fluid, a dance of skill and precision as he countered each blow with a seamless blend of offense and defense. In contrast, Ayume's strikes were fueled by a raw, unrestrained power, his punches leaving craters in the already battered ground. The battle unfolded at an incredible pace, a blur of kinetic energy as the combatants weaved through the wreckage with grace and determination. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, creating an ethereal display of light against the backdrop of destruction. The deafening clang of their collisions echoed through the desolate surroundings, resonating with the intensity of their conflict. As they continued their exchange, it became apparent that neither Niko nor Ayume could fully overpower the other. Each had their own unique style, a testament to their diverse combat backgrounds. Niko's disciplined approach clashed with Ayume's brute strength, creating a dynamic equilibrium that kept the confrontation on a knife's edge. Amidst the chaos, Ayume's stamina proved to be a crucial factor. With a relentless determination, he pressed on, gradually wearing down Niko with a barrage of strikes. The debris-laden battlefield became a canvas for their struggle, each step leaving imprints on the broken remnants of what was once a pristine surface. Seizing the advantage, Ayume found moments to taunt his opponent. His confident demeanor echoed through the shattered landscape as he skillfully evaded Niko's retaliatory strikes. Taunts danced on the edge of his lips, a psychological warfare complementing the clash between the two.

AYU: You're starting to fall behind, Niko!
NKO: Just you wait, Ayume!

The battlefield quivered as Ayume's formidable powers shattered the ground beneath, sending debris flying in all directions. The air crackled with intensity as Ayume, his eyes ablaze with determination, manipulated his own blood into deadly projectiles. These crimson missiles pierced through the chaos, hurtling toward Niko with lethal precision. Ever the agile combatant, Niko swiftly slid beneath the incoming blood projectiles, a masterful display of reflexes. Closing the distance with remarkable speed, he launched a direct punch at Ayume, aiming to exploit the momentary vulnerability. Ayume, however, was not to be caught off guard. With a swift defensive maneuver, he concentrated his blood into his arms, minimizing the knockback from Niko's punch. In a seamless counterattack, Ayume retaliated with a rapid-fire combo. Two swift kicks landed with precision, the first targeting Niko's leg and the second culminating in a devastating blow to the face. Undeterred, Niko's resilience came to the forefront as he caught Ayume's subsequent kick, displaying his own strength. With an impressive display of force, Niko slammed Ayume into the unforgiving ground. However, Ayume, ever nimble, evaded with a quick backward roll, creating distance between them. With a fierce determination, Ayume summoned two blood daggers into his hands. The crimson sheen of the daggers gleamed ominously as he dashed toward Niko. Watching from the sidelines, Ryota taunts his weakened opponent with sly words.

RYT: Y'know, gotta feel bad about your friend... he's got no chance against Ayume, who's never lost a duel in his life.
KTO: *cough* Heh, there's a first time for everything.
RYT: Your confidence is remarkable. Too bad your skills can't back it up.

Niko and Ayume clashed in a fierce close-combat duel, their movements swift and precise. The air crackled with tension as each strike reverberated through the space between them. Niko's muscles tensed as he lunged forward, his blade gleaming in the dim light, aiming for Ayume's defenses. Ayume, equally skilled, danced nimbly on his toes, deflecting Niko's advances with a fluid grace. The clash of steel echoed in the arena, the metallic resonance creating a symphony of war. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, evidence of the intense exertion pouring into every move. As the fight raged on, Niko executed a series of intricate feints, attempting to outmaneuver Ayume's defenses. His strikes were a blur of controlled aggression, but Ayume anticipated each move with a keen sense of intuition. The combatants moved in a synchronized dance, neither yielding an inch. Ayume retaliated with a lightning-fast spin, his daggers whistling through the air as he aimed for Niko's flank. He countered with a swift parry, the clash sending sparks flying in all directions. A moment of rest fell between them.

