Ethan unleashed a flaming punch, aiming for Ajal, who skillfully dodged the fiery onslaught. In retaliation, Ajal swung his scythe, only for Ethan to block it effortlessly with his bare hands. The blade made contact, but to everyone's surprise, it didn't seem to inflict any damage.
"This is the perfect time to prove our strength! We'll take down the Inheritor of Death and be at the top!" Ethan declared, his flames intensifying.
"No, Ethan, stop!" Evelyn urgently yelled. "Let's at least form a plan first!"
"There's no need!"
Ajal persistently unleashed swings and slashes, each attack either blocked or dodged by Ethan. The flames surrounding Ethan's hands grew brighter with each passing moment.
"I can handle him all on my own! We just have to show them what we're capable of!" Ethan proclaimed.
Seizing an opportunity, Ethan grabbed Ajal's wrist, pulling him closer and delivering a powerful punch to his face. Ajal was sent flying backward but remarkably stood up, seemingly unfazed.
"I can't believe you, Ethan! Why won't you just listen?!"
"Just stand back. I'll handle this. You handle his friends."
"That's not what I mean!"
Ethan remained unresponsive to Evelyn's pleas, relentlessly charging at Ajal. He threw flaming punches with speed and precision, and Ajal did his best to keep up with the fiery onslaught.
"This guy is pretty tough!" Ajal yelled. "Can you guys handle her?"
Yumiko responded with a thumbs up and a confident grin. "Yeah, it's no sweat, just don't lose, kay?"
Arc, fixing her gaze on Evelyn, inquired, "Are you ready, Master Jean?"
"Yeah, yeah, although a three versus one is hardly fair."
"Then let's get it over with quickly," Arc replied, determination in her eyes.
Evelyn giggled nervously, "Don't worry about little ol' me. I'm pretty tough, all things considered."
"I'm sure," Yumiko replied, leaping into the branches above. "Hey, you two can fight her first. I'll hop into whatever fight looks like it needs me more."
"Fine by me," Arc agreed.
Arc charged forward at Evelyn, leaving a trail of dust in her wake. Gripping her magnifying glass tightly, Evelyn prepared for the oncoming assault. Arc initiated with an uppercut, a move swiftly dodged by Evelyn, causing a miniature upward air stream.
"That's quite the strength you got there!" Evelyn yelled.
"Don't think too highly of it," Arc retorted.
Spinning around, Arc kicked up dust in front of her, blocking Evelyn's vision. She rushed forward through the dust, attempting a sneak attack. However, as she burst through the haze, a large boulder materialized directly in front of her, sending her crashing to the ground.
"You act with certainty. I like you!" Evelyn remarked.
Yumiko, still hanging from a branch, sighed. "Where did that boulder come from? And how did that scrawny girl throw it with that much force?"
Evelyn turned her head towards Jean. "Are you going to do anything, sweetheart?"
Arc slowly rose from the ground, glaring at Evelyn. "Master Jean need not waste his talents on you," she declared.
Jean observed the ongoing fight and then looked toward Ajal's battle. "Yumiko!"
Yumiko swung herself down from the branches, landing next to Jean. "What's up?"
"Help us. Ajal can handle the fire guy. But this girl's Gift, if it is what I think it is, then it's too dangerous if left alone," Jean explained.
Arc jumped backward to stand alongside Jean and Yumiko.
"You hear that, Ajal?!" Jean yelled. "You're on your own with him!"
Ajal, dodging a flurry of fireballs, landed on a branch. "That was my plan from the start!"
Jean rummaged through his pocket, pulling out a small metallic object no larger than a marble. Without ceremony, he turned to Arc and held it out between two fingers.
"Alright, then. Let’s get started. Arc, take this."
Arc’s amber eyes flicked to the sphere before taking it with a delicate hand. She gave it a quick glance, her expression unreadable as she rolled it between her fingers.
"Understood," she said simply, slipping it into a hidden pocket on her dress without another word.
Yumiko tilted her head, watching the quiet exchange. "What’s that for?"
Jean waved her off with a grin. "Oh, just the kind of thing a genius like me prepares for any situation."
Arc nodded in subtle agreement, already focused on whatever Jean had in mind.
Yumiko squinted at them both, then shrugged. "Weird, but okay."
Yumiko, having transformed, lunged into action, charging towards Evelyn, who brandished a large, sharp stick. Evelyn attempted to stab Yumiko, but she effortlessly dodged the attack. With Evelyn's attention focused on Yumiko, Arc seized the opportunity, leaping in to grab her by the arm. He swung her around and tossed her, sending her sprawling to the ground. Evelyn quickly regained her footing and sprinted towards a nearby tree. Retrieving a handful of pebbles from her pocket, she hurled them into the air, where they rapidly transformed into boulders hurtling toward Yumiko and Arc.
Both Yumiko and Arc evaded the incoming barrage, narrowly escaping the massive projectiles.
"Are you two okay?!" Jean urgently yelled
"That was close. But we're good, Jean!" Yumiko exclaimed, giving him a joyful thumbs up.
"My thinking was right. Her Gift makes things bigger. At least, that's what it looks like so far," Jean explained.
"So what now?" Yumiko inquired.
"We'll have to mostly play it by ear, but try to stay on the offensive as much as possible." Jean replied. "We can't let her overwhelm us."
Jean lunged toward Evelyn, reaching out to grab her. But before he could react, she caught his wrists with startling precision. In a fluid motion, she spun him around and hurled him backward. He tumbled through the air before landing unceremoniously beside Yumiko and Arc.
"Master Jean!" Arc exclaimed, stepping forward with concern.
Jean sat up, brushing off dirt with a huff. "I'm fine. So, she knows at least basic martial arts. That means my plan was a success."
Arc blinked, staring down at him with a blank expression. "Your plan was... to see if she could throw you?"
"Yeah, what's so wrong with that?" Jean replied defensively, crossing his arms as if his logic was flawless.
Arc simply sighed, turning her attention back to Evelyn without another word.
Yumiko, unable to hold back her laughter, crouched beside Jean, her eyes glinting with mischief. "A fly could beat you, Jean," she teased, her voice brimming with playful mockery.
"Hey! I'm not that weak!" Jean shot back, indignantly. "I'll have you know, I'm pretty strong!"
"Uh-huh," Yumiko replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Whatever you say, tough guy."
Without another word, Yumiko dashed toward Evelyn, who was occupied with Arc and Jean. She leapt, claws outstretched, aiming for Evelyn. The agile opponent backed up, narrowly avoiding the attack. Evelyn responded by tossing two stones at Yumiko, who skillfully dodged them. Yumiko then swung her foot towards Evelyn, who barely evaded the swift kick. In a countermove, Arc knocked Evelyn to the ground. Yumiko and Arc stood at the ready, awaiting her next move.
"You guys aren't bad. Not bad at all," Evelyn complimented.
Evelyn sprang to her feet and darted toward the trees, her movements fluid and swift as she leaped into the branches. Mid-air, she hurled the stick in her hand, manipulating its size with a deft flick of her wrist. The simple stick expanded into a massive spear, hurtling toward Yumiko and Arc with devastating force.
