REMATCH: STRINGS AND DOMINANCE
1501 Words
The breeze blew gently, Matero's hair waved in the air, so did the edges of his robe. His blue hair always made him stand out, coupled with the purple robes he had on this time, he was like a master. Opposite was Kelena, she had already assumed a fighting stance, it was just like the first time they fought. Just one thing was different, Kelena wasn't smiling this time around, she was serious and had a look of decisiveness.
"Last time we fought, we were at the same step. It is different now." Battle intent surged from Kelena, she knew she was probably going to lose, but she wouldn't let go easily.
"I'm still me." Matero was still smiling brightly, he was at ease. He was certain of victory. Kelena didn't return the smile, she wasn't ready to be distracted by Matero's antics. Not this time, no.
"Hmmm." Matero could feel Kelena's battle intent, his face turned solemn. This meant a lot to Kelena, somehow she was the only one of the five from the imperial grounds who was still at the first step. Matero decided to respect her wishes. "I won't hold back Kelena, but to make this worth it, I won't use illusions." Matero nodded at his decision. "I consider that a low blow in cases like yours."
"Good, I won't be using traps either." Kelena took a stance and drew her blade. "Let us do this right now, fair and square." Kelena tightened her grip on her sword, ready to charge.
"Shuaaa." Like breeze, Matero glided towards Kelena. It was like he ran on air and he moved with a very incredible speed. It was the first time he would move first in any matchup during this event.
"Move." Kelena wasn't expecting Matero to move first, the speed he moved with startled her the more, but she reacted in time. Kelena dashed towards the incoming Matero with her full aura released and sword drawn.
"Clang." Their two swords collided, they struck at one another and blocked over and over again. The two moved with skill, a lot of the observing disciples watched with awe. They clashed over and over, non had the upper hand and the attacks got fiercer.
"Such mastery."
"This is the battle power of the imperial cultivation grounds."
"Hmmm, the tie can't last." A lot of people analysed their thoughts to one another.
Kelena pulled away from Matero and threw her sword, one could see a faint string attach to the hilt and connect with her fingers. Matero blocked the hit but the sword didn't fall to the ground, instead it remained suspended in air and continued to unleash a barrage of attacks like it was held by an invisible being. At first Matero was surprised, but he quickly suppressed his questions and focused on the fight.
"A secret technique made just for her strings."
"Hehehe, this was she can keep Matero busy and do other things." That was Haru who applauded the move.
Kelena didn't even concentrate on the floating sword, with just a tiny release of chakra, the string acted of it's own accord. As that went on, Kelena slammed her palm to the ground and something strange happened.
Matero saw Kelena move from the corner of his eyes, but he was still engaged with the floating sword that gave him a frenzied barrage of attacks, something a human couldn't manage. He suddenly felt a splitting sensation beneath him, he jumped backwards and what looked like a bundle of Kelena's strings busted out of the ground, it came out right where he stood before jumping backwards. The bundle of strings ripped everything it came across, including the hard material the stage was made of.
Matero could feel sweat dripping from his forehead, the attack just now was so close. If he had hesitated for just a second before moving, he could be dead right now.
"Smack." The floating sword didn't give him peace, it struck him as soon as he landed.
The entire event repeated itself, bundles of strings like pillars would erupt below Matero and each time the sword would strike without ceasing.
"Kelena is in control."
"Matero seems to be having a tough time just evading and avoiding."
"If this drags on, Matero will lose." The observers discussed as they spectated.
"This is troublesome." Matero admitted to himself, he was still limited to close range attacks and Kelena was using this to her advantage. "I guess I have to be a bit serious to win."
An aura leaked out of Matero's body, a feeling invaded Kelena's body. It was like Matero changed all of a sudden, like there was a new person entirely on the stage with her.
"Pheeew." Matero whistled through the air, his speed surpassed the limits of humanity and before Kelena could blink, Matero was right in front of her.
Matero slashed out towards her arm, but strings gathered round the arm and when Matero struck, it was like he hit a metal. The rebound threw Matero a few inches backwards, the strings continued to wrap itself around Kelena and soon, not a part of her body could be seen. It was like she used an armour made out of strings. Her sword also returned to her grasp.
"This must be the true form of her secret weapon."
"Matero's chances are slimmer."
"This is amazing." The discussioms in the spectating stands rose.
Matero stood and calmly observed Kelena, she wasn't covered by just a thin film, the strings around her were of high thickness. If it was an ordinary material, Matero would still find it hard slicing through such thickness. The strings were thougher than the blades of a sword, the sharpness could also be greater.
More strings moved around Kelena and Matero discovered that her ability to manipulate them had doubled, this was some sort of momentary upgrade to face Matero, Kelena's overall battle power had doubled.
"Even I couldn't defeat her when she used this strange technique." Titi recalled her fight with Kelena, they fought to a tie, but Titi was awarded the prize due to some reasons.
Matero smiled, no one had gone this far in a fight with him. He glanced deeply at the figure of Kelena and nodded. A lot of strings orbited round Kelena, Matero knew they would automatically cut whatever got close, the armour of strings around Kelena herself had no c****s and it couldn't be touched as it was sharper than blades. Kelena herself was skilled in normal combat.
"I'm impressed Kelena, but this is as far as we go." Matero smiled once again and he released more of his aura. The stage gently rumbled, Kelena felt like a meteorite landed on her, she found it extremely difficult to move, she was been suppressed by Matero'second step aura.
"Such terrifying aura."
"Matero is about to move."
"This match can end in many ways." The disciples below observed with peaking anticipation and excitement.
"Shuaa." In an inhuman speed, Matero approached Kelena. A huge patch of wind followed his path, he was like an approaching storm. As soon as he got near Kelena, a couple strings appeared out of thin air forming a net, it appeared early so it was a form of defense not a trap. Matero knew if he ran through this, he would be sliced into cubes.
"Move." Matero used the instant step and appeared directly behind Kelena, he had used it multiple times before but it was still a relevant move the disciples couldn't defend.
"Lightning wind blast." Lightning rumbled around Matero as he slashed out, all this he did with a speed so great Kelena couldn't react.
In slow-mo, one could see a film of strings gathering behind Kelena, it was the weapons last attempt to block the hit, but even that was too slow. It was barely formed when Matero struck Kelena.
"Bam." Kelena's figure was thrown off stage by the immense force, her string insulated her from the lightning and took almost all the damage, but Matero was not interested in inflicting damage. He just needed an attack explosive enough to throw Kelena off the stage and that was what he did.
"What a victory."
"Such incredible matchup."
"This has been the best clash so far."
"That Matero boy is probably not any weaker than Da sun." Applauds and cheers quickly dominated the field, beneath this, everyone discussed.
Saru nodded with satisfaction, so far, Matero had impressed him. He just had one more thing in mind.
- Writer
