(Chapter 126 Fight Fire With Fire II)
Sand, dirt, and gusting winds erupted in shockwaves with every clash between Mavuika and Tempest, as if nature itself recoiled from their ferocity. Each blow sent tremors through the earth, cracks forming in the hardened ground. The once-flat terrain had become a chaotic battlefield, with faint earthquakes rippling outward from their strikes. To the spectators watching from a safe distance, it was hard to tell whether this was truly a sparring match or an outright fight to the death.
Faruzan glanced nervously at the scene, her fingers tightening on the edge of her robes as she winced at every explosion of energy.
"This is getting a bit out of hand…"
She muttered, her voice laced with worry. The sheer intensity of the battle made her wonder if either of them would stop before serious damage was done.
Meanwhile, Hatsume was the polar opposite.
"Go! Go! Go, Chief! My money's on the line here! Beat her!"
She shouted, her enthusiasm undampened by the danger unfolding before them. Her hands fiddled with the kamera, ensuring it captured every moment of the spectacle. Faruzan gave her a sidelong glance, the mixture of disbelief and exasperation evident on her face, but eventually shook her head, returning her focus to the combatants.
Rohan, arms crossed and posture tense, watched the battle unfold with a critical eye.
"At this point, it's a battle of attrition."
He observed.
"They're pushing each other to the edge."
"Nope."
Constantine's voice cut in, calm yet tinged with amusement. His eyes tracked every movement of Mavuika and Tempest with the precision of a veteran soldier.
"This battle's still one-sided. You might not see it yet, but Mavuika is still holding back. She's not even breaking a sweat."
Falric, gripping his spyglass tightly as if it would help him make sense of the chaos, glanced at Constantine with concern.
"So… is His Grace going to lose this battle?"
His voice held a mixture of unease and curiosity, unable to reconcile the Tempest he admired with the struggling figure clashing before them.
Constantine chuckled softly, the sound edged with a knowing smirk.
"One way to find out."
He replied cryptically, his gaze never leaving the fight.
"Getting tired, Tempest?"
Mavuika's voice was calm, almost taunting, as she moved with effortless grace, her fiery aura flickering like a second skin.
"Not at all."
Tempest's reply was deep and steady, betraying no hint of the strain building within him. But in truth, his body was nearing its limits. Each exchange with her felt like facing a living storm, a relentless barrage of speed and power that left no room to breathe.
'Her attacks… they're like being smashed by a hammer wrapped in lightning.'
He thought grimly, tightening his grip on his weapon as he braced himself for the next onslaught.
Mavuika lunged forward again, her movements blurring with the heat radiating off her form. Tempest had no choice but to remain defensive, blocking and parrying as her fists, now engulfed in blazing Pyro, struck with unrelenting ferocity. Every impact sent tremors through his golden armor, faint cracks spidering across its surface. Beneath the cracks, a radiant, almost blinding light shone through.
"Good!"
Mavuika's grin widened as she intensified her assault, her excitement palpable.
"Because we're just getting started!"
Tempest's arms strained as he brought them up to block a devastating punch, her Pyro-imbued fist colliding with enough force to send a shockwave rippling outward. His boots dug into the ground, the sheer power forcing him to grunt as he felt the heat searing through even his enchanted armor.
"Mmmpf…"
Tempest groaned, his voice low and guttural as he pushed back against the relentless pressure.
Desperate for space, Tempest leaped backward, but Mavuika was already in pursuit. She closed the gap instantly, giving him no time to strategize. Yet, even a sliver of opportunity was all he needed. With a flash of determination, Tempest clapped his gauntlets together, summoning a blinding burst of golden light that illuminated the battlefield.
"Ah!"
Mavuika flinched, her hand instinctively shielding her eyes from the sudden brilliance. The brief hesitation gave Tempest his opening. He surged forward with renewed vigor, grabbing her entire torso in his massive armored hand.