Both fighters reacted instantly, diving to opposite sides just as the spear struck the ground. The impact left a colossal crater in its wake, dirt and debris erupting into the air.
Yumiko rolled to her feet, brushing off a layer of dust. She squinted up into the trees, her sharp eyes scanning the branches. Arc stood nearby, her gaze just as focused.
“She’s up there,” Yumiko muttered, motioning toward a branch where Evelyn crouched, her figure partially obscured by the leaves. Evelyn’s emerald eyes glinted mischievously, a sly grin spreading across her face as she prepared for her next move.
"Wait, Yumiko," Arc cautioned. "If we keep attacking recklessly, nothing will change. Her Gift turns everything around her into a weapon. We're at a disadvantage and need a concrete plan of attack if we're going to win."
"I agree! You're pretty smart for an avatar," Evelyn remarked. "You're pretty good at fighting, too. Oh, I don't mean that in a mean way, it's just I don't see many avatar types like you."
Out of nowhere, a small metal orb hurtled toward Evelyn, catching her off guard. "What th-" she began before the orb, glowing with an intense white light, exploded into a dazzling burst, temporarily blinding anyone in its vicinity.
"Arc, now!" Jean commanded.
Without hesitation, Arc leaped through the blinding light, seemingly unaffected, and delivered a powerful punch to Evelyn's gut. The force sent her sprawling backward.
"My eyes... What just happened?" Yumiko blinked, her vision slowly clearing.
Jean stood triumphantly, sliding off what looked like a pair of modified sunglasses. "Simple. I blinded her using one of my brilliant inventions. I call it—"
"It's a flash bang, Master Jean," Arc interrupted flatly. "They’ve existed for decades."
"Yeah, but I invented this version!" Jean countered, puffing out his chest.
Arc raised a brow. "And what exactly makes this one different?"
Jean pointed proudly at himself. "I made it."
Yumiko and Arc exchanged blank, deadpan stares before Yumiko shrugged. "You know what? Sure."
"You guys are hilarious!" Evelyn interrupted with a bright laugh, now back on her feet. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "So, what other tricks do you have up your sleeves?"
Yumiko glanced at Evelyn in disbelief. "Wow, she wasn’t lying about being tough."
"Indeed," Arc said dryly, brushing off dust. "Though, her resilience is beginning to feel... inconvenient."
"Aw, I don’t mean to be annoying!" Evelyn said with mock sincerity, clasping her hands together. Then her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "How about this?"
Before anyone could react, Evelyn darted forward, aiming a punch straight at Arc. But just as her fist moved, it suddenly expanded to an enormous size, slamming into Arc with devastating force and sending her flying backward.
"Arc!" Jean cried, his eyes widening as she hit the ground hard.
Yumiko’s lips curled into a grin despite the chaos. "We probably should’ve seen that coming, huh?"
Evelyn let out a playful laugh, retracting her fist to its original size with a satisfied smirk. "By the way," she added with mock sweetness, wiggling her fingers, "I can make things smaller too. Cool, right?"
Yumiko crouched low, her palms pressing firmly against the ground between her feet. She took a slow, deliberate breath, her body coiling like a spring ready to snap. Her eyes burned with a focused intensity.
Evelyn smirked, her tone dripping with mockery. “Oh, what are you up to now, kitty cat?”
“Hah... Hah...” Yumiko exhaled sharply, ignoring the taunt. “Not gonna lie... I’ve only done this once before. It’s... kinda hard to control.”
“Do tell,” Evelyn teased, twirling a strand of her auburn hair. “What’s this big secret move of yours?”
“I wouldn’t really call it a secret move,” Yumiko muttered. Her nails dug into the dirt. “But here goes nothing!”
Yumiko’s body tensed for half a heartbeat before she launched forward in a blur of motion. She ricocheted between the trees like a streak of light, her speed blindingly fast.
Evelyn’s confident smirk faltered as her eyes darted wildly, unable to keep up. “What the hell?! I can’t even see her!”
Before Evelyn could react, a powerful kick landed squarely against her chest, forcing her to stumble back with a grunt. The blows came faster now, each one leaving faint scratches across her skin.
Evelyn winced as another strike grazed her cheek. “And you’ve only used this move once?! You fight like you’ve mastered it!”
Yumiko accelerated, her movements a blur. She zigzagged toward Evelyn, building up momentum for a final strike. “Haaahh!” she screamed, her claws outstretched, ready to finish it.
But just as Yumiko was about to connect, Arc suddenly lunged from the side. Her punch landing on Evelyn sending her sprawling to the ground.
Yumiko flew past them both, her body smashing through tree after tree before finally crashing to a stop amidst a cloud of debris.
Evelyn and Arc stood amidst the aftermath, both catching their breath. Arc glanced toward the devastation her punch had caused, a flicker of unease crossing her otherwise calm demeanor.
Yumiko staggered out from the wreckage, clutching her side. Her face twisted in anger as she stalked toward Arc. “Are you actually that stupid, Arc?”
Arc’s brow furrowed slightly. “I saw an opening and acted. It was... unfortunate timing.”
“Unfortunate timing?!” Yumiko’s voice rose to a shout, her hands balling into fists. “More like you don’t have a damn brain!”
Arc’s expression hardened, though her voice remained level. “Master Jean told me to focus on offense—”
“Oh, give me a break with the ‘Master Jean’ crap! Master Jean this, Master Jean that!” Yumiko snapped, her tone cutting like a blade. “Try thinking for yourself for once, you useless robot!”
For the first time, Arc flinched. Her usually composed expression faltered, a flicker of hurt flashing across her face.
Jean quickly rushed between them, holding up his hands in a futile attempt to de-escalate the situation. “Hey, hey, hey! Now’s not the time to fight each other!”
“Stay out of this, Jean!” Yumiko growled, her fiery gaze fixed on Arc.
Arc lifted her chin, locking eyes with Yumiko. “You can be mad at me all you want,” she said, her tone calm but edged with steel. “But—”
Jean interjected desperately. “Wait, wait, wait! Yumiko, you’re upset because of what Arc did, right?”
“If she hadn’t gotten in the way, I would’ve had Evelyn beat,” Yumiko snapped, crossing her arms.
Jean exhaled sharply, turning to Arc. “Okay, fine. Just apologize, Arc. Let’s end this already.”
“I cannot, Master Jean.”
“What?! Why not?!”
Arc stood tall, her voice unwavering. “Because I acted on a command you gave me. If I apologized, it would imply that you were in the wrong. And I cannot do that.”
Jean’s jaw dropped. “What does that even mean?!”
Yumiko, still fuming, suddenly paused. Her anger softened as a sly grin tugged at the corner of her lips. “Hah. You know what? That works for me.”
“Huh?!” Jean and Arc said in unison.
“That little act of defiance proves you’ve got a spark of individuality in there somewhere, Arc,” Yumiko said, brushing past Jean. “We’ll deal with the rest of this mess after we win.”
Arc straightened, her expression resolute. “Very well.”
Jean sighed in relief, stepping back as the tension between the two began to dissipate.
But just as the trio regained their focus, the ground beneath them began to quake violently. A deafening rumble echoed through the forest, cutting through the fragile calm.
“Now what?!” Yumiko shouted, her sharp eyes scanning the trembling ground.
