David and Xyng moved toward Astra in perfect sync.
Astra, having recovered his techniques, smirked and said,
"Let's begin."
Xyng rushed forward, leaping into the air and spinning for a kick aimed at Astra's head — but the blow never landed. An invisible barrier shimmered and absorbed the impact.
At that same moment, David closed the distance and unleashed a storm of sword strikes.
David's movements were unpredictable, fluid yet deadly. A confident, almost arrogant smile played on his lips — he was clearly enjoying the fight.
Relying on his barrier, Astra deflected the attacks effortlessly and countered with precision. Hitting David was nearly impossible, so Astra shifted his focus to Xyng instead. Xyng barely managed to block each blow.
Then, David suddenly hurled his sword straight at Astra. The blade struck the barrier, its energy fading for a brief second.
Seizing the opportunity, Astra blasted Xyng back with a powerful strike. Dropping his barrier, he caught David's sword midair and sneered,
"Well, looks like I got you."
David just smiled and thought,
"Damn… missed. But that's fine."
As Astra raised the blade to strike, David instantly activated Void Step — and vanished. He reappeared ten meters away, relaxing for a moment — until Astra appeared right behind him.
"Too slow," Astra whispered and kicked him hard, sending David flying straight toward Xyng.
Seeing his brother crash through the air, Xyng sighed,
"Brother, already missing me?"
Sweating, he dashed forward, caught David midair, and slid across the ground for fifteen meters, leaving deep marks in the dirt.
Setting David down, Xyng said,
"Brother, I'm going to use my technique now. But you'll have to trust me and push forward."
David smirked.
"I don't care. I owe him one. Let's do this."
"Perfect. Then nothing will stop us," Xyng replied, eyes blazing with determination.
Astra frowned.
"What kind of technique does this monkey have now?"
The brothers advanced. A strange hum filled the air — an aura of shifting energy. In an instant, they began to switch places at lightning speed.
"What is this technique…" Astra thought as they reached him.
Their attacks came from all directions, their positions changing every heartbeat. Astra's barrier held, but he was trapped — caught inside an endless loop of movement.
"I… can't get out! And my energy's draining too fast!" Panic flickered through Astra's mind.
Xyng was grinning wildly, pure joy lighting his face — he was truly enjoying fighting side by side with his brother.
When cracks began to spread across the barrier, Astra felt a surge of fear… but then something clicked, and he smiled.
The barrier shattered — and the brothers' fists rushed toward him.
But Astra unleashed Demonic Burst. His body glowed with blinding light — and a massive explosion hurled both David and Xyng backward.
"Your technique's too simple… but damn, it's annoying. So just die," Astra said, forming a golden orb at his fingertip and firing it at Xyng.
David, barely standing, used Void Step and shouted,
"Xyng!"
But Xyng only smiled,
"Nice idea… but you failed."
The next instant, Astra appeared in Xyng's place. He didn't even have time to realize it — the orb exploded point-blank.
The shockwave blasted through fifteen meters of earth and smoke.
David stopped just inches from his brother, stunned.
"How did you do that?! I thought you could only swap places with me!"
Xyng smirked,
"Take a look at your right hand."
David glanced down — a glowing tattoo of a voluptuous woman shimmered on his skin.
"That's my mark. It lets me swap not only with people but with objects too. The first time, I placed it on the demon during the attack — and then on you when I caught you."
"I see," David said quietly.
When the smoke finally cleared, Astra emerged — alive.
"I figured if the barrier broke, I could trigger the technique first and push you both back. I meant to finish off that brute with a second attack… but I didn't expect you could swap with me."
Xyng laughed,
"Ha! Guess you're just weak."