Kaze was sent flying several blocks by a precise kick from Aisha.
— You talk too much — she fired back, never taking her eyes off the enemy.
Aisha quickly assessed Tekio. He struggled to stabilize his body, blood dripping from his hands.
— Tekio, focus! Breathe deeply. If you don't recover soon and get into position, that monster will strike again. His attacks are invisible and powerful. I can't protect you from everything and fight him at the same time. I need you ready — she ordered firmly.
Tekio nodded, his gaze determined, though hope seemed painfully thin.
Above the ruins, amidst floating debris, Kaze spoke with disdain:
— Impressive kick. I was looking forward to a good fight, and I was right to seek you out, Tekio. It seems you're surrounded by powerful guardians.
Turning to Aisha with sarcasm, he continued:
— I have no interest in hurting the poor boy behind you, Lady Empress. I want to end you in front of him. Maybe then he'll spark a reaction.
— Come at me with everything you've got, you miserable creature — Aisha challenged, ready for the next move.
Kaze hurled a storm of debris at Aisha, who dodged with agility, leaping onto a nearby ruined building. She drew her spear swiftly and, with a precise motion, channeled the wind to deflect the shards back, striking Kaze with fragments of his own debris.
Infuriated, Kaze unleashed a gust of wind that destroyed the structure beneath Aisha. She had to leap aside, leaving her vulnerable to another strike. Yet her spear radiated a neutral energy that absorbed attacks and returned them. With perfect timing, she reflected the gust, wounding Kaze.
Aisha landed on the ground and surged forward, aiming her spear at the enemy's chest, preparing a lethal strike. But Kaze released a whirlwind strong enough to hurl her into the rubble.
Dust rose into the air, and seconds later, a chain appeared, binding Kaze and slamming him to the ground.
Aisha advanced quickly, closing the distance for close combat, her spear transforming into an ethereal sword.
Her weapon was unique: it could shift forms — spear, bow, sword, chain — and always returned to her hand, as long as it remained within reach.
Despite her advantage, Kaze landed blows with frightening ease, matching her in combat.
Aisha attempted to pierce him, but he loaded a close-range wind attack, blasting her back and cutting across multiple areas of her body. Several wounds were deep, yet her spiritual chain protected her vital organs.
Unyielding, Aisha concentrated energy into her fist, but Kaze anticipated her move, attempting to block with another wind blast. She used the chain as a distraction, spinning her body and delivering a powerful spinning kick, reinforced by the chain pulsing from fist to foot. The ground cracked, parts of the ruined building exploded, and Kaze was thrown against debris, skidding across several streets.
Kaze, nearly unconscious, muttered to himself, furious and humiliated:
— I am a mystical, millennial creature… and I'm being defeated by a human without a gift?
— I enjoy strong opponents, but you are an aberration. Perhaps it's time to take this seriously — he growled.
The winds intensified, forming a savage hurricane that cut through everything nearby. Tekio and Aisha were in the eye of the destructive storm.
Debris shredded in the air, the force of the attacks devastating. Any sensible person would have fled by now.
Aisha could have escaped with her speed, she thought. But when she glanced at the helpless boy:
— Tekio, run! — she shouted.
Unable to reach Tekio in time, Aisha used her body as a shield against the slicing gusts.
When the hurricane subsided, Tekio was wounded but alive. Aisha, despite her mastery, bore multiple deep cuts.
Kaze had destroyed nearly everything, leaving a mile-and-a-half of ruins — an open field for combat without obstacles.
Now he seemed more at ease, his eyes wild, like a feral beast. His spiritual wind weapon pulsed in his hands.
Yet seeing Aisha, drenched in blood and protecting Tekio, he felt disgusted.
— Why take a strike that could have been dodged for someone so useless? — he mocked — That's why the strong die. Those who sacrifice themselves always fall this way. You'll be next.
— I won't die. You don't have what it takes to beat me here. And he is not useless. I bet one punch from him could break your face — she replied, a bloody smile on her lips.
— We shall see — Kaze advanced, but Aisha blocked him, keeping him away from Tekio.
Even wounded, she maintained the rhythm of the fight.
Tekio, kneeling, felt like a burden, helpless.
Spiritual energy was the living force in all beings — the thread that unites, strengthens, and destroys. Not everyone had affinity with it; powers varied: controlling elements, summoning, transforming… but the spiritual chain was universal.
Tekio thought:
My family believed in cruel meritocracy. My fate was to grow, train, and be sold to a superior family to serve them.
My sister believed she could change this reality. I never understood why, yet I believed everything she said—until she was gone. Only then did I meet Mei Nuhay. She was the only one, besides me, at her funeral. She said she knew my sister. Then she bought me, and her presence became my path.
My colorless life began to change. I met Dan, a great friend. I met Stella, Tenklyn, Akira, and Aisha, my teacher. She taught me to be strong, even without incredible gifts.
She showed me how to control spiritual energy, to turn an ordinary ability into a weapon against powerful enemies.
Now I see how weak I still am.
Someone who helped me so much, fighting right before my eyes while I remained immobile.
Tekio's thoughts didn't stop the fight. Aisha, despite her confidence, bore the weight of protecting him.
Kaze was about to end the fight. But Aisha did not retreat. She landed a precise punch to the enemy's face, staggering him.
She summoned her sword, which flew straight into her hand. The blades clashed with a resounding impact, yet a gust of wind struck Aisha unprepared, severing her index, middle, and ring fingers on her right hand, already injured.
— Protecting that boy will cost you your life — Kaze declared.
He prepared a deadly strike, but Tekio charged at him, drawing his attention.
— I know I'm weak. I know my victory against Velkros was mere luck, and I won't cling to something I don't understand. I have to act. Even if I die, even if I fall, even if the sky splits. I could never forgive myself if someone I care about died while I stood still — Tekio thought desperately, throwing a predictable punch.
The moment Kaze veered to strike Tekio with his blade, Aisha seized the opening and drove her sword into the enemy's chest. He exploded in gusts of wind, wounding both.
— You think I'll die from a single strike? — Kaze mocked, yanking the sword out and throwing it away.
— Not to kill you, but to weaken you — Aisha said coldly.
Aisha glanced at Tekio, a faint smile of relief on her lips.
Tekio looked back, serious:
— Sorry for being a burden. Now I'll fight, with everything you taught me.
His brown eyes turned gray, almost white — the state of focus. Each affinity with spiritual energy awakens differently, and his was fueled by emotion, by the heartache.
Aisha's eyes shone.
— Then let's go — she said.
Kaze smiled.
— Let's see what you're made of.
To Be Continued...