The earth split open beneath them, heralding a new challenge none of them had anticipated.
"What's going on?!" Yumiko exclaimed, a hint of panic in her voice. The ground cracked open, and a colossal hole revealed an intricate circuitry of roots beneath the surface. Suddenly, the roots burst forth, growing in size and creating an unfamiliar terrain that surrounded them on all sides. Chaos ensued, disorienting the three warriors.
"Master Jean?!" Arc called out, searching frantically for him.
"I have your master," Evelyn declared, holding an unconscious Jean in her arms. "I'm sorry to do this, but Ethan looks to be having trouble, so I need to go help him."
"Yumiko..." Arc whimpered, falling to her knees.
"Arc! What happened?!"
Evelyn, seated on a raised root with an air of nonchalance, gazed upon the unconscious form of Arc with a look of pity. "She's useless now," she declared, her tone dripping with a hit condescension. Her legs were gracefully crossed, exuding an aura of authority.
"Avatars depend on their masters sending them constant Divinity. So, with Jean knocked out, Arc is now being drained of energy," Evelyn explained, her voice echoing through the rooted clearing.
Arc, struggling to maintain consciousness, desperately clung to Yumiko's pants. "I'm sorry... Please... Rescue Master Jean," she pleaded, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
Yumiko, displaying a rare mix of compassion and determination, gently guided Arc to the forest floor as she lost consciousness. "Jeez, you really can't think of anyone but Jean, huh? But, it's fine. Leave the rest to me," Yumiko assured, her voice resonating with a quiet confidence.
Rising to her feet, Yumiko faced Evelyn with an unwavering gaze. The air crackled with an unspoken tension as Yumiko prepared for the impending showdown.
"You're hurt badly, kitty cat. You don't have nearly enough left to use that move you pulled last time, you know that, right?" Evelyn remarked, her laughter cutting through the charged atmosphere.
"Don't worry about me. That was far from my best move," Yumiko replied, her words carrying a sense of mystery and determination.
Evelyn, initially amused, looked on in surprise as Yumiko stood firm, taking a deep breath. Suddenly, the fur on Yumiko's body began to bristle, standing on end like a prelude to an impending storm. A low rumble echoed through the clearing as the wind picked up, swirling leaves around them. Evelyn watched with growing curiosity, realizing that Yumiko harbored more power than she had initially perceived.
Without saying a word, Yumiko rushed forward, visibly slower from the pain and exhaustion she had endured. Evelyn, however, noticed that the speed was still a threat, so she jumped onto a higher root, evading Yumiko's swipe.
"You're still a threat even when you're not at full strength," Evelyn acknowledged.
"You're more focused on your boyfriend than on fighting us. You'll regret that mistake," Yumiko snarled.
Evelyn tossed two small rocks, enlarging them mid-air, and aimed for Yumiko. With a well-placed jump, Yumiko skillfully dodged the incoming attack, landing on the same root Evelyn occupied.
"You're pretty agile, kitty cat," Evelyn complimented, preparing for another attack. "I'm honestly impressed."
Yumiko rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of clawed strikes. Evelyn, struggling to keep up, barely managed to block the onslaught. In the heat of the battle, she lost her footing, causing her to trip backward, sending her toppling to the ground. As she attempted to regain her composure, she was interrupted by a sudden blow, knocking the wind out of her. She gasped, clutching her stomach in pain.
Yumiko gracefully walked along the roots, its uneven path giving her balance no trouble. She stood above the fallen Evelyn, her claws extended.
Evelyn looked up at the tops of the towering trees. "It's winter.... Yet the tree leaves are so full of life. I wonder how the school managed this?"
Yumiko, her claw still extended, tilted her head in confusion.
The leaves on the tree began falling, slowly spinning to the ground. A soft wind blew across the clearing, rustling the surrounding leaves.
"You should listen to your teammate more," Evelyn remarked, grabbing her magnifying glass and holding it up to her eye.
Yumiko's eyes widened, suddenly realizing her situation. Before she could react, the leaf grew in size, obstructing her view of Evelyn. As she frantically swung her claws, attempting to clear the barrier, the sound of movement caught her attention.
Evelyn leapt out of the thicket of leaves, a branch clutched in her hand, throwing it with force towards Yumiko. She dodged the attack but had a puzzled look on her face.
"Why didn't you make that one bigger?"
Evelyn remained silent.
Her lack of an answer gave Yumiko all the information she needed. "You can only change the size of something that is viewed within your magnifying glass. It was hard to catch, but that giant leaf you used as cover also partially blocked your glass's vision, meaning you couldn't turn that branch into a spear. Sound about right?"
"It seems you are not just a pretty face," Evelyn retorted. "Yes, you are correct. But even if I can only manipulate the size of whatever's in view of my glass, it won't matter. You're tough, but you can't beat win. I know you're getting tired and your body's already hurting. You're not at 100%, and that makes you weak."
"It's not a question of whether or not I can beat you," Yumiko replied, fierce confidence radiating from her. "I have to get into Arkphis, and that means I have to beat you right here and now."
Yumiko prepared herself to lunge forward, cracking part of the root beneath her back foot's heel. She then sprang forward, her claws slashing through the air.
Evelyn, having anticipated the attack, dodged the oncoming onslaught by ducking. As she was distracted, Yumiko used her momentum to spin around and deliver a roundhouse kick to the back of her head. Evelyn, knocked down, rose back to her feet and threw pebbles in Yumiko's direction, but before they were enlarged, Evelyn found her vision blocked by a large leaf.
"You're right, I can't beat you with just my claws," Yumiko taunted. "So this leaf you like so much is a big help!"
Yumiko landed under the slow-falling leaf and rushed forward again, unleashing a flurry of blows onto Evelyn. With every attack, she was pushed back, barely able to hold her ground. Yumiko's onslaught ended with a kick that sent Evelyn crashing into the ground, breaking through multiple layers of roots.
Evelyn got up slowly, breathing heavily, her eyes filled with frustration. "Ethan... Needs me."
She threw two pebbles in Yumiko's direction, which transformed into boulders, but with a swift dodge, the boulders crashed into the roots beneath.
"See? You are still focused on the fire guy."
Evelyn clapped her hands in front of her and yelled in anger. "Just shut up!"
Her hands gigantified, and she began rapidly throwing punches toward Yumiko. Her eyes wide, Yumiko, overwhelmed, struggled to evade the incoming attacks.
"I am... Stronger... Than... You," Evelyn grunted, each punch punctuating her declaration.
"You told me earlier... That I should listen to my teammates," Yumiko responded, her voice strained with determination. "Maybe... You should just pay more attention."
A small metal ball rolled next to Evelyn. "No!"
It exploded with a blinding flash, and Yumiko lunged toward her. Unable to react, Evelyn was kicked far into the air. Yumiko, using all the power she had left in her, launched herself into the air after Evelyn. As she reached the peak of her ascent, Evelyn looked over to her right to see Yumiko preparing for a kick.
"You can't beat me!" Evelyn shouted.
"Maybe," Yumiko responded.
