The scene shifts to a quaint, dimly lit bar just a small distance from the battlefield. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. The faint hum of a jukebox provided background noise, though it was barely audible over the muffled clashing of swords echoing from the direction of the clearing.
At one of the windows, Eleo with sparkling eyes, pressed his face against the glass with unrestrained excitement. His little hands left smudges on the glass as he leaned closer, his expression filled with awe. Beside him, Tony who sat on a stool with his arms crossed, gazing out the window with a more subdued interest.
"Wowww!" Eleo exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder and admiration. "Tony, look at them go! They're so cool!" His words tumbled out rapidly as his eyes darted back and forth, following the flashes of steel in the moonlight. "That guy with the sword—what's his name again? Oh yeah, Kenji! He's, like, super fast! And strong! Did you see that spin attack he did earlier? That was awesome!"
Tony tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, but he gave a small nod. "Yeah," he said in a measured tone. "Kenji's got some serious skills. He's not holding back, that's for sure."
"And the other guy! Mikage!" Eleo continued, bouncing on his heels. "He's so cool too! Did you see how he dodged that big swing? It was like—whoosh!" Eleo mimicked the motion with his arms, almost falling over in the process.
Tony reached out instinctively, steadying Eleo with one hand. "Careful, kid," he said, a faint hint of amusement in his voice.
Eleo didn't seem to hear him, his enthusiasm undeterred. "I mean, they're both so strong! It's like they're in one of those warrior stories that I used to read You know, the ones with the epic battles and the heroes who never give up!"
Tony glanced out the window again, watching as Kenji and Mikage clashed once more, their movements a blur of speed and precision. "Yeah," he said after a moment. "Something like that."
Eleo turned to Tony, his eyes shining with excitement. "Do you think they'll ever stop fighting? Or will they just keep going forever? Like, maybe they'll become best friends after this and team up to fight evil or something! That would be so cool!"
Tony chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "I don't know, Eleo. Some fights aren't about good guys or bad guys. Sometimes it's just… two people who refuse to back down."
Eleo tilted his head, his ears twitching slightly as he considered Tony's words. "Huh... I guess you're right. But still, wouldn't it be nice if they just talked it out instead of fighting? Like, maybe they could sit down and have some juice or something. Everyone loves juice!"
Tony raised an eyebrow, giving Eleo a sidelong glance. "Yeah, kid. I'm sure they'd both love to have a juice break in the middle of trying to cut each other in half."
Eleo laughed, an infectious, carefree sound that filled the bar. "Okay, maybe not juice. But, like... they could just hang out and be friends instead of fighting! I mean, they're both so cool. It's kinda sad that they're trying to hurt each other."
Tony didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the scene outside. The clashing of swords continued, the sound sharp and relentless. After a moment, he sighed. "That's just how some people are, kid. Sometimes, fighting is the only way they know how to talk."
Eleo frowned, his youthful optimism briefly dimmed. "That's kinda sad," he murmured, his voice softer now. "I hope they figure out a better way to talk someday."
Tony gave a small shrug. "Maybe they will. Or maybe they won't. Either way, it's their fight, not ours."
Eleo nodded slowly, though his gaze remained fixed on the battle. "Do you think they'll ever stop?" he asked after a long pause.
Tony leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. "Who knows? But if they don't, at least you'll have something cool to watch for a while."
Eleo beamed at that, his cheerful energy returning. "Yeah! It's like my own personal action book!" He pressed his face against the window once more, his tail wagging with excitement as he watched Kenji and Mikage continue their intense duel.
Tony chuckled again, shaking his head. "You're something else, kid."
Outside, the battle raged on, the two warriors locked in their unyielding clash. But inside the bar, the warmth and light of the small space seemed to shield Eleo and Tony from the harshness of the fight. For Eleo, it wasn't a life-or-death struggle—it was a story, a spectacle, a dream of heroism and adventure. And for Tony, it was just another moment to quietly enjoy the simplicity of the kid's endless enthusiasm.
"Hey, Tony," Eleo said suddenly, turning to look at him.
"Yeah, what is it?" Tony replied, raising an eyebrow.
"When I grow up, do you think I'll be as cool as them?" Eleo asked, his voice filled with hope and determination.
Tony smiled faintly. "Kid, if you keep that fire in you, you might just be cooler."
Eleo's grin widened, and he turned back to the window, watching the battle with renewed excitement. "I can't wait!" he said, his voice brimming with ambition. The battlefield was in ruins, the ground torn apart by the relentless clash of steel. The moon hung high above, illuminating the two warriors who stood a few paces apart, their bodies battered, their breaths ragged.
Kenji lowered his stance, his sword trembling slightly in his grip, not from weakness but from the barely contained energy surging through him. His eyes burned like a wildfire, locked onto Mikage, who stood firm, daggers at the ready, his face calm but his chest heaving.
The wind howled, carrying with it the tension that hung thick in the air. Kenji's grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles white. His voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the night like a blade:
**"Ken-Surasshu!"**
With that primal yell, Kenji crossed his sword in front of him, the blade glowing faintly with a mix of his fury and determination. The ground beneath him cracked as he launched forward in a blinding dash, the sheer speed of his movement leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
Mikage's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, his body reacting on instinct as he raised his daggers to defend. But Kenji was on him in an instant, his blade coming down in a devastating arc, the force of the slash tearing through the air.
**SLASH!**
The sound of steel cutting through something echoed across the battlefield, followed by a flash of light that illuminated the clearing for a brief moment.
Both warriors froze.
The world seemed to hold its breath.