As Max and Mal were keeping Ifrit busy in the arena, a different and even more important battle was taking place elsewhere, in the unlikeliest of places.
"Where is this?" Cedric questioned as he found himself standing face to face with Max.
The area around them looked like the inside of a stomach as it throbbed in a certain manner. The walls had ridges on them, same with the walls and veins could be seen if one looked hard enough.
Its size was equivalent to the half court of a soccer field.
"Inside a frog… specifically, inside a frog's intestine." Max casually replied.
Just like Mal with his void stomach, Gibby was also infected with the law of Space but instead of his stomach, it was his intestine that mutated.
With it, Max had a portable storage unit where he could store anything and enter himself if the situation calls for it.
Cedric put up a brow as he studied the area they were in.
Apart from the peculiar structure, there was nothing else of significance.
"Why did you bring me here," Cedric said as he returned his attention to Max.
"I had to separate you from Ifrit," Max replied.
Cedric shot back. "Why?"
"Because his presence was intensifying the extent of your anger for me and I don't want to fight with him, I'd rather fight with you and take care of the hate you have for me," Max explained.
Cedric harrumphed. "Hmmph, you make it sound so easy."
Max shook his head. "No more talk, Cedric. You can come at me, in here, if you can defeat me, then I will accept whatever you decide to do with me."
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "I agree."
The next moment and the entire area heated up as Cedric performed 60% Will Assimilation with Ifrit.
"Hah!" Cedric roared as his body suddenly caught flames, notably his hair and eyebrows as well as his eyes, fists, and legs.
Following that, Scorpion tail also caught fire after which the projection of a flaming skull appeared behind Cedric.
With a solemn expression, Max remarked. "Let's begin."
"Ha!" Cedric roared as he charged at Max with a vengeance, his eyes bloodshot as killing intent oozed out of his body.
Max remained calm and instead of anger, he felt pity for Cedric. Thinking back now, he only ever thought about the consequences his failed test of magic would have on his mother.
He was selfish and he admittedly did not think that Cedric would have to suffer for that.
This was why, no matter how much he tried, he couldn't get himself to face Cedric with killing intent.
"But I can't sit back and get beat." Max resolved himself just in time to watch Cedric close the distance between them before shooting out a fist aimed at his chest.
A killing move right from the start!
Max was unfazed. Using Divergence, he moved Cedric's arm just enough before using his arm to block and then retaliate with a palm strike.
"Urgh." Cedric felt like a large rock slammed into his chest as he held back the bloody feeling he had on his tongue. It was the second time he felt it today.
Of course, he wasn't done yet.
He executed a flurry of punches, each one aimed at either Max's head or his chest.
Max did not remain idle as he counterattacked as well and for that singular moment, they seemed evenly matched.
Throughout all this, Cedric got even angrier. "Why?... Why can't I land a single hit on him?... Am I going to lose this as well?... I have trained for so long, gone through shit just to get where I am… and this bastard, he went on a road trip and came back stronger?... How is that fair?.... HOW IS THAT FAIR!"
His aura exploded, pushing Max back a few steps. There were a few burn marks on Max's body but he ignored them as he stared at the fuming Cedric.
"Do you know what I had to go through?" Cedric asked.
Max shook his head. "I have no idea… so tell me."
"Now you show care… Now you show remorse… if you were such a good person, why the hell did you leave in the first place?... Why did you fail the test?" Cedric took a step forward.
Max bit his lower lip. "I had no choice, Cedric. My fate was bound from the moment I was born, if I had not left… it wouldn't have changed anything."
Cedric cooled down for a moment. "Maybe you are right… your fate was already sealed."
Max felt hopeful that maybe Cedric was starting to see reason with him when the area grew even hotter.
Instead of saying Cedric cooled down, it was more like his expression did so and his aura only served to heat up further.
In Cedric's vision, he saw a familiar figure.
A big brother that he could never look up to because of the feud between their mothers.
His absence brought with it responsibilities that Cedric could never have imagined.
Even with all his achievements, with the sole purpose of ensuring the future of the Rion family after his father is gone... Cedric felt lonely.
He did not want to admit it but the truth was that he didn't hate Max for leaving. He hated the fact that despite leaving him all alone to suffer so much, Max returned looking... happy?
How could he be unhappy and Max be happy?
Was it right?
Of course not!
But that was the case and there was nothing he could do to change that.
That was when Cedric decided since he had nothing except the hardship and suffering that was meant to be Max's, then he would go ahead to take everything, including his happiness and maybe even... his life.
Maybe… Just maybe, his anger would subside then.
His eyes wetted even as the flames evaporated the tears that tried to fall out.
Max reached out an arm when he heard Cedric.
"…Please, just fight me… maybe then I would be able to get over blaming you."
Max felt his heart ache as he saw Cedric's pathetic expression.
"Cedric…"
Cedric continued. "I know blaming you is wrong… I know it makes no sense… but what can I do?... I need something, I just… want to feel something again. I feel lonely."
"… Fine then...Right here, right now, I will assume the position of Maximilian Rion, your big brother." Max replied.
With a single step, he crossed the distance between himself and Cedric. The latter immediately put up his arm to guard but it was pointless.
Bam
He flew through the air and slammed his back on the intestinal wall. Pulling himself out, Cedric stared at Max and the latter stared back.
No more words were spoken but this time around, both brothers knew what was necessary.
They charged forward at the same time with Cedric moving so fast, that the wind currents around him warped.
As they closed the distance between them, their fists collided.
With the collision between Space and Flames, an explosion rang out.
Boom