The Awakening of Hatsu
The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the heavy breathing of the two combatants. Hayato, in his werewolf form, stood rigid, his fur matted with blood. Across from him, Lu Shueng panted heavily, his body riddled with deep wounds, yet his predatory grin remained.
Remond knelt a few feet away, his body trembling with exhaustion and pain. Blood seeped from the gashes on his back, and his chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath.
Hayato let out a low growl, his glowing yellow eyes flickering with unrestrained fury. But his movements were sluggish now, his berserk state pushing his body beyond its limits.
Suddenly, Hayato faltered. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the blood-soaked ground. His massive form began to shrink, the fur receding and claws retracting. Within moments, he was human again, unconscious and vulnerable.
"Hayato!" Remond cried, his voice hoarse. He staggered to his feet, his vision swimming.
---
The Second Stand
Lu Shueng chuckled darkly, his crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "So much for your big, bad wolf," he sneered. "Now it's just you, boy."
Remond clenched his fists, his body screaming in protest as he forced himself to stand. The faint orange glow around him flickered weakly. He was running on fumes, but the sight of Hayato lying motionless reignited the fire within him.
"I'm not done yet," Remond said, his voice steady despite the pain.
Lu Shueng raised an eyebrow, amused. "You can barely stand. What makes you think you can take me on?"
Remond didn't respond. Instead, he closed his eyes, focusing on the energy coursing through his body. The faint glow around him grew brighter, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
---
Unlocking the Hatsu
As he concentrated, memories flooded his mind: his uncle, Dr. Edwards, working tirelessly in his lab; the moment he was exposed to the mysterious serum; the discovery of his abilities. He had always relied on the kinetic energy stored in his body, using it to enhance his physical attacks. But now, he needed more.
The energy within him began to shift, growing stronger and more concentrated. It wasn't just kinetic energy anymore—it was something deeper, more primal.
Lu Shueng tilted his head, watching with mild curiosity as the orange glow around Remond intensified. "What's this? A second wind?" he mocked.
Remond's eyes snapped open, glowing with determination. The faint orange light enveloping his body grew brighter, forming a protective shell around him. His wounds seemed to fade, the pain replaced by an overwhelming surge of power.
"This… is my Hatsu," Remond said, his voice steady and filled with newfound confidence.
---
Mod 2nd: The Transformation
The orange light around Remond's body began to ripple like flames, solidifying into a semi-transparent shell. His movements became fluid yet powerful, each step reverberating with controlled force. His body seemed lighter, faster, and yet more durable, as if the energy was reinforcing every fiber of his being.
Lu Shueng's grin faltered for the first time. "Interesting," he muttered, his tone cautious.
Remond didn't give him time to react. He launched forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the force. In an instant, he was in front of Lu Shueng, his fist glowing bright orange as it slammed into the beast's chest.
The impact was catastrophic. A shockwave rippled through the air, sending Lu Shueng flying backward. He crashed through a boulder, the massive stone shattering under the force.
---
The Battle Intensifies
Lu Shueng roared, his voice filled with both anger and pain. He pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth. "You're full of surprises, kid," he growled. "But I'm not done yet."
The beast lunged forward, his claws glowing with dark energy. He struck with blinding speed, but Remond was faster. His enhanced reflexes allowed him to dodge the attack, the orange shell absorbing the stray shockwaves.
Remond countered with a spinning kick, his leg leaving a trail of glowing energy as it connected with Lu Shueng's side. The beast staggered, but retaliated with a swipe of his claws, catching Remond's arm.
The orange shell around Remond's body absorbed most of the impact, but the force still sent him skidding backward. He regained his footing quickly, the glow around him pulsing brighter as he prepared for the next attack.
---
The Turning Point
The two fighters clashed repeatedly, their movements a blur of speed and power. Lu Shueng's raw strength and ferocity were matched by Remond's newfound agility and precision.
For every strike Lu Shueng landed, Remond countered with an attack of his own, his orange shell absorbing and redirecting the energy. The battlefield became a storm of destruction, with shockwaves flattening trees and sending debris flying in every direction.
But as the fight wore on, it became clear that Remond was gaining the upper hand. His attacks grew more focused, each strike chipping away at Lu Shueng's defenses. The beast's movements became slower, his body covered in deep wounds.
"You… you're stronger than I thought," Lu Shueng admitted, his voice strained.
Remond didn't respond. He focused on the energy flowing through him, channeling it into a final, devastating attack.
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The Final Blow
As Lu Shueng lunged forward for one last desperate attack, Remond sidestepped, his body moving with unnatural grace. He spun around, his fist glowing brighter than ever as he aimed for Lu Shueng's chest.
"Take this!" Remond roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield.
His fist connected, the orange energy exploding outward in a blinding flash. Lu Shueng let out a guttural scream as the force of the impact sent him flying into the distance. He crashed into the ground, creating a massive crater as the shockwave flattened everything around him.
---
Aftermath
The battlefield fell silent once more, the air thick with dust and the scent of blood. Remond stood in the center, his body still glowing faintly with the orange light. He panted heavily, his arms hanging limp at his sides.
In the distance, Lu Shueng lay motionless, his massive form battered and broken.
Remond turned to Hayato, who was still unconscious but breathing steadily. He staggered over to his friend, his legs barely supporting him.
"We… we did it," Remond said weakly, a faint smile crossing his lips.
As the glow around him began to fade, Remond collapsed to his knees, his body finally giving in to exhaustion. But even as darkness began to creep into his vision, he felt a sense of accomplishment.
For the first time, he had unlocked his true potential—and it had saved them both.