With Asha safely back in Nyemba, Tendaji's focus shifted. He knew that as long as Zaria roamed free, the kingdom—and especially Asha—would remain in constant danger. Zaria was more than just a rogue warrior; he was a living threat capable of rallying forces against Nyemba. Tendaji was determined to put an end to this threat once and for all.
As Tendaji approached the plains on the outskirts of the kingdom, his senses prickled with awareness. A familiar energy—powerful, volatile, and unmistakably crimson—lingered in the air, a testament to Zaria's presence. Tendaji's Zowa flared around him, his resolve hardening as he braced for the confrontation ahead.
In the distance, Zaria stood with his arms crossed, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he sensed Tendaji's approach. His desire for battle was visible in his stance, his crimson aura swirling around him like fire.
"Ah, Tendaji," Zaria taunted as his foe arrived. "I was wondering when you'd show up. I've been craving a true test of my strength, and who better than the strongest demon hunter of Nyemba?"
Tendaji narrowed his eyes, unsheathing his blade, his stance radiating calm strength. "This ends here, Zaria. You'll pay for what you've done to my kingdom—and to my son."
Zaria laughed, his voice filled with dark amusement. "Bold words, but I wonder… can you back them up?"
Without further warning, Tendaji lunged, his Zowa blazing silver as he closed the distance between them. Zaria responded in kind, his fists crackling with crimson energy as he met Tendaji head-on. Their initial clash sent a resounding shockwave across the plains, splitting the ground and causing tremors that echoed in the distance.
The two warriors exchanged a flurry of blows, their fists colliding with thunderous force. Each strike was calculated, each move precise. Tendaji's punches carried a steady, relentless power, while Zaria's attacks were wild and ferocious, fueled by his insatiable hunger for dominance.
Around them, the air was charged with energy, crackling and shimmering with each impact. Tendaji's Zowa flared brighter, silver light clashing against Zaria's crimson, creating a visual spectacle that lit up the entire field. Every blow left craters in the ground, the plains trembling beneath the sheer force of their strikes.
A short distance away, Asha had managed to find a vantage point on a nearby hill, watching the clash with wide-eyed awe. This was the first time he truly saw his father's power unleashed, and the sight filled him with both fear and admiration. His father wasn't just fighting for himself—he was fighting for the kingdom, for Asha, and for every life that Zaria threatened to destroy.
Suddenly, Zaria's expression shifted, his smirk widening. "Let's see if you can handle this, Tendaji," he sneered, drawing back as crimson energy gathered in his fist, a concentrated force that pulsed with dangerous intent. In an instant, he released 20% of his Zowa, his fist blurring as it shot forward.
Tendaji barely had a moment to brace himself as Zaria's strike connected with his torso. The impact was devastating, sending Tendaji hurtling through the air like a comet. He crashed into the distant mountainside, the impact so intense that it shook the earth, sending rocks tumbling down in an avalanche.
Just as Tendaji's body collided with the ground, a figure appeared in a flash of silver light—Tidiane. He caught Tendaji mid-air, easing his descent to the ground with a controlled, powerful grip.
"Always in time, aren't you?" Tendaji muttered, catching his breath as he struggled to his feet.
Tidiane's gaze never left Zaria, his expression deadly serious. "You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"
Zaria watched from across the field, his aura flaring as he prepared for the next wave. "Ah, Tidiane. I was wondering when Nyemba's second-best hunter would arrive. Maybe this will be interesting after all."
Tidiane's eyes narrowed. "Second-best? Let's see how you feel after this."
Tidiane and Tendaji exchanged a quick glance, their voices low as they strategized. Both knew the danger they faced. Zaria's strength was no illusion, and if they were to have any chance of victory, they would need to combine their forces.
"Ready to go all out?" Tidiane asked, his Zowa beginning to pulse with intensity.
Tendaji nodded, his expression grim. "No holding back."
In perfect unison, the two hunters unleashed their full power, their Zowa flaring to 100%. Silver and white energy surrounded Tendaji, while Tidiane's Zowa was a sharp, piercing blue. Together, they formed a barrier of light that surged across the plains, a wave of energy so fierce it seemed to turn night into day.
With a roar, they launched themselves at Zaria, their movements synchronized as they attacked from both sides. Zaria responded in kind, unleashing 80% of his own Zowa, his crimson aura expanding like wildfire. The ground around them blackened, scorched by the intensity of their energies.
What followed was a battle of sheer willpower. Tendaji struck from the left, his blade a blur as he aimed for Zaria's weak points, while Tidiane attacked from the right, his fists precise and unrelenting. Zaria moved with shocking speed, his form a crimson blur as he deflected their attacks, retaliating with explosive blasts of Zowa that shook the earth with every impact.
Each strike, each blow, left scars on the battlefield. Tendaji and Tidiane pressed forward, refusing to let Zaria gain the upper hand. But Zaria's power was overwhelming, his laughter echoing across the plains as he seemed to revel in the chaos.
Finally, Zaria caught Tendaji's wrist mid-strike, his crimson aura blazing brighter. He twisted, sending Tendaji crashing to the ground with bone-crushing force. Before he could strike again, Tidiane leapt in, landing a solid punch that sent Zaria stumbling backward, his sneer replaced by a flash of anger.
"Is that the best you can do?" Zaria taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Without hesitation, Tidiane raised his hand, summoning a massive sphere of Zowa that hovered above his palm, radiating with power. He hurled it at Zaria with all his strength, the sphere tearing through the air with deadly intent. Zaria dodged, but Tendaji was ready, intercepting him with a powerful kick that sent him reeling.
The two hunters didn't let up, their attacks becoming more coordinated as they adapted to Zaria's movements. But as the battle raged on, they could feel their energies beginning to wane. Zaria's power was relentless, his crimson aura consuming the battlefield like a living flame.
Just as they were on the verge of exhaustion, Tendaji and Tidiane exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They would give it everything—one final attack.
Together, they channeled the last of their Zowa, their energies merging into a brilliant, blinding light. With a shout, they lunged forward, their combined attack tearing through the air as they aimed for Zaria's core.
For the first time, Zaria's eyes widened in alarm, his defenses faltering under the sheer force of their combined power. The impact sent him skidding across the ground, his crimson aura flickering and dimming as he struggled to rise.
Tendaji and Tidiane stood side by side, their breaths ragged, their bodies battered, but their spirits unbroken. Zaria pushed himself to his feet, his gaze dark and furious. Yet, he was visibly weakened, his once-brilliant aura now a faint, sputtering glow.
"You… may have won this round," Zaria snarled, his voice laced with anger. "But this is far from over."