Rising from the Ashes

The air burned , the ground cracked , and Yukari was losing.

Badly.

Her body hit the dirt for the third time in less than a minute, sliding across the scorched earth.

"Tch—!"

She forced herself up, shaking off the pain, but her arms ached from blocking blows that felt like they could shatter mountains.

Hinote, meanwhile, stood completely untouched.

She tilted her head, looking almost bored. "That all you got?"

Yukari wiped the blood from her lip, eyes narrowed. "Give me a second, I'm getting there."

Hinote smirked. "Hurry up." And then she moved.

BOOM.

She was in front of Yukari before she could blink.

Yukari barely dodged barely as Hinote's fist swung past her face, heat searing her skin.

"Shit—!"

She leapt back, summoning golden flames to her hands "Firestorm!"

A whirlwind of fireballs erupted around her, swarming toward Hinote from all directions.

But Hinote just walked through them.

Yukari's stomach dropped.

The flames parted around her like they were nothing.

And then Hinote was in front of her again.

A fist to the gut. The air ripped from Yukari's lungs.

Before she could react, Hinote grabbed her by the face , and slammed her into the ground.

BOOM.

The earth shattered. Cana watching from a safe distance winced. "Oof. That looked painful."

Hinote sighed, staring down at her. "Come on, Yukari. I taught you better than this."

Yukari groaned, trying to lift her head from the crater she was now lying in.

"Shut… up…"

Hinote crouched, eyes gleaming. "What's wrong? Afraid to go all out?"

Yukari froze.

Hinote smirked. "You've been holding back this whole fight. Why?"

Yukari knew why. Because she'd never beaten Hinote before.

Because every single fight, every single match, every single time she thought she was close Hinote crushed her.

So why bother trying? Why push past that? "...Tch."

Hinote's smirk widened. She leaned closer.

"If you won't take this seriously…" Her fingers tightened in Yukari's shirt.

"...Then don't bother getting up."

She threw her. Yukari soared through the air, body twisting before—

CRASH.

Straight into a tree. The impact rattled her bones, stars bursting in her vision.

She coughed, trying to move, but her limbs were sluggish, aching Hinote started walking toward her.

"You're hesitating."

Each step was slow, deliberate, the flames around her swirling with power.

Yukari gritted her teeth. "Shut up…"

"You're scared."

Yukari snarled.

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

And then Flames erupted.

But not like before. Not golden. Not warm. These flames were divine.

They roared to life around her, engulfing her body, twisting and morphing, until Hinote stopped, golden eyes flashing with approval.

"...That's more like it."

Yukari rose her body no longer ached.

Her wounds vanished in an instant, her skin glowing with divine power.

Her hair shifted, flames weaving through it in vibrant, ever-changing colors.

Her eyes once violet now gleamed with golden brilliance, swirling with fire-like patterns.

And behind her Wings , massive, celestial wings of eternal fire, spreading out with a single, thunderous beat.

Cana's jaw dropped. "Well… shit."

Yukari exhaled, staring at her own hands, the divine flames licking at her fingers.

This feeling , this power it was different not just fire ,not just destruction it was rebirth.

Hinote smirked. "Finally taking this seriously?"

Yukari lifted her gaze, golden eyes burning.

"You wanted my best? "

Her wings flared. "Then I'll give you my best."

She vanished Hinote's eyes widened—

BOOM!

Yukari reappeared in front of her, faster than a lightning strike , and for the first time all fight she landed a hit.

Her fist slammed into Hinote's stomach, exploding with divine flames Hinote grunted.

She was sent flying. Cana still watching gawked.

"NO FREAKIN' WAY!"

Hinote flipped midair, fire bursting from her feet as she stabilized.

She landed on her feet, skidding back slightly , and grinned.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

Yukari's wings flapped, keeping her airborne.

She lifted a hand "Celestial Fire Rain!" And the sky ignited.

A storm of divine flames erupted above, raining down like falling stars.

Hinote laughed, dodging, weaving through the onslaught but even she couldn't avoid all of it.

One flame grazed her shoulder , and for the first time all fight She hissed it burned.

Yukari smirked. "Feels different, doesn't it?"

Hinote rolled her shoulders, eyes gleaming.

"Interesting…" Then she grinned.

"But you're not the only one with tricks."

And suddenly the entire battlefield ignited.

Cana yelped. "OH HELL NO—"

She immediately ran.

Because all around them, the earth erupted into a sea of crimson fire.

Yukari's eyes widened before she was engulfed.

BOOM!

An explosion shook the sky.

Hinote stood in the center of it all, untouched, flames swirling around her like a goddess of destruction.

And as the smoke cleared Yukari emerged.

Her wings were still burning, her golden aura flaring brighter than ever.

But she was breathing heavily.

Hinote smirked. "You're running out of time."

Yukari knew what she meant.

Supreme Phoenix Mode was powerful but it wasn't forever.

And Hinote was just… standing there still holding back , still in control Yukari clenched her fists she had to end this Now.

She raised her hand flames swirled, condensing, sharpening, until a lance of divine fire formed in her grip.

The air crackled around it, the sheer energy threatening to burn the world itself.

Hinote's eyes flashed with recognition. "Ah… That one."

Yukari lifted it, golden eyes gleaming.

"Divine Phoenix Lance." She hurled it , it soared through the air Straight for Hinote's heart.

And just as it was about to hit the screen went black.