Chapitre 17: TRUE MEANING OF DOMINATION
*CLANG* *CLASH*
The two contenders engaged in a formidable display of skill, their movements synchronized with uncanny precision. They danced upon the stage of combat, each step calculated and deliberate, their bodies in perfect harmony. No gaps in their defense were exposed, no vulnerabilities laid bare for the other to exploit. It was a breathtaking spectacle, a symphony of martial prowess, as they locked horns with unwavering determination, leaving no room for their opponent to seize the upper hand.
At long last, the combatants reluctantly disengaged, their bodies shifting back, allowing a momentary respite from the relentless exchange. They withdrew, taking measured steps backward, their chests heaving with exertion. The air crackled with lingering energy as they sought a brief intermission, their eyes locked, assessing the damage inflicted upon one another. A palpable tension hung in the atmosphere, a testament to the intensity of the battle that had unfolded. In this fleeting reprieve, they seized the opportunity to gather their strength, their minds racing with strategies and calculations for the next phase of their relentless clash.
Raizel's gaze fell upon the girl, and he found himself captivated by her formidable presence. Clad in sleek, black armor that seemed to meld seamlessly with her lithe form, she emanated an aura of both elegance and power. The surface of her armor shimmered with a metallic sheen, infused with advanced nanotechnology that granted it an otherworldly luminescence.
Silver linings traced intricate patterns along the edges of her armor, accentuating its contours and adding a touch of ethereal beauty. These delicate lines seemed to pulse with an inner energy, hinting at the advanced circuitry hidden within. They carried a faint glow, casting an enigmatic shadow around her figure and giving her an air of mystery.
At strategic points, vibrant red accents adorned the borders of her armor, creating a striking contrast against the dominant black. These crimson highlights spoke of danger and passion, lending an unmistakable aura of authority to her presence. Each touch of red seemed to pulsate with life, as if infused with the essence of power itself.
Embedded seamlessly into the armor were advanced technologies, visible only upon closer inspection. Microscopic sensors and fiber-optic filaments ran discreetly through the material, enabling enhanced reflexes and heightened situational awareness. Tiny, luminescent displays flickered along the surface, relaying vital information and granting her unparalleled control over her surroundings.
The armor hugged her form snugly, allowing for effortless movement and unhindered agility. Its flexible yet durable composition suggested a blend of lightweight alloys and intelligent polymers, carefully engineered to provide both protection and freedom of motion. The futuristic design ensured that the armor complemented her every action, empowering her with grace and lethal precision.
With a tinge of admiration coloring his voice, Raizel spoke, his words carrying a profound sense of respect. "Your prowess in battle is truly remarkable. I would be honored to acquaint myself with the name that accompanies such formidable skill."
With an elegant fluidity, the girl gracefully sheathed her katana, her voice resonating with a regal tone. "Your flattery is not misplaced, Raizel O'Hara," she declared, her words carrying an air of noble confidence. "I am Raiden Mae, a kunoichi, ranked jonin, and the next heiress of the Raiden clan, one of the only existing clans since the warring Sengoku period."
Raizel's voice held a blend of curiosity and astonishment as he interjected, his words tinged with intrigue. "Wait just a moment. Could it be that you speak of the very clan that once wielded unparalleled mastery over the renowned art of Iaijutsu, the swift and deadly sword techniques?"
Mae smiled,"You guessed correct. Tsurumi, the kami of electro and lightning is the patron celestial of my clan."
With a critical and inquisitive tone, Raizel's question hung in the air, carrying an undertone of profound analysis. "If my knowledge serves me right, during the tumultuous era of Sengoku, there were five prominent clans that vied for power and influence. However, what perplexes me is this: how is it that only the illustrious Raiden clan managed to fulfill their ambition of establishing the coveted Shogunate? What set them apart from their contemporaries, enabling them to rise above the rest?"
Raiden Mae's contemplative gaze lingered in the distance as she delved into the depths of historical knowledge. "According to the ancient tablets," she began, her voice resonating with a solemn tone, "the Sengoku period bore witness to the Takeda, Oda, Tokugawa, and Uesugi clans, among others, engaged in a complex tapestry of alliances, rivalries, and relentless warfare. Yet, the inherent flaw lay in the stark imbalance of power between the major and minor clans, creating an insurmountable chasm that bred distrust and uncertainty." Her words carried the weight of undeniable truth, delving into the complexities of history's grand tapestry.
