As Zarzock returned to the battlefield, his eyes locked onto Yaxoc, who stood with a determined glare.
"Found you," Yaxoc said, his voice dripping with confidence.
Zarzock's fists clenched as frustration bubbled within him. "That meddling kid… Fate left me completely vulnerable," he thought.
Before Zarzock could act, Yaxoc lunged forward, landing a crushing blow to his face that sent him crashing into a nearby wall.
"Ugh!" Zarzock groaned, pulling himself up. "Fine! If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get!"
Fueled by his demonic essence, Zarzock charged at Yaxoc with a flurry of strikes. Yaxoc dodged every blow with precision, countering with a devastating right hook and a spinning kick that launched Zarzock into the air. Wasting no opportunity, Yaxoc relentlessly followed up, delivering a storm of strikes midair. He finished the onslaught with a thunderous kick that sent Zarzock flying.
Teleporting behind his opponent, Yaxoc muttered, "Dream Magic: Illusions."
Suddenly, countless afterimages of Yaxoc appeared, surrounding Zarzock. Each image landed a hit before vanishing, disorienting Zarzock with their unrelenting assault. As the real Yaxoc emerged to land the finishing blow, Zarzock managed to block the attack and counter with a powerful strike that forced Yaxoc to retreat.
Zarzock unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, his frustration mounting. Yaxoc sprinted forward, dodging each projectile with fluid grace.
"Stop moving and just DIE!" Zarzock roared, sending out massive blasts that scorched the battlefield.
Yaxoc leaped onto a crumbling wall, using it as a springboard to deliver a flying punch to Zarzock's face. Without pause, he sidestepped to land a brutal kick to Zarzock's ribs, sending him skidding across the ground.
Zarzock recovered quickly, catching Yaxoc's foot mid-attack and countering with a punch that staggered him. Using the moment, Zarzock fired a concentrated blast, but Yaxoc swatted it away effortlessly. The two exchanged blows, each countering and dodging in a rapid-fire sequence of attacks. Finally, Yaxoc teleported behind Zarzock and delivered a powerful punch to his back, a burst of energy rippling from the impact as Zarzock was sent flying.
Yaxoc raised his hand, chanting, "Dream Magic: Purple."
A colossal purple orb materialized behind him, radiating destructive energy as it launched toward Zarzock.
Eyes widening, Zarzock barely ducked under the orb as it obliterated everything in its path. "That thing's massive…" he muttered.
Teleporting behind Zarzock, Yaxoc placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Wanna know what else is massive?"
Zarzock turned in confusion, only for Yaxoc to grin mischievously.
"THIS LOW TAPER PUNCH!" Yaxoc roared, delivering an uppercut so powerful it sent Zarzock hurtling skyward.
Yaxoc teleported above him, grabbing his leg and swinging him around like a ragdoll before hurling him to the ground with such force that the impact created a massive crater.
Groaning, Zarzock staggered to his feet, his eyes blazing with rage as he met Yaxoc's mocking grin.
"You bastard… You're going to regret that," Zarzock growled.
Yaxoc's grin only widened. "What's wrong? Can't keep up?"
Zarzock's temper snapped. His furious scream shook the battlefield, the ground quaking violently as entire trees and structures were erased from existence.
"What the hell is going on!?" Yaxoc shouted, bracing himself against the tremors as the Earth itself seemed to rebel.
Zarzock unleashed a massive explosion, the shockwave hurling Yaxoc into a giant tree. Groaning, Yaxoc stood and stared in disbelief at Zarzock's transformed state.
"The battle of masteries ends here," Zarzock declared, his voice echoing ominously. "All of humanity will tremble before my existence… starting with you."
Yaxoc smirked, brushing off the dirt. "You think I'm scared of you?"
Zarzock's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What did you just say?"
"I'm not scared of you," Yaxoc said firmly, locking eyes with Zarzock. "You're all talk."
Zarzock roared in fury, summoning a massive energy scythe. "PREPARE YOURSELF!"
Yaxoc's fists ignited with bright yellow energy as his eyes began to glow. "Alright," he said bluntly, dropping into a fighting stance.
The two clashed in a blur of motion, Zarzock swinging his scythe wildly as Yaxoc countered with precise attacks. A powerful manji kick sent Zarzock crashing through multiple buildings. Zarzock barely had time to recover before Yaxoc shoved him upward, throwing him into the sky.
Leaping after him, Yaxoc attempted a sledgehammer strike, but Zarzock blocked with his scythe. A quick slash tore through part of Yaxoc's jacket, but Yaxoc retaliated by smashing Zarzock's face into the ground, shaking the planet itself.
Zarzock retaliated by summoning five slashes of energy, each erasing stars in the sky as they soared toward Yaxoc. Dodging with precision, Yaxoc muttered to himself, "Those can erase entire stars? This might actually be tricky."
Mocking him, Zarzock sneered. "What's wrong? Finally scared?"
"Not even close," Yaxoc replied, his tone calm. "Danger's just another teacher."
Yaxoc lunged, landing a series of blows before teleporting rapidly to disorient Zarzock. With a final leap, he shouted, "ANGELIC FLASH!"
The devastating attack hit Zarzock's gut, releasing a shockwave that sent him spiraling into space. Yaxoc pursued, unleashing a barrage of attacks at blinding speed, each strike reverberating across the void.
Teleporting above Zarzock, Yaxoc delivered a final front-flip kick that sent him crashing back to Earth, creating a massive crater.
Groaning in pain, Zarzock staggered to his feet once more, glaring at Yaxoc with unyielding fury.
Yaxoc dusted himself off, an amused grin spreading across his face. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, cocking a brow. "I thought you were stronger than this."