AYU: Huff! Your technique is quite unorthodox, but it's not made for duels.
NKO: What do you even know about my technique..?
AYU: Your technique allows you to force rules onto the existence of things, and it's really useful for carrying out missions, but when it comes to battle, it lacks in potential.
NKO: Seems like you know a lot about it, but to me it sounds like a lot of bullshit.
AYU: Oh?! Then show me I'm wrong!
NKO: With pleasure!

Niko's swift movements painted a dance across the battlefield, a ballet of evasion as he skillfully sidestepped the onslaught of blood arrows. His every step exuded a fluid grace, a testament to the years of training that had molded him into a formidable warrior. Ayume, undeterred by Niko's nimbleness, focused his energy, palms outstretched like conduits of power. The air crackled with an eerie intensity as he harnessed his soul essence, orchestrating the crimson storm that bore down upon Niko. Each arrow, a manifestation of Ayume's malevolent intent, whizzed through the air, leaving trails of viscous energy in their wake. Niko's form became a blur as he expertly maneuvered through the barrage, his senses finely attuned to the impending danger. The dance continued, a delicate balance between life and death, until the battlefield was a canvas of fleeting shadows and crimson streaks. Just when it seemed as if Niko had successfully eluded every blood arrow, a sudden and unexpected change in the tempo unfolded. Out of the chaos, a blood javelin materialized with deadly precision, finding its mark in Niko's gut. The impact echoed through the air, a sudden punctuation to the otherwise graceful choreography. Ayume's laughter reverberated like a victorious symphony, resonating with the malevolence that fueled his every action. Niko, however, bowed his head in a moment of vulnerability, his hand instinctively reaching to clutch the wound.

AYU: My blood has already coursed through your body! It's too late!
NKO: Oh, is it now..?
AYU: Feel the despair, Niko Shizora!
NKO: Soul Technique, World Order.
AYU: Don't tell me!
NKO: 𝖠𝗒𝗎𝗆𝖾 𝖬𝗂𝗓𝗎𝗇𝖾𝗌' 𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖻𝖾 𝗍𝗎𝗋𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝗌𝗁.

Ayumes' eyes widened in horror, his breath caught in his throat as the weight of impending doom pressed upon him. He dared to steal a furtive look down, and in that moment, a chilling realization crept over him like an insidious shadow, his own life force seeping away, staining the ground beneath with the crimson testament of his demise.

NKO: You were right about my technique, and still made the mistake of allowing me to fulfill the only condition of its' activation, grasping your blood with my bare hands.
AYU: *pant* C-Curse you, Niko!
NKO: Farewell, Mizune.

Ryota, watching his brother in arms dying before him, dropped Kaito, the weight of his fallen comrade echoing in the deafening chaos of the battlefield. Dust and smoke hung thick in the air as he sprinted towards Ayume, his boots pounding the blood-soaked earth beneath him. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the acrid tang of ash as Ryota's heart raced, each step a desperate attempt to bridge the ever-narrowing gap. Yet, even in this moment of urgency, time seemed to slow, each heartbeat echoing the gravity of the impending loss.

KTO: There's nothing my technique can't divide.

Ryota's body crumpled to the ground, a gruesome testament to the brutality of the battle. The air was thick with the acrid scent of blood, and the metallic taste lingered in the aftermath. The once-unyielding warrior lay in two pieces, his life force extinguished, leaving only an eerie silence in his wake. Beside him, Ayume's wide eyes reflected the horror of the scene, his breath caught in his throat. Kaito, the one who delivered the final blow, stood tall, his expression stoic as he watched Ryota's lifeless form. The echoes of the clash still reverberated in the air, the aftermath painted in shades of despair and resignation. Ryota's final glance towards Kaito seemed to encapsulate a mix of regret and acceptance before his eyelids gently closed, shrouding the light that once illuminated his gaze. Niko, seemingly unaffected by the grim tableau, nonchalantly brushed the dust off his clothes. His casual demeanor juxtaposed with the surrounding devastation, creating an unsettling contrast. Approaching Kaito, he offered a solemn pat on the back, a silent acknowledgment of the shared burden they now bore.

End of Chapter 40
"Together, Invincible."

[ Kaito & Niko defeat the crimson moon. ]