Yumiko unleashed a powerful kick with everything she had, sending Evelyn spiraling downward at the speed of a bullet. The crash left a crater where Evelyn lay. Yumiko landed on a nearby root and fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"Now, all that's left is the fire freak," Yumiko growled.
"You're...good, kitty cat." Evelyn rose to her feet, stumbling. "But you have nothing left.... All it takes is one pebble, and it's over."
"Not quite." A familiar voice came from the shadows of the roots.
Yumiko looked around, a smile forming on her lips.
Another metal ball was thrown towards Evelyn, who acted quickly by aiming her magnifying glass at it, hoping to shrink the device before it could go off.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Before her Gift could activate, a pebble appeared within her sights, causing her activation to fail.
"No!"
As the metal ball exploded open, instead of a light, it was an innumerable amount of strings that launched and wrapped themselves around Evelyn, restricting her movements.
"What th-"
Before she could react, Arc appeared from the side, and with all her might, delivered a punch to her head, knocking her to the ground, unmoving.
Yumiko smirked over at Jean. "Good aim."
"Of course it was! The greatest inventor does everything with pinpoint precision!" He gloated, helping Yumiko back to her feet.
Jean puffed out his chest as he helped Yumiko back to her feet, a smug grin plastered across his face. “Of course it was! The greatest inventor does everything with pinpoint precision!” he declared, clearly reveling in the moment.
“How…” Evelyn’s voice trembled from the ground, her wide eyes filled with disbelief.
“It’s impressive you’re still conscious,” Arc remarked coolly, tilting her head to observe Evelyn’s battered form. “But the answer is simple—”
“It’s the greatest scheme from the greatest inventor!” Jean interrupted, throwing his arms out theatrically. “That display I put on earlier, when I attacked you? It was a masterful act to put you in a false sense of security, making you think I was weak. Then—”
Arc cut in sharply, her tone matter-of-fact. “Then I picked up on his plan when I noticed my Divinity wasn’t being drained. In my award-winning act, I slipped the extra flashbang Master Jean gave me into Yumiko’s pocket.”
Yumiko’s eyes sparkled with delight as she chimed in. “Which I then used to beat you!” She struck a triumphant pose, the soft jingle of her collar punctuating her words.
Evelyn lay motionless on the ground, tears streaming silently down her face and pooling beneath her. “I’m sorry, Ethan…” she whispered hoarsely before her eyes fluttered shut, her consciousness slipping away.
“Well, that’s that,” Jean declared, clapping his hands together in satisfaction. “Arc! And next time, don’t interrupt me!”
“Master Jean, you interrupted first,” Arc replied without missing a beat.
“That’s because the schemer always explains first! It’s the number one rule of scheming!” Jean shot back, jabbing a finger in the air as though this were common knowledge.
“There are rules to scheming?” Yumiko asked, tilting her head with mock curiosity.
“No,” Arc deadpanned, “Master Jean is just making excuses for his behavior.”
“Hey!” Jean protested, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Yumiko giggled, hands resting behind her head as she looked between them. “Well, either way, good job, team!”
“You too, Yumiko,” Arc said, nodding in approval. Her expression softened as she continued, “And I apologize for my behavior earlier. I realize we’ll be working together for a while if we pass this test, so I’d like our relationship to be a good one.”
Jean crossed his arms, a skeptical frown tugging at his lips. “Wait, didn’t you say that if you apologize, it makes me look bad?”
“It’s all cool,” Yumiko said, shrugging off Arc’s apology with a smile. “My bad for calling you a robot.”
“Personally, I find robots very interesting, so it’s not an insult to me,” Arc replied, her satisfied smile lighting up her face.
Jean sighed in defeat. "I'm feeling like I'm being ignored..."
⁂
Ethan flicked his lighter, the sharp snap giving birth to a swirling orb of flame that floated before him, its heat shimmering in the air. His opponent stood unfazed, a confident grin spreading across his face. Ajal grabbed his scarf, gripping it tightly before yanking it free. As the fabric unraveled, it began to morph, elongating and hardening into the form of a sleek, silver scythe. Its blade gleamed menacingly, and near the center of the weapon, an engraved eye remained shut. The weapon hummed faintly in his grip as the wind stirred around them, the tension crackling like a storm about to break.
"So your Gift is a lighter that summons controllable flames? That's pretty cool, but a forest might not be your best friend," Ajal suggested.
"Try to have some common sense. My fire burns what I want it to, otherwise, we would already be in a burning hellscape," Ethan scoffed before launching the hovering flame forward.
Ajal easily dodged once more, jumping into the air, while avoiding the projectile. "Fair enough, but is hurling fireballs all you can do?"
Ethan burst forward, flames erupting at his heels and leaving a blazing trail in his wake. His fiery charge illuminated the air around him, heat distorting the space as he closed in on Ajal with blistering speed. With a guttural shout, he unleashed a flaming punch, the force of which cracked the ground beneath them. Ajal deftly sidestepped the attack, his movements fluid as he spun his scythe in a controlled arc. The blade gleamed, cutting through the fiery haze as he used the twirl to build momentum.
Seizing the opening, Ajal lunged forward, his scythe whistling through the air in a sharp, precise slice aimed at Ethan. To his astonishment, Ethan raised his hands and caught the blade, the steel hissing as it met his flame-coated palms. Sparks erupted from the contact, the scythe trembling under the sheer force of Ethan's block.
Ajal hopped backward from his opponent. "On top of the makeshift fire armor thing, your gloves are blade-resistant. Pretty HANDy to have. Get it? Handy, hand, gloves..." He joked.
Ethan cringed, but still retorted. "Take this seriously."
His opponent nodded and saluted sarcastically. "Yes, sir!"
Ethan continued his assault, unleashing more blazing punches, one after another, towards his rival. The blows were being expertly parried by his opponent using his scythe, creating a series of sparks where they met. Eventually, Ajal grew tired of this defensive approach and changed his plan.
He dashed forward past his enemy and swung at the back of his legs, tripping him up, then spun around, trying to strike a fatal blow on Ethan. In response to this maneuver, Ethan raised his arms and crossed them, blocking Ajal's attack yet again, allowing him to quickly recover and regain his posture.
Ajal swung again, his opponent dodging once more. As Ajal attempted to pull away his scythe, Ethan kicked the bottom of its handle, causing it to slip from his hands and fly through the air. Ajal looked up just in time to see the blunt end of the weapon slam into the side of his head as Ethan quickly kicked it back towards him, causing him to stagger back and giving the fire wielder the opening he needed for his next assault. Ethan punched forward with a fiery fist and struck Ajal dead center in his chest.
The impact sent Ajal flying backward, crashing into a tree. He winced in pain, but quickly shook it off. Ethan, however, didn't let up. He closed the distance, flames dancing around his fists, and aimed for another powerful strike. Ajal, now back on the defensive, narrowly evaded Ethan's fiery onslaught, ducking and dodging with impressive agility. Eventually, he noticed an opportunity and took advantage. After a hook was narrowly avoided, Ajal retaliated with an elbow directly to Ethan's face, stunning him. This created enough of a gap for Ajal to follow up with a spinning roundhouse kick to the chest, launching the opponent backward.
