Kael steadied his breath, feeling chakra pulse through his veins and into his sword. It was an exhilarating yet controlled flow, like a river that could either nourish or destroy. Daroii stood across from him, her stance firm and unyielding, her hardened skin glistening under her own chakra reinforcement. She smirked, clearly confident that her defenses would be enough to withstand any assault. But Kael could feel a newfound power surging within him, a precision that allowed his mind to focus on each movement with razor-sharp clarity.
He tightened his grip on the hilt, feeling the chakra swirl down the length of the blade, filling it with an aura that flickered like blue fire. Taking a deep breath, Kael opened his eyes, his vision sharpened and his focus solely on Daroii. Without another moment's hesitation, he lunged forward. The sword moved like a snake, twisting and darting with an unpredictable rhythm that caught Daroii off guard. Her eyes widened as she struggled to keep up with the rapid arcs and slashes, each movement precise yet impossible to fully anticipate.
Daroii swung her arms in an attempt to block, her forearms reinforced to take the brunt of any attack. Yet, Kael's blade seemed to dance around her defenses, gliding effortlessly through openings she barely realized existed. With a twist of his wrist, his sword curved in an unnatural, almost hypnotic manner, slipping under her arm and grazing her side. A thin line appeared on her skin where the blade touched, faint at first but quickly deepening as his chakra-infused blade cut through her toughened skin.
Daroii stumbled back, her confidence shaken as she felt the sharp sting of Kael's strike. She grit her teeth, reinforcing her chakra even more, making her skin glow with a dull, metallic sheen. But Kael didn't relent; his blade moved in a continuous, flowing rhythm, every swing linked seamlessly to the next. Each slash felt like a part of a larger, intricate dance he was only beginning to master, a technique that seemed to carry its own life and will.
Kael circled her, his steps light and nimble, each one calculated. Daroii tried to counter, her movements growing more desperate, yet her strength was futile against Kael's speed and precision. She aimed a punch toward his side, but he twisted around her fist, his blade slicing at her exposed arm with a clean, fluid motion. Another thin line of blood appeared, and Daroii hissed, backing up to regain her stance.
"Is this all you've got, Daroii?" Kael taunted, his voice calm yet edged with a confidence he rarely felt. The chakra around his blade intensified, crackling like a live current. He knew he had to keep the pressure on, or she'd find a way to turn the tables.
Daroii growled, frustration flashing in her eyes. "You're faster than you look," she sneered, her pride bruised. She lunged forward in a flurry of powerful swings, each blow aimed to crush him in one decisive hit. But Kael danced around her, each strike coming agonizingly close without ever connecting. His sword weaved between her attacks like water slipping through cracks in rock, his movements fluid and unpredictable. Every time Daroii thought she had him pinned down, his sword was already elsewhere, carving another precise line across her hardened skin.
Kael could see her growing exhaustion, her chakra defenses faltering under the relentless barrage. With each cut, he felt his connection to his chakra deepen, like he was tapping into a well of power he never knew existed. He shifted his stance, drawing upon more chakra to fuel a final series of attacks. His sword gleamed with an intense light, the energy coursing through it so vibrant that even Daroii hesitated for a split second, her confidence visibly shaken.
Kael barely registered Ryuunosuke's voice cutting through the haze of his focus. "Control your chakra, Kael, or your sword will break!" The warning struck like a slap. He glanced down to see tiny cracks spider-webbing along the blade's surface, its metal quivering under the force of his unchecked chakra. He was pushing it to the edge, channeling more power than the blade could withstand. Gritting his teeth, Kael forced himself to steady his breathing and draw back on the chakra flow, careful not to overwhelm the weapon he depended on.
Seeing his momentary pause, Daroii seized the chance, lunging forward with both fists, hardened with her own chakra. Kael dodged just in time, feeling the force of her punch as it struck the ground, leaving a deep crater where he had been. Daroii's strength was brutal, each strike powerful enough to shake the earth itself, but Kael's control over his movements was like water flowing around her rigid strength, fluid and evasive. Each missed strike left her slower, her breaths heavier, her chakra faltering.
Kael took another steadying breath, feeling his control return as he managed his chakra in sharp, precise bursts. His strikes were growing more calculated, each swing aiming for the weak spots he had observed throughout the battle. Daroii's confidence had wavered; Kael could see it in her eyes as his blade cut through her defenses, forcing her back again and again.
Kael steadied himself, sensing victory within reach as he drew upon his remaining chakra for one final strike. Daroii's strength had waned, her breathing ragged, her movements less precise. But then, her eyes narrowed with a fierce resolve that sent a chill down Kael's spine. In one defiant motion, Daroii clasped her fist, chakra surging to the surface, coating her arm with a dense, shimmering energy.
Before Kael could react, she lunged, her fist arcing straight toward his sword. His instincts screamed at him to pull back, but he was committed to the strike, too close to evade now. Their clash echoed like thunder, the sound reverberating across the battlefield as Daroii's chakra-clad fist collided directly with his blade.
The force of the impact shot through Kael's arm, vibrating up to his shoulder as he struggled to hold his stance. He could feel the strain on his sword, the cracks widening rapidly as his weapon met an overwhelming power. A split second later, a sharp, piercing sound rang out—a sound that signaled defeat. Kael's sword fractured, shards splintering off as the blade shattered under the sheer pressure of Daroii's chakra-infused strike.
