Chapter 38: Dual Mode

Takabi's fists tightened at his sides. He exhaled, heavy heat and fire leaving his throat. White and Violet danced around him in an intermingled, wild aura of Mana. The power made the air quake subtly, sending a jolt through it that washed over anything nearby with a strong heat.

It was the first time he had done something like this, and the side effects were not lost on him.

His body felt ready to burst. For the first time ever, he felt the effects of his own flames as his insides seemed like they were melting away. While there was no pain, the heat would take getting used to.

No time like the present.

Takabi craned his head aside, the Mana dancing around him slowly compacting to his size and shape. Faint traces of intense power, like fire, emit around him. Kairas took a step back, a different emotion creeping into his rage filled mind.

Fear. Two Gems stood before him. Two Gems were active, and both with combined Mana were capable of almost anything. 

At least, that's what the Green told him.

It whispered in his mind the dangers of his opponent, but told him not to worry. He could win. He could conquer this enemy. He opened his mouth, and roared loudly, saliva dripping from his fangs and freezing on the floor. Takabi lowered his shoulders and took a step forward. His foot scorched the black tile, smoke rising as he continued to move towards Kairas.

He was quick, appearing in front of his twin's face, mere inches apart. Kairas, taken back at first, snarled and threw a heavy punch. It seemed to connect, but then Takabi's image quickly faded away, the white haired boy slamming both his knees into Kairas' chest.

Mana built in his palms, and he clapped, blowing the beast away into the road. Landing, he picked his gaze up and watched his brother rise from the concrete, stomping at him. Fury built up in his eyes, which quickly led to him throwing a kick. Takabi faded away with his speed, appearing behind Kairas. The boy snapped his head back, building Mana in his palm and launching a blast of magic. Takabi swiped his hand through the air, a shield of flames forming and deflecting it back at Kairas. It struck, blowing up slightly, dazing the rage fueled Kairas. Takabi hopped up, twirling in the air and placing a heavy kick on Kairas' left cheek. He spit blood and saliva, staggering back with heavy feet.

It wasn't enough. Kairas straightened his head, flexing, releasing an even larger wave of Mana into the air. Grey clouds began to form overhead, a heavy chill rushing onto the world below it. "Stop it, Kai! Calm down!"

Takabi's words were lost on his brother. Growing frustrated, he clenched his fists, reaching deeper into the well of Mana the Gems permitted him. His mixed colored aura burst into the air, higher and higher, until it matched Kairas' in size. The two charged at each other, knuckles slamming, Mana exploding between them.

They took to the sky, throwing fists and kicks at incredible speeds. Each missed attack sent a shockwave that ripped apart roads and buildings, leaving anyone caught in the crossfire blown away and potentially killed.

Takabi was aware of how dangerous they were, but he didn't care at the moment. His mind was clouded with only the fight now.

His eyes scanned over his brother, phantom images of his next move playing in his field of vision. He dodged and blocked each fist, ducking under a straight punch and connecting a heavy uppercut. Kairas brought his chin down, charging at his brother. Takabi slapped his fist away, jamming his elbow into Kairas' abs, before spinning and kicking him into the concrete. He flew higher up, raising his palms and building Mana above him before throwing his hands down and releasing a barrage of Magic Bolts.

Kairas picked his head up, looking up from underground, eyes wide once each blast struck him and forced him deeper through the ground. Faster they came, the harder they hit as the seconds passed. Kairas grit his teeth, willing a shield forth and flying through the Magic Rain. Takabi ceased his barrage, flicking around through the air. Kairas copied him, matching his speed, roaring loudly.

Takabi just smiled at him as the two rushed over the ocean, coming together in another set of trading blows. Takabi threw his right leg forward, Kairas attempting to block until his brother switched up and struck with a left kick instead. He slammed their foreheads together, knocking Kairas away towards the sea.

Takabi gave chase, appearing and kicking Kairas' jaw, flying high into the air and building another Nova: Wave Spell. He released the beam with a roar, Kairas flipping around and catching it with his hands. He tossed it into the air, Takabi closing the distance and slamming a simple Nova into his stomach, twisting it and watching Kairas soar through the air in pain. Takabi dashed after him, throwing quick yet heavy jabs at his twin's face, each one rippling the water surface and shaking the air.

"Calm!"

Jab.

"The!"

Straight punch.

"Fuck!"

Haymaker.

"DOWN!"

Mana built in his left, knuckles driving the Nova into Kairas' core. It broke skin, tunneling deep into the boy's stomach. He roared in pain as he hit the snowy floor in the mountains. Takabi landed a few feet away from him, willing his Mana to build more in his body. He leapt at Kairas, the boy holding his wound, but throwing another fist that clashed with Takabi's.