Raizel glanced towards the audience, spotting the familiar astral signatures of Raiden Mae's parents. He grinned mischievously and turned back to her. "Hey, looks like your Mother and Father are here too. Let's give them a show they won't forget, shall we?" he suggested with a playful wink.
Mae's eyes widened in astonishment, her mind filled with disbelief. "He spotted their presence from this far?!" she marveled, her thoughts echoing with incredulity.
With a nod of satisfaction, Raizel's eyes gleamed with determination. "Sufficient information for the present," he remarked, his hands closing firmly around the pulsating hilts of his blades, suffused with surging energy. It was time to resume their unfinished duel.
Mae smiled. Her eyes glittered with excitement at the thought of battle and victory."As much as I love to talk about my heritage, I suppose it's a topic saved for later." She began to draw her katana as she assumed her stance.
"HAAAAA!!", with a resounding cry that pierced the air, both combatants unleashed their battle cries, their voices blending into a harmonious symphony of determination and passion. The clash of their blades reverberated through the arena, a thunderous melody that resonated with their shared exhilaration. Engrossed in the intensity of their duel, they immersed themselves in the thrill of the fight, savoring every moment as if it were a symphony of combat unfolding before them.
Arcs of brilliant electricity erupted from the collision of their blades, illuminating the battlefield with a dazzling display of crackling energy. In the midst of the clash, ethereal blue flames danced along the edges of their weapons, casting an otherworldly glow that mesmerized all who witnessed it. With each clash and clang, showers of sparks erupted like fireworks, painting the air with a mesmerizing tapestry of shimmering light, transcending the realm of mere combat.
Mae's voice reverberated with an exhilarating mix of excitement and determination, resonating through the air. "YES!! This is the essence of true combat!" she proclaimed, her words carrying the weight of a warrior's spirit. The resounding clash of their swords echoed like thunder, harmonizing with the surge of raw power coursing through their veins. Every fiber of her being ignited with a relentless fervor, as if the very act of battle breathed life into her soul.
Mae swiftly retreated, her eyes blazed and crackled with electricity. Her body moved with a fluid grace as she spun her blades, assuming a formidable stance. In an instant, an electrifying spectacle unfolded before Raizel's eyes. Waves of potent electrokinetic energy surged forth, pulsating with untamed power. The atmosphere crackled with an electric charge, as if the very air itself trembled under the pressure of such power. Thunder rumbled in the distance, its booming roar reverberating through the battleground, heightening the sense of impending danger. The ground beneath Mae's feet seemed to come alive, as arcs of electricity danced around her, forming a dazzling vortex of electrifying currents. Raizel felt a palpable force pushing against him, threatening to lift him from his position.
Raizel's equilibrium wavered as astonishment washed over him."What the hell is that power?! That move... that stance! It looks so familiar! Where?! Where have I seen it before?!"
As Mae unleashed the electrifying might within her, the very fabric of time and space quivered in anticipation. With blinding speed, she brandished her blade. In an instant, reality fractured, and a torrent of sizzling blue energy cleaved through the air like a comet's tail. The resounding crack of a thousand cosmic slashes echoed through the battlefield, as if the heavens themselves had split asunder. A myriad of ethereal blades materialized, suspended in a kaleidoscope of shimmering hues, before hurtling towards their designated targets with unrelenting force. The impact was cataclysmic, a cataclysm of searing light and explosive power, shattering the atmosphere and shaking the very ground beneath their feet.
Raiden Mae surged forward with the swiftness of lightning, her movements leaving ephemeral traces of electrified energy in her wake.
"Astral Manipulation electrokinesis, 11th form: Musou No Narukami!"
Raizel stood frozen by the sheer force of the attack. Within mere instants, his body crumbled, blood gushing forth from his wounded shoulders, arms, and legs, drenching him in a macabre cascade of blood.
Mae gracefully slid her katana into its sheath, her gaze fixed upon Raizel's bloody form. "I am privileged to have crossed swords with you, Raizel O'Hara," she declared with solemn reverence. "This battle, its intensity and significance, shall forever be etched in the annals of my memory, an enduring testament to the honor and valor we both exhibited."