"Got you."
His voice was cold and steady as he slammed her into the ground with enough force to create a small crater. The earth trembled under the impact, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.
Mavuika, to his surprise, chuckled softly, even as she lay in the indent her body had created.
"Great move."
She said with a grin, as though the crushing blow was nothing more than an amusing inconvenience.
Tempest, unwilling to lose momentum, lifted her again with ease, his fingers tightening around her as he prepared to drive her into the ground a second time. But Mavuika's smirk only grew. With a sudden surge of strength, she pried his massive fingers apart using both arms, her fiery aura intensifying as she broke free of his grip.
"Not bad, Tempest."
She said, her tone equal parts impressed and playful as she landed gracefully on her feet.
"But if you think that's enough to stop me, you're in for a surprise."
Their eyes locked, fire and light clashing in an unspoken challenge as the earth beneath them bore the scars of their fierce battle. The fight wasn't over, not by a long shot.
"Try to block this."
Mavuika called out, her voice brimming with confidence as she raised her hand high above her head. Flames coalesced rapidly, swirling and expanding into a massive orb of Pyro energy, casting a blazing glow over the battlefield.
With a shout.
"Hyah!"
She launched the enormous fireball at Tempest, its heat rippling through the air like a roaring furnace. The ground beneath it scorched and cracked as it hurtled toward him.
Realizing the sheer power behind the attack, Tempest's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he extended his hand, summoning the radiant blade, Ashbringer, into his grasp. Golden light poured from the sword, illuminating the battlefield like the midday sun. With a mighty swing, Tempest met the flaming sphere head-on, redirecting its momentum and sending it hurtling back toward Mavuika like a fiery comet.
Mavuika's smirk never wavered. With an effortless leap, she vaulted high into the air, the Pyro orb crashing harmlessly into the ground behind her in an eruption of flames and dust. She landed with grace, her feet barely touching the scorched earth as she faced Tempest again.
"Hey!"
She called out with a laugh, brushing off the residual heat as though it were nothing.
"I thought this was supposed to be a fistfight, Tempest!"
Her tone was playful, teasing him even as the battlefield bore witness to the immense power both wielded.
Tempest, his expression as unreadable as ever, tightened his grip on Ashbringer, its golden blade shimmering with celestial energy. The faintest flicker of amusement crossed his lips, but he said nothing, his silence speaking volumes.
Mavuika dusted her hands off dramatically, her golden hair still flowing with an ethereal flame.
"Alright, if that's how you want to play it…"
She said, stepping toward the Scimitar lying nearby. She reached down, picked it up, and spun it once in her hand with practiced ease. The weapon seemed to ignite at her touch, the blade glowing with a fiery aura.
She pointed the blade at him, her grin widening.
"Let's make this interesting, Tempest. Blades or fists, don't matter. I'm still going to win."
Tempest tilted his head slightly, his fiery gaze locked on hers.
"We'll see."
He said, his deep voice calm but resolute.
The air between them grew heavy with anticipation, the landscape scarred by their earlier clash now serving as the stage for an even greater battle. Both warriors stood ready, their weapons blazing with power, the tension between them crackling like a storm on the verge of breaking.
Mavuika moved first, closing the distance in a burst of speed that left scorch marks in her wake. Her Scimitar arced downward in a fiery slash, but Tempest countered, raising Ashbringer to meet it. The clash of blades sent a shockwave through the air, scattering sand and debris in every direction. Flames danced against the golden light as their weapons locked.
"You're strong, I'll give you that."
Mavuika said, pushing against him.
"But strength alone won't win this."
With a sudden twist, she broke the deadlock, spinning gracefully and striking from the side. Tempest barely managed to parry, the force of her blow sending a tremor through his arms. He retaliated with a swift thrust, his blade aiming for her midsection, but Mavuika sidestepped with ease, her movements fluid like water despite the fiery power she wielded.
