Eleo stood firm, his eyes locked with Taki’s, who was grinning in an almost predatory way. The tension between them was palpable, like the calm before a storm. As they sized each other up, both warriors were deep in thought.

Taki's grin faltered for a moment as a strange sensation crept over him. *Weird… my chin feels numb,* he thought. *I’ve never felt this before. What’s with this kid?*

Eleo, on the other hand, felt his pulse quicken. *I don’t know who this guy is, but he looks tough,* he thought, sizing up Taki's posture. *Well, I don’t care. This asshole attacked Kenji, and that guy over there—Olorun, I think—was helping him. If they’re both fighting Taki, then Olorun must be a friend.*

Breaking the silence, Taki spoke first, his voice sharp but calm. “So, you wish to fight me?”

Eleo smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Yeah, and I’ll kick your ass.”

Taki chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, please. Those two thought they could beat me when they combined forces. What makes you think you alone can?”

Without hesitation, Eleo shot back, “Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a kid. That’s how enemies lose. They always underestimate someone who looks weak, then get their asses handed to them.”

Taki paused for a second, weighing Eleo’s words. A slow grin spread across his face. “You’re right. Very right. You made me feel numb on my chin—something I’ve never experienced. So yeah, I won’t underestimate you.”

He straightened his stance, the air around him growing serious. “And I won’t even use my abilities against you. We’ll settle this with our fists.”

Eleo’s eyes narrowed, sensing the shift in Taki’s demeanor. “Well, I guess I won’t either.”

Taki’s eyes flickered with surprise before he let out a low laugh. “Oh, really? You know what, I like you, kid.”

“Three,” Eleo suddenly said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Taki’s eyes widened slightly, recognizing the seriousness. He dropped into a battle stance, muscles tensed.

“Two…” Eleo counted down, his tone unwavering.

“...One.”

In a flash, both fighters launched themselves at each other, their fists colliding with such force that the ground beneath them cracked. The impact sent shockwaves through the area, scattering debris. Their movements were blindingly fast, teleporting from spot to spot, punching, dodging, and countering each other's strikes with inhuman speed and precision. Each time they clashed, the air rippled from the force, and the bridge groaned under the pressure.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

They reappeared on the bridge, fists still locked in a deadlock, faces mere inches apart. Sweat dripped down Eleo’s brow, but his eyes burned with determination. Taki grinned, impressed. *This kid…* he thought, *he’s strong. His speed and strength rival mine. I might actually have to start trying.*

Without warning, Taki broke the stalemate, rushing forward with new intensity. Eleo barely managed to dodge, his instincts kicking in just in time. The fight resumed, fists flying, neither giving an inch. Each punch was met with a counter, every movement calculated yet instinctive. They moved like two forces of nature, unwilling to back down.

Meanwhile, Kenji stirred, his body aching from the earlier fight. Groaning, he slowly sat up, his eyes darting around until they landed on Tony and Olorun. “Is Olorun okay?” Kenji asked, his voice hoarse.

Tony, who was kneeling beside Olorun, nodded, though he looked exhausted. “Yeah, he’ll be fine. I had to use Negative Necrotic to heal him. It takes a lot of energy… like, a lot,” Tony admitted, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Kenji winced, holding his broken arm gingerly. “Yeah… thanks. I owe you.”

Tony gave a faint smile. “Don’t mention it.”

After a moment, Kenji glanced at Olorun, still unconscious but breathing steadily. “Hey, Tony.”

“Yeah? What is it?” Tony replied, looking curious.

Kenji hesitated. “I have a request.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “A request?”

Kenji’s gaze fell on Olorun again. “Can Olorun join us?”

Tony blinked, taken aback. He looked down at Olorun, then back at Kenji. “Join us? I mean… yeah, I’d like him to join too. He tried to kill Eleo, but he did help you in the end. But it’s not my decision. It’s up to Eleo.”

Kenji nodded slowly, his expression hopeful. “I hope he agrees.”

As the sounds of fists colliding echoed through the air, the battle between Eleo and Taki raged on, each combatant pushing themselves harder. Both were determined, both skilled, and neither willing to give up.

The clash between Eleo and Taki continued, their movements a blur of speed and raw power. Every punch, every dodge sent shockwaves through the air, distorting the space around them. As they exchanged blows mid-air, Eleo saw his opening. He delivered a solid gut punch that knocked the wind out of Taki, following it up with a barrage of quick strikes to his stomach. The final blow sent Taki crashing down, slamming hard into the bridge below. The stone beneath him cracked and splintered under the force.

Taki lay there for a moment, stunned. *No… no…* His mind raced in disbelief. *I can't lose… not to a fucking kid.* His body ached, and his chest heaved as he struggled to breathe, but more than the physical pain was the burning frustration deep inside him. Taki was known for his calm, composed demeanor. He couldn’t afford to show weakness or fear. *I’ve never been pushed like this… especially by someone so young.*

Groaning, he slowly rose to his feet, dusting off the fragments of stone that had stuck to him from the impact. His face betrayed nothing of the turmoil brewing inside him, only the faint trace of a smile as he locked eyes with Eleo once again.

“Very good,” Taki said, his voice steady. “You hit me once more.”

Eleo landed softly on the bridge, his stance loose but ready, the tension never leaving his body. “Like I said before,” Eleo replied, eyes focused, “don’t underestimate me just because I’m a little kid.”

Taki’s smile faded, his calm composure showing signs of wear as he shot Eleo a sharp look. “Enough with that ‘don’t underestimate me’ crap,” he snapped, his annoyance clear now. “You’re becoming a broken record, repeating the same thing over and over again.”

Eleo couldn’t help but smirk, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “That’s sad, then. You’re getting beat up by a broken record.”

Taki’s eyes flashed with anger, his calm exterior cracking as he clenched his fists. *This kid…* His pride bristled at the thought. No one had ever dared to mock him like this. Taking a deep breath, he forced his composure back, but his voice was low, seething with frustration. “Fine. No more cockiness. I’ll stop holding back… and I’ll use my abilities.”

Eleo’s eyes narrowed, but his grin widened, excitement and challenge flickering in his gaze. “If you’re using your abilities,” he replied coolly, “then I’ll use mine too.”

Taki let out a low chuckle, his anger momentarily replaced by curiosity. “Oh, I can’t wait to see what kind of powers you’ve got, kid.”

Eleo cracked his neck, stepping forward with confidence. “Same here,” he said, his voice steady, yet brimming with anticipation.

The air between them grew thick, heavy with tension. Both fighters stood ready, knowing that the next phase of their battle would be different—more intense, more dangerous. Powers would come into play