Two figures clashed in the night sky as a bone-chilling breeze scattered frozen leaves through the air.
A blood-red moon loomed ominously above, casting its glow on the chaotic tides below. Neither combatant paid any attention to the havoc their battle was wreaking on the environment.
One had golden hair and piercing red eyes, while the other bore silver hair, equally vivid red eyes, and unnaturally pale skin. The stark differences in their appearance extended to their clothing, but their movements mirrored each other with uncanny precision.
Their swords met with a deafening clang, both combatants grinning as they danced through the midnight air, unbothered by the perilous stakes of their duel.
"You're a pretty good sparring partner," the silver-haired figure remarked, his tone laced with amusement as their blades locked once again.
"Likewise. I've never enjoyed fighting this much before," Hisashi replied, his voice steady despite the ferocity of their battle.
"Then how about we take it up a notch?"
"Gladly!"
The golden-haired boy launched himself backward, kicking off the air to gain momentum before propelling himself forward at his pale adversary.
Hisashi's POV~
I never thought I'd find myself enjoying a life-or-death battle, not in this lifetime or the one before it. My heart races as every instinct sharpens, the thrill of the fight coursing through my veins.
It's strange—I took inspiration from Dragon Ball and decided to just let my body move on
instinct. At first, it felt reckless, almost suicidal.
Yet somehow, it worked. The hollow spared me during those initial attempts, though it didn't make it easy.
Now, I can avoid most of its attacks, but only through grueling effort. With each clash, I feel
my instincts and skills sharpening, adapting to the unpredictable rhythm of this fight.
*Clang!* *Clang!*
I swung my blade diagonally, aiming for his left side, but the hollow dodged effortlessly,
countering with a stab aimed at my stomach.
I twisted my body, narrowly avoiding the
blow, and brought my sword up to meet his next strike.
Our blades locked, sparks flying as I tried to kick his shin. He simply lifted his leg, dodging
with ease. I followed up with a slash to his torso and a punch aimed at his gut, but both
attacks failed miserably.
"Your fighting style is wild but unstable," the hollow commented, deflecting my blade with a casual motion. "It's riddled with openings. But with time and experience, you'll refine it."
He swung his sword down with overwhelming force, and I barely managed to block the strike. The impact threw me off balance, and as I descended, I struggled to fend off his relentless assault.
An idea struck me. Kicking off the air with all my strength, I propelled myself sideways,
narrowly avoiding a lethal blow aimed at my heart. I hit the ground with a controlled roll,
grateful to have evaded death yet again.
---
"You're versatile, I'll give you that," the hollow said, his voice carrying a mix of amusement
and disdain. "You've dodged death 256 times in this fight alone. Impressive, considering
how weak you are."
Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us in an instant, his leg swinging toward me in a devastating kick. I had no time to dodge.
Raising my sword and arm in a desperate attempt to block, I braced myself for the impact.
*Boom!*
The ice beneath me remained intact, but the shockwave sent tremors through my entire
body. My arm throbbed from the force of the blow.
"You lack critical thinking," he said as I staggered backward, clutching my sword. "But that's a problem of inexperience. With time, you might just survive someone stronger than me."
I slashed at his leg in retaliation, but the blade glanced off his iron-like skin. Pain shot
through my injured arm, and I bit back a curse.
'Hierro,' I realized grimly. His skin was harder than steel.
Dodging his follow-up strike, I found myself outpaced as he landed a punch squarely against my stomach, sending me hurtling toward the frozen forest. I crashed through several trees before finally coming to a halt, my body battered and broken.
"Gah! *Cough!* *Cough!*" Blood dripped from my lips as I struggled to rise. The frozen tree fragments that had pierced my back sent waves of agony through me.
Before I could recover, the hollow appeared, gripping my head and slamming it into the
shattered tree. Pain exploded through my skull, leaving me disoriented.
"Focus, determination, willpower, and resolve, you have it all," the hollow said, his tone almost mocking. "You even came here prepared to die. Fear consumed you at first, but you've turned it into rage, and that's admirable."
"And I won't stop fighting!" I growled, forcing my broken body to move. "Even if it kills me,
I'll prove that I'm not weak. So, fuck you!"
I threw a desperate punch with the last of my strength. It landed, but the hollow didn't even
flinch."DAMMIT!" I roared in frustration, tears stinging my eyes. My attempts were futile, and I hated it.
But then, something changed
.
A surge of ominous energy pulsed through my body, healing my injuries in an instant. I
stared at my hands in disbelief, feeling my strength return.
"An unyielding will forged through countless failures," the hollow mused, his red eyes
gleaming. "I think having you as a host will be... sufficient."
"What?" I breathed, stunned by his words.
"You've accepted me as a part of you," he continued. "But you're not strong enough to wield my power, not yet. So, I will take the throne as the solitary king of this inner world. Return when you've grown stronger, and we'll see if you're worthy then."
I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. He had every chance to kill me, yet he didn't.
Why?
"Why did you spare me?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"Because I felt like it. Now leave, before you end up killing someone in the real world."
His words sent a jolt of terror through me.
'The real world! Serafall!'
Without hesitation, I forced myself out of the mindscape, his ominous voice lingering in my ears.
---
"A strong emperor will rise soon," the hollow said to himself, a rare smile gracing his usually stoic face. "And I will be the one at the top. For that, I need strength... and nothing to hold me back. At least my host shows promise."
And this marks the day The Solitary King of this realm has lost his authority and power