Ajal took a break from the barrage of attacks and picked up his weapon that was lying a few feet away from him. His foe quickly got back on his feet, only to see the sharpened edge of a scythe flying towards him at top speed. Ethan tried blocking the blade with his gloves again, but his forearms took a slight cut, causing him to wince. The two foes' eyes met. Ethan's eyes burned with fiery passion, while Ajal's were full of wonder and amusement.
“Oh, man, this is too fun!” Ajal exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. “I never thought fighting someone that wasn’t Kaito or some monster could be this much fun!”
Ethan's frustration boiled over, his voice cutting through Ajal’s enthusiasm like a blade. “Is this nothing but a game to you?! Taking this test, fighting others—do you treat it all as entertainment? Were your attempts on my life just another joke to you?!”
Ajal blinked, confused, and waved his hand dismissively. “Attempt on your life? What are you talking about? There are plenty of people around to step in if either of us gets close to dying. I’m just going all out. Figured you’d appreciate it.”
Ethan froze, his eyes widening as a realization sank in like a stone in water. “What... people?”
Ajal tilted his head, arms crossing as if the answer were obvious. “Uh, the ones hiding all around. They’re doing a pretty solid job staying concealed, so I get why you might not notice. You know, without proper training or whatever.”
Ethan’s breath hitched before he began to chuckle, a bitter, hollow sound that grew louder as he processed the revelation. “So, that’s how it is, huh? That’s how far ahead of me you are?”
Ajal raised a brow, his expression shifting to one of cautious curiosity. “You good, man?”
Ethan’s laughter died down, replaced by a grim smile. “I should’ve seen it sooner. Your attitude—it’s because you’re not afraid. You know you can beat me, and you know nothing bad will happen to you even if you don’t. You’re... free.”
Ajal scratched the back of his head, frowning. “Did you hit your head or something?”
Ethan’s expression darkened, his voice quieter but no less heavy. “I guess someone like you wouldn’t understand.”
With Ajal's words hanging in the air, memories of his childhood surged back into Ethan’s mind like relentless waves crashing against the shore. The field came into focus first—an empty expanse under a pale sky. He saw himself and Evelyn standing across from each other, bloodied and battered, their breaths shallow and strained. Evelyn’s body trembled, her small hands clenched into fists as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. Yet, despite it all, she stood firm, defiant against her own pain.
Ethan’s face, however, betrayed no emotion. His chest rose and fell rhythmically as he drew each breath, his mind already sharpening itself for the next attack. Without warning, he charged forward, throwing a blindingly fast jab toward Evelyn’s face. She barely managed to block it with her forearm, but it left her defenses open. A quick one-two combination followed, both punches landing squarely on target. Then, with precise efficiency, Ethan drove a straight punch into her stomach, forcing Evelyn to collapse to the ground, gasping.
“Are you okay, Ev?” the younger Ethan asked, holding his hand out to her. His concern was evident, a crack in the cold determination he carried moments ago.
Evelyn shakily nodded and accepted his hand. Once she was back on her feet, she wiped the dirt from her scraped knees. Ethan’s brow furrowed, worry etched across his youthful features.
“Look, I can train with someone else if—”
“No,” Evelyn interrupted, her voice trembling but resolute as she wiped away her tears. “We have to keep sparring. We have to. We’ll rebuild our life together, right?”
Ethan hesitated, her words pressing heavily on his heart. “Yeah... But I don’t want to lose you,” he replied, his voice quiet.
Evelyn’s tears were replaced by a soft, determined smile. “Then you’ll protect me! ‘Cause Ethan’s gonna be the strongest!”
That sweet smile broke through his hesitation. He smiled back at her and clenched his fist with new resolve. “Right! The strongest!”
Suddenly, the field dissolved, and Ethan’s surroundings shifted. He now stood across from his mother. Her face was expressionless, her posture rigid despite the clear exhaustion on her features.
“Mom…” his voice cracked as he called out to her, trembling.
“Finish what you started,” she commanded coldly.
Ethan staggered backward, his body shaking uncontrollably. “No, I— I CAN’T DO IT!” he cried, falling to his knees.
His mother’s gaze didn’t soften. She looked down at him with nothing but disappointment. “Very well… Come find me when you’re ready to commit.” Without another word, she turned and walked away, her figure fading into the distance, leaving Ethan alone in his anguish.
The shadows came next. Faceless silhouettes began to encircle him, each one holding a weapon—blades, firearms, objects of destruction. Their silent attention was fixed entirely on him, and their presence was suffocating. Ethan’s breathing quickened as beads of sweat rolled down his brow. He instinctively took a step back.
“SCREW ALL OF YOU!” he roared, desperation and rage spilling out of him. “I won’t be what you want me to be! A loyal servant? Screw that—I’ll be too strong for anyone to control!”
A voice broke through his defiance, soft and familiar. “Ethan…” It was Evelyn.
Ethan spun around, and the scene shifted once more. This time, he stood in a sterile hospital room. Evelyn was lying in a bed, her body frail and pale as her illness tightened its grip on her. She was 16 now, but her once-vibrant energy was barely a flicker. A faceless doctor stood at the bedside, turning to address Ethan.
“There’s nothing more we can do. We don’t have the resources to combat this type of sickness,” the doctor said bluntly.
Ethan’s fists clenched as tears rolled down his face. “You don’t… but is there anywhere that does?” he asked, his voice breaking.
The doctor sighed. “Arkphis. They’re the world leader in medicine. However, their top-shelf treatments are only available to students or staff of the Arkphis Institute.”
“How long does she have?” Ethan asked, his voice trembling.
“Two and a half years, give or take,” the doctor replied solemnly.
The room shifted again. Ethan and Evelyn now stood at the gates of Arkphis Institute, their confidence unshaken despite the challenge ahead.
“This is it, Ev. Pass this dumb exam, and you’re saved,” Ethan said, a determined grin on his face.
“And we start our new life of freedom,” Evelyn replied, her smile warm despite her condition. “Me free of this sickness, and you free of your family.”
Ethan laughed, his earlier fear momentarily melting away. “I’m getting excited!”
Evelyn smiled sweetly in return, the glow of hope lighting up her face.
The memory shattered, and Ethan’s focus returned to the present. He stood across from Ajal, his body tense, his gaze unwavering. The memories hadn’t weakened him—they had reignited the fire within.
“Alright then, Inheritor,” Ethan said, his voice resolute. “No holds barred. Let’s see who’s stronger.”
Without warning, Ethan punched the air, unleashing a concentrated ball of flames that hurtled toward Ajal with blistering speed.
Ajal looked up in shock. "One second you are acting all emotional and now you are back to fighting? What the hell?!"
Alongside the fireballs, Ethan charged at Ajal. "i just remembered what I'm fighting for! So, who the hell cares how far ahead you are! Who cares how stronger you might be! This is a fight I can't lose, cause I ain't fighting for just me!"
Ethan launched himself into the air with the propulsion from a shot of fire and brought down his fist onto his foe. Ajal rolled out of the way, using the handle of his scythe to push himself back to his feet.
Ethan grinned. "Come on, Death! Give me everything you got! I'll prove you aren't worth shit!"
He extended out his hand and conjured a large flame, then threw it directly at his foe.
