Rayen struggled against Umair's crushing grip, his wrist burning from the strength of the hold. "Huh… what the—" he gasped, panic tightening his chest.
Umair's grin was wild, unhinged. "You're done, Rayen. Say goodbye to your little life."
Solar energy began spiraling around Umair's remaining arm, a searing glow that melted the red sand beneath him. "Solaaaar Wave—MAXIMUM!" he shouted, every syllable a promise of death.
Then, out of nowhere, a flash of silver. A slash ripped through the energy wave, scattering it like dust. Umair screamed, stumbling back as crimson sand erupted around him.
"Rayen! Move!" came a sharp voice.
Raj, the Blade Man, stood between them, blades forming from his arms, elbows, and even his shoulders. "Finally. One second late, and I'd have eaten today without sharing," he said, smirking. His eyes burned with focus. "Now, let's cut this mess down."
Rayen's chest surged with relief. "Raj… you're insane—but I'm glad you're here."
They attacked together. Rayen lunged, fists glowing with his stable energy, while Raj's blades whipped through the air like lightning. Umair's fury was unrestrained—he lashed out, Solar waves exploding with jagged, unpredictable force. Red sand and molten energy collided as fist met blade, wave met shadow.
"You think losing a hand will stop me?!" Umair roared, energy flaring around him. He slammed Raj with a Solar-infused punch, sending him skidding across jagged rocks. Rayen ducked an uppercut, rolling through sand, and countered with a flurry of precise punches.
Raj recovered midair, blades extending from his knees and forearms, spinning in a deadly arc. "You're sloppy, Umair! You've lost your edge!" he shouted, slicing through a Solar wave mid-flight. Sparks flew. The heat burned, the wind roared, but neither fighter faltered.
Umair's eyes snapped to Raj. "You… you dare—!" He unleashed a violent Solar surge, throwing both attackers backward, sending them crashing into jagged red sand dunes. But Raj's grin didn't falter. He sprang up, blades slicing through the molten ground, cutting channels that directed the energy away.
Rayen joined again, shadowing behind Umair, striking with blinding speed. "You're finished!" he yelled, landing a heavy blow to Umair's side. Umair bellowed, staggering but his rage only deepened. "I WILL NOT FALL!"
In one insane, furious motion, Umair twisted and thrust his remaining arm forward, molten Solar piercing Raj's chest. Raj's eyes widened, blades clattering as he staggered. "R-Rayen…!" he gasped, before collapsing to the sand, blood dark against crimson.
Rayen screamed, dropping to his knees beside his friend. "No! Raj! Stay with me!" His voice cracked, raw and animalistic, echoing across the barren wasteland.
Umair stood tall, chest heaving, a twisted grin on his face. "I told you… I told you I'd kill you."
Rayen's fists glowed brighter, his eyes narrowing. "You'll pay for this… I swear… I will end you."
The golden sky above was silent, indifferent, as shadow and fire prepared for the next clash. The fight was far from over.
To be continued in Chapter 3.