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Chapter 19 - TAIZEN VERUSES JAG

Jag's deep, menacing voice echoed through the battlefield, "So, you think you can defeat me all by yourself?" His jaguar-like eyes gleamed with confidence as he sized up his opponent.

Taizen didn't waste words. With a sudden burst of speed, he shot forward, moving so fast the air around him seemed to crack. His katana flashed through the air in a deadly arc, and before Jag could even register the attack, his arm was severed from his body. The beast's howl of agony tore through the air, blood spraying across the ground.

Jag staggered back, clutching the bleeding stump, but the pain only fueled his rage. His body began to shift and contort, muscles bulging as his skin stretched unnaturally. Fur sprouted from his limbs as his human form twisted into something monstrous. His transformation was brutal and quick, and within moments, Jag stood before Taizen as a towering jaguar beast, his massive frame bristling with deadly power.

With a guttural roar that shook the earth, Jag charged at Taizen, his claws gleaming like daggers in the dim light. Taizen tightened his grip on his katana, his face expressionless, focused entirely on the incoming threat. The jaguar-beast swiped at him with ferocious speed, but Taizen met the attack head-on, his katana a blur as he parried each deadly strike with precision.

The air around them crackled with the intensity of the battle. Taizen's movements were fluid and graceful, his sword slicing through the air like a whisper, deflecting Jag's claws in a series of rapid, practiced motions. They danced across the battlefield, their clashes creating a cacophony of steel meeting bone, the sheer force of their blows sending shockwaves through the ground.

Taizen managed to land several clean strikes, his blade cutting deep into Jag's furred body, but the beast was relentless. With every wound, Jag seemed to grow more ferocious, his eyes blazing with animalistic rage. In one swift motion, he caught Taizen off guard, landing a brutal uppercut that lifted Taizen off his feet and sent him crashing into a nearby rock formation.

The impact was bone-rattling. Taizen's back slammed into the jagged rocks, and for a moment, the world spun around him. Blood trickled down his forehead as he pushed himself to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His muscles screamed in protest, but there was no time to recover—Jag was already closing in, his massive claws poised for a killing blow.

Taizen's mind raced. Jag was faster and stronger than he had anticipated, and every second counted. As the beast lunged at him, Taizen summoned every ounce of his strength and reflexes. In the blink of an eye, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the jaguar's deadly strike. Jag's claws slammed into the rocks, shattering them on impact.

Taizen used the momentary opening. With a quick step forward, he slashed his katana across Jag's exposed flank, the blade cutting deep into muscle. Jag howled in pain, twisting away, but Taizen pressed the attack, delivering a series of rapid strikes that forced the beast to retreat.

Jag, wounded but far from defeated, circled Taizen, his breathing heavy and his yellow eyes glowing with fury. Both fighters were battered, their bodies pushed to the limit, but neither was willing to back down. The battlefield was littered with the marks of their ferocious exchange—craters, broken stones, and blood-soaked earth.

For a brief moment, they stood still, each measuring the other. Taizen's chest heaved as he tightened his grip on his katana, determination burning in his eyes. Jag snarled, his powerful muscles coiling as he prepared for another onslaught.

This was a fight to the death, and only one would walk away.

For a while, the clash between Taizen and Jag was evenly matched, their strength and skill pushing each other to the limits. Taizen's katana danced in the air, meeting Jag's beastly strikes with precision, but slowly, Jag's claws began to find their mark. Each slash of his razor-sharp talons cut deeper, slicing through Taizen's armor and drawing blood, staining the earth beneath them.

Taizen gritted his teeth, ignoring the sting of his wounds. With every ounce of willpower, he fought back with renewed fury, his katana slicing through the air, determined to bring down the jaguar-beast. But Jag was relentless, his attacks coming faster, his monstrous speed and strength overwhelming Taizen. The beast's wild strikes became a storm, battering Taizen into a defensive stance.

As the battle dragged on, exhaustion began to weigh down on Taizen. His limbs grew heavy, his movements slower, less precise. Seeing the opening, Jag roared with feral rage and lunged forward, pinning Taizen to the ground in one swift motion. His claws dug into Taizen's throat, razor-sharp points pressing dangerously close to ending the fight.

Jag's breath was hot and ragged as he growled down at his opponent, his jaguar eyes gleaming with sadistic triumph. "You're a worthy opponent," he hissed, voice low and menacing, "but you're no match for me."

Taizen's eyes burned with defiance as he struggled beneath the beast's crushing weight. "I won't give up that easily," he spat, blood trickling from his lips.

Jag chuckled, a cold, mocking sound. "You have spirit, I'll give you that," he said, tightening his grip. "But it's time to end this." With a brutal swipe, Jag plunged his claws deep into Taizen's chest, a sickening thud reverberating through the battlefield.