Ajal swung his scythe, attempting to split the flame. However, the flames split, then circled back around, heading straight towards him. He tried dodging the attack, but the flame grew larger, engulfing everything in its path, including Ajal, and exploding upon impact.
The explosion rang out through the forest as the entire surrounding area shook, uprooting trees and splitting rocks. Ethan smirked as he watched his work of art.
He panted as he walked through the wreckage. "I'm glad I ran into you, Death. Because now, I just have to defeat you and then you can't take her from me."
As the smoke cleared, Ajal stepped out from it. His face had a minor cut on it from the impact, but otherwise seemed relatively unscathed.
"Okay... You caught me off guard with that one..." He admitted. "I still have no idea what you are going on about, but I can tell it's getting you pumped. We should probably wrap this up, though."
Ethan dashed forward, blasting Ajal in the face with a high velocity fire-infused punch. As Ajal staggered from the blow, he followed up with a knee strike to the abdomen, knocking the breath out of him, then took hold of the scythe, using his foot to kick it out of his rival's grip. Ethan pulled him close and grabbed the collar of Ajal's uniform with his free hand, raising him slightly in the air before slamming him face first into the dirt below. Then, with a swift kick to the ribs, he sent Ajal sliding along the earth until he reached the tree line.
Ajal regained his footing and patted down his clothes. "Can you stop kicking my scythe away? It's really annoying."
Ethan laughed as he stomped his way over to Ajal. "You clearly don't know how to use Divinity yet, so you opted to train your scythe skills. Don't blame me for your glaring weakness."
A brief memory of training with Kaito in the cave flickered through Ajal's mind, but he pushed it aside, sharpening his focus on the fight at hand.
"True, my Divinity control is pretty nonexistent. Kaito said it's cause I got a lot of it and I'll learn when the time is right. I prefer not to overcomplicate simple things anyway." he shrugged.
The two opponents faced each other in tense silence, their eyes locked in an unyielding stare. The air between them grew heavier with each passing second, thick with unspoken challenges and mounting pressure. Each moment of stillness seemed to amplify the weight of their duel, as if the entire forest held its breath. Their gazes were razor-sharp, dissecting every nuance of movement, every potential opening, each calculating the other’s strengths and vulnerabilities. The charged atmosphere felt on the verge of explosion—until finally, the tension proved too much for Ethan to bear.
"Fight me serioulsy!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, swinging his fist, which Ajal narrowly dodged. With each punch that Ethan sent, Ajal dodged with precision and intent until he arrived right next to his scythe. He quickly reached down and grabbed it, bringing it to a defensive position and pushing his rival's advances away with it.
Ethan growled and quickly jumped backward, summoning a large ball of flame as he did so and throwing it at his enemy. Ajal swung his scythe horizontally, successfully splitting the attack, and sent it to the side, allowing it to harmlessly explode against a nearby rock formation.
Ajal then took the offensive, dashing forward and preparing a heavy swing towards his target. As the weapon drew ever closer, Ethan waited a bit too late to react. This proved disastrous, and the edge of the scythe sliced across Ethan's chest. He recoiled from the attack, holding the wound and cursing as blood seeped through his fingers.
"Dammit!" he yelled as he fired a series of bullets made of pure flame from his fists at his enemy, who reacted by weaving through the attack with a series of flips, ending it with a sweeping kick that connected with Ethan's legs and knocked him to the ground. Ajal immediately jumped back, using the momentum of this maneuver to prepare for another massive attack, this time cleaving the air above Ethan with a downward strike, creating a giant wave of kinetic energy. Ethan quickly recovered from the previous blow and rolled away from this one, only suffering minimal damage thanks to a simple fire shield that he had cast beforehand.
After these exchanges of combat, Ethan's eyes narrowed, analyzing his opponent and trying to find a flaw or opening.
He saw none.
"For fuck's sake... Why am I so weak..." he thought as he desperately searched for a solution.
Ethan ran toward Ajal, but as he neared, the scythe-wielder swung outwards towards Ethan's neck, stopping him dead in his tracks.
Ajal chuckled. "Your decision-making needs work. You just keep running straight at me, despite me having the range advantage. Figured I'd let you know since we are talking about weaknesses."
Ethan sneered. "So what if I get predictable, won't matter if I'm the strongest cause you wouldn't be able to stop me, anyway. I'll just blast through all my enemies, no matter what."
Ajal gave him a soft smile. "You remind me of a friend I had back in high-school."
"You say that like you didn't just graduate high-school like the rest of us," Ethan retorted.
"Fair enough." Ajal responded, lowering his blade. "Ok, go ahead and try again."
Ethan raised his eyebrow in suspicion. "Really? Just like that?"
"Yeah, come at me," Ajal encouraged.
"Huh..." Ethan grunted as he raised his arm into the air and summoned a ball of flame above him. The temperature around them began to rapidly rise due to the extreme heat of the sphere. The orb's aura was so bright, it reflected in his eyes, causing them to appear golden. Slowly, but surely, the sphere became increasingly unstable, threatening to combust at any moment. The ground began to scorch beneath him as he focused more and more of his power into it. He looked up at Ajal, who seemed amused by this feat.
"Not even flinching? Whatever..."
At the point of instability, Ethan threw the explosive toward his enemy. It rocketed towards Ajal at blazing speeds, nearly too quick to follow. It landed where he had been standing only moments prior. The detonation created an intense inferno that expanded outward, engulfing everything in its wake. The sound of the explosion was deafening, causing dust and debris to be kicked up everywhere as it slowly came back to the Earth.
"How the hell is he so durable?! What the fuck are you?" Ethan muttered to himself.
He glanced around, looking for any sign of his foe, but to his surprise he found none. "Where are you? I swear if you are playing games with me-"
Suddenly, a gust of wind passed by Ethan. Confused, he looked in the direction it came from. There, standing near the edge of the crater he had formed during the explosion, was Ajal, seemingly completely unharmed.
"That wasn't supposed to miss," Ethan declared with certainty, though it came off as a question.
"I'm not toying with you." Ajal replied. "It's just.... After training with Kaito, everything else just seems slow. Every punch he threw was a million times stronger than that explosion, and that was with him holding back."
"How the hell are you still alive, then?" Ethan questioned.
Ajal laughed. "I ask myself every day."
"Ethan stared unblinking into Ajal's eyes, his focus sharpened as he tried to gauge the full extent of his opponent’s capabilities. The longer he maintained the stare, the more a growing sense of unease clawed at him. Something about Ajal felt... off. While, at first, his attitude was friendly, almost innocent, now there was a tinge of malice within him. It wasn’t something Ethan could easily define, but deep down, he knew instinctively that he had only glimpsed the surface of Ajal’s true potential."
Ethan sighed, his voice steady yet tinged with resignation. "My whole life has been about one thing: training my body to become stronger. When I got my Gift—even if I’ve only had it for a short while—I knew it was my key to the top. I’m not clever enough to come up with plans or strategies to beat you. All I know how to do is fight, again and again, until I win. I’m sorry, but that’s the only way I can stand up to you."
"Good enough for me!" Ajal said, grinning with unrestrained excitement as he tossed his scythe carelessly to the side.
