Chapter 12
"I am aware that we traveled more distance than necessary," Lux admitted to his silent opponent. "However, any time I perform the transportation strike a certain distance is guaranteed. I apologize for separating you from those under your command." Lux paused as if he expected his opponent to respond. The muscular, bald man remained silent. "I would like to inquire about your Alpha-," Lux was interrupted. Before he could finish his statement, his silent adversary rushed at him launching a powerful fist aimed for his abdomen.
***
"It seems I have found you at last," Ignis exclaimed. He stood in front of a large man who was sitting down at the bottom of a hill. The man was very tall and extremely well-built. In addition to his size, the man had a full-face beard as well as long, messy hair.
Ignis' large opponent laughed giddily, "So my target finally makes himself known. I thought your little group had run away scared. If you had, that would be fine with me. I don't bother hunting cowards."
He smiled, "I am unsure where the others are located at the moment, but I have personally been longing for some exercise. I would not miss this opportunity. My name is Ignis. What is your name, warrior?"
The large Imperial stood up and took a few steps closer to his white-haired assailant. "I guess I got an interesting one with lots of spirit. I'm Chikara."
Ignis was quite tall himself when compared to most, but even he had to look up at this man. He was also known for his strength, but once again the size of Chikara's muscles were almost beyond compare.
"I see. Would you be willing to tell me everything you know about your Alpha?" Ignis asked with a smile.
"Only to the one who can defeat me in battle," the large warrior said.
Ignis' smile grew even wider, "I thought that would be your answer."
As they stood face to face, Chikara threw a massive fist into the midsection of the sturdy frame of the confident challenger. Ignis then responded by gripping his attacker's forearm and sending his own powerful blow into the side of his jaw. The bearded man stumbled back with a look of mild shock on his face.
Laughing obnoxiously, he said, "I'll admit, I actually felt that. But, I'm guessing you didn't know that I have never been beaten in a match of strength by anyone! No one has ever been able to withstand my power! That's why I almost feel bad for you, kid. It looks like you got a bad match-up."
"That is interesting, indeed. How would you feel about a contest of strength? We will not involve any extra abilities. We will fight using only our fists."
"You have yourself a deal!"
Immediately, they both shot forward and began the contest of strength. They traded blows, each responding to the fiery attacks from the other. Both were smiling while throwing wild punches and delivering devastatingly powerful attacks.
Chikara was feeling the pain from his opponent's recent attacks. But, Ignis' power and speed began to decrease. The Imperial knew it was time to make a move. A fist came toward him. He ducked. Then, he put all of his power into an uppercut. It connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ignis was thrown from his feet landing on his back. He laid still for a moment, then he slowly worked to sit up.
"Take it easy, kid. It's over." Chikara informed him while breathing quite heavily himself. "I do have to admit though, you definitely have strength. You are probably one of the strongest brawlers I've ever fought."
Ignis made his way to his knees. As he rested, he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "I suppose it is impressive."
"Impressive? No, it would be impressive if you managed to beat me. Now don't worry, all of your friends will soon be joining you in death." Chikara then, prepared a death blow that would destroy him immediately. He fired his fist down at the challenger with all of his force behind it. When the shock-wave hit, the impact punched a small crater into the ground.
"I am the one who is impressed. I am impressed that you did this well when I was using so much of my strength." Ignis gripped Chikara's fist.
He stood while now keeping his adversary from withdrawing his hand. He kept the fist in his left hand and reached back administering a powerful blow to the giant fighter's gut.
As Chikara stumbled backward, Ignis continued. "Lux believed this would be unnecessary, but you are quite powerful indeed. It has been some time since I have used all of my strength."
"I think you've gotten a little ahead of yourself, kid! My strength can't be beaten!"
As the words left his mouth he charged the young warrior wildly. He threw one frenzied punch after another hoping at least one would land. Ignis stopped them all seemingly without effort, and then he sent one final terrifying shot slamming back into his adversary's midsection. Sliding back and holding his stomach, Chikara finally dropped to his knees.
"Perhaps...I was mistaken. Maybe you are stronger than me," the muscular warrior admitted. Then smiling, he added, "But, sadly for you, you're not too clever."
Immediately, Chikara made a lifting motion with his hand. A rock pillar shot out of the ground. It struck Ignis in the back. It propelled him from the ground. He landed some distance away. Then, he was raised into the air on another pillar. The devious Imperial raised both hands. He clasped them together above his head. Constructs made from rock in the shape of hands crashed together onto Ignis. Then, both giant hands, remaining clasped together, shot toward the rocky ground with Ignis in tow.
Laughing to himself, Chikara raised his fist into the air. Having a construct follow his motion, he slammed his fist down. Then, raising his other hand, he repeated the action. He continued raining rock fists down on Ignis until he felt a wave of heat. He stopped for a moment and wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Did I break a sweat from all my glorious hard work?"
He grew suspicious, however, when the heat got uncomfortable. Suddenly, the heat moving toward him even felt like it was going to push him backward. Then, he looked back at the rock constructs he had made as they began losing their form. Next, within seconds, he saw the entire area converted into liquid magma. Finally, he witnessed the spiky-haired warrior walking across a newly formed lake of lava with both arms encased in the same horrific substance.
Ignis stopped a small distance in front of him. "You battle without honor. I no longer find this amusing, therefore I will end it now."
The lava on his arms grew into large spheres which he launched in the direction of his vile opponent. Chikara quickly formed rock guards around his arms. He struck the dangerous objects which deflected them from his body. A small amount covered his foot. He executed a swift kick. It flew off him before he could be burned.
However, he did feel the extreme temperature of the lava, it began to worry him as he had never experienced such an intense heat. Ignis bent down on one knee with both hands touching the surface of the lava. There was a swell forming under him, it appeared as though the substance was increasing exponentially in volume.
Chikara was both confused and beginning to panic. He couldn't believe it was possible for someone to survive the kind of attacks he had rained down on his opponent. Not only that but he could feel his explosive power. He knew he had to do something quick or it was over.
"Try to survive this one, then!" He called out. The large bearded warrior jumped backward and mined an enormous spear shaped construct from the ground. With no time to lose, he hurled it at Ignis.
In that same moment Ignis lifted his hands and a construct of his own emerged from the lava. A lumbering beast in the form of a bear charged out of the lake and devoured the spear on contact. The once manly, muscled warrior fell to his back in terror. The heat was unbearable. Its power seemed unstoppable.
However, just before the massive bear reached him it disappeared back into the lake of lava. What was left of it was in the hands of its wielder. Ignis thrust the remaining lava into Chikara's chest which effectively incinerated his crystal.
The older warrior began to cry out as his nature energy flooded out of his body. It took some time to completely abandon him, but eventually he was left alone and curled up on the ground shivering.
"Please don't hurt me," he begged. "I'm so sorry for everything!"
"No, I am the one to be sorry." Ignis said as he climbed out of his newly-formed lake and warmed the man up with a wave of heat. "I am aware that I appeared as though I would kill you. However, I suspected your guilt would not overwhelm you if sufficient fear occupied your mind."
For a moment Chikara seemed unsure, then he began laughing. "Yeah, that's what I'd call it. Sufficient fear." He continued laughing. "I thought I was going to be ripped apart by claws made of lava." The old man sighed. "Thank you very much, kid. This is a fate that this old man doesn't deserve."
"It is my honor," Ignis said. "Now, if you are able to walk, I require your assistance."