The Rising Howl
The dojo was a war zone, shrouded in dust and reeking of blood. Broken beams lay scattered across the floor, and faint embers glowed from where Lu Shueng's claws had torn through wood.
Remond stepped into the chaos, his heart hammering in his chest. He glanced at his fallen master, Ho Dieng, lying motionless, his blood staining the floor. Hayato was barely conscious, his face contorted in pain as he struggled to move.
The sight ignited a fire in Remond's veins. His fists clenched, an orange glow flickering faintly around him as his kinetic energy began to build.
"You must be the last dog they're sending my way," Lu Shueng said, his crimson eyes locking onto Remond. He licked his lips, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. "I was hoping for more of a challenge."
Remond took a deep breath, his senses sharpening. He didn't waste time with words. Instead, he lunged forward, his body a blur as he closed the distance between them.
---
Remond's Counterattack
With explosive speed, Remond struck, his glowing fists connecting with Lu Shueng's midsection. The impact sent a shockwave through the dojo, and for a moment, Lu Shueng staggered, caught off guard by the sudden ferocity of the attack.
Remond pressed his advantage, his movements fluid and precise. He unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, each one charged with the kinetic energy he had stored. The strikes landed with devastating force, cracking Lu Shueng's ribs and drawing blood.
But the beast only grinned, his jagged teeth gleaming as he wiped the blood from his lips.
"You've got fire, boy," Lu Shueng growled, his voice low and menacing. "But fire burns out quickly."
With a roar, Lu Shueng retaliated. His massive hand lashed out like a whip, catching Remond across the chest. The blow sent him flying backward, crashing into the shattered remains of a wall.
Remond gasped for air, pain exploding in his chest. Before he could recover, Lu Shueng was upon him, his claws slashing downward. Remond barely rolled out of the way, the claws carving deep gashes into the floor where he had just been.
"Too slow," Lu Shueng taunted, his movements impossibly fast for his size.
Remond grit his teeth, forcing himself to his feet. He summoned more kinetic energy, his body glowing brighter as he launched himself back into the fight.
---
Lu Shueng's Dominance
The two clashed in a brutal exchange, their movements a blur of speed and power. Remond's attacks were relentless, each strike infused with glowing energy, but Lu Shueng's durability was monstrous.
The beast absorbed the hits with little more than a grunt, his body healing almost as fast as it was damaged. He countered with bone-crushing blows, his claws tearing through flesh and fabric alike.
Remond screamed as one of Lu Shueng's slashes raked across his back, the searing pain nearly blinding him. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground beneath him.
"You've got heart, kid," Lu Shueng said, his tone mocking. "But heart won't save you."
With a savage kick, Lu Shueng sent Remond sprawling. He stalked forward, his crimson eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
"This is where you die," he growled, raising a clawed hand for the killing blow.
---
Hayato's Transformation
"Get away from him!"
The voice was a guttural snarl, filled with rage.
Lu Shueng paused, turning just in time to see Hayato rise to his feet. The young fighter's body trembled violently, his eyes glowing an unnatural yellow. His breathing was ragged, and his hands were clenched into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white.
"What's this?" Lu Shueng asked, his grin widening. "You've got some fight left in you?"
Hayato let out a low growl, his teeth elongating into fangs. His muscles bulged, his veins pulsing as his body began to change. Dark fur sprouted along his arms and face, and his fingers twisted into sharp claws.
Within moments, Hayato was no longer human. Standing before Lu Shueng was a towering werewolf, his yellow eyes blazing with primal fury.
Lu Shueng's grin faltered for the first time. "Interesting," he muttered.
Hayato didn't wait. With a deafening roar, he charged at Lu Shueng, moving with animalistic speed. His claws slashed through the air, striking Lu Shueng across the chest and leaving deep, bloody gashes.
Lu Shueng snarled, stumbling back as blood poured from his wounds.
---
The Werewolf vs. The Beast
The dojo shook as the two titans clashed, their blows sending shockwaves through the air. Hayato fought like a beast possessed, his strikes wild and savage but devastatingly powerful.
Lu Shueng, for all his strength, found himself struggling to keep up. Hayato's newfound ferocity overwhelmed him, forcing him on the defensive.
"You think this changes anything?" Lu Shueng roared, his voice laced with both anger and pain.
Hayato responded with a guttural growl, slamming into Lu Shueng with enough force to send him crashing through a wall. The two tumbled into the open field outside the dojo, their battle leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
---
The Berserk State
As the fight raged on, Hayato's attacks became more brutal, his movements increasingly erratic. His growls deepened, his eyes glowing brighter as he began to lose himself to the beast within.
"Hayato!" Remond called weakly, struggling to stand. "You've got to stop!"
But Hayato didn't hear him. His focus was solely on Lu Shueng, who was beginning to recover.
"You're strong," Lu Shueng admitted, wiping blood from his face. "But you're losing control."
Hayato snarled, his only response a savage swipe that narrowly missed Lu Shueng's head.
Realizing his opponent was becoming unpredictable, Lu Shueng roared and unleashed his full power. His muscles bulged, his claws growing longer and sharper. His crimson eyes glowed brighter, and a dark aura surrounded him.
The battlefield became a blur of violence as the two beasts fought with unrestrained fury. Blood splattered the ground as claws and fists tore into flesh, each strike more vicious than the last.
Hayato's berserk state gave him an edge, matching Lu Shueng's enhanced strength blow for blow. The air was filled with the sound of tearing flesh, breaking bones, and primal roars that echoed through the night.
---
The Stalemate
As the battle wore on, both fighters began to show signs of fatigue. Hayato's berserk fury began to take its toll, his movements growing slower and more labored. Lu Shueng, despite his monstrous durability, was bleeding heavily, his body covered in deep wounds.
The ground beneath them was soaked with blood, the once-pristine clearing now a battlefield of destruction.
With a final, thunderous clash, the two beasts collided, their combined power sending a shockwave that flattened the surrounding trees.
When the dust settled, both fighters stood panting, their bodies battered and broken but refusing to fall.
"This isn't over," Lu Shueng growled, his voice hoarse.
Hayato let out a low growl, his yellow eyes narrowing as he prepared to strike again.
"Hayato, stop!" Remond's voice cut through the chaos, filled with desperation.
For a moment, Hayato hesitated, his gaze flickering to Remond. The faint glimmer of humanity returned to his eyes.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Lu Shueng snarled and lunged forward, but Hayato reacted instinctively, his claws meeting Lu Shueng's midair.
The two locked in a deadly stalemate, their growls filling the air as they pushed against each other.
---
To Be Continued