Break Through in the Heat of the Moment

Dot hovered inside his chest placing her hands on the shard, her tone uncertain but eager. "Let's try it!" She clapped her small hands together, her tiny form glowing faintly as she pressed her palms over Elias's shard. "Just like last time, maybe!"

As the pole began to materialize in Elias's hands, Yui struck again. He moved with blistering speed, appearing in front of Elias in an instant. His fist shot out toward Elias's stomach, but this time Elias managed to react. He slapped Yui's arm away, the force sending a faint shock through his hands. Surprised, Yui's eyes narrowed.

Elias's counter was instinctual. He twisted his body, attempting to deliver a spinning kick to Yui's side. But Yui adjusted faster than Elias could follow, ducking low and pivoting. His heel came up in a blur, connecting with Elias's head before he could block.

The impact sent Elias skidding across the dirt, his vision blurring momentarily. A faint warmth trailed down his forehead—blood. The pole in his hands flickered and dissolved, unfinished.

Yui stood tall, his expression unreadable. "Don't worry," he said coldly. "I didn't kick with full force."

"70%," Yui muttered, his tone sharp and emotionless as he advanced.

Elias scrambled to his feet, his body aching from the repeated blows. This time, there was no pause. Yui was already in front of him, throwing a rapid series of palm strikes. The first struck Elias square in the face, snapping his head back. The second smashed into his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain down his arm.

How do I activate the damn thing I did before?! Elias thought desperately, his mind racing.

Dot, hovering frantically nearby, was almost in tears. "I have to do something!" she cried, her tiny form trembling.

As Yui's next palm strike came for Elias's chest, a small, rough metal block materialized from thin air. Jagged spikes jutted out from it, forcing Yui to pull back and slap the object away instead of connecting with his target.

Elias seized the opportunity, raising his leg and kicking toward Yui's chest. For a brief moment, he thought he'd landed the blow, but Yui caught his foot effortlessly, twisting his body and throwing Elias back. He skidded across the ground, dirt spraying up around him as he tumbled to a stop.

How the hell do I activate that vision thing? Elias's mind reeled, the memory of the tunnel flashing before him. It just happened last time. Why won't it work now?

"I'm not really sure…" Dot's voice was faint and unsure. "It happened when I pressed my hands over the shard the first time, but now… it's not happening. I don't… I'm sorry. I'm so useless."

"No. It's fine," Elias said, his voice strained but resolute. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes, trying to calm his frantic thoughts. The memory of the tunnel surfaced again—images of the previous fight and the words spoken there.

In his mind, he saw the figure slam his fists together, a commanding voice echoing: "Break the cage before transforming."

Maybe it's worth a shot, Elias thought, opening his eyes. He didn't have time to linger. Yui was already in front of him, slamming an elbow into his chest and driving a crushing fist into his face. The blow sent Elias skidding backward, his feet digging trenches into the dirt. His body screamed in protest, his face bruised and bleeding.

"Usually around now," Yui said coldly, "the shard user admits defeat. You can do so at any time."

Elias wiped the blood from his mouth, his chest heaving as he steadied himself. He clapped his hands together, the sharp sound ringing across the arena. "SHOW ME THE WAY! NOW OPEN!" he bellowed, his voice filled with raw determination.

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Elias's vision darkened at the edges, and a single red dot appeared in the center of his blackening eyes.