The room was shrouded in a heavy silence, the kind that presses against the chest and quickens the breath. Ash stood across from Katsuo, his katana held firmly in his hands. The faint blue light of the sacred room danced over the polished stone floor, reflecting off their blades.
Katsuo turned fully to face him, his calm demeanor betraying nothing of the deadly intent in his eyes. The fiery dragon tattoo on his back shifted as he moved, its design a haunting reminder of the power Katsuo wielded.
"I always knew this day would come," Katsuo said, his voice low and sharp. "Humans are creatures of betrayal. No matter how much I gave you, this was inevitable."
Ash's grip on his katana tightened. "You didn't give me anything. You stole my freedom, used me as a tool. I'm here to take it back."
The corners of Katsuo's mouth curved into a faint, mocking smile. "Freedom? Do you think freedom is something you can simply take? You'll never escape the chains I've placed on you."
There were no more words. Katsuo moved first, his figure vanishing in an instant. The next moment, he reappeared in front of Ash, his katana already mid-swing. Ash barely managed to block, the force of the attack sending a jarring vibration through his arms.
"Swift Phantom Strike," Katsuo murmured as he followed up with a relentless series of blows.
Ash's blade moved instinctively, deflecting strike after strike, but Katsuo's speed was overwhelming. Every swing came faster, heavier, and with perfect precision. Sparks flew as their swords clashed, the sound of metal ringing through the room.
"You've improved," Katsuo admitted, his tone almost bored. "But improvement without mastery is just wasted effort."
Ash gritted his teeth and launched his own attack, his blade glowing faintly red as he shouted, "Crimson Fang Barrage!" A rapid series of slashes cut through the air, each one aimed with deadly precision.
Katsuo met the attack head-on, his katana moving effortlessly to counter each strike. He spun gracefully, deflecting the last slash before countering with a brutal upward swing. Ash leapt back, but not fast enough—Katsuo's blade grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.
The pain was sharp, but Ash didn't falter. He tightened his stance, his eyes locked on Katsuo.
"You'll have to do better than that," Katsuo said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Ash's breathing grew heavier, but he refused to back down. "Blazing Horizon!" he roared, his katana bursting with fiery energy. The attack surged toward Katsuo, a wave of searing light and heat.
Katsuo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. With a single swing of his blade, he cut through the energy wave as though it were nothing. The force of his counter sent Ash flying, crashing into a pillar on the far side of the room.
Raiden watched silently from the shadows. He had seen many battles in his life, but nothing like this. Katsuo wasn't just a swordsman—he was a force of nature.
Ash staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. His body ached, but his resolve was unshaken.
Katsuo approached slowly, his katana resting on his shoulder. "Why do you persist? You're outmatched. Surrender, and I might spare your life."
Ash's voice was steady, though his body trembled. "Because I'm not fighting for me. I'm fighting for everyone you've enslaved. I won't stop until you're defeated."
The room seemed to shudder as Ash drew on the last of his strength. His movements became erratic, unpredictable, his blade a blur as he charged Katsuo. The clash of their swords echoed like thunder, each strike more ferocious than the last.
But Katsuo's skill was undeniable. He moved with a precision that made Ash's attacks seem reckless. A well-timed counter sent Ash's katana flying across the room. Katsuo's blade was at Ash's throat in an instant.
"You were never meant to surpass me," Katsuo said coldly. "No one can."
Ash's knees threatened to buckle, but deep inside, something stirred. A surge of raw energy coursed through his veins, rekindling the fire in his eyes. He glared at Katsuo, his voice steady and defiant.
"This fight isn't over," Ash said, his aura flaring with newfound intensity.
Katsuo stepped back, his gaze narrowing as he studied the change in Ash. "Interesting," he muttered. "Perhaps I underestimated you after all."
Their blades clashed once more, the outcome hanging in the balance as the sacred room bore witness to the battle of master and student.