The battlefield was a war zone of shattered earth and burnt landscape as Josuke and Genes clashed with ferocity. Josuke's strikes were precise and overwhelming, each one carrying the weight of his newfound powers. Every blow he landed caused shockwaves to ripple through the air, cracking the ground beneath him. Genes, despite his devilish strength, found himself unable to keep up, his attempts to counter Josuke's attacks mere glimpses of desperation.
Josuke moved with a grace and power that seemed almost unnatural, his every motion fluid and calculated. It was clear that the young man was in control, the power flowing from him like a torrent, overwhelming the devilish creature before him. With a final, crushing blow, Josuke sent Genes hurtling into the sky, his body crashing down in the distance, blood staining the ground.
But as the dust began to settle, something unexpected happened.
Josuke's body trembled, and the surge of power that had carried him so far began to wane. The battle, though won in the immediate sense, was taking a toll. The sudden rush of energy from his transformation had drained him more than he had anticipated. He staggered, his legs buckling under the strain as he fell to one knee. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving painfully as though the very air around him had thickened. Pain radiated through his body, like the aftermath of a brutal injury. His grip on his Fullbringer wavered, and his hand shook as he tried to steady himself.
His once-commanding presence faltered, his face twisting in pain as he fought to remain conscious. His eyes were glazed over, his vision blurring with the effort to hold on. The weight of the transformation, combined with the unrelenting physical strain, was almost too much for him to bear.
Ace's eyes widened in disbelief. "Josuke! What's wrong? You were unstoppable just a moment ago!" His voice rang with alarm, his usually calm demeanor shattered by the sight of his teammate's vulnerability.
Lily, her sharp eyes already scanning the situation, turned to assess Josuke. "It's his body," she said, her tone laced with concern. "Josuke was heavily injured before the fight started. I've seen this before—he was healed quickly, but the healing isn't the same as full recovery. His body hasn't had time to adjust to the immense strain of that transformation. Now, his mana flow is disrupted, and it's wearing him down faster than he can handle."
She glanced at the others, her expression darkening with the weight of her diagnosis. She didn't know the extent of its healing properties, but she could see the toll it was taking on Josuke's physical form.
As the group stood frozen, trying to process what was happening, Genes began to stir. He had recovered from Josuke's devastating attack and now, sensing the vulnerability of his opponent, he flashed a cruel grin. "What's the matter?" Genes sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Has your little power-up already faded?" With a laugh, he lunged forward, launching himself at Josuke with renewed speed, his fists raised for another brutal onslaught.
Josuke, barely able to move, tried to react, but his body refused to cooperate. Each strike that landed sent shockwaves of agony through him, forcing him to stumble back. His body felt like it was made of stone, heavy and unwilling to comply with his commands. His breathing grew more strained, every inhale like a knife scraping against his lungs.
But just as all hope seemed lost, Hinata, still recovering from her own injuries, moved without hesitation. She ignored her fatigue and the exhaustion that clung to her body, rushing toward Josuke with determination in her eyes. Her hands, glowing faintly with the remnants of her healing magic, pressed gently against Josuke's back.
"Hinata, what are you doing?" Josuke gasped, his voice filled with panic as he saw her overextend herself. "You've already used so much energy… You can't waste more."
But Hinata's eyes were unyielding. "No, Josuke. You're the only one who can defeat Genes. If you fall, everything we've fought for ends here. I can't let that happen." Her words were soft, almost tender, but they carried a weight of iron will. She poured her last reserves of healing mana into him, her body trembling with the effort. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she did so, but she didn't stop.
Josuke felt the warm surge of her mana flood his body, soothing his muscles and easing the strain in his chest. The aches that had plagued him began to dull, his strength slowly returning. He felt the heat of her sacrifice, and in that moment, he knew he could not fail her. He could not let her sacrifice be for nothing.
"Thank you, Hinata," Josuke whispered, his voice hoarse. He gently laid her down on the ground as she collapsed from exhaustion, her face pale but content. "I won't let your sacrifice be in vain."
With renewed resolve, Josuke stood, though every movement was a struggle. His body still felt like it was made of lead, but he could feel the pulse of energy returning to him, the magic coursing through his veins. He extended his fingers, the air around him crackling with a heavy intensity. His Fullbringer, which had been lying discarded several meters away, began to stir. It trembled, as if sensing its master's need.
Genes, seeing Josuke still on his feet, scoffed, preparing for his next move. "What's this? You're trying to fight back with that?" He laughed mockingly. "You can barely stand!"
But Josuke's eyes flared with an inner fire. He reached out, and his Fullbringer shot through the air like a missile, its massive blade slicing through the air with such force that the wind howled in its wake. It passed through Genes like a blur, cutting a shallow gash along his cheek. The speed of the blade was so intense that Genes barely had time to react.
The sword returned to Josuke's hand with an almost eerie precision, and he caught it effortlessly. No longer weighed down by fatigue, the blade felt light in his grip. He looked at Genes with a calm, unwavering gaze. "This end now."
The battlefield fell silent. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone realized that Josuke, though battered, was far from finished. With the full power of his Fullbringer at his disposal, he was ready to fight like never before. And as the wind howled around them, it was clear that the battle was far from over. The final clash was yet to come.