The sky pulsed with tension, a canvas of flashing lightning and swirling clouds as Riku launched upward, his clone buying him a split-second opening. Atsuya Ren smirked as he countered midair, striking back with a sweeping arc of electric energy. The clash echoed through the city outskirts like a thunderclap.
"You're quick," Atsuya called out, dodging another clone strike. "But not quick enough!"
Riku landed on a rooftop, chest rising and falling. He wiped a streak of blood from his cheek, his face calm.
"He's good," Riku murmured. "Too good to play around with."
The wind stilled. The rain that had started to fall earlier suddenly evaporated near Riku as his body began to glow. His grey hair floated, strands rising as though caught in a wind that wasn't there. A celestial blue aura burst around him — no longer the calm pulse of energy he'd used before. This aura roared, divine and unrelenting, licking the air like sacred fire. His eyes turned radiant blue, shining through the dusk like twin stars.
Atsuya narrowed his eyes from above. "What... is that?"
Riku's voice echoed, deeper, layered with something more. "Divine Avatar... I don't use this form unless I find the fight worthy."
The clouds above shuddered as Riku rose slowly into the air, defying gravity without wings or tricks. His presence warped the world around him. Every step he took forward in the sky left ripples, as though space itself bowed to his Will.
Atsuya's smirk vanished. "You've been holding back…?"
Riku's blue gaze didn't flinch. "You're strong, Atsuya. One of the strongest I've faced. That's why I'm done testing you."
Lightning sparked along Atsuya's arms as he summoned his full power. His illusion clone circled above, preparing an ambush. But this time, Riku didn't even look. His aura flared—and the clone shattered into particles before it even reached him.
"Your illusions won't work anymore."
Then he vanished.
In a blur, Riku reappeared behind Atsuya midair, striking his back with a divine blow that sent shockwaves downward, blowing out windows across a nearby block.
Atsuya flipped midair, coughing, surprised. "That speed—"
"Isn't speed," Riku said calmly. "It's presence."
The rogue S Rank looked furious. "Then I'll show you mine."
The two clashed again, higher into the sky, lightning and divine blue flames colliding with every blow. The fight was far from over.