His determination fueled by the belief that he could measure up to his predecessors, Kenta mentally prepared himself, silently vowing to give his all in the impending confrontation. He knew the odds were against him, but a flicker of hope burned within, driving him to face Kanji head-on.
Kenta, in the heat of the moment, reached for his light blade, Hikari No ha. He understood the risks associated with wielding Yami no Hikari and its potential impact on his mental state. Choosing to use Hikari No ha, wielding the light blade instead, Kenta steeled himself for what was to come.
Kanji, his lips curling into a smirk, questioned Kenta's choice of weapon. "Why are you not using Yami no Hikari?" he inquired, his tone laced with mockery.
Kenta, his grip on Hikari No ha unwavering, answered with conviction. "I prefer to wield Hikari No ha," he replied, his voice steady and resolute. "It allows me to maintain control over myself."
The clash between Kanji and Kenta intensified, their battle escalating into a fierce exchange of blows. The fight's intensity grew, and the two found themselves falling out of the temple and into the river below. By this time, night had fallen, and visibility became a challenge, leaving Kenta with a disadvantage as his vision struggled to adapt to the darkness.
Kanji, taking advantage of the situation, swiftly moved behind Kenta, standing tall and imposing. He leaned in, his voice a hushed whisper that sent chills down Kenta's spine.
Kanji, his voice a low rumble, spoke into Kenta's ear, his words carrying a threatening weight. "You're not as skilled as you think, my young adversary," he taunted, his tone dripping with mocking condescension.
Kenta, his senses heightened by the danger he was in, tried to shake off the unease caused by Kanji's proximity. Despite the disadvantage of the dim lighting and the rush of the river, he gathered his wits and prepared for the next move.
The river water rushed around both fighters as they faced off in the darkness, each anticipating the other's actions. Kenta's vision became even more limited as the night sky cast shadows that played tricks on his eyes, further adding to the challenge he faced against Kanji.
Despite the challenge posed by the darkness, Kanji skillfully parried Kenta's blade attacks with ease. His expert handling and quick reflexes allowed him to counter Kenta's offenses effortlessly, showcasing the vast difference in experience and mastery.
Kanji, demonstrating his prowess, managed to catch hold of Kenta's toes and hurled him with swift precision into a nearby bouldered area. The impact of the throw left Kenta momentarily dazed, further complicating the already challenging battlefield.
Kenta, pinned beneath the boulder, looked up at Kanji, realizing the grim reality of his situation. He knew that the odds were stacked against him, and the chances of surviving this encounter seemed slim. A mix of determination and resignation settled over his expression as he gazed up at Kanji.
In a desperate attempt to find his footing in the fight, Kenta reached for his most powerful weapon: Yami no Hikari. With a firm grip, he summoned the Kurai Kesshō Buki, prepared to confront Kanji with all his might.
Kanji, recognizing the imminent transformation about to take place in Kenta, spoke calmly, awaiting the shift that would come with wielding Yami no Hikari. He fully understood the implications of the dark blade - the switch in personality from a kind individual to a malevolent force with heightened skill and a thirst for blood.
Kanji, maintaining his stance, responded to Kenta's state of transformation with a tinge of caution in his voice. "Ah, so you've chosen to embrace the power of Yami no Hikari," he observed, his tone laced with both acknowledgment and warning. "Just remember, my young adversary, the price you'll pay for wielding such dark might."
The transformation took hold of Kenta as his eyes turned a deep shade of red, filled with malevolence. A wicked smile played on his lips, and his entire being was enveloped in a dark aura. The once kind and determined Kenta was now replaced by a sinister entity, filled with an evil presence.
The change in Kenta didn't go unnoticed by Kanji, who smirked at the unfolding situation. He recognized the implications of the dark aura surrounding Kenta, signaling access to a powerful dark force. "Well, now things are getting interesting," Kanji mused, a touch of dark anticipation in his voice.
Kenta, now in his transformed state, spoke, his voice carrying an unfamiliar tone. The words rolled off his tongue with a menacing edge, different from his previous persona. "You thought you could defeat me before," he said, a hint of arrogance in his voice. "But now I have tapped into the full extent of my power."
Kanji, seeing Kenta fully immersed in the power of the dark aura, offered a sobering reminder. "You may have access to the dark power, but you're not the only one," he remarked, his voice a cold warning. As he spoke, a similar dark aura enveloped his own body, a visible indication that he too possessed mastery over such power.
Despite his transformed state, Kenta retained his incredible speed. He dashed forward, moving with such swiftness that the wind itself seemed to be sliced apart by the mere force of his movement.
Despite Kenta's impressive speed, Kanji's counter-attack proved to be too quick for him to evade. With a precise and powerful blow, Kanji landed a strike directly on Kenta's jaw, sending a shockwave through his body. The impact sent Kenta momentarily sprawling before he had a chance to react.
The impact of Kanji's strike resonated deeply within Kenta, causing him to visibly shake as his brain rattled from the force. The blow was so powerful that it left him momentarily disoriented, his vision blurring and senses momentarily stunned.
Overwhelmed by the force of Kanji's attack, Kenta's body succumbed to the impact, and he dropped to the ground, unconscious. The blow had rendered him incapacitated, leaving him vulnerable in Kanji's presence.
Kanji, standing over the unconscious Kenta, took a moment to reflect on his adversary's potential. "Is he really a successor to Yami and Hikari?" he mused aloud, contemplating the connection and legacy associated with those names. The notion that Kenta might be a successor to such powerful figures intrigued him, adding another layer of complexity to their encounter.
~Next chapter "The Past"