Kael staggered backward, his hand now gripping only the broken hilt of his weapon. His eyes darted to the scattered fragments of his sword on the ground, the realization sinking in. Daroii stood before him, still panting, but victorious in her final act of defiance. Though her strength had nearly run dry, she had pushed herself to the limit, refusing to yield even when her chances had looked slim.
A mixture of frustration and awe filled Kael as he took in the scene. Daroii, bruised and battered, looked back at him with a small, defiant smirk, blood trickling from a fresh wound on her knuckles where her chakra had faltered under the impact.
Rudra clapped his hands, the sound cutting through the silence. "That was a good fight. Daroii wins. If your sword had been a little stronger, Kael, you might have won."
Kael wiped the sweat from his brow, determination flaring in his eyes. "Wait. It didn't end there," he said, surprising everyone as he tossed aside the broken hilt. "I can fight without my sword."
Jin's jaw dropped, looking over at Kael in shock. "Wait—you're not a swordsman?"
Kael shrugged, a faint smile on his face. "No , I just like to use a sword," he replied, calm and unshaken despite the loss of his weapon.
Ryuu burst into laughter, clearly amused by Kael's stubborn resolve. "You're a very amusing one, Kael." He then turned to Daroii, who looked equally intrigued, her excitement reigniting. "Well, Daroii," he asked, a mischievous spark in his eye, "do you want to continue?"
Daroii's eyes lit up, and she shot a challenging glance at Kael, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Why not?" she replied, a grin spreading across her face. She tightened her stance, preparing herself for another round.
Kael met her gaze, rolling his shoulders and shifting into position. Even without his blade, he looked ready to go head-to-head with the same fierce determination.
Kael closed his eyes, the noise around him fading as a memory surfaced, vivid and sharp. He saw his father, steady and calm, guiding him through the fluid motions of a martial art. Every stance, every shift in balance, came back to him like an old song. His father's voice echoed in his mind, firm but encouraging, reminding him of the strength in precise movements and focused energy.
"This is an ancient technique passed down by a master," Kael said, steadying his stance. "I don't know it fully… but this is as much as I can manage." He took a deep breath, centering himself. "He always said the best weapon anyone has is their own body. Master it, and you'll never truly need another."
With renewed focus, Kael settled into a fighting stance, his hands empty but brimming with intent. His breathing deepened, his focus sharpening as he channeled his father's teachings. Every fiber of his being resonated with purpose, ready to face what came next.
Kael came into his stance, grounding himself in the moment. Daroii, noticing his closed eyes, flicked her tail and leaped toward him, ready to capitalize on his apparent stillness.
As Daroii closed the distance between them, Kael felt the tension in the air shift. He opened his eyes just in time to see her pounce, her form a blur of speed and agility. With her tail flicking like a whip, she aimed to ensnare him in her grip. But Kael was ready.
In a swift motion, he thrust his fist forward, landing a punch directly into her stomach. Daroii gasped, momentarily stunned by the impact, but quickly retaliated, wrapping her tail around his arm in an attempt to lock him in place. The pressure was intense, but Kael's resolve only hardened. He summoned his chakra, a pulsating energy that surged through him, igniting his determination.
With a fluid motion, he maneuvered his hand to pry free from her grasp, his fingers slipping through the tight hold of her tail. Kael pivoted, shifting his weight as he used her own momentum against her. As Daroii tried to kick him away, he intercepted her leg with his free hand, channeling chakra into his grip. He felt the warmth of energy radiate around his fingers, reinforcing his strength as he redirected her kick.
In one seamless motion, Kael twisted his body and drove his fist upward, landing a sharp jab right into her jaw. The connection was solid; he could feel the vibrations travel through his arm. Daroii's head snapped back, her surprise evident as she staggered away, momentarily dazed from the strike.
Kael took a breath, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he watched her regain her balance. This was not just a fight; it was a dance of instincts, strategy, and raw power. He remembered his father's teachings—strength lay not in weapons alone but in the mastery of one's own body. Each movement had to be precise, a blend of grace and force.
Daroii shook off the shock, her eyes narrowing as she regained her composure. The challenge was far from over. With a newfound determination, she launched herself at Kael again, her tail lashing out in a desperate attempt to catch him off guard.
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Daroii shook off the shock, her eyes narrowing as she regained her composure. The challenge was far from over. With a newfound determination, she launched herself at Kael again, her tail lashing out in a desperate attempt to catch him off guard.
But as she charged, she noticed something strange: Kael was gathering chakra in his feet. A subtle shimmer of energy radiated from his stance, and realization hit her—he was drawing strength from the ground itself, preparing for her advance. That's Shun's technique, she thought in shock. Her instincts kicked in, but it was too late. Before she could adjust her strategy, Kael was right in front of her, his movements fluid and precise.
Ryuunsuke watched intently, a knowing smirk on his face as he glanced at Shun. "How do you feel about this?" he asked, side-eyeing him.
Shun's brow furrowed, his competitive spirit flaring. "He can copy my technique but not my speed."
In the next moment, Kael proved him wrong as he darted past Daroii with blinding speed, leaving only a flicker of motion in his wake.