As her footsteps receded, a haunting echo trailed behind Mae. Abruptly, she spun around, her eyes wide with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. "I-I don't understand!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "How... How can this be? The Musou No Narukami, executed with lethal precision and unwavering perfection, should have left him incapacitated. Yet, against all odds, he still stands before me, defying the very limits of human endurance!" Her mind struggled to comprehend the unfathomable resilience displayed by Raizel.
Raizel's voice carried a mix of relief and determination as he spoke, "I must admit, that was a close call. Thankfully, my swift action in conjuring an astral barrier proved to be the saving grace. Without it, I would have undoubtedly be grievously injured in that devastating onslaught. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers we face and the importance of being prepared at all times."
Mae was still in shock."H-How did you even have time to create a barrier in the first place?!"
"In truth, the essence of astral energy permeates the very fabric of our surroundings. I harnessed the electrical astral energy emanating from your relentless attacks, harnessing its potential to create a formidable elemental barrier. When two elements of the same nature collide, their interaction yields but a negligible response, akin to the repulsion between like poles of a magnet.", explained Raizel.
Raizel's gaze shifted to his open palm, a quiet contemplation passing through his eyes. He spoke with a measured tone, revealing a newfound understanding, "It seems the moment has arrived for me to make my move. I'll show you what domination feels like." His ascent from the ground was deliberate and steady, exuding an aura of focused determination.
"As I was saying, Astral energy exists everywhere, I just used my energy manipulation technique to bring it forth into the dimension of reality.", continued Raizel.
Raizel produced two balls of flame in his palm, one orange-red and the other blue."Pyro and Azuro, what do you think happens when both combine?"
Mae's expression contorted into a mixture of fear and shock as the energies converged, giving birth to a formidable sphere of crimson energy. The sheer intensity of its radiance sent shivers down her spine, causing her to tremble involuntarily. The pulsating power emanating from the sphere overwhelmed her senses, leaving her in a state of utter disbelief. Fear gripped her heart as she realized the magnitude of the force now before her, questioning whether she possessed the strength to withstand such a formidable display of power.
"Crimson Astral manipulation, 1st form: Revolt Javelin."
The air seemed to quiver with anticipation. A low, ominous hum filled the surroundings, growing in intensity with each passing moment. The sound resembled a resonating echo, akin to the distant tolling of a foreboding bell. It reverberated through the battlefield, stirring an unsettling aura that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. The sound possessed a malevolent quality, as if the very essence of malice had taken on an audible form.
With a maniacal laughter that echoed through the battlefield, Raizel surged forward, his movements surpassing the boundaries of human capability. The air itself seemed to quiver in anticipation as he propelled himself with an explosive force, leaving behind a trail of crackling energy in his wake. At supernova speeds, he closed the distance between himself and Raiden Mae in an instant, his presence an overwhelming force that rendered her paralyzed with astonishment. Time seemed to slow as Raizel's unstoppable momentum and power engulfed the surroundings in crimson hue.
The unleashed blast expanded with such cataclysmic force that it consumed the entirety of the once pristine arena. The boundaries that once held the fierce contest were reduced to mere rubble, scattered fragments amidst a chaotic landscape. Amidst the devastation, crimson flames danced and flickered, casting an eerie glow that illuminated the shattered remnants. The air itself crackled with residual energy, as if echoing the destructive power that had been unleashed. The arena, once a symbol of competition and glory, now stood as a testament to the overwhelming might that had rendered it naught but a charred battlefield.
Mae's eyes widened in disbelief as she awakened, finding herself miraculously spared from the devastating onslaught. A mix of astonishment and confusion filled her, until her gaze fell upon Raizel's outstretched hand reaching out to her from the other side. The realization struck her with profound clarity - he had deliberately missed his attack, sparing her from the merciless grip of annihilation. It was an act of calculated mercy, an unexpected twist in the midst of chaos.
In the blink of an eye, Mae succumbed to the overwhelming weight of shock, her body crumbling beneath its burden. She descended into Raizel's waiting embrace, where his arms enveloped her with an unyielding tenderness and an unwavering sense of protection. With each delicate touch, he cradled her fragile form, his hands exuding a touch that spoke of profound empathy and unwavering care. In that moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty.
"It appears that she passed out of shock." Raizel remarked.
"But oh my, she looks so adorable that it makes me want to care more for her. How intriguing....". Raizel looked at the clear blue skies as the battle witnessed it's remarkable end.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone