As the waves crashed around him, Homura found himself locked in a desperate struggle for survival. Iwashi's relentless assault had pushed him to the brink, his body growing weaker with each passing moment. But within the depths of his determined spirit, a spark of resilience ignited.
Struggling against the suffocating water, Homura's mind raced, searching for a way to turn the tide. He knew that his fire alone wouldn't be enough to overcome Iwashi's watery onslaught.
With a burst of determination, Homura focused his energy, drawing upon his fiery aura. Flames erupted from his body, swirling around him like a protective shield. The intense heat radiated from his being, creating a bubble of scorching air that pushed back against the encroaching water.
Iwashi's eyes widened in surprise as his watery domain began to evaporate, steam rising into the air. The element he had relied upon, his greatest strength, was being overpowered by Homura's intensified flames.
"I don't know how I done that! But that was cool!"
Homura launched himself at Iwashi, his fists blazing with an inferno of heat. He weaved through the remnants of Iwashi's watery attacks, delivering precise strikes that seared the air around them.
Each punch carried the intensity of a roaring wildfire, scorching Iwashi's flesh and causing him to recoil in pain. Steam rose from Iwashi's body as his attacks faltered under the sheer heat of Homura's flames.
As the battle raged on, Homura's flames grew hotter, intensifying with each passing moment. He channeled his frustration, his determination, and his spirit into every strike. With each blow, he fought to surpass his own limits, to transcend the very essence of his fiery abilities.
Iwashi, realizing the gravity of the situation, desperately attempted to regain his footing. But Homura's assault was deadly, his flames engulfing Iwashi's every defense. The intense heat disrupted Iwashi's control over water, causing it to evaporate into thin air.
In a final, blistering display of power, Homura unleashed a torrent of flames, a blazing inferno that engulfed Iwashi. The scorching heat overwhelmed his opponent, forcing Iwashi to retreat, his body battered and singed.
Gasping for breath, Homura emerged from the dissipating steam, his eyes burning with a newfound resolve. He had overcome the suffocating grip of the water, emerging triumphant in his fiery onslaught.
As the battle-scarred surroundings slowly calmed, Homura took a moment to catch his breath. He had proven his resilience, his ability to adapt and overcome even in the face of his greatest adversary. But he knew the fight was far from over.
Iwashi's eyes widened in disbelief and agony as he realized the full extent of Homura's power. The fire ravaged his body, disintegrating his watery form and leaving him vulnerable. Desperation and fear etched across his face, Iwashi reached out futilely, his strength waning.
Homura stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion, as the flames subsided, leaving behind a charred battlefield. He watched as Iwashi crumpled to the ground, defeated and vanquished by the unyielding force of his fiery onslaught.
Breathing heavily, Homura approached his fallen adversary. Despite the intensity of the battle, a glimmer of empathy filled his eyes.
Homura extended a hand, offering mercy.
"It's not too late to choose a different path, to embrace the light rather than the darkness. Join us in our fight against the Supreme King."
Iwashi's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions, but he shook his head weakly.
"I've chosen my path, and it ends here. Finish me."
Homura hesitated for a moment, his gaze reflecting the weight of his decision. But in the end, he extended his hand once more, helping Iwashi to his feet.
"I won't take your life," he said firmly.
Iwashi, supported by Homura's outstretched hand, struggled to stand, his body weakened and battered. He gazed at Homura, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in his eyes.
"Why... why spare me?"
Iwashi managed to utter, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Homura's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of compassion.
"Because I believe in redemption," he replied, his voice firm yet empathetic.
"Everyone deserves a chance to find their own path, to seek forgiveness and make amends. I hope that one day, you'll choose to embrace the light within you."
Iwashi's shoulders slumped, his gaze drifting to the ground.
"I... I don't know if I can change," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret.
"But perhaps... perhaps you're right. Maybe there's still hope for me."
Homura's hand remained on Iwashi's shoulder, a comforting presence amidst the ruins of their battle.
"It's never too late to start anew," he reassured him.
"Seek out the light within yourself, and you'll find the strength to change."
As the echoes of their conversation lingered in the air, Homura's guard began to drop, a faint glimmer of hope still lingering in his heart. But before he could fully process his emotions, Iwashi's demeanor shifted, his eyes glinting with a sinister gleam. A wicked smile curled upon his lips.
"You really think I'd change so easily, Homura?"
Iwashi sneered, his voice dripping with malice.
"Foolish of you to trust a traitor like me."
Homura's eyes widened in disbelief, the flicker of hope extinguished by the cold reality before him. He staggered back, his heart heavy with disappointment and regret. How could he have been so naïve? The pain of betrayal cut deep, lacing his every thought with self-doubt.
"I... I am a idiot,"
Homura murmured, his voice laced with anguish.
"I believed in your potential for redemption."
Iwashi's laughter filled the air, an eerie sound that resonated with malevolence.
"Belief, trust... they are but fleeting sentiments in the face of true power," he taunted.
"And now, you'll pay the price for your misplaced faith."
Homura's fists clenched, his fiery aura surging to life once more. The flames danced around him, a reflection of the storm raging within his heart. Regret mingled with determination, fueling his resolve to put an end to this twisted charade.
With a primal roar, Homura launched himself at Iwashi, his movements fueled by a mixture of anger and grief. The clash between them was fierce, their blows echoing through the desolate landscape. But this time, there was no trace of mercy or hesitation in Homura's attacks.
Each strike was imbued with the searing heat of his flame, as if Homura sought to consume Iwashi in his own remorse. The battleground became a crucible of fire and fury, the intensity of their struggle unmatched.
Iwashi fought back with a newfound savagery, unleashing torrents of water to counter Homura's flames. But the fire within Homura's heart burned hotter than ever, refusing to be extinguished. He refused to let his regret consume him, channeling it instead into a relentless assault.
Homura's movements became swifter, more precise. His martial arts training, honed over years of discipline and dedication, served as the foundation for his vengeance. Every strike, every feint, was a testament to the power he had unlocked within himself.
With a final surge of determination, Homura unleashed a devastating combination of blows, each strike amplified by his fiery aura. The force of his assault sent Iwashi hurtling backward, crashing against a nearby rock formation with a resounding thud.
Homura stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving with exertion. The weight of his regret still bore down upon him, but in this moment, he understood the cost of misplaced trust. With a heavy heart, he uttered a solemn vow.
"I won't let your betrayal tarnish my belief in others," Homura whispered, his voice resolute.
"I will continue to fight for justice, even in the face of deception."
Iwashi starts laughing at the brink of death. Homura is horrified.
"What's funny?!"
"Thank you for this blessing Homura. Now I may see, who the real king is…"
Homura finishes Iwashi off.
"Real King? What was he talking about?"
He then goes on to find Kuragami and help him defeat Binsa.