Tempest pressed the attack, his strikes were faster and more precise, his golden flames leaving trails of light with every swing. Each attack was calculated, yet Mavuika deflected them with ease. She ducked under one slash, stepped around another, and even used the flat of her blade to redirect a powerful overhead swing.
"Too rigid."
She remarked, her voice light yet instructive.
"Your form is perfect, but you're predictable. Open up your movements, be less of a soldier and more of a fighter."
Tempest didn't reply. His eyes burned with focus as he unleashed a flurry of slashes, each faster and heavier than the last. The sheer force of his assault created gusts of wind that rippled through the battlefield, but Mavuika danced through the storm, her movements precise and almost mocking in their grace.
"Better."
She said, smirking as she ducked under another swing. "But still not good enough."
She countered with a sudden upward slash, her Scimitar blazing with Pyro energy. Tempest raised Ashbringer just in time to block, but the impact was devastating. The ground beneath him cracked and buckled, his golden armor flickering as the force reverberated through him.
Not giving him a moment to recover, Mavuika pressed forward, her strikes relentless. Each blow seemed heavier than the last, her fiery blade carving through the air with a ferocity that left trails of flame in its wake. Tempest was forced onto the defensive, his armor shimmering under the strain of each impact.
With a sharp cry, Mavuika spun into a powerful kick, her foot connecting with Tempest's chest plate. The force sent him skidding backward, his boots carving deep grooves into the earth. His armor, flawless moments ago, now bore visible cracks, golden light spilling through the fractures like molten metal.
Steam hissed from the cracks as Tempest straightened, his breath steady but labored. The heat of the battle was literally breaking him apart, yet his expression remained unreadable.
Mavuika lowered her Scimitar, her golden hair still ablaze, her eyes gleaming with admiration and determination.
"Now that's more like it."
She said, a bead of sweat rolling down her temple.
"But if this is all you've got Tempest, you're going to need more than armor to keep up with me."
Tempest, standing amidst the steam and light pouring from his broken armor, tightened his grip on Ashbringer.
"Then I'll just have to give you more."
He said, his voice calm yet resolute.
Tempest surged forward, his shattered armor leaking golden light like a star on the verge of collapse. Each step he took radiated intensity, his energy swirling around him like a maelstrom. His strikes came faster and heavier, an unrelenting onslaught that forced Mavuika onto the defensive.
She blocked his first swing with her Scimitar, sparks and flames exploding from the clash. Tempest followed up with a spinning slash, the golden edge of Ashbringer barely missing her shoulder as she sidestepped. His movements became sharper, his focus unyielding, each strike hammering against Mavuika's defenses like a battering ram.
Mavuika grunted, her once-playful smirk replaced with a look of concentration.
"Impressive."
She muttered under her breath as she deflected another blow. "You're finally fighting like someone who's trying to win."
Tempest pressed the attack, his blade a blur of golden light. He pivoted into a wide slash aimed at her legs, forcing her to leap backward, only for him to close the distance instantly. His relentless assault left her no room to counter, and for the first time, she was truly on the defensive.
"What's the matter, Mavuika?"
Tempest said, his voice calm yet sharp as he stepped into another powerful strike.
"Losing your footing?"
Mavuika smirked through gritted teeth, blocking yet another blow that sent her sliding backward.
"Don't get cocky, Tempest. I'm just warming up."
Despite her words, the intensity of Tempest's attacks began to show their toll. Her Scimitar moved with precision, but her footing was tighter, her movements more calculated as she worked to regain control. A misstep sent her stumbling briefly, and Tempest capitalized on the opening, slamming Ashbringer down toward her.
Mavuika raised her Scimitar just in time, the impact sending a shockwave that flattened the ground around them. Dust and fire filled the air as both fighters stood locked in place, blades grinding against each other.
"You're good, Tempest."
Mavuika said, her voice low, almost admiring. "But let me show you the difference between us."
