The anticipation in the arena reaches its peak as Shosai Tono and Rishin Fukuni step onto the grand stage. Before them stands their formidable opponents, Reina Hironaga and Hana Tsuchiya, both poised and ready for battle. As the crowd buzzes with excitement, the announcer's voice booms across the arena, igniting their enthusiasm further.
"The next match is set! On one side, we have the tenacious Shosai alongside the fierce Rishin! And on the other, the brilliant strategist Reina and the formidable Hana Tsuchiya! Who will claim victory? Let the battle commence!"
With a confident smirk, Shosai cracks his knuckles and declares, "Time to show them what we've got, Rishin." In response, Rishin, his broad shoulders squared and a jagged scar marking his right eye, grunted, his stance firm and unwavering as he replies, "Just don't get in my way."
Shosai instantly charges directly at Reina, sharpening the bones in his hands and arms into delay points, his movements swift and precise as he aims to close the distance between them.
However, Reina was quick on her feet; she continuously glides back, skillfully firing balls of ice in his direction. Using his sharpened bones Shosai punches through each icy projectile shattering them easily, advancing steadily with a grin.
"Is that all you got, you weakling?" he taunts her, feeling confident in his agility and strength.
Meanwhile, Rishin faces Hana with a steely gaze, studying her every move in anticipation. His hands drip a gelatinous poisonous liquid that corrodes the rocky arena floor as it lands, a testament to his lethal abilities.
He rushes toward Hana with the gelatinous purple liquid running down his hands. Rishin attempts to grab her but she evades the attack by creating an earth wall between them.
Hana stomps on the ground, sending a powerful shockwave throughout the stage knocking everyone but herself off balance.
Rishin stumbles almost falling over but finds his balance.
Taking advantage of the opening Hana attempts to punch Rishin in the face. But he catches it at the last moment.
"Huh!," Hana's eyes widen in surprise.
Tightly gripping her fist in his hand. He sends the gelatinous liquid to her hand and up her arm coating her arm in a dangerous poison. "Your arm will rot, and you'll lose the fight," Rishin sneers, watching the poison creep up her skin with malicious satisfaction.
Hana clenches her teeth, muscles tensing as she felt the burning sensation crawl along her skin. But she didn't panic.
Instead, she smirks.
"Not so fast."
As Rishin focuses on his poisoned grip, Hana suddenly twists her body, using her superior strength to lift and slam him into the ground with brute force.
Rishin's body collides with the floor, sending debris flying. His grip on her weakened for just a moment—just long enough for Hana to rip free from his grasp.
She immediately stomps her foot once more, coating her arm in a thick layer of earth to stop the poison from spreading further.
"Tch… clever." Rishin angrily wipes a trickle of blood from his mouth, rising back to his feet. "But I'm not done yet.
Meanwhile, Shosai and Reina continue their intense exchange of blows. Their fight was a clash of raw aggression versus tactical precision.
Reina moved with remarkable agility, expertly dodging each of Shosai's bone-forged attacks. Her footwork was precise, allowing her to weave effortlessly out of harm's way. In response to his strikes, she delivers swift punches that flow seamlessly into her defensive maneuvers.
With every clash of their blows, shards of frost scatters through the air, creating a dazzling spectacle that accompanied their fierce battle.
Shosai slashes at Reina's hand, leaving a deep cut on her palm. She jerks back, wincing in pain.
"Is the little girl hurt?" Shosai laughs. Taunting her, rubbing his hands together.
Panting, Reina unleashes a relentless barrage of ice projectiles at Shosai. But in her anger, she misfires—one striking Hana's ribs and sending her crashing to the floor.
Hana gasps, struggling to catch her breath as she clutches her side.
Reina looks over at Hana in shock distracting herself for a moment. Using the opportunity to his advantage Shosai launches a thunderous blow straight to her face following up with a hardened kick to the stomach.
Shiku and Houki watch the battle from the crowd at the edge of their seats. Fury flared within them both, as they watch as Shosai stands over a grounded Reina.
