Eleo stood up slowly, the dark, inky energy pulsing violently through his right side. Each wave of power rippled through his body like a living force, the ink seeming to writhe beneath his skin as if yearning to be unleashed. He coughed, wiping the blood from his lips with a shaky hand, the taste of iron lingering in his mouth. His eyes, once full of resolve, now glimmered with something deeper—something darker. Across from him, Taki stood, arms crossed, a look of utter indifference etched on his face, as though Eleo’s display meant nothing.

Tony, Kenji, and Olorun watched from a distance, their expressions a mixture of awe and uncertainty. None of them dared to speak. Eleo glanced at them briefly before turning his gaze back to Taki, who was still motionless, still unimpressed.

Eleo breathed deeply, his voice calm, yet underlined by a sinister edge. "You’re probably wondering how this makes me stronger, right?" His gaze bore into Taki’s, challenging him. "You felt it too when I concentrated all the ink into my right side. I wasn’t just powering up—I was becoming something else. Something… more."

He raised his right arm, the skin now dark and almost black, the ink beneath it swirling and pulsating as if alive. "This isn’t just ink anymore," he continued, the weight of his words heavy with significance. "It’s not some external force I’m manipulating. It’s woven into me—into my flesh, my muscles, my bones. Every bit of strength, every ounce of control I’ve mastered—it’s all concentrated here."

Eleo clenched his fist, and the air around it distorted, vibrating with the sheer force of the ink that seemed to breathe within him. "This transformation—it’s alive with power. Every punch, every strike—it’s like hitting you with the force of a cannon, but with the flexibility of something that can adapt mid-strike. I can harden it, liquefy it, morph it at will. It’s not just about brute strength anymore. It’s about precision."

He took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Taki. "By focusing all the ink into one side, I’ve increased my control. I’ve eliminated the waste of energy on wide-range attacks. Now, every move I make has purpose. Every strike will count. I can conserve my strength, fight longer, hit harder. You can feel it, can’t you?"

Taki’s expression remained cold, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a brief acknowledgment of the shift in the battle.

"But it’s not just offense," Eleo’s voice deepened as he continued. "This ink is in my body, in my bones. If I take a hit, it’ll heal me, faster than before. I’m no longer struggling to keep up with the damage. As long as I have reserves, the ink will repair me. You could land what you think is a fatal blow, and I’ll still get back up. Every. Single. Time."

Taki narrowed his eyes, the weight of Eleo’s words finally sinking in.

Eleo glanced back at Tony, Kenji, and Olorun, who stood speechless, overwhelmed by the sudden change in their comrade. Then he turned back to Taki. "You were right before. I couldn’t beat you. But now? I’ve turned my weakness into strength. The ink isn’t just an ability anymore—it’s my essence. It’s in every fiber of my being. I’ve become something you can’t comprehend. Something you’re not ready for."

With a confident smirk, Eleo raised his ink-infused arm, the dark energy swirling with violent intent. "You have power, Taki, I’ll give you that. You’ve got raw strength, speed. But I’ve got adaptability. I’ve got control. And I’m going to use that to outlast you."

He lunged forward, his right arm morphing into a massive ink blade that shimmered with the threat of death. The blade clashed against Taki’s fist, the impact shaking the ground beneath them. The two forces collided, a surge of energy erupting around them as the rest of the group watched in silent awe.

Kenji, barely able to process what was happening, shook his head. "What the hell is even going on at this point?"

Tony, still watching intently, smiled slightly. "Looks like our little bunny friend has gotten stronger."

Olorun scratched his head, glancing over at Tony. "Wait… what’s his name again?"

Kenji sighed. "Eleo, Olorun. His name’s Eleo."

Without hesitation, Olorun cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out, "Eleo!"

Still clashing with Taki, Eleo glanced back, confused.

Olorun shouted again, "Let me join your team!"

Eleo smirked, his eyes never leaving Taki’s as he responded, "Sure, you helped Kenji. You’re in."

Tony clapped Olorun on the back. "Welcome aboard, kid."

Taki’s face twisted into a scowl as he grabbed Eleo by his long bunny ears and hurled him off the bridge with a force that would have shattered lesser beings. Taki moved like a blur, flying through the air, his fist ready to strike Eleo down before he could recover. But Eleo, with newfound agility, dodged the blow and landed on the sand below, digging his feet into the ground to stop himself from sliding further.

