-BOOM!!
Ash's body skidded across the arena floor, his boots scraping against the cracked tiles as debris rolled and shattered around him. He planted his heel firmly to halt his momentum, the impact leaving faint cracks beneath his feet. Dust hung in the air, swirling like mist after a storm.
Before he could even regain his footing, Ray had already closed the distance, his figure cutting through the smoke like a predator closing in on its prey.
There was no aura covering his body this time. Ray was careful with his energy, conserving it for crucial moments when he needed to counter Ash's unpredictable spells. For now, he relied entirely on his raw speed and close-combat mastery.
Ray's fist shot forward in a straight line aimed at Ash's chest. It was sharp and precise, fast enough to make the air whistle.