Taizen gasped, the world around him spinning as pain ripped through his body. Darkness threatened to consume him, but just before he could succumb, a flash of silver sliced through the air.

Mionara charged in with lethal speed, his twin swords flashing as he slashed across Jag's chest in one swift, precise motion. Blood sprayed from the wound, and Jag howled in pain, stumbling backward, his claws retracting from Taizen.

Rico's voice echoed through the mountains as he barked orders to the agents, his voice carrying a mix of urgency and command. "Quick! Get Taizen out of here before Jag recovers! We'll handle him." Mionara, cold and composed, nodded grimly, his eyes never leaving Jag as he stepped in front of Taizen's fallen form.

The twins, Rioana and Fiona, who had been watching in eerie silence, now unsheathed their own weapons, advancing on Jag. Their movements were fluid and synchronized, their faces set in steely determination. One of them spoke, voice low and threatening, "You've bitten off more than you can chew, Jag."

Jag, his chest heaving, snarled in response, still recovering from the wound inflicted by Mionara. "You think you can defeat me?" he growled, his voice dripping with contempt.

Mionara's eyes narrowed as he replied coolly, "You were once a squad leader, Jag, but now you're nothing more than a rogue beast. A terrorist with no honor."

Jag's roar shook the air as he charged at Mionara, his claws raised high. But before he could strike, the twins intercepted him with their swords, their blades flashing as they met his claws head-on. The sound of steel clashing against bone echoed through the battlefield as sparks flew from the collision.

Rico watched from a distance, his eyes sharp and focused. He knew this battle would not be easy, but he had faith in his team. "Come on, Mionara," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "You can do this."

The fight raged on, fierce and unrelenting. Jag's strength was terrifying, but Mionara and the twins were skilled, their attacks coordinated and precise. Still, Jag seemed to grow stronger with every passing second, his fury fueling him. The team began to falter, their movements slowing under the relentless onslaught.

Mionara grunted as Jag landed a heavy blow, sending him crashing into a nearby rock. He winced in pain but didn't back down. The twins, breathing heavily, retreated momentarily to catch their breath as Jag stood tall, a vicious grin on his jaguar face.

With a triumphant roar, Jag raised his claws to deliver the final blow. Mionara, struggling to rise, lifted his sword just in time. But before the strike could land, Jag's voice, deep and insidious, cut through the air.

"You think you know the truth?" he snarled. "The beast organization is corrupt. They've been lying to you all along."

Mionara froze, confused by Jag's words. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, tightening his grip on his sword.

Jag growled, his voice laced with venom. "They want to destroy us because they fear us. They've been plotting to eliminate us from the start. But we won't go down without a fight. The truth will be revealed."

Mionara scoffed, shaking his head. "You're just trying to justify your treachery. The beast organization fights for justice, for peace."

"You're blind to the truth, boy," Jag sneered, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. "But I will make you see."

With a feral roar, Jag lunged again, his claws gleaming in the sun. Mionara braced himself, and the two collided once more, their weapons clashing with a force that shook the ground. Jag was relentless, his speed and strength threatening to overwhelm Mionara.

But Mionara, despite his exhaustion, managed to strike back. With a swift movement, his blade sliced through the air and caught Jag's arm, drawing a deep wound. Jag howled in pain, stumbling back as blood dripped from the fresh cut. "You… you'll pay for that," he growled, his eyes burning with fury.

Just as the team prepared for Jag's next attack, a commotion stirred in the distance. The agents were returning, carrying Taizen with them.

Jag hesitated, his eyes flickering with doubt for the first time. He growled low, backing away into the shadows of the mountains, disappearing from sight. The team breathed a collective sigh of relief, their bodies aching from the battle.

Rico stood solemnly, his gaze falling upon the lifeless body of Sam, his fallen comrade. The rest of the team gathered around, heads bowed in silent respect. Taizen was battered and bruised but alive, thanks to Mionara's timely intervention.

"He's probably gone back to recover," Rico finally said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Let's rest. We need to bury Sam and put him to rest. He's with the Gods now."

Mionara nodded, his voice soft but resolute. "Sam was a brave warrior. His sacrifice will not be in vain. We'll bring the beast organization to justice."

Rioana and Fiona stood in silent mourning, their expressions solemn. The weight of their comrade's death pressed heavily on them all, but there was no time for grief. They had a mission to complete.

As they began to dig a grave for Sam, Rico's guilt gnawed at him. He had led this mission, and it was his responsibility to bring them all back alive. But now, they were one member short.

"We'll honor his memory," Rico whispered. "We'll fight on in his name. His death won't be in vain."

"He's fighting for the God now" they all said

In silence, the team laid Sam to rest, each saying their own quiet goodbye, vowing to carry on in his name.p