### NITAROR
Ray was high in air. A mischievous grin spread across his face. He placed hands on his forehead theatrically. His voice carried in the thin air. It was sharp. It carried a mocking edge. Each word was like a blade. It cut through the silence.
Under Ray, Deku stood frozen. His eyes narrowed in confusion. Ray had teleported with sheer speed.
Deku's frustration boiled over. He erupted in his native tongue. It was an incomprehensible roar. It was filled with raw emotion.
Mint stood in the shadows. He observed the scene. His arms were folded. And his brow was furrowed. His gaze switched between Ray and Keys. And a hint of doubt crept in. It was so unusual for his composed demeanor. Can these two really be species as humans? The thought gnawed at him. It was a question born of unease.
"Tch," Mint muttered under his breath. He snapped out of his musings. He straightened. His tone became sharp and commanding. He barked orders. "Deku, initiate a left and right attack. We don't have time for games."
Mint did not hesitate. He turned his attention to the nearby live warriors. His voice rose above the chaos. "Prepare to host Kaku!"
At the mention of Kaku, warriors stiffened. Their faces hardened with resolve. Kaku was a defective alien. He lay slumped in the distance. A grotesque, formless mass and he seemed barely alive. Without a host, Kaku was just a burden. He was unable to stand fight or think.
The leftmost warriors moved quickly. Their steps were deliberate. They approached the quivering form of Kaku. The moment their hands made contact a grotesque transformation began. Kaku's body was gelatinous and alive. It spread over them like a living cloak. It engulfed their forms in a liquid embrace. In moments, the warriors became unrecognizable. Their bodies were reshaped into perfect replicas of Deku. But their stature remained human-sized.
Kaku's new forms weren't as powerful as Deku's. Still, they stood ready—an army of lesser copies. It wasn't perfection. But Mint knew it was better than nothing.
From his vantage point, Ray chuckled. The sound echoed across the battlefield. "Is this your plan, Patchwork warriors and second-rate clones?" His voice dripped with disdain.
Mint clenched his fists. His jaw tightened as he stared down the smug figure in the sky. "Even a spark can start a wildfire, Ray. You'll regret underestimating us."
Jacob gripped his sword's hilt. He glared at Keys with a mix of frustration, and defiance. They had been exchanging words for a while. The conversation felt like a game he was losing.
Keys lounged. His posture was relaxed. His words, however, were sharp and deliberate. He teased Jacob, "Why so tense?" His grin was sly. "Are you starting to think you're weaker than me?"
Jacob's jaw clenched tighter. He snapped. His voice held conviction. "Weaker? I've won battles with this sword. Countless battles."
Keys tilted his head. His expression was one of indifference. It was amused. "Is that so?" He leaned forward a bit. His grin widened. And then Jacob asks Keys "Want me to drop my sword?"
The question caught Keys off guard. "What? Why would you say that?"
Keys with a chuckle. His tone was playful. It was condescending. "Why, Jacob? Did I ever tell you to drop it? And why even for a moment do you think that sword of yours would make a difference against me?"
Jacob's eyes flared with anger. He took a step forward. "This sword has seen me through countless victories!" he shouted. His voice echoed across the rocky landscape.
Keys vanished. No sound. No warning. Just an empty space where he was standing a heartbeat ago. Jacob's instincts flared. Before he could react however a sharp kick landed behind his knees. The force was enough. It sent him crashing down. His sword clattered against the ground.
"Tch," Keys muttered. He stood over Jacob with an air of disappointment. "Still thinking I'm like everyone else?"
Jacob winced. He struggled to rise. But Keys was already a blur of motion. In an instant, he was in front of Jacob. His hand gripped a fistful of Jacob's hair. "Still thinking, huh?" he growled, his voice low. It was threatening.
Jacob froze. His mind raced to comprehend Keys' speed. Words caught in his throat. Pride and confusion warred. But before he could muster a response, Keys vanished. Only the faintest shimmer remained in the air.
Jacob turned. Keys was back atop the rock where he had been lounging before. He reclined with ease, propping his chin on his hand. Then he called out. His voice seemed to drip with mock boredom.
"Do something, Jacob. I'm getting bored."
Jacob stayed put. His body was still trembling. The shock of Keys' overwhelming speed still lingered. His sword lay on the ground. It was a stark reminder. He felt so powerless in this moment.
Jacob's hand gripped his sword's hilt. He steadied himself. Heavy but measured breaths escaped his chest. His gaze locked onto Keys. Keys remained on the rock. He possessed the same calm manner that Jacob found maddeningly annoying.
"Your speed-" began Jacob. His voice was tinged with frustration and disbelief.
Unable to finish the sentence, Keys sat up quickly. His body appeared to stiffen. It was almost as if he was pretending to be ready. A deeper smirk appeared on his face. "My speed?" he repeated. His voice was mocking. However, it carried a dangerous undertone. "You want to see more?"
Jacob was puzzled. He did not comprehend. "Huh?" he asked. But Keys didn't wait for more. In one movement he leaped off a rock. The motion was quick. Jacob's eyes could hardly keep track of it. It felt like air was warping around him.
Jacob registered the movement slightly. A sharp sting cut through his ear. He staggered back. An instinct rose. He raised a hand to his ear. Blood trickled through his fingers.
Keys landed, his body stiff. His grin widened. "You cut my ear, huh?" Jacob spat. He looked at him with an angry glare. "This is what you wanted to show me?"
Keys burst into peals of laughter. His laughter echoed like a cruel melody. "Your ear? That's all you noticed?" he said between chuckles.
Jacob froze. His expression changed from anger to unease. His free hand moved instinctively. It patted down his body. It searched for other wounds he hadn't felt. Those he overlooked in the heat of the moment.
Keys watched with an almost lazy amusement. His head shook. "Not quite what I meant," he said. Then with a sharp cutting tone, he added, "Your friend. Is he okay?"
To be continued...