The night sky cracked with light as crimson and silver tore through shadow. Kai's fists, blazing with fire, collided again and again with Raven's dark tendrils, each strike sending shockwaves that rattled the rooftop. Beside him, Lira's blade cut precise arcs of light, weaving through the chaos with unwavering rhythm.
The city below was trembling—sirens wailing, buildings quivering under the storm of power above. But up here, there was no time for fear. Only survival.
Raven stood tall amidst the storm, his cloak whipping violently, his form outlined in seething darkness. His voice was laced with venom. "You're cornered. You've given me your all, and yet… you've barely scratched me."
Kai spat blood from his lip, eyes burning red as flames crackled around his arms. "Then I'll give more."
Lira tightened her stance, raising her sword in both hands. "Don't underestimate us."
Raven sneered. "Bold words… from people who can barely stand."
He slammed his hands into the ground. The rooftop split open, jagged spears of shadow erupting like a forest of black blades. Kai grabbed Lira's wrist, pulling her just in time as a spear shot up where she had been standing a second ago.
"Stay close!" he barked, dragging her into a roll.
She glared at him, but her voice was steady. "You don't need to tell me twice."
Together, they dodged and deflected, moving in tandem. The dance between crimson fists and silver blade carved a path through Raven's deadly field, every step a testament to their bond.
Finally, they closed the distance. Kai's punch met Raven's forearm with a deafening crack, the impact shaking the rooftop. Raven winced, shadows struggling to hold. Lira seized the opening, her blade slicing across Raven's chest. Black blood sprayed, hissing as it evaporated into smoke.
Raven stumbled back, his grin twisting into fury. For the first time, his voice cracked. "Impossible…"
Kai's aura flared, stronger than before, fueled not by rage, but by the fire in his chest. He shouted above the chaos:
"This isn't just strength! It's everything you'll never understand!"
Raven roared, shadows exploding outward in desperation. The force flung Kai and Lira back, their bodies skidding across the rooftop. Pain ripped through their limbs, but they refused to stay down. Slowly, they pushed themselves to their feet, bloodied yet unbroken.
Lira wiped her lip, eyes locked on Raven. "He's weakening. We just need one more push."
Kai nodded, fire blazing around his fists once more. "Then let's end this."
Their hearts aligned, their steps matched—and for a brief moment, the fractured sky above seemed to bend toward them.
The final clash was near.
---