Battle Of Gods

Chapter 26 : All men down

Kenji's mind was racing as he processed the shocking truth about Carson. The weight of the revelation was almost too much, but there was no time to dwell on it. Before Kenji could catch his breath, Carson lunged at him with terrifying speed. Instinctively, Kenji raised his katanas, barely blocking the vicious strike.

"Still standing, are we?" Carson sneered as their blades clashed. "Let's see how long that lasts."

Kenji gritted his teeth, forcing Carson back with a swift parry. "You won't get away with this, Carson!" he shouted, his fury pushing him to attack relentlessly. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one aimed at exploiting the weaknesses he had already identified in Carson's power. But to his frustration, Carson was deflecting every move with terrifying precision.

Though Kenji knew Carson could only predict moments ahead, it felt like the vice president's movements were almost impossible to counter. Carson moved with a grace that defied his large frame, parrying and dodging Kenji's every attempt to strike him down.

"Pathetic," Carson spat, sidestepping Kenji's sword and landing a sharp kick to his ribs. Kenji staggered back but quickly recovered. He was not going to let this monster win.

Just then, the professor, bruised but determined, entered the fray. "I'm not letting you take this fight alone," he growled, launching his strings towards Carson in a wide arc. The deadly strings lashed out, aiming for Carson's exposed sides. Carson managed to dodge, but the professor's attack had created the distraction Kenji needed.

The fight became an intense dance, with Carson fending off blows from both the professor and Kenji. The two men, working together, began to study the rhythm of Carson's movements. Slowly, they started to find gaps in his defense. The professor's strings weaved through Carson's guard while Kenji's blades struck with deadly precision.

"We're wearing him down," the professor said through gritted teeth as Carson's breathing grew heavier. "Just keep pushing!"

Kenji nodded, their strikes now perfectly in sync. They forced Carson back, step by step, each attack more coordinated than the last. Kenji's katanas glinted in the low light as he aimed for Carson's torso, while the professor's strings wrapped around his sword, trying to disarm him.

Seeing no escape, Carson's eyes narrowed. His anger turned into desperation as he was backed into a corner, unable to predict all their attacks. Kenji saw the opening—he lunged forward, ready to deliver the final blow, his katana aimed for Carson's chest.

But just as his blade was about to land, a sudden *hiss* filled the air. A smoke bomb exploded between them, obscuring everything in a thick, suffocating cloud. Kenji coughed, trying to see through the smoke. "What the—?"

"Kenji! Watch out!" the professor yelled, but it was too late.

As the smoke began to clear, Leonard, standing a few feet away, saw it first. His heart sank. Emerging from the haze was Argon, the lieutenant Kenji had defeated earlier. Somehow, he was back on his feet, bloodied but alive, and wielding a broken blade. Before anyone could react, Argon drove the half-cut sword straight into Kenji's stomach.

Kenji gasped, his eyes wide in shock, blood trickling from his lips as the blade pierced him. He stumbled, his katanas falling from his grip, and collapsed to the ground. The professor stood frozen, horror etched on his face. Leonard's voice broke through the silence with a scream.

As the smoke finally lifted, all eyes turned to the fallen warrior.

Leonard screamed in anger. His scream echoed through the battlefield, filled with fury and desperation. He charged at Argon with unrestrained rage, his fist connecting with the villain's shoulder. The impact was so forceful that Argon's arm dislocated with a sickening snap. Argon crumpled, writhing in agony as Leonard ignored him, his focus solely on Kenji. Kneeling down, Leonard frantically tied Kenji's wound, using his shirt to stop the bleeding.