Temoshí took a sharp breath, his instincts kicking into overdrive as Jactur's massive fist came crashing down, the impact sending tremors through the theater floor. Without hesitation, he leaped into the air, his body twisting mid-flight as the puppet's other arm swung in his direction. The strike narrowly missed, its force creating a gust of wind that sent ripples through Temoshí's coat.
Landing gracefully on the floor, Temoshí immediately rolled beneath Jactur's towering legs as they stomped down, each step threatening to crush him like an insect. His movements were fluid, his reflexes razor-sharp as he twisted and darted in every direction to avoid the relentless assault.
"Ah, look at you, dancing through my grand performance," Aurelio's voice crackled through the speakers, his tone amused yet laced with condescension. "I must say, captain, your agility is impressive. Like a mouse scrambling in the shadow of a giant. But how long can you keep it up, I wonder?"
Temoshí didn't respond immediately, too focused on staying ahead of Jactur's attacks. As the puppet roared mechanically, its massive frame lunged forward, swinging both arms in a sweeping motion. Temoshí jumped again, flipping mid-air to evade the attack, his body spinning like a wheel before landing just behind Jactur's hulking back.
The puppet's head jerked unnaturally, its glowing red eyes swiveling toward him. With a loud whirring sound, it swung its arm in an arc, forcing Temoshí to slide sideways across the floor, his feet skimming just inches from the edge of impact.
"You're seriously calling this a performance?!" Temoshí barked, irritation flashing across his face as he darted out of the way of another thunderous swing. "This oversized hunk of junk doesn't even have a sense of rhythm! What kind of lunatic builds a giant death puppet just to show off?"
Aurelio's laughter echoed through the theater, unbothered by the complaint. "Ah, captain, you wound me. Jactur is a masterpiece of design, art, and precision. But I suppose I shouldn't expect a brute like you to appreciate the finer details of true craftsmanship."
"Craftsmanship?!" Temoshí shouted, dodging another strike by skidding under the puppet's legs. "This thing's just a walking pile of metal made to flatten people. Don't act like it's anything more than a glorified battering ram!"
"You've got such a small imagination, captain," Aurelio replied smoothly, his voice dripping with mockery. "Jactur is far more than a battering ram. He's a symbol of power, a guardian of my theater's legacy, and, most importantly, your executioner."
Temoshí clenched his jaw but remained silent, his focus locked on Jactur. The puppet roared mechanically once more, its glowing eyes burning brighter as it unleashed a flurry of rapid swings, its movements deceptively fast for its size. The captain ducked, swerved, and skidded with precision, his body weaving around each strike like water flowing through a maze.
With a sudden burst of determination, Temoshí raised his hand, summoning flames that surged around his fingers. The orange glow intensified, the heat radiating off him in waves. He clenched his fists tighter, and the flames shifted to a brilliant azure hue, their temperature spiking as they roared to life.
"You want art?" Temoshí growled, his voice steady but filled with defiance. "Let's see how your masterpiece handles this!"
The azure flames burst forward in a concentrated wave, colliding with Jactur's chest. The massive puppet staggered back, its mechanical roar sounding almost distorted as the flames licked at its metal surface.
"Ah, there it is!" Aurelio's voice rang out, this time with genuine excitement. "The blue flames I've been waiting to see. Marvelous, captain, truly marvelous! But do you really think that will be enough? Jactur is far from finished. This performance is only just beginning!"
Jactur straightened, its massive frame glowing faintly as it absorbed the flames' impact. It roared louder than before, raising its arms in preparation for another devastating attack.
Temoshí's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
Temoshí's azure flames flared in defiance, but Jactur responded with a mechanical roar that shook the very walls of the theater. The massive puppet lunged forward, its towering frame casting a shadow over the captain. Temoshí darted to the side, his movements fluid and precise, but as he prepared to counter, his foot slipped on a patch of scorched debris left by his own flames.
The mistake was minor, but against a foe like Jactur, it was fatal. The puppet's enormous fist came crashing down like a meteor, slamming into Temoshí's side with a deafening boom. The impact sent him flying across the room, his body colliding with a column and shattering it on contact. A sharp cry escaped his lips as pain rippled through his ribs like fire.
Aurelio's voice crackled through the speakers, dripping with sadistic glee. "Oh dear, captain! Did you lose your footing? Such a shame—you were doing so well."
Temoshí tried to rise, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but Jactur was relentless. The puppet advanced, its mechanical eyes glowing brighter as it raised both fists and slammed them into the ground. The shockwave rippled outward, catching Temoshí mid-recovery and throwing him off balance again.
His body slammed into the floor, but through sheer willpower, he twisted to the side just in time to avoid the crushing weight of Jactur's fist. The puppet's follow-up was swift, but Temoshí was faster—dodging another massive swing, rolling beneath the incoming arm to escape the damage. He sprung back to his feet, his muscles aching with every movement.
