Elements: Age of Creation

A Two-on-One Battle

The tension on the rooftop was palpable. The fog churned around them, twisting and reshaping as Smokewraith stood, his ember-like eyes burning with rage.

"You are an obstacle," the entity hissed. "The Element of Light belongs in stronger hands.

Hikaru and Teshii stood side by side, their eyes locked on their opponent.

"Alright, Sunshine," Teshii said, cracking his knuckles. "Lesson number one–don't die."

Hikaru shot him a glare. "Not helping."

Before they could strategize, Smokewraith lunged.

Smokewraith's Assault

The entity dissolved into smoke. Reforming behind Hikaru in an instant.

Too fast!

Before Hikaru could reach, a smoke-formed fist slammed into his stomach, sending him skidding across the rooftop.

Teshii barely dodged another attack, flipping backward. He grinned. "Ohhh, you hit like a truck! This'll be fun."

Smokewraith lashed out with tendrils of fog, aiming straight for Teshii.

Teshii dodged with ease, weaving through the attacks as if he had seen them a thousand times before.

Meanwhile, Hikaru groaned, pushing himself up.

Damn it… I can't even keep up.

He clenched his fists, trying to summon the Element of Light–but it refused to activate.

Teshii dodged another attack and glanced at Hikaru. "Yo, Sunshine, any day now would be great!"

Hikaru gritted his teeth. "I'm trying"!

"Try harder!"

Guidance in Battle

As the fight continued, Teshii fought and coached at the same time.

"Rule number two–stop thinking so much!" he shouted, dodging a smoke spear. "Your instincts saved you last time, right? So trust them!"

Hikaru exhaled sharply.

Teshii was right. Back in the alley, when Teshii first attacked, his body had reacted on its own.

Maybe… he just needed to stop forcing it.

Smokewraith turned his attention back to Hikaru, forming another spear of condensed smoke.

"You are weak."

The spear launched toward Hikaru.

For a split second–he hesitated.

But then, something clicked inside him.

The light flickered.

Then–

A golden shield of energy manifested around him, blocking the attack.

Smokewraith's eyes widened slightly.

Hikaru's own breath caught in his throat.

"…I did it?"

Teshii grinned. "Hell yeah, you fucking did it! Now let's kick this guy's ass!"

The Others Wait in the Fog

Outside the building, Yami, Aoi, Hikari, and Mei were gathered, staring up at the rooftop. The battle above was hidden by dense fog, but they could hear the echoes of combat–crashes , blasts of energy, and the occasional insult from Teshii.

Everyone was watching the rooftop covered by fog.

Yami, however, wasn't watching the battle.

He was watching Teshii–or at least, thinkg about him.

Aoi noticed. "You don't trust him, do you?"

Yami's violet eyes narrowed. "…No."

Aoi frowned. "Why?"

Yami's gaze stayed locked on the fog-covered rooftop/ "…He's too good at this."

Aoi tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Yami exhaled. "The way he moves, the way he fights… it's not normal. He's not just strong, he fights like someone who's been doing this for years.

Aoi crossed her arms. "Maybe he has?"

Yami's gaze darkened. "… Then why is he pretending to be some random idiot?"

Before Aoi could respond, another loud crash echoes from the rooftop.

Whatever was happening up there–it was far from over.