The next day, the elf village was more peaceful. The sun barely filtered through the dense treetops, creating a play of light and shadow that made the place seem even more mystical. The group was recovering from the recent battles, but the outward peace did not reflect Gustavo's inner turmoil.
He decided to step away for a bit, leaving the main area of the village and walking to a small stream, where the sound of flowing water offered a moment of solitude. Sitting on a rock, he looked at his reflection in the water. Memories of his recent fights flashed through his mind: Mioca, Chapo, and now Amendonin. In each of those battles, he failed to come out victorious on his own.
Gustavo (thoughtful, but with a tone of frustration): "Damn... I always fail when it matters most. First Mioca, then Chapo, and now that damn Amendonin. I should be stronger... I should have been able to finish him off."
He clenched his fists, feeling the anger and frustration building. Being repeatedly defeated was eroding his confidence. Deep down, he knew it wasn't just about strength; he lacked the strategic thinking that Zeki had. Gustavo stood up, determined.
Gustavo (determined, but with restrained anger): "I need to get stronger... smarter. No more losing!"
With that thought in mind, Gustavo returned to the village, finding Isadora and Bia near the elves' training center. Isadora was practicing combat moves while Bia watched.
Gustavo (with a firm voice): "Isadora, I want to fight you. Now."
Isadora stopped what she was doing and looked at him, surprised by the determination in his eyes.
Isadora (with a sarcastic smile): "Are you sure, Gustavinho? Are you really ready to lose again?"
Gustavo (with a serious look): "This isn't a joke, Isa. I need this. I won't lose again."
Bia, who was beside them, frowned, worried about her brother.
Bia (worried, but trying to hide it): "Gustavo, you just recovered. I don't think it's a good idea. You both should rest more."
Gustavo (determined): "I've rested enough, Bia. I need to test my strength again. I won't improve if I just stand still."
Isadora watched the two for a moment before shrugging.
Isadora (decided, but with a challenging tone): "If that's what you want, then fine. Let's see if you've learned anything."
Bia sighed, knowing she couldn't convince them otherwise. Even though she was worried, she decided to trust her brother's judgment, although she was prepared to intervene if necessary.
Bia (reluctant, but supportive): "Alright... but please, don't get hurt."
The three of them headed to an open area in the village where the elves often trained. The scene was surrounded by tall trees, and the ground was covered with leaves and dry branches, creating an improvised battlefield. Gustavo and Isadora positioned themselves facing each other, both with serious expressions.
Isadora (with a provocative tone): "I hope you've saved some energy because I'm not going to go easy on you."
Gustavo (confident, but with a tone of frustration): "That's what I'm hoping, Isa. Let's see who falls first."
The duel was about to begin, and the tension in the air was palpable. For Gustavo, this fight was more than just a training session—it was a chance to prove himself, to leave behind the failures of the past, and to become stronger, both physically and mentally.
Gustavo and Isadora walked together to a secluded area, far from the curious eyes of the elf village. The terrain was rocky, surrounded by a few trees and mountains, the perfect location for an intense battle. Gustavo looked at Isadora with determination. The recent defeat still weighed heavily on his mind, and he needed to prove to himself that he was getting stronger.
Gustavo (determined): "So this is it, Isa... I'm not holding back this time. Get ready!"
Isadora (sarcastic): "Funny, Gustavo. Who said I need you to hold back? Let's see what you've got."
Without further words, the two prepared for the fight. Gustavo began channeling his energy, his arms growing and becoming covered with an intense blue light. Isadora, in turn, activated her physical enhancement, her muscles becoming even more defined, her skin glowing with a golden aura.
Gustavo was the first to strike, advancing quickly and launching a gigantic punch toward Isadora. She dodged with agility, but the shockwave from the punch cracked the ground around her, showcasing Gustavo's strength.
Isadora (focused): "That's right, Gustavo! It's not going to be that easy to hit me."
She counterattacked, moving with impressive speed and hitting Gustavo with a series of quick and precise blows. Gustavo tried to block, but felt the impact of each punch, his body being pushed back.
Gustavo (irritated): "Damn it... I said I wasn't going to hold back!"
With a roar, Gustavo activated his transformation. His entire body was engulfed in energy, drastically increasing his strength and speed. He launched himself at Isadora with a new wave of power. The two exchanged blows that shook the terrain, destroying trees and creating craters in the ground. Energy blasts in the shape of fists were fired by Gustavo, but Isadora, using her maximum enhancement, blocked most of them, only being scratched by a few.
The battle continued, with both getting hurt and bleeding. Gustavo, realizing that his time was running out, concentrated all the power he had into a single gigantic punch, ready to take Isadora down once and for all.
Gustavo (shouting): "This is the end, Isadora!"
But Isadora, with unwavering determination, gathered all her strength and launched her own attack. The two attacks collided, generating an explosion of energy that devastated the surroundings, toppling trees and raising a cloud of dust.
When the dust settled, Isadora was still standing, breathing heavily but victorious. Gustavo was on the ground, exhausted and out of his transformation, panting but with a smile of acceptance.
Gustavo (weakly laughing): "Damn... I underestimated you, Isa. You're really incredible."
Isadora (smiling): "You're not too bad yourself, Gustavo. You just need to learn to think a bit more before attacking like a madman."
They laughed together, which eased the tension. Isadora extended her hand to help Gustavo up, as both realized that there was still much to learn and improve.