Silence hung heavy in the Time Room, broken only by Saruto's ragged breaths as he lay on the cold floor after hours of training. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his chest heaved. Every attempt to activate a skill ended in failure, and with each failure, he felt his energy drain away, his body slowly collapsing. "I've tried everything," he murmured hoarsely. "Why can't it work?"
Then, slowly, he closed his eyes and drifted back into consciousness. As Saruto entered, he saw a figure standing before him, tall, with an immense aura, arms covered in black scales, and two horns protruding from its head, while its eyes glowed with a dark purple light. Saruto recoiled, startled. "Who are you? And where's Void?!"
The being chuckled deeply and said with a calm smile, "Calm down, Saruto. I am Void."
Saruto's eyes widened in astonishment. "Void?! How... what happened to you? You've changed completely!"
Void raised his hand and looked at his claws, which gleamed like steel. "Our synergy has reached a new level, Saruto. Thanks to it, my body is no longer confined to my dragon form. I can now assume a hybrid form, half-human and half-dragon, and I can return to my original form whenever I wish."
Saruto approached him slowly, admiring the details of his new body. "This... this is amazing, Void. You look stronger than ever."
Void smiled and said, sitting on a rock floating in the dark expanse, "Yes, I feel the power flowing through me more than ever. Now, back to why you came. You came to inquire about the Asterazine skill..."
He paused, then added regretfully, "Even I don't know how to activate it. It's a profound skill; it requires something more than strength."
Saruto smiled calmly, looking down at the ground. "Don't worry, Void. We'll find a way, just like we always do."
He stood up and turned to leave his reverie, but Void's voice stopped him. "Saruto, wait."
Saruto turned around, surprised to see the glint of excitement in Void's eyes. "How about a fight?" he said with a defiant smile. "I want to test my newfound power… and see who's stronger."
A similar smile spread across Saruto's face, his eyes blazing with the same excitement. "I was waiting for you to say that, Void. Let's see who's stronger!"
In an instant, the first explosion between their fists reverberated. The clash of energy sent them flying backward, then they surged toward each other again. Their strikes were precise, astonishingly identical. Every punch from Saruto was met with a block from Void, and every kick from Void was deftly dodged by Saruto, until they seemed like mirror images of each other. "Knowing all my moves doesn't give you the edge, Saruto!" Void said, smiling as he parried one of the blows.
Saruto laughed and replied, unleashing his chained swords, "And don't forget, Void, we share the same body and mind. I know you as well as you know yourself!"
Void raised his hand, and from the shadows sprang two swords identical to Saruto's. He grasped them, letting out a shout of excitement that filled the air before lunging at his opponent. The chained swords danced in the air, intertwining and clashing, generating sparks of pure black energy.
The fight intensified, each unleashing more and more of their power. The air around them became turbulent, the ground beneath their feet cracked, and suddenly, the swords vanished into their hands, their energy concentrated in their fists. "Let's finish it in one blow," Void said with a calm smile.
Saruto nodded in agreement, and they lunged toward each other, their fists gleaming with dark energy, until their hands met in the center.
The impact was deafening; a massive wave of black energy swept through the space, tearing through the air and creating a crash. They both stopped, panting, and exchanged a calm look. "Just as I expected… we're even," Void said, smiling faintly.
"And that's how it should always be… brother," Saruto replied, smiling back.
Then Saruto stood, thanking Void for the fight, and Void returned the thanks. Saruto lost consciousness, opening his eyes to find himself lying in the Time Chamber.