Her Scimitar flared with intense Pyro energy, forcing Tempest to leap back. The air around her shimmered with heat as her golden hair began to float, her fiery aura intensifying. She smiled, a predatory gleam in her eyes.
"Tempest."
She began, her voice echoing as if carried by the wind itself.
"Do you know why the Abyss despises me so much?"
Tempest remained silent, his glowing eyes fixed on her as steam hissed from his cracked armor.
"They don't fear me because I am a god."
She continued, raising her Scimitar, which now blazed like a miniature sun.
"They fear me because I am a mortal!"
Before Tempest could respond, Mavuika charged with a speed that left the ground scorched in her wake. Her Scimitar came down in an arc of fire so swift and powerful that Tempest barely managed to block it, the impact nearly tearing Ashbringer from his grasp. The force sent him skidding backward, his boots digging trenches into the dirt.
Mavuika didn't relent. She unleashed a flurry of strikes, each faster and heavier than the last, her movements now impossible to follow. Tempest struggled to keep up, his once-impenetrable defense now cracking under the sheer ferocity of her assault.
His armor groaned and splintered further, golden light spilling from the fractures. With every strike Mavuika landed, the light dimmed slightly, his form flickering like a flame about to be extinguished.
"Your technique is flawless."
She said her voice unwavering even as she delivered a devastating kick to his midsection that sent him sprawling.
"Your strength is admirable. But strength and skill mean nothing without resolve."
Tempest gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet despite the pain coursing through his body. He raised Ashbringer one last time, its golden light flaring weakly but defiantly.
Mavuika smiled, lowering her Scimitar slightly as she approached him.
"You've done well, Tempest."
She said, her voice almost gentle.
"But this is where it ends."
With a final, blazing strike, she shattered Tempest's defenses. His armor crumbled. He fell to one knee, Ashbringer slipping from his grasp and embedding itself into the ground.
Mavuika stood over him, her Scimitar resting lightly on her shoulder as she gazed down at him with a mixture of respect and triumph.
"You've got potential, Tempest. But you still have much to learn."
Tempest, breathing heavily, looked up at her with unwavering eyes.
"This... isn't over."
Mavuika chuckled.
"Not today, perhaps. But one day, you might just surprise me."
As Tempest collapsed onto the ground, golden light flickered around his form before dissipating entirely, leaving him in his normal state. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the sky, chest heaving.
"My ribs... hurt."
He muttered, wincing slightly.
Mavuika stood over him, her Scimitar resting casually on her shoulder. She chuckled softly before replying.
"Sorry, I might've gone a bit too hard on you."
Tempest shook his head faintly, his voice steady despite the pain.
"No, I needed this. To know that someone in this world is stronger than me... even with Ra's blessing. But mark my words, Mavuika, one day, you shall see."
Mavuika's golden hair still shimmered slightly in the fading sunlight as she extended her hand toward him. Her eyes gleamed with respect.
"I'll be waiting, Tempest. Don't keep me too long."
He reached up and clasped her hand firmly, using it to pull himself to his feet. For a moment, their gazes locked, an unspoken promise of a rematch someday.
"You owe me a thousand Mora."
Faruzan said to Hatsume with a smirk.
"Nuh-uh!"
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Night had fallen over Natlan, and the cool evening air contrasted with the soothing warmth of the hot spring. The only sounds were the gentle bubbling of the water and the soft melodies of Robin's songs emanating from Tempest's record player. His body was still aching from the fierce battle, but the heat of the spring provided a welcome relief. The soft steam rising around him felt almost therapeutic as he leaned back, letting the tension melt away.
"Mmm..."
Tempest murmured, a content sigh escaping his lips as the warmth enveloped him. He had taken a moment to process the events of the day—the intense battle, the humbling defeat, but there was no regret. Strange, considering his usual pride.
'I needed that... '
He thought. He had never felt more alive than in those moments of combat.
