The battlefield was a wasteland of fire and ruin.
Ethan's breath came ragged, his silver armor cracked, golden blood dripping from deep wounds. His Holy Sword trembled in his grasp, its once-brilliant light flickering. However, all of it was slowly recovering.
Across from him, Richard stood, his body half-charred, dark flames leaking from gashes in his molten flesh. His Ryui Bang pulsed with infernal energy, its twisted metal warped from the sheer heat radiating off him.
Then they moved.
Ethan lunged first, a blur of light. His blade carved through the air, aiming for Richard's heart. But the flame-born monster twisted, his staff snapping up like a serpent. The impact shattered the ground, sending Ethan skidding back as molten rock erupted around them.