Houki squints, his gaze sharp and focused, while Shiku's fist tightens in anticipation, fully aware of Shosai's cunning intentions. Tension hangs in the air as a silent understanding passes between them, setting the stage for what's about to unfold.
With a sinister smile, Shosai raises his arm, ready to strike again. He drives his arm downward, aiming to brutally injure her. But before he can finish the attack, a portal rips open in front of Reina. A black silhouette steps through, sharp blue eyes flashing.
"That's enough," Houki says, his voice like steel.
The next second— a flash of red and white.
Shiku crashes down like a meteor, flames exploding from his fist. The impact shakes the arena floor.
Shiku straightens, rolling his shoulders. His aura blazes, making his shadow dance wildly against the ground.
Shosai turns, eyes wide, and locks gazes with Houki. He looks to the other side to see an angry Shiku with a fist full of fire ready to attack.
"I said get away from her," Houki commands, his grip on Shosai's arm unyielding.
A hush falls over the crowd, the air thick with disbelief. The boys have crossed a line, shattering the tournament's most sacred rule. As whispers ripple through the stands, anxious glances are exchanged, and a palpable tension fills the atmosphere. The consequences of their actions loom overhead, and everyone senses that this moment could change everything.
The excitement of the competition is overshadowed by a grim realization; the spirit of fair play has been compromised, and the tournament's integrity hangs in the balance. Fear and confusion grip the spectators, who are left wondering not just about the boys' fate, but about what this moment means for the future of the tournament itself.
❧
"What do you think you're doing?" Shosai growls, his voice taut with frustration as he yanks his arm, attempting to break free from the grasp that holds him.
Shiku steps forward, his fiery fist emanating a warm glow that illuminated the determined expression on his face. With unwavering resolve, he declares, "We won't let you hurt our friends." His words hung in the air, a powerful affirmation of loyalty and courage in the face of potential danger. The warmth of his spirit and the fire in his heart set the tone for the confrontation, showcasing his commitment to protecting those he cared about.
Two tournament officials suddenly appears behind them, their swords drawn and poised for action. One of the officials steps forward, pressing the blade closer to Houki's throat, and declares with authority, "Let him go." The tension in the air thickened as the threat looms large, making it clear that the situation had escalated dramatically.
The officials' stern caution echoes ominously, permeating the charged atmosphere with an undeniable sense of urgency.
Shiku stands at a crossroads, his heart thudding in his chest. He was faced with a harrowing choice that weighed heavily upon him. On one side, he could defy the officials, which could lead to severe consequences and risk everything he had fought for.
On the other hand, yielding to their demands would ensure his safety but at the cost of his principles. As he weighs these alternatives, the tension of the moment envelopes him, leaving him to grapple with the implications of each path before him.
The announcer steps onto the stage, his expression heavy with regret. "With deep regret, I'll have to call a stop to the match due to the interference," he announces. As his words hung in the air, the crowd erupts in murmurs of disapproval, an undercurrent of dissent swirling among the spectators. Discontented whispers fill the venue, reflecting the audience's frustration with the disruption of what had promised to be an exciting event.
Shiku and Houki are taken away from the stage by a group of enforcement officials, their imposing presence a stark reminder of the power they wielded.
As the tournament progressed ending with Shosai as the winner.
The boys found themselves summoned to the king's throne room, a place filled with grandeur and gravitas. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and a sense of decorum, filling the air with an almost palpable tension. The opulent surroundings, adorned with lavish tapestries and flickering candlelight, intensified the anticipation that surrounded the moment.
Both of them could feel the weight of the occasion pressing upon them, marking a significant turning point in their journey.
They stand in awe of the grandeur before them, their hearts racing as they awaited the king's words, knowing that their fates could be forever altered by this very moment.
Multiple armored guards stand tall all around them, weapons in their hands. Shiku and Houki exchange a nervous glance, feeling the intense scrutiny of the room settling upon them.
The king, seated on his intricately carved throne, leans forward, his eyes piercing through the dim light toward the two young warriors.
❧