In the aftermath of the clash, the dust slowly began to settle, revealing the battered forms of the two combatants, their bodies strewn across the arena in a tangle of limbs and bloodied armor.
For a moment, there was silence, the watching soldiers holding their breath, waiting to see who would rise first, the tension of the battle hanging over them. '' Looks like the captains are at it again.'' a soldier remarked, emerging from the entrance to the arena and standing beside Hiro, his gaze fixed on the two combatants, their bodies slowly stirring amid the dust and debris.
Hiro, his eyes widening in surprise, turned to the soldier, '' Captains?'' he asked, his voice laced with wonder. '' Yes, captains,'' the soldier replied, nodding his head toward the arena. '' We only get to see them in action during training since the war is yet to start.''
'' The lightning wielder,'' the soldier continued, his voice betraying a hint of awe,'' is Captain Yotu of Division 1. He's said to be among the strongest captains in the Vanguard Legion. He turned his gaze toward the teleporter, his voice tinged with respect. '' And that one, the teleporter, is Captain Junichi of Division 2. They say he's a master of shadow manipulation and teleportation magic.''
Hiro and the soldier once again stood in silence, watching as the captains slowly rose to their feet, the clash of their powers still echoing in the air. As the soldiers watched, the two captains, their breaths ragged and their bodies trembling with exhaustion, broke into sudden, hearty laughter, their mirth a jarring contrast to the ferocity of their battle.
Yotu, his face wreathed in a grin, approached Junichi and slapped him on the back, their bodies still shaking with amusement. '' You always were a slippery one, Junichi,'' Yotu said, his voice light and teasing '' But you can't keep up with my lightning.'' Junichi laughed, a deep booming sound that reverberated through the arena.
As the captains laughed and traded barbs, the watching soldiers slowly began to relax, the tension of the battle fading like a distant memory. '' Hey, Yotu, Junichi said, his voice still filled with laughter, ''you're starting to get predictable with that lightning of yours. Maybe I'll start bringing some thunder to our next sparring session.''
''Yotu's grin widened, his eyes flashing with excitement. '' Bring it on, Junichi. I'll show you just how much lightning I can throw around.''
The captains, their energy seemingly restored by their camaraderie, began to make their way out of the arena, their arms slung around each other's shoulders in a friendly embrace.
As the captains made their way out of the arena, they came near Hiro, as the captains neared Hiro, their laughter still echoing off the walls, an aura of power, almost palpable in its intensity, suddenly erupted from Hiro's being, enveloping the captains' cocoon of energy. The laughter died in their throats as their expressions turned serious, their eyes fixed on Hiro. For what seemed like an eternity, the two stood frozen, the air around them heavy with the unspoken weight of power that they had just encountered.
the moment passed, the energy cocoon of energy vanishing as the captains turned away from Hiro without a word, their laughter hushed by the revelation of Hiro's power. The air, once electric with the presence of the three warriors, became still and quiet as the captains disappeared down the corridor, their steps echoing in the silent space they left behind.
Hiro, lost in thought as the captains' retreating forms disappeared from view, suddenly became aware of the soldier's presence beside him, his voice cutting through Hiro's reverie.'' They must like you already, rookie,'' the soldier said with a wink, before striding confidently into the arena, leaving Hiro alone with his thoughts.
As Hiro's eyes darted about the arena in search of Goro and Liza, a faint voice, almost imperceptible amidst the din of clashing steel and shouts of battle, called out his name. Hiro, turning in the direction of the voice, caught sight of Goro's arm waving in the distance, beckoning him over.
pushing his way through the throng of soldiers, Hiro's feet carried him across the arena, his eyes fixed on Goro's distant form.
As he drew closer, Hiro saw Liza standing beside Goro, her arms crossed and her face set in a thoughtful expression. ''Hiro,'' Goro called, his voice booming in the din of the arena. '' You're late for training.'' '' You were still asleep when the training bell rang this morning,'' Goro said with a shake of his head, the sword in his hand glinting in the sunlight. '' We didn't want to wake you, but if I'd known you were going to sleep half of the day away, I would have dragged you here myself.''
He tossed the sword toward Hiro, the hilt spinning as it flew through the air, a sound like the hiss of a snake in flight. Hiro's eyes were looked with Liza's as if he was lost in a trance, in this moment, the sword, flung by Goro, tumbled end over end, its hilt spinning with deadly intent. Hiro, seemingly unaware of the blade hurtling towards him, made no move to catch it, the weapon colliding with his face in a clang of steel against flesh.
Goro, clearing his throat loudly, finally succeeded in breaking the spell, Hiro blinking in surprise as his gaze returned to the present, the handle of the sword pressed against his cheek. '' Looks like you two lovebirds need a room of your own,'' Goro teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he cleared the space for a training session.
As he prepared, his expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized Hiro's performance. '' I noticed during your fight with the opponent during the games,'' he began,'' that you held back until you used your power. And from what I saw, it wasn't because you didn't want to fight offensively, it's because you can't.'' He fixed Hiro with a piercing look, his voice carrying a new gravity.
'' So today, we're going to focus on offense,'' Goro said, his voice firm and authoritative, his stance ready for battle. '' I want you to forget about defense for now. Attack me with everything you've got, and I mean everything.''