Chapter 39: Leviathan descends

*Tap* As Elios floated down to the ground, he slowly looked down, moving his limbs around in glee. Ren watched as a low giggle escaped this new Elios, the sound seems to echo infinitely around him.

"This is infinitely better than I expected..."

*Swoosh* Ren dashed forward, his fists heat up slowly. *Bwoosh! Boom!* Ren's fist made contact with Elios's body, fire stuck around at the areas. But despite Ren's intense attacks, Elios never stopped inspecting his new body.

"Hmmm, I think this arm should be more muscular."

Elios grabbed his left arm, then pulled hard. *Crack, Crunch* Ren watched in horror as Elios ripped his own arm off without a slight change in expression. As blood poured out of the arm, it stopped mid air, forming into a new muscular arm. Elios flexed his new arm in satisfaction, before throwing out a light punch towards Ren.

*BOOOOOM*

Ren crossed his arms, focusing solely on defence. As the shockwave reached Ren, he was pushed back for the first time using the reversal technique.

"What... what is this..."

Ren let down his arms, feeling numb all over his body. But Ren didn't have the luxury to rest, seeing that Elios was back on the move. Ren watched Elios's every move carefully, slight fear lingered in his heart.

"Whats with the tense mood? Let's loosen up, it's our first time meeting after all..."

Elios flashed a perfect smile at Ren, sending chills down his spine. At this point, Ren confirmed his suspicions, Elios no longer exists. Ren stared straight into Leviathan's dead, golden eyes, seeing his own reflection within them.

Suddenly, Ren's entire body flashed a deep crimson aura, and he dashed forward. *BOOM* Ren disappeared from his spot, leaving only a crater in his place. As Ren reappeared in front of Leviathan, he punched out as hard as he could. *BOOOOOOOOM*

Leviathan flew back a few meters from the impact, crashing through a few trees. *Crack, Crack* Just as the dust cleared, Ren saw Leviathan stand back up, cracking his neck.

"Nice one, I can see why Elios lost to you."

Leviathan then disappeared from before Ren's eyes, only to reappear beside Ren, with his hand raised high. When Ren realized what happened, he quickly braced himself, anticipating an attack. *Pat* Leviathan's hand came down, only to gently pat Ren's head.

"A good boy deserves a reward right?"

Ren exploded in anger, his hair turned to red hot flames, burning Leviathan's hand. *Tssss* Leviathan quickly let go of Ren's head, before his human hand cooked fully. While Leviathan's hand healed, Ren covered his body in flames and burned everything away, leaving only a piece of black leather wrapped around his waist.

"Oooo, thats a new one."

As the surroundings continued to rise in temperature, only Leviathan seemed unaffected. He stood among the withering plant life with perfect posture, not a single drop of sweat to be found on him. Ren watched him with flames in his eyes, molten cracks appeared all over his body.

Molten lava covered Ren's fist, creating gauntlets of fire. As he raised his arms to punch, Leviathan dodged it easily. Immediately afterwards, Leviathan lightly tapped Ren's forehead, moving at a speed Ren couldn't react to.

"Too slow fire boy, maybe all that lava is indicative of your speed?"

As Leviathan continuously taunted Ren, he was annoyed at the lack of reactions. But before he could get another word out, Ren turned to Leviathan with a smile on his face.

"That was the first attack you dodged, what, you finally scared?"

*Boom* A green aura exploded out of Leviathan, causing his hair and clothes to flail around wildly. Leviathan stared at Ren with a murderous look in his eyes, completely silent.