Zarzock staggered to his feet, gripping his scythe tightly. "I swear, I'll get rid of you," he snarled. His energy surged back with an ominous glow, and a smirk crept onto his face. "Perfect timing."
Yaxoc felt the shift in the air, his gaze narrowing. "So, you were holding back? For what?"
Zarzock didn't answer. He lunged forward, landing a brutal punch to Yaxoc's face, followed by a sharp kick to his jaw that launched him skyward. Zarzock teleported behind him, reaching to grab his face, but Yaxoc countered with a precise elbow strike. Grabbing Zarzock's arm mid-air, Yaxoc hurled him downward and teleported ahead to deliver a shove, leaving Zarzock dazed.
"Not bad," Yaxoc said, appearing before his opponent. He unleashed a powerful punch, but Zarzock blocked it with a hook that made Yaxoc wince. Wasting no time, Zarzock swung his scythe in a deadly arc. Yaxoc narrowly dodged, the blade only grazing his jacket, but Zarzock pressed his advantage, teleporting behind Yaxoc to deliver a finishing blow.
Yaxoc spun, caught the scythe's shaft mid-swing, and wrenched it from Zarzock's grip, slamming it into his face. With a flick of his wrist, he shattered the weapon.
Zarzock roared in fury, lunging with raw fists. His blows came like a storm, but Yaxoc deftly evaded each one, retaliating with a counter-punch. Zarzock caught his fist, snapping Yaxoc's wrist with a sickening crunch.
Yaxoc winced but smirked as his wrist regenerated. "You forgot. I don't stay broken."
Before he could finish, Zarzock's energy blade cleaved through his arm. Pain wracked Yaxoc's body as he fell to his knees, clutching the stump where his arm had been.
"Without that, you're vulnerable," Zarzock sneered, delivering a crushing punch that sent Yaxoc hurtling to the ground unconscious. Zarzock descended slowly, standing over Yaxoc's limp form.
"You were strong, I'll give you that," Zarzock admitted. "But your time is over. Maybe your parents will see just how pathetic their little champion really was."
As he raised a crackling beam of energy to finish Yaxoc, a brilliant star-shaped blast intercepted it, dispersing the energy. Zarzock turned sharply, his expression darkening as Luna stepped forward, her fists trembling with fury.
"I won't let you take him down," Luna declared. "I'll stop you myself."
Zarzock laughed mockingly. "You? The weakest of them all? You couldn't stop me if I let you try."
Before Zarzock could attack, Moonlight and Marcus joined the fray.
"She's not alone," Moonlight said, her angelic aura flaring.
"Guess we got here just in time," Marcus added with a smirk.
Zarzock sneered. "So, the whole band's here. Let's see how long you last."
The trio launched their assault. Luna and Moonlight coordinated swift strikes, but Zarzock dodged their every move, striking back with calculated precision. Marcus teleported behind him, aiming a powerful kick to Zarzock's ribs, but Zarzock caught his leg mid-swing, slamming him into the ground.
Marcus groaned but quickly retaliated with a spell. "Fire Magic: Dragon Breath!" A blazing red dragon formed in the air, unleashing a barrage of fiery orbs at Zarzock.
Zarzock deflected each one with ease, dispersing the dragon in an instant. "Is this all you've got?" he jeered, appearing before Marcus and striking him down with a single blow.
"No!" Luna cried out, lunging at Zarzock, but he teleported behind her, driving a devastating punch to her gut. She crumpled to the ground as Moonlight roared in anger. Her angelic essence flared to life, and she charged at a speed that surpassed Yaxoc's.
Zarzock barely had time to react as Moonlight unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes, her blade cutting through the air with divine precision. Blow after blow landed, sending Zarzock crashing through walls and rooftops until he came to rest on a broken structure, groaning in pain.
"You're done!" Moonlight declared, teleporting in front of him and landing a devastating uppercut.
But Zarzock grabbed her wrist mid-strike. "Enough," he said coldly. "I grow tired of this game." With a surge of energy, he threw Moonlight aside, finishing her with a blast.
As he stood victorious, Zarzock grinned. "My wish shall be realized."
"Not yet," a voice called out.
Zarzock spun around to see Marcus, glowing with renewed power. "Awakened from death, I feel stronger than ever."
Zarzock dismissed it as an illusion—until Marcus unleashed a devastating spell. "Fire and Ice Technique: White Death!" A swirling storm of lava and pressurized ice engulfed Zarzock, injuring him severely.
"You brat!" Zarzock roared, his energy spiraling out of control. Just as he prepared to retaliate, a sword pierced through his chest.
"Dismantle," a cold voice whispered.
Zarzock's body began to crumble as he turned to see Yaxocara, her sword glowing with divine power.
"Yaxocara?" Marcus stammered, stunned. "How...?"
"I've awakened," she replied curtly, resting her blade on her shoulder. "Now, where's Yaxoc?"
Marcus pointed to the unconscious figure. Yaxocara approached him, her sword glowing. "Artificial Magic: Regeneration."
Yaxoc's arm restored itself, and he stirred awake, blinking up at her.
"Huh?! Am I dreaming? I swear, I don't have a crush on you!" Yaxoc shouted, his voice panicked.
Yaxocara facepalmed. "You idiot! This isn't a dream! And for the record, no girl wants you!"
Yaxoc shrugged sheepishly. "Fair point."
Before they could regroup, a dimensional cube descended, sealing them both inside. Marcus watched in horror as the scene unfolded.
"They sealed them... but how?" Marcus muttered, turning to the injured Luna and Moonlight. "No time to waste. I have to help them."