Yuto staggered back, bloodied and breathless, struggling to keep his balance as Abyss's brother towered before him. The Voidspawn's smirk was wide and menacing, a mixture of condescension and amusement. Yuto's entire body ached from the onslaught—blows that seemed to hit with the weight of a collapsing mountain. His left arm hung limply at his side, barely responsive, while his legs screamed with each step.
"Is that all you've got, boy?" the Voidspawn mocked, taking a slow, deliberate step forward. His voice was laced with contempt, and his sharp claws flexed as though eager for the next strike. "You were supposed to be the wielder of Abyss. I expected more. But you're just… weak."
Yuto gritted his teeth, wiping the blood from his mouth with his remaining strength. His vision blurred, and his mind raced for a way out. He couldn't win, not like this. He was outmatched in every way.
"Damn it," he muttered, more to himself than the Voidspawn, feeling the creeping sensation of despair clawing at him. "Why now? Why do I always fall short…?"
As if responding to his thoughts, a voice echoed in his mind—a deep, familiar presence. Abyss.
"You're still afraid. That's why."
Yuto's eyes widened, startled by the sudden intrusion in his head. "Abyss…?"
"You can't defeat him on your own, Yuto. Let me take control."
The voice was cold, but there was an undeniable pull in its words. Yuto clenched his fists, remembering the last time Abyss had taken over—when he nearly lost himself to the darkness.
"No," Yuto growled through gritted teeth. "I won't let you control me again."
The Voidspawn's mocking laughter brought him back to the present. "Talking to yourself, huh? Pathetic."
In a flash, the Voidspawn was upon him, launching a series of brutal strikes. Yuto barely managed to dodge the first swipe but felt the searing pain as the next attack tore through his already injured arm. He cried out, dropping to one knee as the force of the blow rattled his bones.
"You're not even worth killing quickly," the Voidspawn taunted, his grin growing wider. "But I suppose I'll make it quick. Abyss deserves a better host anyway."
Yuto glared up at him, panting heavily. His mind raced. Was there really no other way?
"You don't have a choice, Yuto." Abyss's voice was relentless, seeping into every corner of Yuto's consciousness. "I can save you. We can win."
Yuto shut his eyes, feeling the weight of the situation crashing down on him. He couldn't die here, not without fighting back, not without giving it everything he had. But was he ready to trust Abyss, even for a second?
"Fine," Yuto whispered, his voice barely audible. "But this time... I'm in control."
A chilling laugh echoed through his mind, but Abyss didn't argue. Instead, a surge of power erupted from within Yuto's chest, so overwhelming that he gasped. His body was engulfed in a dark, swirling energy, and the air around him grew heavy with a palpable sense of dread.
The Voidspawn froze mid-stride, his smirk faltering for the first time. "What the—?"
Yuto's eyes snapped open, glowing with a mix of darkness and fierce determination. His injuries began to heal, his torn flesh stitching itself back together as the black energy coursed through him. A shadowy aura enveloped his body, and his stance straightened, no longer weighed down by pain or exhaustion.
"This… power…" Yuto murmured, feeling the raw strength of Abyss surging through his veins. It was overwhelming, terrifying even, but he had never felt more alive.
The Voidspawn's eyes narrowed, his tone shifting from cocky to cautious. "So, you've finally decided to use it. Doesn't matter. I'll tear you apart all the same."
With a snarl, the Voidspawn lunged forward, claws poised to strike. But this time, Yuto was ready.
In an instant, Yuto vanished from the Voidspawn's sight, reappearing behind him with a speed he hadn't possessed before. The Voidspawn spun around, but it was too late—Yuto's fist, now crackling with dark energy, collided with the Voidspawn's chest, sending him flying back with a thunderous crash.
The ground trembled as the Voidspawn tumbled through the debris, his massive frame skidding to a halt. He snarled, scrambling to his feet, but Yuto was already on him again, this time landing a flurry of blows that left the Voidspawn struggling to keep up.
"You thought I was weak, huh?" Yuto growled, his movements now fluid and precise. "Guess what? I'm not the same kid anymore."
The Voidspawn roared in frustration, launching a barrage of wild, powerful strikes, but Yuto dodged each one with ease, his newfound agility allowing him to weave through the attacks like a shadow. And with each miss, Yuto countered with vicious precision, his fists striking with enough force to crack the Voidspawn's hardened armor-like skin.
"Impossible!" the Voidspawn spat, his voice a mixture of rage and disbelief. "How can you—"
"You thought you could beat me without giving me a real fight," Yuto interrupted, his voice cold and resolute. "But I've got something you'll never understand."
With that, Yuto summoned the dark energy within him, letting it flow into his hands as they glowed with a menacing black aura. He slammed his fist into the Voidspawn's side, sending a shockwave of energy through the creature's body. The Voidspawn howled in agony as the force of the blow tore through him.
But before Yuto could finish the job, the Voidspawn's hand shot up, grabbing Yuto by the throat. Despite the damage, the Voidspawn's grip was still powerful, and he lifted Yuto off the ground with a snarl.
"You're still just a child playing with power you don't understand," the Voidspawn growled, tightening his grip. "And I'm going to remind you who's really in control."
Yuto struggled, gasping for air as the Voidspawn squeezed harder, but his eyes remained defiant, even as the pressure mounted. "I… am in control," Yuto forced out, his voice barely audible.
With a surge of effort, Yuto's entire body ignited with Abyss's energy, the black aura intensifying. The Voidspawn's eyes widened as the energy exploded from Yuto, forcing him to release his grip and stagger back.
Yuto landed on his feet, breathing heavily but standing tall. His eyes locked onto the Voidspawn, and he raised a hand, summoning the dark power into a singular point in his palm. The air around them crackled with tension.
"You think you can control everything," Yuto said, his voice low but fierce. "But you're wrong."
The Voidspawn snarled, his body glowing with a twisted energy of his own. "Then come on, boy. Let's see what that power of yours can really do."
The two stood there, tension thick in the air as they sized each other up. Both knew this wasn't just a battle of strength—it was a battle for control, a test of will. And as Yuto's dark energy clashed with the Voidspawn's corrupted power, the fight entered its final stage.
Neither was willing to back down.
And neither knew how it would end.