On his side, his Contact Prism remained closed, just in case any urgent messages came through from Tirpitz or elsewhere. The music of Robin played on, a melody he often found grounding.
As he closed his eyes, preparing to drift into a well-earned rest, a familiar voice broke the stillness.
"You look lonely."
Tempest opened his eyes halfway, his gaze lazy as he saw Mavuika approaching. She was only wearing a bath towel to cover herself, her hair damp from the spring. Her presence was as commanding as ever, even in such a relaxed setting.
"Maybe I can fix that."
Her tone was playful, but there was something genuine in her words. She wasn't offering anything extravagant, just company, something simple yet rare.
"Tsk, can't a beaten man have some rest?"
Tempest replied, his voice dry but not dismissive. He could feel his body yearning for peace after the intensity of their earlier battle.
"Don't mind me."
Mavuika said, stepping into the hot spring with ease, her movements fluid and graceful.
"It's rare for me to have time to enjoy myself in these hot springs."
Tempest watched her settle opposite him but didn't respond immediately. His eyes were half-lidded, the warmth of the water making him drowsy again. He was still processing everything that had happened that day, but it wasn't as overwhelming now.
"Suit yourself..."
Tempest muttered softly, his voice fading as he slowly closed his eyes again, allowing the gentle lapping of the water and Robin's music to lull him into a sense of peaceful surrender.
Mm? Who's this little person?"
Mavuika's voice was curious, and her fingers gently brushed against a small crochet figure of Furina, which was resting by Tempest's side.
Tempest's eyes flicked open at the sound, and he straightened slightly in the warm water.
"Be careful with that. That's my most treasured object."
He said, his tone a mix of caution and quiet reverence.
Mavuika raised an eyebrow, inspecting the crocheted doll in her hands with interest.
"Mmm? So this must be the Lady Furina you speak so highly of?"
Tempest nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the little figure.
"Yes. Now, please put it back."
Sensing the importance of the object to him, Mavuika placed it back where it had been, her fingers lingering for just a moment before she withdrew.
"Of course."
There was a slight pause before Mavuika spoke again.
"Is Buer still not awake? I'm surprised to see you not side by side with her all day."
Tempest let out a small sigh, his body still half-submerged in the warm water.
"She has something else to do in Sumeru."
He replied simply, not offering much else on the matter.
"I see..."
Mavuika said, her voice tinged with understanding. Silence settled between them, the only sounds being the soft lapping of water and the occasional rustle of the wind.
Mavuika's gaze drifted over Tempest's body, studying the scars that marred his otherwise polished form.
"You have quite a lot of scars on your body, Tempest."
Tempest's eyes shot open, and he looked at her, a slight frown pulling at his brow.
"Pervert... Why are you looking at me?"
Mavuika chuckled lightly, her smirk evident even as she brushed the comment aside.
"Tsk, it's not like that. I was just curious. You can look at me if you want."
Tempest immediately closed his eyes again, clearly not interested in the suggestion.
"I'd rather not."
He replied with an indifferent tone, his posture relaxed but guarded.
Mavuika shrugged, choosing not to press further. The playful teasing seemed to have no effect, so she shifted the topic.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
She asked, her voice more thoughtful.
Tempest's lips pressed into a thin line as he pondered the question for a moment. He could feel the weight of the coming decisions, but he wasn't in a rush to make them.
"I'm leaving."
He said, his voice steady.
"After everything is settled."
The water around them rippled softly, and the distant sounds of the night seemed to grow louder, filling the silence between them once more.
"You could stay a little longer if you'd like."
Mavuika said, her voice soft but inviting.
"If you wish, I could also be your sparring partner, give you another challenge before you leave."
Tempest chuckled lightly, his gaze shifting toward her.
"Thank you for the offer."
He replied, his tone casual yet sincere.
"But I can't stay much longer. Someone might start feeling a little lonely without me around."