As the rooftop crumbled beneath them, both warriors fell into the burning wreckage.
Kirishima twisted mid-air, kicking off falling debris with shocking agility. His body was coated in crimson flames, eyes blazing with determination.
Ravihiro, in contrast, manipulated his spiritual energy, vanishing into the darkness mid-fall. His presence flickered in and out of existence like a ghost.
BOOOM!
They collided mid-air.
Kirishima's flaming fist met Ravihiro's venomous blade. The moment their attacks connected, a violent shockwave shattered the surrounding area.
"This guy... he's a freak," Kirishima thought, forcing himself to push harder.
But Ravihiro's hellfire-coated sword started eating away at Kirishima's flames.
FWOOOOSH!
Kirishima spun in the air, delivering a Blazing Impact kick directly to Ravihiro's ribs. A loud crack echoed through the air.
Ravihiro gritted his teeth.
Even though pain surged through him, he didn't flinch. Instead, his Ghost Scorpion ring glowed ominously.
A faint violet mist seeped from his sword, coating Kirishima's body with poison.
Kirishima's eyes widened. "What-?"
Ravihiro smirked. "Too late."
Kirishima's body jerked. His flames flickered as the venom started affecting his muscles, slowing his movements.
But even as his body trembled, Kirishima clenched his fist and roared.
"INFERNAL OVERDRIVE!"
A massive explosion of flames erupted from his body, shattering the ground below. The poison burned away as his power skyrocketed.
"You're annoying!" Kirishima charged forward with insane speed.
SLASH!
Ravihiro parried, but the force sent him flying back. He barely landed on his feet, coughing up blood.
"This is bad..." Ravihiro forced himself to stand, gripping his sword tightly.
"Ahaha..." Kirishima wiped the sweat from his brow. "This is fun, right?"
Ravihiro didn't answer. He simply rushed forward, his Shadow Demon ring activating.
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
They exchanged blow after blow, both refusing to back down.
Kirishima's flames scorched the battlefield.
Ravihiro's dark energy cut through reality itself.
Both warriors pushed themselves past their limits-
Until-
One final attack.
Kirishima and Ravihiro swung at the same time.
B0000000M!
A massive shockwave erupted, leveling the entire area.
Both warriors staggered, barely able to stay on their feet.
Then-
They collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.
Talk Between Ravihiro and Kirishima
For a few moments, there was only silence.
Then-
Kirishima chuckled weakly. "Alright, I'll admit it. You're not bad, Shadow Guy."
Ravihiro scoffed, breathing heavily. "You too, Flame Idiot."
Kirishima smirked, lying flat on his back. "That ring stuff... What exactly is it?"
Ravihiro remained silent for a moment. Then, he sighed.
"Power," he finally said. "Power that canbe both a weapon and a curse."
Kirishima raised an eyebrow. "A curse, huh...?"
Silence stretched between them again.
Then Kirishima sighed. "Honestly... I don't even know why I'm fighting you."
Ravihiro smirked. "Curiosity? Ego?"
"Maybe both," Kirishima admitted.
They both stared up at the night sky, panting.
Despite the brutal fight-
Neither of them felt like enemies anymore.