Ethan lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air in a blazing arc, but Ajal sidestepped it with ease. Not missing a beat, Ethan swung his elbow in a follow-up strike. Once again, Ajal ducked out of range, leaving the attack to collide with a nearby tree, shattering its trunk into splinters.
Ethan gritted his teeth and pivoted sharply, launching another punch with all his strength, only for Ajal to dodge it yet again with ease. Frustration mounting, Ethan pressed on, delivering a rapid flurry of blows, each one narrowly missing its target. The pattern repeated until, at the end of his relentless combo, Ajal seized the opportunity to counter.
With lightning reflexes, Ajal drove his elbow into Ethan’s chest, forcing the air from his lungs, and followed it up with a swift leg sweep that sent Ethan crashing to the ground. Not wasting a moment, Ajal moved to deliver another strike, but Ethan retaliated, landing a solid hit that sent Ajal sprawling onto his back.
Before Ajal could recover, Ethan raised his hand, palm up, summoning a massive ball of flame that crackled with intensity. With a furious roar, he hurled it directly at his fallen opponent. The blazing strike roared through the air, but Ajal reacted swiftly. With a sharp, sideways swing of his open hand, he dispersed the fiery attack, causing it to fizzle out in a cloud of heat and smoke.
The force of his motion carried Ajal into a roll, allowing him to spring back to his feet, ready to continue the fight.
Ajal surged forward, driving his knee into Ethan’s face with a sickening impact, followed by a fierce headbutt that staggered his opponent. Without hesitation, Ajal flipped nimbly behind Ethan and pounced, delivering a devastating kick to the side of his head that sent Ethan tumbling across the dirt.
Ajal wasted no time, dashing after him with relentless speed. He unleashed a flurry of blows, ending with a powerful spin kick to Ethan’s midsection that knocked the wind out of him and sent him skidding backward, kicking up dust as he slid.
Ethan groaned, struggling to rise, but his vision swam, the world around him blurring. Ajal closed the distance in an instant, landing a vicious uppercut that sent Ethan crashing back to the ground. The impact left Ethan sprawled on the dirt, his face battered and bloodied, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Ajal stood over him, breathing steadily, his victory undeniable. Ethan twitched, his trembling arms trying to push himself off the ground, but his strength faltered. His vision dimmed, and his body refused to respond.
“Shit...” Ethan whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible. “What am I... doing this for...?”
With a flick of his wrist, Ajal calmly wrapped his scarf back around his neck, the motion casual yet deliberate. He glanced at Ethan, who lay motionless, staring blankly at the sky above.
"I wonder if they won their fight," Ajal murmured to himself before turning his attention back to his defeated opponent. "Hey, Ethan. You’re amazing, man. Don’t let this loss slow you down."
Ethan said nothing. His blank eyes remained fixed on the sky, his mind too distant to register the words.
From the edge of the treeline, a familiar voice called out, breaking the silence.
“Hey, Ajal!”
Ajal turned to see Yumiko, Jean, and Arc emerging from the shadows of the forest, dragging an unconscious Evelyn between them. Yumiko’s bell chimed softly as she waved, her face lit with relief.
“Glad to see you’re not a pile of ashes!” Yumiko called out, her voice laced with teasing humor.
Ajal rolled his eyes, smirking as he began walking toward them. “Geez, thanks for the faith,” he replied sarcastically.
Ethan turned his head weakly toward the group, his eyes locking on Evelyn. “Ev…”
“Don’t worry, she’s alive,” Arc said, her voice calm but with a trace of sympathy. “She was a tough opponent. You should be proud of her.”
Ethan ignored her entirely, his gaze fixed solely on his teammate. “…Wake up.”
From where she lay, Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open, her breathing shallow. “E-Ethan?” she called out weakly.
Ethan gritted his teeth and forced himself to sit up, propping himself up with his trembling arm. His expression hardened as he spoke, his voice filled with resolve. “This ain’t over yet… On my mark, Ev.”
Ajal gripped his scarf, a hint of unease creeping into his voice. “Hey, man, we already won. There’s no need to keep fighting.”
“You’re right, Death,” Ethan spat, his lips curling into a defiant grin. “We don’t.”
With every ounce of strength he had left, Ethan flicked his lighter, a tiny flame sputtering to life. He tossed it into the air, where it hung, spinning slowly. Then, with a sharp motion, Ethan clenched his fist, and the flame began to spiral. It expanded rapidly, growing more intense with each rotation, its light pulsing like the heartbeat of something alive. The sound of the crackling fire roared louder, drowning out every other noise in the forest.
Evelyn, her hands trembling but her determination unshaken, lifted her magnifying glass with the last of her strength. She angled it toward the lighter, amplifying the flame’s size and power. The fire ballooned to an incomprehensible scale, turning into a blazing inferno that hovered in the sky like a second sun. It cast an overwhelming light that swallowed everything, its sheer intensity blinding.
On the ground, Ethan chuckled through his pain, his voice laced with both triumph and madness. “One last move. Try surviving this, Death.”
The massive fireball came crashing down, its descent like a meteor tearing through the heavens. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, flattening everything in its path. Trees were uprooted and tossed aside like twigs, the surrounding brush incinerated in an instant. A pillar of flame erupted into the sky, its fiery tendrils reaching high above the forest canopy. The entire area was engulfed in a hellish inferno, transforming the once-vibrant forest into a barren wasteland of scorched earth and ash.
For what felt like an eternity, the fire raged, devouring all evidence of the forest’s former life. When the flames finally began to die down, the members of Team Z stood in a circle, unharmed but visibly stunned by the sheer devastation.
Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at them. “How?” he rasped, his voice filled with frustration and exhaustion.
Ajal, still gripping his scarf tightly, shook his head, his face a mixture of awe and confusion. “I… I really don’t know.”
A sudden voice, calm and authoritative, cut through the lingering smoke like a knife. “That would be my doing.”
The group turned toward the source of the voice, their gazes drawn to the shifting haze. A figure began to emerge, their silhouette growing sharper as the smoke cleared.
Suddenly, a figure emerged, sitting crossed-legged on a large, floating turtle shell filled with water. They had a robust physique, with a round face that beamed with perpetual cheerfulness. His deep chestnut hair cascaded in loose waves, framing his affable visage. Despite the weight that defined his form, there was a surprising nimbleness in his movements.
Their attire, a vibrant green and blue yukata adorned with intricate water-inspired patterns, flowed gracefully as he moved. The loose fit allowed for a comfortable range of motion. Around his neck, a unique accessory caught the eye – a traditional Kappa shell cap secured with a cheerful strap adorned with tiny bells, standing out against the mystical mist.
As the figure approached through the lingering smoke, the subtle aquatic shimmer of his skin became apparent. His fingers bore web-like skin in between his fingers and his teeth appeared sharp as knives.
"Makoto Ueda?" Ethan stuttered, his voice laced with shock and confusion as he stared at the towering man before him.
Makoto beamed cheerfully, hopping off the turtle shell. "That’s me! You two sure know how to cause trouble—attacking after your test was over? Tsk, tsk. No matter, everyone’s safe and sound now."
"You’re the one who stopped that... thing?" Jean asked, pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the massive crater left in the wake of the explosion.
