Battle Of Gods

Chapter 24 : Ashes Boss's Power Unveiled

The Professor's breath came in ragged gasps as he swung his strings, trying desperately to keep up with the relentless onslaught of the Ashes boss. His arms felt like lead, his vision blurred, and sweat poured down his face. He was beginning to feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down on him, and with every passing second, the Ashes boss seemed to grow stronger, more confident.

"Damn it," the Professor muttered under his breath, his frustration evident. He still couldn't decipher the secret behind the boss's power. Every move he made was countered, every attack predicted with uncanny precision.

"How are you able to predict my every move?" the Professor shouted, his voice edged with a mix of desperation and anger.

The Ashes boss sneered, his evil mask casting a dark shadow over his eyes. "I guess you'll die without knowing that," he taunted with a cruel laugh, his voice echoing through the empty warehouse like a death knell. He then kicked the Professor and threw him away.

Without warning, the boss leaped into the air with incredible speed, his sword gleaming under the dim light as he aimed it straight for the Professor's chest. Time seemed to slow down. The Professor could see the tip of the blade hurtling toward him, and for a split second, he felt the cold sting of inevitability. This could be the end.

But then, like a bolt of lightning, Leonard surged forward, his legs pushing off with such force that the ground cracked beneath him. His heart pounded, and he moved faster than he ever had before, fueled by a desperate need to protect. As the sword descended, Leonard threw himself between the Professor and the Ashes boss, his fist clenched tight, his muscles coiled like springs.

With a roar, Leonard swung his fist upward, catching the Ashes boss square in the face. The impact was immense, a thunderous crack that echoed throughout the warehouse. The force of Leonard's punch sent the boss hurtling backward through the air, his body crashing into a stack of metal crates with a deafening clang. Dust and debris exploded around him, and for a moment, the air was thick with smoke and silence.

The Professor collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his chest heaving. He looked up, stunned by Leonard's sudden intervention. "Leonard," he managed to whisper, his voice hoarse with disbelief.

Leonard stood firm, his eyes locked on the boss, who was slowly getting back to his feet, shaking off the debris. The moment hung heavy in the air, thick with tension and realization. Leonard's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of the fight, the clues hidden in every movement. Then, suddenly, it clicked.

As he watched the boss struggle to regain his balance, Leonard understood. The boss had been in the air, unable to avoid Leonard's unexpected attack. If the boss could see the future, he would have never left himself so vulnerable. Leonard's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place.

"He can only see a few seconds into the future," Leonard whispered, his voice filled with newfound determination.

"If he could see more, he would have anticipated my attack... and he wouldn't have jumped into the air in the first place."

The Professor lay dazed on the ground, blood trickling down from a wound on his head. His vision blurred, the pain pulsing with every heartbeat. He tried to push himself up, but his body refused to cooperate. Just then, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps rushing toward him. His heart skipped a beat, fearing the worst.

Suddenly, two figures emerged from the smoke and chaos — Kenji and Falcon came to the rescue. They leapt into the fray, standing beside Leonard, who quickly shared the critical secret he had uncovered about the Ashes boss's power.

"He can only see a few seconds into the future," Leonard told them what he figured out, his voice strained but filled with urgency.

"That's why he couldn't anticipate my punch when he jumped. We can use that."

Kenji and Falcon exchanged a quick glance, their expressions hardening. It wasn't much, but it was something — a crucial clue that could turn the tide. The Ashes boss rose from the pile of rubble, dust and debris cascading off his imposing figure. His eyes burned with fury behind the wolf mask as he focused on Leonard.

With a primal roar, he charged straight at Leonard, his steps thundering across the cracked concrete floor. Leonard braced himself, but he wasn't alone. Kenji and Falcon moved in tandem, sprinting toward the boss with all their might.

The four clashed in a whirlwind of fists, blades, and raw power. The Ashes boss, despite being outnumbered, was relentless. His sword moved with deadly precision, cutting through the air like a razor. Leonard ducked under a wild swing, narrowly avoiding a blow that would have taken his head off. Kenji darted in and out, his movements swift and precise, while Falcon unleashed a barrage of powerful strikes, testing the boss's ability to predict.

Even with the knowledge of the Ashes boss's power, they struggled to gain the upper hand. He was an expert at close combat, and his ability to anticipate their attacks made him a formidable opponent. Every time Leonard or Kenji landed a blow, the boss would counter with brutal efficiency, forcing them to back away. Falcon, with his immense strength, managed to deflect a few attacks, but it was clear that their enemy was still in control.

The battle raged on, each man giving everything he had. Leonard's muscles burned with exhaustion, his breathing ragged and labored. Every inch of his body screamed for rest, but he knew he couldn't stop. Falcon was breathing heavily as well, his movements slowing down, yet he pressed on. Kenji, on the other hand, still fought with relentless energy, his eyes locked on the Ashes boss, looking for any opening, any weakness.

The intensity of the fight only seemed to grow with each passing moment. The Ashes boss showed no signs of fatigue, swinging his massive sword with terrifying strength and speed. He launched himself at Leonard with a ferocious attack, but Kenji stepped in, blocking the blow just in time. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, rattling their bones. Kenji retaliated with a series of swift strikes, but the boss dodged each one with ease.

Then, suddenly, the boss feigned a retreat, drawing them in closer. Leonard sensed something was off, but before he could react, the boss turned on his heel and jumped at Kenji with blinding speed. His sword shined heavily in the dim light as it sliced through the air, heading straight for Kenji's heart.

Falcon, eyes wide with realization, threw himself in front of Kenji just in time. The blade pierced through his armor, stabbing deep into his chest. A gasp escaped Falcon's lips as he felt the cold steel cut through his flesh.

"Falcon!" Leonard shouted, rushing to catch him as Falcon crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. Kenji's eyes went wide with shock, disbelief washing over his face as he watched Falcon fall.

Falcon's breath came in shallow gasps. He coughed, blood flecking his lips, but his gaze remained steady on Leonard.

"Don't... let him win," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Leonard held him, feeling the weight of Falcon's body grow heavier in his arms. Kenji's face contorted with rage, his eyes filled with tears. He couldn't believe what had just happened. The loss of his old friend fueled a fire deep within him, a fire that now burned with an uncontrollable fury.

Falcon finally died in Leonard's arms. 

Kenji let out an angry scream, his body tensing like a spring ready to snap. He charged at the boss with all the speed and strength he could muster, determined to end him, no matter the cost.

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To Be Continued...!!!