NOVEL NEXT Episode XCVI: Kori’s Death Games Pt. V
With a determined gait that echoed with authority, FJ advanced towards the frost-encrusted cage, positioning himself squarely opposite Kazuhiro. His eyes blazed with an intense emerald fire, a clear reflection of his simmering fury. "Someone's in a foul mood," Kazuhiro quipped, his voice filled with mirth as laughter tumbled from his lips like the tinkling of wind chimes. FJ's expression remained as stoic as a marble statue, not even the faintest trace of amusement marring his stern features. In an effortless transition, he transformed into Oga, the formidable Toxic Dragon.
"So we're pulling out all the stops then," Kazuhiro commented nonchalantly while already morphed into his spectral form. "You don't intimidate me one bit." As soon as the frost-covered cage door clanged shut behind him with an echoing finality, FJ lunged at Kazuhiro delivering a venom-laced punch to his face and sending him hurtling into the icy bars of their battleground.
"Lucky hit," grunted Kazuhiro while picking himself up from the ground but it was inconsequential as FJ launched another barrage of blows to his gut until blood spouted from his mouth like a gruesome fountain. As Kazuhiro doubled over in pain and retched crimson onto the ice below, FJ landed several more punches on his face until it resembled a raw meat patty.
Lifting Kazuhiro by the throat with an iron grip, FJ flung him skyward shattering through the icy ceiling of their enclosure and landing haphazardly next to other members of Kori family. "Super Move: Toxic Twin Flame!" roared FJ in triumph. A pair of spiraling jade flames spiraled towards Kazuhiro as other family members hastily stepped aside letting him bear the full brunt of the explosive attack.
A scream of sheer agony ripped from Kazuhiro's throat as his body seemed to vaporize in the onslaught. When the dust settled, only a solitary wisp of smoke marked its destructive path leaving a gaping hole in the frosty cage ."You have an indomitable spirit," Yoji mused unfazed by the spectacle.
"So your prize is Yasushi," Takuji declared as Yasushi sprinted into the ring, his body crackling with energy as he powered up into his spectral form. This time around, there was no delay or ceremony; both FJ and Yasushi wasted no time engaging each other in a whirlwind of punches and kicks that clashed with metallic echoes.
Yasushi's fist radiated a bright azure aura as he aimed a punch at FJ who nimbly sidestepped it and landed his own punch squarely on Yasushi's jaw knocking him off balance.FJ then unleashed a venomous blast at the grounded Yasushi, who rolled out of harm’s way just in time to retaliate with an ice blast that hit FJ causing an explosion that propelled him towards the edge of the ring.
As Yasushi charged towards FJ, ready to unleash another icy assault point-blank, FJ deflected his arm away and landed a swift kick on his face while rising to his feet. He then let loose his special move, a green flame forming in his palm before being hurled towards Yasushi who vanished only to reappear above FJ." How did he get above me?" wondered FJ as Yasushi descended upon him with a blizzard of punches and kicks drilling him into the ground. Then came Yasushi's Ultimate Move: "Ice Pyromantic Horn Blast!" The impact sent waves of excruciating pain coursing through FJ who screamed in anguish as the platform beneath them fractured from the force of the explosion. Rin-Rin watched anxiously from afar, worry etched on her face. "You better not die you bastard!" she yelled. A panting Yasushi landed on the platform walking towards FJ. "So does this make me the winner?" he asked only for FJ to retort, "In your dreams," as he rose to deliver an uppercut that knocked Yasushi off his feet. But before falling back onto the ground, Yasushi fired an ice beam that pierced through FJ's skin leaving a gaping hole in his chest. "What..." were FJ's last words before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed onto the platform. Rin-Rin's scream echoed across the island reaching Kiyoshi on its far side. "Huh, I need to go that way," he muttered pointing east.