The air inside the Blade headquarters was thick with tension. The dimly lit corridor bore the scars of battle—scorched walls, shattered tiles, and the lingering scent of smoke and blood. Amidst this chaos stood Aryan, his eyes locked onto the imposing figure of the lieutenant who had previously bested Kale.
Aryan's body still ached from his earlier battles. His muscles protested with every movement, and his wounds throbbed with pain. Yet, a grin spread across his face—a mix of anticipation and a hint of madness. He was about to test the limits of his newly acquired powers.
"You're smiling," the lieutenant observed, his voice a deep rumble. "Do you find this amusing?"
Aryan chuckled, "Not amusing—exhilarating. I wonder what power I'll gain after defeating you."
The lieutenant's eyes narrowed. "You're confident. Let's see if it's warranted."
Without warning, the lieutenant lunged forward, his massive fist aiming straight for Aryan's face. But Aryan, tapping into his speed Pluse, sidestepped effortlessly, the wind from the punch brushing past his cheek.
"Too slow," Aryan taunted, retaliating with a close-range fire Pluse attack. "Flame Cannon!"
A torrent of fire erupted from Aryan's hands, engulfing the lieutenant. The corridor filled with smoke and heat, the flames casting dancing shadows on the walls.
Aryan waited, his grin widening. But as the smoke cleared, his expression faltered.
The lieutenant stood unscathed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Finally, someone worth my time."
Aryan's eyes widened. "You're... unharmed?"
The lieutenant nodded. "Your flames tickled. Is that all you've got?"
Determined, Aryan activated his hardening Pluse, his skin taking on a metallic sheen. He charged, delivering a powerful punch to the lieutenant's chest.
The impact echoed through the corridor, but the lieutenant remained unmoved. Aryan's confidence wavered.
"Still struggling to make a dent," the lieutenant mocked, before delivering a counterattack. His fist connected with Aryan's side, sending him crashing into the wall.
Aryan groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He struggled to his feet, his mind racing.
I need to combine my powers... like in those anime battles.
Drawing upon his training and instincts, Aryan devised a strategy. He hardened his skin further, layered it with ice for added defense, and channeled his speed and fire Pluses.
He moved, a blur of motion, flames trailing behind him. The corridor lit up as Aryan launched a series of rapid attacks, each strike a blend of his combined powers.
The lieutenant, caught off guard, struggled to keep up. Aryan's attacks began to find their mark, chipping away at the lieutenant's defenses.
But the battle was far from over.