The snow melted at the rush of heat around the pair, ground quaking and breaking apart from the impact of their fists. Kairas slid back, digging up dirt with his heels. Takabi rushed forward, throwing a left punch into Kairas' wound. Coughing up blood madly, he cried in a breathless pain when Takabi pulled his right fist back and struck his face. Once more, the boy flew through the air, smashing through tree after tree, and even passing Shine and the others on their way down.

Takabi closed in, building up purity and evil in his right fist. When he connected his knuckles, Kairas was locked in a cage of Mana. Takabi flipped, knocking him a bit into the air, then brought his arms over his chest. His eyes flickered with a strong glow of power, and he roared, throwing his arms into the air, the cage erupting in a pillar of magic power reaching high into space itself.

Flames danced around the two. Takabi took his stance, Novas building in his palms. Bringing his hands together, a violet flame danced in the center of the white sphere. Kairas stumbled back, holding his arm and dropping to his knees. White and violet burst around Takabi, Mana building up tremendously. His eyes, full of glimmers of evil and light. The intermingling glare full of determination, full of love for his brother and pain seeing him lose himself.

"Nova:.... WAVE!" He thrust his palms forward, beam ripping apart the earth below his feet. It surged through the air, Kairas' eyes widening.

His mind slowly came to, body decreasing in size from pure fear, Green tattoos fading away without a trace and wild hair dropping to his shoulders. Takabi blinked.

Too late.

He noticed too late.

"Shit! Kairas!"

Something dashed between them. It knocked the blast away into the sky with ease. Silence, until the spell erupted in an explosion that ripped tree after tree apart, and melted snow in a field miles away.

Takabi lowered his palms. He couldn't find the words. Neither boy could, frozen in complete shock.

Girston narrowed his eyes at Takabi, but didn't say a word. His gaze was different. He didn't have a scornful look, or disgust in him like he had previously.

He held worry.

The worry a father would have for his kids.

"That's far enough, Takabi. This battle is over," He declared.

Takabi stood straight. "What… Are… You…" He staggered, Gem tattoos fading from his body as he fell face first into the broken soil.

Kairas picked himself up slowly, pain roaring in his body. He looked at the collar around his neck, and ripped it off. The holes it left quickly closed, his body slowly steaming as it began to heal. His green eyes locked on his father's back.

"Why did you save my life," He asked.

Girston looked at him slowly, before disappearing into thin air. Before he could speak, a hand came down on the back of Kairas' neck, and the boy dropped to the ground out cold.

He looked between his sons, and truly marveled their level of strength.

They've come so far, and pushed themselves to the limit, Girston thought.

Then, he turned his attention to The Father. Foolishly, he followed the group down the mountain. Now, everyone watched him, itching to rip him apart.

He took a step back. The others, he could handle. It was Girston he feared for. "W.. What… Now you're all going to attack me at once? Where's your sense of pride?"

"Pride," Carlos repeated.

"Pride is a foolish thing to cling to in this situation." Hailey said. "You're responsible for the deaths of so many people."

"As are you for kidnapping and endangerment! None of you are saints!"

Girston closed his eyes, stepping by Takabi's unconscious form, rolling him on his back and gazing at his face. "True, many of these children have committed sins. However, that's not for you to decide. Shine," He said sternly. "This one time, I will let you three go. Defeat this man, then take them to get medical treatment."

Shine looked Girston in the eye.

It was odd, hearing him speak as a caring father. However, this chance was too good to pass up. She nodded, turning her head back to The Father. "Fine. I'll rip him a new one."

"Hailey, Carlos. We're going back to the cabin. Our business is done here." He stood, dashing up the mountain. Carlos and Hailey looked at each other, before following after him.

Now, just Shine and The Father remained.

This was the man - No - This was the creature that falsified what she knew of her life. Her true past was still lost on her, and the past she knew of was a lie.

She was hollow.

Shine held in so much during the past week. So much pain. So much weakness. So much guilt.

Yet despite this, she couldn't get angry at him. She harbored no ill feelings towards him specifically, and that part worried her. The idea that she still looked at him as, possibly, still a father was sickening to her.

"One chance. Leave, and never return. I don't want to hurt you."

"As if you could," He replied coldly. "You're a baby cub. If you truly think you're capable of defeating me on your own, please try." The Father raised his palm, swinging it aside, a wave of air ripping the soil up between then. Shine took a deep breath.

Her first fight.

Her first, true fight.

"There's something that's bothering me though. Earlier, Takabi said both Jewel and Kairas' Mana were heading up the mountain, but I haven't seen or heard her since we got here."

"Jewel?" He blinked, then snapped his fingers. The girl appeared from nothing, hitting the floor, tied in a thick, metal chain and unmoving. Her back looked scorched, but with a lingering leather skin on her that one would get from intense frost. "This girl, right? She was my insurance, in case that guy managed to break free from my control."

Shine flicked her eyes between Jewel and him, then glanced back at Kairas and muttered. "Don't worry, big bro. I'll save your girlfriend for you."