The air trembled as the battle truly began.
Norio didn't wait.
He launched forward again—faster than before.
Gorath met him head-on.
Their fists collided with a shockwave that rippled across the field. The ground beneath them cracked as both warriors pushed against each other, raw strength clashing without restraint.
Amagi circled from the side, moving with precision—Shark's Fin guiding his steps. He struck from blind angles, forcing Norio to split his focus.
But Norio adapted quickly.
He twisted mid-motion, blocking Amagi's strike and driving his elbow into Gorath's chest, forcing the giant back.
"You've improved," Norio said, almost amused.
"But not enough."
He surged forward again—overwhelming, relentless.
Even Gorath began to struggle.
Each hit carried weight. Each movement was calculated. Norio wasn't just strong—he was controlled chaos.
Amagi was pushed back again, barely deflecting a strike that shattered the ground beside him.
For the first time—
They were losing ground.
---
Gorath stepped back, breathing heavily.
His grip tightened on his sword.
His eyes narrowed.
Then—
Something clicked.
"Amagi!" he called out.
Amagi instantly understood.
He shifted his stance, drawing Norio's attention.
"Over here," Amagi said calmly.
Norio smirked and lunged toward him.
That was the moment.
Gorath planted his feet and raised his sword—not to attack—
But to invite.
A deliberate opening.
Norio saw it.
And took it.
He rushed forward, aiming a direct strike at Gorath.
But just as the attack came—
Gorath moved.
A precise shift.
A calculated angle.
Norio's momentum carried him forward—
Too far.
A sharp impact.
For a split second, everything froze.
Norio staggered.
A wound had opened through his torso—clean, sudden, unexpected.
But even then—
He didn't stop.
His eyes locked onto Gorath.
And he punched.
The force of the blow sent Gorath flying backward, his body crashing into the ground with heavy impact. His sword remained embedded for a brief moment before slipping free.
Gorath didn't rise.
He was unconscious.
---
"GORATH!" Amagi shouted.
His focus sharpened instantly.
There was no more room for hesitation.
Amagi stepped forward, his movements shifting—Shark's Fin blending with Snake's Tail. Flow and counter. Movement and patience.
He attacked.
Fast.
Precise.
Every strike aimed to control, to limit, to survive.
But Norio… was still standing.
Despite the injury.
Despite the damage.
He straightened slowly.
Then—
He smiled.
"Now this… is a fight."
---
Norio moved again—but differently this time.
More aggressive.
More dangerous.
He closed the distance instantly and grabbed Amagi mid-motion, lifting him off the ground before slamming him back down. The impact knocked the air from Amagi's lungs.
Before he could recover—
Another strike.
Then another.
Punch.
Kick.
Grab.
Throw.
Norio's attacks became a storm—unpredictable, overwhelming. He caught Amagi mid-air multiple times, refusing to let him regain balance.
Amagi forced himself to think.
Not panic.
Think.
He shifted his movement mid-air, redirecting one of Norio's throws, landing roughly but managing to roll away.
Barely.
His breathing was uneven now.
His body slowing.
But his eyes—
Still focused.
---
"You're holding on," Norio said, stepping forward.
"Why?"
Amagi wiped the blood from his lip.
"Because…" he said quietly, steadying his stance,
"You're not the only one who knows how to endure."
The wind picked up across the field.
Behind Amagi—
Gorath remained still.
But not broken.
The battle wasn't over.
Not yet.
And as Amagi stepped forward again, gathering everything he had left—
One thing was certain:
This fight would decide more than just survival.
It would decide
Who could still stand
When everything else falls.