As he regained his balance, Taki landed gracefully a few feet away, his footsteps heavy in the silence that followed. He took slow, deliberate steps toward Eleo, his voice filled with disdain. "All that talk, Bunny. What happened to it?"

Eleo wiped the sand from his clothes, grinning despite the tension in the air. "Hey, I was just trying to look cool. Let’s see if I’ve really gotten stronger."

Without warning, Eleo thrust his palms forward, unleashing his Ink Cannon Barrage—rapid bursts of highly pressurized ink shot from his palms and stomach, each projectile hitting with immense force, designed to coat Taki in sticky ink that would harden instantly, restricting his movements.

Taki dodged effortlessly, moving left, right, and even through the barrage as if the ink was moving in slow motion. In his mind, Taki mused to himself, I should just end this quickly, but... maybe I’ll have a little fun first. God, forgive me for playing with my food.

Eleo gritted his teeth, watching as his ink blasts continued to miss their mark. Damn it, he’s too fast.

Taki, with a flicker of amusement in his eyes, landed atop a large rock and placed his hand on it. His voice was calm, almost serene as he activated his ability. "Breath of Life."

The rock beneath his hand began to tremble, its surface shifting as two glowing red eyes appeared in its center. The rock moved, its massive form rumbling as it came to life, ready to fight under Taki’s command.

Eleo stared up at the animated rock, his heart pounding in his chest. This wasn’t just a battle of strength anymore. It had become a clash of willpower, adaptability, and something far more dangerous than brute force. He knew that this fight was far from over.

And for the first time, in a long time, he was ready to see it through to the end.As Eleo continued unleashing his Ink Cannon Barrage, Taki effortlessly dodged, weaving through the air like a shadow. Each shot of ink missed its mark, only splattering against the ground, leaving Eleo increasingly frustrated.

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Eleo's thoughts raced. For the love of God, this isn't working—wait, hold on. What if I do this? With a sharp tug, he sent a tendril of ink whipping out from his arm, wrapping around Taki's leg in mid-flight.

"Caught you off guard!" Eleo shouted triumphantly, yanking Taki down from the sky. But before Eleo could revel in his success, a rock creature—one of the many Taki had animated—lunged at him from behind. Eleo barely managed to dodge in time, feeling the rush of air as the massive fist swung past his head.

"Oh, right. I forgot about these guys," Eleo muttered, his focus torn between Taki and the rock monsters surrounding him. Thinking fast, he smashed his fist into the closest rock creature, shattering it into rubble with a single punch. But more were already closing in, and he needed to take care of them before Taki broke free.

With a growl of determination, Eleo unleashed Ink Tendril Assault, sprouting multiple long, whip-like tendrils of ink from his back. The tendrils lashed out in every direction, striking the rock creatures with precise, calculated force. In an instant, all of the monsters crumbled under the relentless assault, leaving Eleo surrounded by dust and debris.

Above, Taki, his wings keeping him suspended in the air, watched as his army of rock creatures fell apart in mere moments. His expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes.

"It seems I’ve wasted too much time playing," Taki muttered to himself, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. He glanced down at the ink tendril still wrapped around his leg, effortlessly snapping it with a flex of his muscles. His wings flapped once, sending him higher into the sky.

Eleo looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, though his breath was ragged from the effort of holding Taki and dealing with the rock creatures simultaneously.

Taki hovered above, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're persistent, I’ll give you that. But persistence without power is meaningless." He folded his wings slightly and began to descend, faster and faster, his eyes locking onto Eleo. "I guess it’s time to stop toying with you. Let’s settle this."

Eleo’s mind raced. He’s coming straight for me. But instead of fear, a sly grin crept across his face. Good. Just what I wanted.

Taki barreled down like a bullet, his fists crackling with energy. But Eleo was ready. Just as Taki was within striking distance, Eleo’s tendrils coiled again, not to attack—but to defend. They wrapped around his body, hardening into a protective shell of ink just as Taki’s punch landed.

The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, but Eleo held firm, his ink barrier absorbing the brunt of the attack. From within the protective cocoon, Eleo's voice rang out, sharp and confident. "You're not the only one who can adapt, Taki."