"That's it, captain," Aurelio taunted, his voice oozing smugness. "Feel the weight of true power. Isn't it exhilarating?"
Temoshí gritted his teeth, taking advantage of the small breathing room he had gained. He dashed forward, his eyes locked on the puppet's glowing eyes. As Jactur swung a fist aimed at him from above, he ducked beneath it, the heavy fist missing by mere inches. He rolled once more, his body moving in a fluid, defensive pattern. But even as he dodged, his body was tiring.
Jactur's next attack was more calculated. With a monstrous roar, it slammed both fists into the ground in a powerful double strike. The shockwave caused the floor to crack and shake, and for a moment, it seemed the very foundations of the theater might crumble.
Temoshí barely managed to leap backward, his body twisting in mid-air, narrowly evading the destructive shockwave. But the reprieve was short-lived. Jactur swung its massive leg in a wide arc, aiming to catch him off guard. Temoshí gritted his teeth, his flames flaring as he increased his speed. With a desperate roll, he narrowly avoided the colossal foot, feeling the heat from the puppet's attack rush past him.
But as he landed and scrambled to recover, a slight misstep caused him to lose his footing just long enough for Jactur to capitalize on his weakness. The puppet's enormous foot swung sideways, and before he could react, it connected with his body, sending him crashing into another wall. The impact shattered the stone, and the pain was immediate and overwhelming.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to push himself up, his arms trembling under the weight of his own body.
"That's it, captain," Aurelio's voice taunted, cool and indifferent. "You've had your fun. Now the real performance begins."
Temoshí, dizzy and bloodied, pushed against the floor with a groan. He struggled to rise, his body refusing to cooperate. Every bone in his body ached, his chest tight from the pressure of each blow.
Jactur moved in for the kill. Its massive fist swung down, aiming to crush him beneath its immense power. With a flash of instinct, Temoshí summoned a burst of strength, rolling to the side. His body was still bruised and broken, but the fire in his chest burned brighter.
"This... puppet... he's relentless," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice raspy but defiant.
Jactur loomed over him, raising its fist again for the final blow. But even as his vision blurred and his body screamed in agony, Temoshí's eyes burned with unyielding determination.
Temoshí's breath was ragged, his body battered and bruised, but in that moment, something inside him snapped. The pain, the exhaustion, the taunts—none of it mattered. What mattered was that he refused to give in.
With a low, guttural growl, he slammed his fist into the ground, his muscles burning as he pushed everything he had left into the strike. The earth beneath him cracked as a torrent of orange flames surged from the ground like a volcano erupting. The fire roared, spiraling upwards in a towering pillar of intense heat and power.
Jactur's massive figure froze, its mechanical eyes locking onto the flames with an almost confused intensity. The fire exploded outward, sending shockwaves of heat and energy that reverberated throughout the entire theater.
The puppet staggered backward, its enormous limbs lurching as if caught in the grip of some invisible force. The flames surrounded it, searing its limbs and setting its mechanical body ablaze. Smoke and sparks erupted from the joints of the puppet's arms and legs, the once-unyielding titan now buckling under the intense firestorm.
But then, with a sudden, violent twist, the fire detached itself from the ground. The flames shot forward like a spear, wrapping around Jactur's right arm. The fire quickly spiraled, consuming the puppet's limb in an inferno of orange heat. Its massive arm flailed desperately, but the flames had already done their damage. The metal, once solid and unyielding, now twisted and buckled under the heat, melting into a grotesque, distorted mass.
Jactur's mechanical roar echoed through the theater, more desperate than ever, as it tried to stomp forward, but the flames surged higher, forcing it back. The heat was unbearable, the orange blaze reflecting off the walls like a furnace. For the first time, Jactur faltered, its movements slow and clumsy as the fire raged around it.
Temoshí, eyes narrowed, gritted his teeth and pushed further, his body trembling with the effort. "Not... today," he muttered under his breath, sweat dripping down his forehead.
The flames continued to consume Jactur's right arm, setting it ablaze and sending plumes of smoke into the air. The puppet's body trembled as the fire ate away at its joints and gears, slowly grinding it to a halt.
For a brief moment, the theater was silent, save for the crackling of the flames. The puppet's right arm was now little more than a charred, smoldering wreck, its once-formidable guardian status now in question.
Aurelio's voice crackled through the speakers once more, though there was a noticeable lack of amusement in it this time. "Impressive, captain. But don't get too comfortable. The show is far from over."
Temoshí's eyes burned with defiance as he locked onto the smoldering remains of Jactur. "How'd you like them apples?" he inquired, his voice rough but resolute.
To be continued...