Guardians of Managas

Chapter 23 : The Family Clash: Aquador vs Croc

After Canji victory we move towards the clash of Croc and Aquador
Aquador and Croc hurtled toward the entrance of the goblin camp, Aquador's Hydro Elbow Boost propelling them at breakneck speed. They collided with the wooden gate in a massive explosion, splintering the structure into countless fragments. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the camp, causing chaos as goblins and adventurers alike were thrown to the ground, injured by the blast.

As the dust began to settle, the figures of Aquador and Croc emerged, standing across from each other amid the wreckage. Croc's eyes burned with fury as he snarled, "You'll regret that, brat!"

But Aquador wasn't listening. His focus was razor-sharp, his mind locked on the fight. Without hesitation, he assumed his fighting stance, channeling his energy into his Hydro Elbow Boost. With a burst of power, he launched himself forward, his fist aimed straight at Croc's face.

Croc, however, was ready. In a flash, he used his powerful tail to propel himself upward, deftly dodging Aquador's hydro-charged punch. In mid-air, Croc twisted, locking his clawed feet onto Aquador's shoulders. With a swift, forceful motion, he flipped forward, using his momentum to hurl Aquador backward, sending him crashing into the debris below.

As Aquador crashed into the debris, Croc wasted no time, swiftly launching himself after Aquador using his powerful tail. He landed on top of Aquador, driving his sharp claws into Aquador's stomach. Blood seeped from the deep wounds as Aquador grimaced in pain. "Augh, damn it," he grunted, trying to endure the agony. Though his Hydrogedon skin was tough, his stomach was his weakest point, and Croc had zeroed in on it with his years of experience—over 35 years of battle-hardened expertise.

Desperate to free himself, Aquador grabbed a piece of debris and struck Croc hard in the face. The force of the blow made Croc release his grip. "Get off me!" Aquador growled as he swiftly scrambled to his feet. Without hesitation, he charged at Croc, aiming for a takedown.

Croc, though momentarily disoriented by the strike, reacted quickly. With a swift motion, he lashed out with his tail, sending razor-sharp scales flying toward Aquador. Aquador noticed the attack and instinctively covered his vulnerable stomach with his arms, charging forward as the scales bounced off his reinforced skin.

As Aquador closed in, he aimed a powerful headbutt at Croc's crocodilian head. But Croc, quick and calculating, caught Aquador's head with his massive jaws. His sharp teeth clamped down, but they couldn't pierce through Hydrogedon's tough skin. Realizing this, Croc redirected his strength, tossing Aquador with a powerful jerk of his head.

As Aquador was flung into the air, he thought, "Damn it, his albino form packs serious strength—he was able to send me flying with just a head motion!" Croc wasted no time, his experience showing as he launched himself after Aquador, his claws extended like a deadly rocket. He aimed directly for Aquador's vulnerable stomach, determined to finish him off.

But Aquador was quick to react. Just as Croc closed in, Aquador activated his Hydrogedon Elbow Boost, propelling a burst of water from his elbow to dodge the strike in mid-air. He shifted to the right just in time, narrowly avoiding Croc's lethal claws. With his momentum redirected, Aquador used the opening to deliver a powerful mid-air punch to Croc.

The force of the punch sent Croc hurtling back to the ground, crashing into another section of the wooden wall and demolishing it. The impact was brutal, and Croc coughed up blood as he hit the ground, the force of Aquador's punch reverberating through his body.

Croc struggled to his feet, but Aquador wasn't about to give him a moment to recover. With both Hydro Elbow Boosts activated, Aquador shot forward like a missile, slamming into Croc with such force that a massive shockwave rippled through the air. The impact was devastating—Croc was driven to the ground, pinned beneath Aquador, who stood over him with unwavering resolve.

Croc coughed violently, more blood spilling from his mouth as he lay there, breathing heavily. Yet, despite his pain, he began to laugh—a cold, bitter sound that sent chills down Aquador's spine. "Ha ha ha... you remind me so much of Martle, it sickens me," Croc rasped, his voice dripping with venom. "He always got everything I wanted—the woman of my dreams, the love of the island people, and a great, strong, reliable son."

Croc paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked up at Aquador. Then, as if a switch had flipped, he burst into maniacal laughter. "Hahahahahaha! I was so glad to finally poison that fool and end him. And now, if only I could have Rivarly... but no matter! I have Hilda—she looks just like your mother did when she was younger. She's my new Rivarly, and when she gives birth to my new son, I'll name him the new Aquador!"

His eyes gleamed with madness, the twisted jealousy of a man who had lost his grip on reality long ago. Aquador, standing over his deranged uncle, felt a surge of disgust and horror. "You're a crazy old man," he spat, his voice laced with contempt. "All this because Dad was the more successful one?"

Aquador's expression hardened as he was about to deliver the final blow to Croc's twisted sense of victory. "By the way, my fairy friend stole your safe. People know everything now. Your head maid died at Canji's hand, and so will you, crazy old bastard!"
As Aquador prepared to deliver the final, Hydro Elbow-boosted punch, Croc's body suddenly expanded, his stomach ballooning grotesquely. The unexpected movement threw Aquador off balance. "What the—?" he started to say, but before he could react, Croc unleashed a powerful stream of water from his mouth. The force struck Aquador hard, sending him flying backward. He crashed to the ground, dazed.

Croc wasted no time, using his powerful tail to propel himself toward Aquador with terrifying speed. His claws, sharp as spears, were aimed directly at Aquador. "I'll kill you and your friends!" Croc screamed, his voice filled with manic rage. "Then I'll have my way with Rivarly and make sure she feels the despair I've suffered all these years!"

Hearing this, Aquador's rage boiled over. He bellowed back, "Bring it, you crazy bastard! Let's end this!" He braced himself, charging both of his elbows with Hydro Boost energy. With a burst of power, he launched himself at Croc, matching his uncle's speed. But just before they collided, Aquador used one of his elbows to shift direction mid-air, propelling himself above Croc's body.

Dodging Croc's deadly claws, Aquador unleashed his second Hydro Elbow Boost, driving his fist down with immense force onto Croc's head. The impact was catastrophic, crashing Croc into the ground and creating a massive crater. Sand flew everywhere, shrouding the area in a swirling dust storm. When the dust settled, Croc lay motionless, his head crushed. It was the end of the mad uncle.

Breathing heavily, Aquador stood over Croc's lifeless body. "I've avenged you, Dad," he said softly, a mixture of pride and sorrow in his voice. "And I've protected Mom and the island." His resolve hardened as he looked toward the horizon. "Next, we end the false king of our kingdom."

With the battle over, Aquador helped the remaining adventurers defeat the last of the goblins. Afterward, he tended to Canji, ensuring she was safe. The island, grateful for their heroism, elected Rivarly as the new leader. Despite the intense fight, Aquador emerged with only a few wounds on his stomach, a testament to the resilience of his Hydrogedon skin. Canji, though drained of energy, had only a few burns that hadn't fully healed, particularly on her right hand where she had struck the Goblin King.

For her efforts, Canji became the first of the heroes to acquire a magical artifact—the Goblin Skull Staff. The mission had been an S-rank quest, requested by the head guild leader, Rivarly. Completing such a mission granted Aquador and Canji the status of S-rank adventurers within the Mythical Horizons Guild.

Now, the scene shifts back to the Wave Realm. Max sits atop the Atla church, gazing out over the city. "I guess it's time to take on a new quest... and maybe drop by the Adventurer's Guild of Atla,"

To be Continue