Ray (in his mind): "This is bad."
Hifung suddenly dashed toward Ray at incredible speed, conjuring orange fire magic in his right hand, preparing to strike.
Ray, seeing the incoming attack, immediately readied himself. His eyes glowed with power, and he summoned orange fire magic in his left hand.
The fire in Hifung's hand flickered slightly, dimming under the pressure of Ray's gaze.
Their fists collided—Hifung's against Ray's—unleashing a small burst of fire that radiated outward before vanishing into the air.
Ray stared intently at Hifung, then cried out to awaken him.
Ray: Hifung! Wake up!
But Hifung remained entranced, growing even more enraged as he intensified his blows.
The force behind Hifung's punches increased, pushing Ray to his limit. Unable to hold on, Ray was sent flying, though he landed on his feet a short distance away.
Without hesitation, Hifung charged again, this time summoning a lightning sword in his right hand.
Ray, reacting swiftly, summoned his own lightning sword.
Their blades clashed—lightning sparking violently in every direction as energy exploded from the impact.
But suddenly, Hifung ignited orange fire magic on his right leg and delivered a fierce kick to Ray's stomach.
Caught off guard, Ray was struck hard, sent tumbling backward.
Still, he rose again, breathing heavily.
Hifung glared at him, then summoned yellow fire magic into his right hand, pointing it toward Ray.
Hifung: Yellow fire magic... uses nearly fifty times more chi energy than normal fire magic.
Ray's eyes widened in shock. He looked at Hifung with hope flickering in his gaze.
Ray: Hifung... are you back to yourself?
Hifung: This world has never been fair to me. And because you share my pain... I don't want to hurt you. Leave, Ray.
Ray's eyes widened even more. He finally understood Hifung's feelings.
Ray: Hifung...
Hifung: I'll destroy this unjust world. I hope you won't stand in my way.
Ray lowered his head, thinking deeply.
Ray: I won't let that happen.
Hifung's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Hifung: What do you mean!?
Ray raised his head, locking eyes with Hifung.
Ray: I won't let you destroy this world!
Hifung: What!?
They stared each other down in tense silence.
Hifung: Then so be it.
Hifung unleashed his yellow fire magic toward Ray, the blazing energy racing forward.
Ray, seeing it approach, channeled a massive amount of chi into his right hand. He summoned yellow fire magic of his own.
He launched his magic to intercept Hifung's, and the two forces collided—heat erupting across the battlefield, far greater than anything before.
The waves of fire surged outward in all directions.
Ray: HUUAAAA!
Ray struggled to hold it back, his energy draining fast—while Hifung simply watched.
Moments passed, and finally, Ray shattered Hifung's yellow fire spell.
Exhausted, Ray panted heavily, barely able to stand.
Hifung: Why do you insist on stopping me, even though you've suffered the same fate as I have!?
Ray glared at Hifung, eyes burning with conviction.
Ray: Because this world is fair!
Hifung blinked in surprise, waiting for an explanation.
Ray: Every meeting leads to a farewell.
Ray: No matter what, every person leaves in their own time.
Ray: Will you choose to cling endlessly to the pain of those who are gone, and destroy your future for their absence?
Ray: I choose to look forward... rather than endlessly staring back.
Ray: What's done is done. Time can't be reversed.
Ray: I choose to move on with my life. One day, I'll build my own family and live happily.
Ray: I'm sure my parents would want that for me too.
Ray: And I'm sure—your parents wouldn't want you to become like this either!
Hifung's expression shifted—his eyes welled up with tears.
Hifung: I-I...
Ray: Wake up, Hifung.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped Hifung's senses. He slipped deeper into unconsciousness.
With a burst of speed, Hifung dashed toward Ray once more—this time wielding a magma blade cloaked in a dark red aura.
Ray's eyes widened in alarm, but he managed to summon a magma sword of his own, barely blocking the incoming strike.
Hifung's slashes came faster and fiercer, unrelenting. He had lost all awareness of himself.
Ray: Wake up, Hifung!!
Ray parried every blow.
But the strikes grew heavier, faster, and more chaotic. Ray began to falter under the barrage.
Hifung: HUAAA!
Until finally, both of their magma blades shattered.
Without pause, Hifung surged chi into his fists and started pummeling Ray with a flurry of punches.
Thankfully, Ray also infused chi into his arms, managing to block the hits one by one.
They exchanged blow after blow in a furious clash, until Hifung veered to Ray's side and attempted a kick with his aura-charged leg.
Ray ducked just in time and countered—delivering a solid aura-infused kick into Hifung's stomach.
Hifung was launched backward but landed and charged again, fists still glowing with energy.
Ray conjured twin lightning swords, dispersing the aura from his hands.
Hifung unleashed another barrage of punches, but Ray blocked them all with his swords.
After a while, as Hifung threw a powerful punch—
Ray jumped high into the air, crossing his swords in a double downward slash.
Hifung saw it coming and caught the blades with his aura-covered hands.
They clashed for a few tense seconds before Ray leapt backward, distancing himself.
Hifung was clearly out of control now, and Ray was nearing his limit.
Ray (in his mind): "This is bad. The king and Feds are still unconscious. I have to end this now, or I'll be defeated—and he'll rampage through the kingdom."
Ray looked at his right hand, then turned his eyes toward Hifung with fierce resolve.
Ray: Hifung. Since you're not in your right mind... then I'll bring you back myself. Let's make the next strike... the last.
Hifung, still unconscious, glared at Ray with unrelenting fury and ragged breaths.
Ray raised his right arm level with his shoulder.
Ray (in his mind): "I'll use that spell."
He began channeling the last remnants of his chi into his right hand.
A dark blue lightning magic surrounded his arm, swirling with aura.
At the same time, Hifung summoned his yellow fire magic, cloaked in aura.
Both warriors dashed f
orward—propelled by wind magic, their speed doubling.
Ray directed his spell ahead.
Hifung did the same.
They closed in, faster and faster. Their magic neared impact.