[Aura Armament II: Enma]
A burst of golden aura erupted around Dominus, rising like a pillar and illuminating the battlefield with a divine radiance.
The sheer force of his unleashed power sent shockwaves through the ground, rattling the air with an oppressive weight.
His golden eyes burned with an unrelenting fire—determined, unwavering. The energy coiled around him like a raging storm, a whirlpool of raw might that swallowed everything in its wake.
Jaz could barely hold her footing, the howling winds forcing her to shield her eyes with one arm while wrapping herself in a layer of crimson aura.
Even then, she couldn't see him.
Enma?... To think he'd unleash this against me.
The thought raced through her mind, a mixture of honor and trepidation.
This power....
Jaz stood mesmerized, her combat instinct surging. Her pulse quickened, her body screamed to fight—to charge at the monster before her.
But then, the chaos stilled. The golden storm around Dominus dissipated, fading into shimmering embers that hung in the air like remnants of a celestial event. And from the heart of that golden light, a sword materialized.
Radiant. Absolute.
It floated for a moment before Dominus seized it, his grip firm, his stance regal. The sword exuded a divine presence, reflecting not just his power but his authority—his nobility.
Jaz's face remained a mask of steel, but her knuckles tightened. She shifted her weight, raising her sword in a precise angle—a silent declaration of her intent.
A knowing smile touched Dominus's lips. He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her courage with quiet respect.
The air grew thick, heavy with anticipation. Their auras clashed invisibly, crimson and gold interweaving in a deadly dance that made the very ground beneath them groan in protest.
Then...
A single breath. One step forward.
Jaz exploded forward, her blade trailing crimson light as it carved through space itself.
Dominus did not retreat either. Instead, he advanced. His golden sword gleamed as he swung in a straight, decisive slash.
In the blink of an eye, they met at the center of the battlefield.
Time seemed to slow as they converged at the battlefield's heart.
Their blades met—
[BAAAMMM!]
The collision spawned a shockwave that rippled outward like a stone dropped in still water. Both warriors skidded backward, trenches carved by their heels.
Jaz struggled to steady her footing, her hands trembling—not with fear, but from the sheer strength behind Dominus's strike.
But she had countered it. She had endured. And that was enough to ignite her determination further.
They charged again, this time with even greater intent.
Blades clashed, again and again.
Steel sang against steel, a symphony of combat. This time, only Jaz was driven back, her boots scraping against the ground as she prepared to counter—
Dominus was already upon her. His golden sword came for her throat.
Jaz's instincts screamed. She twisted, bending backward in a desperate dodge.
But he had anticipated it.
In one fluid motion, he inverted his grip, bringing his blade down like divine judgment.
Too fast...
Jaz rotated mid-evasion, her manifested sword rising in defense but... she knew instantly—this defense wouldn't hold. His power was simply too vast.
Damn it—!
In that split second, something clicked inside her. Her instincts sharpened, and with an unexpected clarity, she saw an opening.
Instead of maintaining her guard, she twisted her blade—
[SWING-!]
Dominus's golden sword split in two.
Shock registered in Dominus's eyes for the briefest moment. In that single exchange, her blade had achieved something — it had exceeded his in both edge and will.
Jaz landed in a crouch, her breath coming in sharp bursts—not from exertion, but from the sheer impossibility of what had just occurred.
But she had no time to dwell on it. As she spun to face him, she knew she was already too late.
Dominus stood before her, swordless but far from defenseless. His fist, wreathed in golden light, rocketed toward her with unstoppable force.
But something didn't add up. Her mind reeled. A dozen contradictions spun through her thoughts, then—
Shit—!
Understanding struck her like lightning. Her body moved on pure instinct, blade rising to intercept—
"Too slow"
A teasing smile played on Dominus's lips. In a whisper, he spoke:
[Aura Armament I: Golden Schwert]
A blade burst forth from his hand, extending in an instant. It shot toward her with lethal precision.
Jaz twisted her head at the last moment. The blade skimmed past her cheek, drawing a thin line of crimson blood. But she wasted no time. Hooking her sword onto his, she used his momentum against him, twisting her body to counter.
Their weapons locked for a precious second. Dominus's stance shifted, leaving his side exposed. Jaz seized the opening, her free hand blazing with crimson energy as she drove it forward—
[BAM!]
Her punch never landed.
Faster than she could react, Dominus fist slammed into her face. The impact sent her airborne before she could even register the hit.
Dominus pressed his advantage relentlessly. He twisted and leaped, with a precise rotation, his leg struck her abdomen.
"Arghh—!"
Pain exploded through her body. She flew, crashing into the metallic wall with a deafening thud. Her vision blurred, her limbs refused to move. The crimson aura that once surrounded her flickered—then faded.
As consciousness fled and gravity reclaimed her, a small, satisfied smile graced her features.
Perhaps because, for the first time, she had truly fought him as an equal.
Before she could impact the ground, Dominus materialized beneath her, gathering her falling form with the tenderness of a father catching his child.
Looking down at her unconscious face, his stern expression softened into one of profound pride tinged with worry. His golden eyes held a depth of emotion that spoke volumes.
A memory stirred— That headstrong, untamed girl who had first stood before him... now transformed into a warrior worthy of legend.
His voice, barely a whisper, carried both pride and promise:
"Good work"