The sun hung low on the horizon as Dante trudged through the snowy pass, his breath visible in the frigid air. He was on a solo mission to retrieve the Snow Orb, a relic said to grant control over ice magic. The solitude was a welcome change from the chaos of the past few days.
"Just another simple grab-and-go mission," Dante muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he moved deeper into the icy landscape.
But his peace was short-lived. From the shadows of the frost-covered trees, a figure stepped forward, clad in white robes that blended seamlessly with the snow. The man carried a slender katana at his side, his presence commanding and calm.
"Dante of black Sun," the man said, his voice cold and sharp as the wind. "I've heard of your exploits. I am Jay. Let's see if the rumors are true."
Dante tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "An ambush? How original. You got a reason for this, or are you just bored?"
Jay didn't respond. Instead, he lunged forward, his katana flashing in the dim light. Dante barely managed to parry the attack, the force of the clash sending vibrations up his arm.
"So that's how it's going to be," Dante muttered, his grin widening. He leaped back, drawing his massive greatsword in one fluid motion. "Fine by me. Let's dance!"
Clash of Blades
Jay closed the distance with inhuman speed, his katana striking in quick, precise arcs. Dante countered with broad, powerful swings of his sword, each clash ringing out like a thunderclap. Snow sprayed into the air with every movement, creating a whirlwind of white around the two combatants.
Jay feinted to the left, then darted to the right, his blade aiming for Dante's side. Dante twisted his body, bringing his sword around in a wide arc that forced Jay to retreat.
"You're quick," Dante said, his eyes narrowing. "But let's see how you handle this!"
He raised his sword high, the blade glowing faintly with Zetsu energy. "Angel's Assault: Falling Sky Cleave!"
Dante slammed his sword into the ground with immense force. The earth quaked as a shockwave of energy erupted, fissures splitting the frozen ground and surging toward Jay.
Jay leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack. He flipped mid-air, his katana glowing with a pale blue light. "Not bad, but you'll have to do better!"
He descended like a falcon, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Dante barely managed to block the strike, the impact pushing him back several feet.
Speed vs. Strength
Jay didn't let up. He darted around Dante in a blur, his katana striking from every angle. Dante struggled to keep up, his larger weapon making it difficult to match Jay's speed.
"Too slow!" Jay taunted, landing a swift kick to Dante's chest. Dante stumbled, but he used the momentum to spin and deliver a sweeping strike.
The edge of his blade grazed Jay's leg, drawing blood and forcing him to retreat. "Got you," Dante said, breathing heavily.
Jay touched his wound, his expression unreadable. "You're stronger than I expected," he admitted. "But strength alone won't save you."
With a burst of speed, Jay closed the distance again, his movements a blur. Dante couldn't follow his opponent's motions, relying on instinct to parry the incoming strikes.
Jay's blade flashed, slicing a shallow cut across Dante's shoulder. He followed up with a spinning kick to Dante's neck, the force of the blow sending him to one knee.
"Damn it," Dante muttered, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "This guy's fast… too fast."
Unleashing Power
Jay stood over him, his katana poised for a finishing strike. "Any last words?"
Dante grinned, his eyes burning with determination. "Just one: Sky Cleaver Barrage!"
He swung his sword with a sudden burst of energy, releasing a series of slashes in rapid succession. The attacks crisscrossed the battlefield, creating a storm of glowing energy that forced Jay to dodge and block desperately.
One of the slashes struck Jay's side, drawing blood and knocking him off balance. Dante seized the opportunity, closing the distance with a powerful upward swing.
Jay barely managed to block the attack, but the force of the blow sent him skidding across the snow. He planted his feet, his breath coming in short gasps.
"You're tougher than I gave you credit for," Jay admitted, a hint of respect in his voice.
Dante shrugged, raising his sword again. "And you're more annoying than I thought. Let's finish this."
The two warriors charged at each other, their blades colliding in a final, explosive clash. The sound echoed through the mountains, the sheer force of their strikes sending snow cascading from the trees.
In the end, it was Dante who emerged victorious, his sword pressed against Jay's throat.
"You lose," Dante said, his voice calm but firm.
Jay smirked, dropping his katana. "I'll admit it. You're stronger. I'll let you pass… this time."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving Dante alone in the snowy wilderness.
Dante sheathed his sword, exhaling deeply. "What a pain," he muttered, turning toward his destination.
The chapter ends.