Karu's fist slams into Zen's face. Bang. Zen flies into the mountain, rocks crumbling as his body vanishes beneath them. Karu pants, eyes fixed on the blood-stained ground. He gasps..
"No… he can't be dead from one punch. He was besting me… until his eyes lost their spark" Karu thinks.
He glances at Zen's hand, blood on his fingers. He walks up to the piled rocks, touching his finger gently, his eyes not even withering.
"You're the only one who's pushed me this far. The only one who gave me a fight worth remembering. " he thinks. "So wake up, rival." Nothing. Silence.
Karu's ears twitch at the faint hum of birds. Mana surges through him. Flames spiral, earth splits, rocks shoot into the sky.
"I don't usually get mad but Zen.." Karu mutters walking closer, placing a finger on the rock.
"Wake up" Karu growls.
Boom..
The rocks crumble to the floor, blood spilling straight onto Karu's face. Thud.
Karu bends down, glaring at Zen's face. "Darn" Karu mutters. eyes sharp, staring at Zen's slack jaw, eyes rolled white. "He's dead" Karu whispers closing Zen's eyes, walking away.
"He was strong but his power was burrowed" Karu whispers, sighing.
Above on the cliff a figure stands. Mist curls into the shape of a man.
A demon wearing a mask, eyes faintly glowing, watches Karu turn away. From the shadows a boy steps forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you… Zen" the demon whispers.
Zen staggers slightly, clutching his shoulder. "Apologies" the demon says, extending a hand. Black mana surges, wrapping Zen like water, pulling the air tight.
"Huh" Zen gasps.
"Stay calm" the demon says flatly. Shadows tighten until the mist burns away.
"Done" the demon says, calm and final.
Karu doesn't see. He doesn't care. Flames still dance around him, raw and untamed. Zen flexes his arms and legs, staring at the demon, alive but completely hidden from Karu.