Taki’s eyes widened in realization. "You—"

Before he could finish, the ink barrier dissolved in a flash, and Eleo’s arm shot forward, his fist coated in concentrated ink. He struck Taki square in the chest, the force of the blow amplified by the ink’s compacted density. Taki was thrown backward, his wings faltering as he struggled to regain control mid-air.

Eleo watched as Taki recovered, breathing heavily but grinning. "You're strong, Taki. No doubt about that. But you’re not invincible. And I’ve got all day."

Taki, hovering a short distance away now, looked down at his chest, where the ink from Eleo's punch still clung, slowly hardening. For the first time in the battle, he looked... annoyed.

Eleo rolled his shoulders, feeling the ink still pulsing through his veins, his body alive with the energy of his new form. "This ink isn't just power. It’s strategy. And right now, Taki, you’re falling behind."Taki hovered in the air, his wings barely keeping him aloft as exhaustion took its toll on his body. His form, which had seemed so invincible and powerful earlier, now looked worn and frayed at the edges. Every flap of his wings was labored, every breath a struggle. But his eyes were still sharp, locked onto Eleo with the intensity of a predator determined to see the fight through to the bitter end.

"Boy..." Taki’s voice was low, strained, but it carried the weight of his resolve. "I think it’s time we finish this. Once and for all."

Eleo, standing firmly on the ground, met Taki’s gaze with a smirk. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the ink coursing through him like a living entity, ready to be unleashed in one final, devastating strike. "I feel the same way," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with anticipation. "Let’s end this."

Without another word, the two warriors began charging their ultimate attacks, the air between them crackling with energy.

Eleo extended his arms, summoning all the remaining ink in his body. His right arm pulsed with raw power, the ink swirling and condensing as he concentrated it into a single, focused form. The inky substance began to take shape, growing larger and more defined with every passing second. An enormous spear formed in his hands, its tip shaped like the ferocious head of a dragon, dark and foreboding. The ink twisted and writhed, as though alive, the spear almost vibrating with the intensity of the energy compacted within it. This was his Ink Dragon Spear, a weapon of pure, concentrated power. He could feel it draining him, consuming a massive portion of his reserves, but he knew this was the moment to strike.

Across the battlefield, Taki closed his eyes, his body glowing with a brilliant, ethereal light. His wings expanded outward, larger and more radiant than ever before. The wind began to swirl around him, slowly at first, but soon gathering speed, becoming a fierce, howling gale that seemed to bend the very fabric of reality. Light and wind intertwined, creating a vortex of pure energy that enveloped him completely. The storm grew, covering the entire landscape in its wake. The sky above darkened, then blazed with radiant beams of light as the tempest expanded. This was Taki’s Eternal Tempest of Light, an unstoppable force capable of purging all evil and corruption from the world. Within the heart of the storm, Taki was invincible.

The ground beneath Eleo began to tremble as Taki’s storm consumed everything around them. Trees were uprooted, rocks and debris were torn from the ground, all swallowed by the tempest. But Eleo stood his ground, his feet planted firmly in the earth as he raised the Ink Dragon Spear above his head. His eyes narrowed, focusing solely on Taki’s form within the storm.

"Let’s see whose power will prevail!" Eleo shouted, his voice cutting through the deafening roar of the storm.

With a mighty roar, Eleo hurled the Ink Dragon Spear with all his strength. The spear shot forward with blinding speed, its dragon-shaped tip leading the charge, tearing through the air like a bolt of dark lightning. The sheer force of the spear’s velocity sent shockwaves rippling outward, and as it approached Taki, the air around it warped and distorted from the immense pressure.

Taki’s eyes snapped open, glowing with an otherworldly light. The wind around him intensified, spiraling into a massive cyclone. With a single motion, he unleashed the full might of his Eternal Tempest of Light, sending waves of purging light crashing toward the oncoming spear. The two attacks collided in a cataclysmic explosion of energy.

The impact was overwhelming. The sky lit up with the blinding radiance of Taki’s tempest, while the dark, swirling ink of Eleo’s spear erupted into a chaotic storm of tendrils. The energy from the two forces clashed violently, sending shockwaves that rippled across the battlefield, tearing the ground apart and uprooting everything in their path.