Makoto chuckled, brushing off the praise. "Sure did! But let me tell you, it takes an incredible amount of water to pull off something like that. I’m only good for one, maybe two uses before I need to rehydrate, so I hope you’re happy with yourselves for making me go through all that effort!"
His jovial expression softened as he turned his gaze back toward Ethan and Evelyn. Letting out a sigh, he crouched slightly to get a better look at their battered forms. "Now, let’s get you two some medical help. Those wounds look awful."
Yumiko, who had been observing Makoto with curiosity, tilted her head and asked, "How are you not getting wet from all that water in your shell?"
Makoto’s smile widened. "Ah, that’s simple. It’s my water. All I have to do is command it not to get me wet, and it won’t. Easy as that."
"Riiight..." Yumiko replied skeptically, narrowing her eyes. "That sounds totally believable." She shrugged it off and turned to Ajal. "Anyway, Ajal, how was your fight? Did you win?"
"It was awesome!" Ajal exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. "Ethan was really strong!" He launched into an animated retelling of the entire fight, his hands moving wildly as he exaggerated every detail for dramatic effect.
As the group listened, Ethan’s gaze lingered on them. The sounds of their conversation became muffled as his exhaustion overtook him. His body refused to cooperate any longer, and the weight of his injuries dragged him down. Slowly, his vision darkened, and he gave in to unconsciousness.
Ethan's consciousness gradually clawed its way back through the fog of unconsciousness, and his eyelids fluttered open to reveal the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room. Groggily, he propped himself up, muscles protesting with stiffness, and stretched his arms, feeling the pull of IV lines tethered to his skin. Just as he oriented himself to the unfamiliar surroundings, the door creaked open, casting a sliver of light into the room and unveiling the silhouette of Evelyn.
"You're finally awake!" Evelyn's voice was a mix of relief and excitement as she stepped into the room, her face lighting up at the sight of him conscious.
Ethan rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the remnants of drowsiness. "Damn, was I out for long?" His voice was thick with fatigue, words stumbling out in a disoriented mumble.
"Just a little while," Evelyn replied, closing the distance between them with a few brisk steps. Her tone was light, but her eyes held a depth of concern. "Mr. Ueda used his shell to bring us back here, to the school's hospital."
Ethan's gaze drifted across the room, taking in the clinical sterility of the space – the beeping monitors, the crisp, clean sheets, the faint antiseptic scent in the air. "Not exactly the entrance to Arkphis I had in mind," he murmured, a bitter chuckle escaping him. A sheen of tears began to form in his eyes as guilt washed over him. "I'm sorry, Ev. I wanted to save you, but—"
Before he could finish, Evelyn crossed the room in swift, graceful strides and enveloped him in a warm embrace. Her smile was like a balm to his remorse. "It's okay, I know you did your best," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
Ethan responded with a gentle pat on her head, his touch tender and reassuring. "How long did the doctors say?" he asked, a note of worry lacing his words.
"Back then, they said two and a half years, so I would've had about half a year left," Evelyn's voice was soft, tinged with a melancholic acceptance.
Ethan's hands on her shoulders pushed her back slightly, his eyes widening in surprise and confusion. "Would've?" he echoed, his heart skipping a beat. "Did the medication finally work?"
A light, carefree giggle escaped Evelyn's lips, breaking the tension in the room. "No, the medication still doesn't cure me," she said, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.
"Then how?!" Ethan's voice rose in a mix of astonishment and hope.
Evelyn turned, pointing towards a corner of the room where a girl sat, her attention absorbed by the phone in her hands. The girl's demeanor was a stark contrast to the gravity of the moment – she bit her thumb's nail absentmindedly, her foot tapping against the floor in a rhythm of annoyance and frustration. "She helped me. She got rid of the sickness for us!" Evelyn's declaration hung in the air, heavy with implications and wonder.
GPT
Here’s the revised passage with the new design integrated while keeping the motion and other key details intact:
Her hair, starting as black at the roots before fading seamlessly into a cascade of golden threads, fell straight and true down her back like a fall of sunlight piercing through a quiet grove. Stray locks framed her face, adding a playful edge to the sharp angles of her jaw and the gentle curve of her cheekbones. The light seemed to catch in her hair’s golden ends, creating a halo-like effect that mirrored the actual golden halo floating above her head, its glow faintly pulsing with an otherworldly energy.
Her eyes, a striking amber hue, seemed to burn with quiet intensity, as if holding the secret of an eternal flame within their depths. They were sharp yet warm, like sunlight filtered through autumn leaves, drawing attention and commanding respect with a single glance.
She was clad in a bold, burnt-orange jacket that billowed slightly behind her, its rich hue reminiscent of a setting sun. The jacket’s flowing form complemented the striking sharpness of her black high-necked top, which hugged her figure and emphasized her poised, self-assured aura. Draped over her waist was a cream wrap that fell in soft, uneven folds, adding an almost ceremonial air to her look. Beneath it, her legs were clad in a fitted black layer, tapering into simple yet stylish black straps that wound around her calves, paired with pristine white sandals that elevated her with a sense of both grace and practicality.
A pair of gold, rectangular earrings dangled from her ears, catching the light with each subtle movement, and a sleek black choker with a golden clasp adorned her neck, perfectly accenting her regal presence. Every detail of her attire, from the flow of the fabric to the precision of her accessories, spoke of someone who blended effortless elegance with commanding confidence. Her nails, painted a sleek and glossy black, gleamed faintly in the light, a subtle yet striking detail that added to her polished and deliberate appearance.
While she radiated elegance and grace, a stark contrast to the relaxed appearance of her clothing and accessories, her demeanor screamed a sense of self-assurance and competence. She was someone who could handle herself in any situation thrown at her, able to change strategies on the fly to adapt to new circumstances.
Ethan analyzed the girl, perplexed. "So, you're the girl that saved Evelyn? Are you an Inheritor too?"
"Too?" Evelyn asked.
"Ajal, the guy who beat me, he was the Inheritor of Death."
The girl stopped tapping and slammed her phone down on the desk in front of her. "Evelyn, you aren't cured. I simply healed the part that makes your sickness terminal. You'll still need your medication to alleviate pain." She turned her attention towards Ethan. "And you. Don't compare that amateur wannabe to someone like me." She replied in disgust.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What do you gain from saving Evelyn? You don't seem like the type to act out of the kindness of your hear."
She rose gracefully, her flowing attire swaying with each step as she approached Ethan, the soft rhythm of her sandals striking the ground creating a steady beat. Her golden-lined coat flared lightly with her movements, exuding an air of authority. "Listen well, fire freak," she said, her voice cool but commanding. "I'm the number one ranked student at this school. If someone needs saving, then I suppose it's only natural that I’ll be the one to do it."
"Your attitude is a real piece of work. What the hell gives you the assumption you are better than us?!" Ethan scowled.
"Ethan, calm down." Evelyn tried to restrain him.
"Tch," she scoffed, turning up her nose. "It's not an assumption, it's a fact. But I can explain it to you, as teaching the ignorant is a part of my job too, I suppose."
The girl walked back a few feet and posed dramatically, her arms outstretched on either side. "Gaze upon greatness, you are looking at none other than Ophelia Everhart, the Inheritor of Life!"