Eleo gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of his attack. He could barely keep his footing as the energy of the collision threatened to knock him off balance. The Ink Dragon Spear had exploded into hundreds of tendrils, each one lashing out at Taki, seeking to bind him and bring him down. But Taki, now at the center of his Eternal Tempest, seemed untouchable. The light from his storm burned away the ink tendrils as they approached, dissolving them before they could reach him.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Taki shouted, his voice booming above the roar of the tempest. He raised his hands, summoning even more power from the storm. "This is the end, Eleo! You can’t defeat me!"

But Eleo wasn’t finished yet. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the last of the ink reserves in his body surged into his right arm. His body trembled from the sheer exertion, but he forced himself to stay focused. I only have one shot left.

With a sudden burst of energy, Eleo leapt into the air, propelling himself forward with the last of his strength. As he soared toward Taki, his arm transformed, becoming a massive ink tendril. The tendril lashed out, wrapping around Taki’s leg and pulling him downward, disrupting his control over the storm.

"You think you’re invincible in that storm?" Eleo growled through gritted teeth. "Think again!"

Taki’s eyes widened in surprise as he was yanked from the air, his concentration broken. The tempest faltered for just a moment, but it was enough. Eleo’s tendril tightened its grip, pulling Taki closer. With one final push, Eleo swung Taki downward, slamming him into the ground with tremendous force.

The impact created a massive crater, sending cracks spider-webbing out from where Taki had landed. For a moment, everything was still.

Eleo landed heavily on the ground, panting, his body nearly spent. His ink reserves were depleted, and his transformation began to fade, the ink retreating back into his body. He looked at the crater where Taki lay, waiting for movement.

Taki stirred, his body glowing faintly with the remnants of his light. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, his wings tattered and his form weakened. But there was still fire in his eyes. He glared at Eleo, breathing heavily.

"You're... stronger than I expected," Taki admitted, his voice hoarse. "But this battle... isn’t over yet."

Eleo, barely able to stand, grinned. "I think it is. You’re out of time, Taki. This storm of yours can’t last forever. And I’m not going down that easy."

Taki clenched his fists, his wings faltering as the last of his strength left him. He took one step forward... then collapsed to his knees, the light around him fading.

Eleo stood tall, despite his exhaustion, victorious. "It’s over."Taki remained on his knees, gasping for air as the last remnants of his Eternal Tempest of Light flickered and faded into the void. The storm that had raged with such power was gone, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet. Dust and debris settled slowly around them, the devastation of their fight apparent in every direction.

Eleo, swaying slightly from the exhaustion, took a cautious step toward Taki. His ink reserves were almost completely drained, and his body ached from the toll of the battle. Still, a triumphant smirk curled across his lips. He had won, but he wasn’t foolish enough to drop his guard completely.

"See?" Eleo said, his voice hoarse but steady. "Even your ultimate power couldn’t finish me. You fought well, but this is my victory."

Taki’s breathing was ragged, and he struggled to raise his head. His wings, once so majestic, now drooped behind him like torn banners. Yet, even in defeat, there was no fear in his eyes, only a quiet determination.

"You think... this is over?" Taki whispered, his voice faint but laced with defiance. "I’m not finished yet."

Eleo narrowed his eyes. "You can’t even stand, Taki. Don’t push yourself."

Taki’s body trembled as he slowly forced himself to his feet, using every ounce of his remaining strength. His legs wobbled, and his wings flickered with dim light, but he remained standing, defying the pain that wracked his body.

"I promised... to finish this battle," Taki rasped, lifting his hand weakly toward Eleo. "And I will. Even if it takes... everything I have."

Eleo clenched his fists, his patience thinning. "Enough, Taki! You’ve lost! Don’t make me—"

Before Eleo could finish his sentence, Taki’s hand began to glow with a faint but steady light. It wasn’t the overwhelming brilliance of the Eternal Tempest, but something more subtle, more focused. A final spark of defiance.

"I won’t go down... without giving it everything," Taki said through gritted teeth.

Eleo watched as the light in Taki’s hand grew brighter, a final desperate attempt to muster whatever power he had left. But it was clear that Taki’s body was on the verge of collapse.

"You’re crazy," Eleo muttered, taking a step back, unsure of what Taki intended to do. "You can’t possibly—"

Suddenly, the light in Taki’s hand exploded outward, not in a grandiose attack, but in a sharp, concentrated beam that shot toward Eleo with incredible speed. Eleo’s eyes widened in shock, realizing that Taki had saved his last bit of power for this precis