Hugo vs Darius

Darius spun his arc-lance and planted his feet firmly. "The rules are simple! First one to land a decisive blow wins!" He grinned. "Try not to break too easily, old man."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Old man? You do realize I look younger than you, right?"

Darius ignored the remark, adjusting his stance. The three kids cheered him on from the sidelines, shouting things like, Show him what a real hero looks like! and Knock him flat, boss!

Stella stood beside Cosmos, arms crossed. "You sure about this?" she asked Hugo again.

Hugo sighed. "Look, if I don't do this, he's just gonna keep yapping." He cracked his neck. "Might as well shut him up now."

Cosmos let out an amused hum. Try not to humiliate the poor kid too much.

Darius took a deep breath, his arc-lance humming with arcana energy. "Get ready!"

Hugo lazily lifted his hand, motioning for Darius to come at him. "Whenever you're ready, kid."

Darius grinned as his arc-lance began to glow with a crimson aura. "Gear Shift: Blast Gear!" he yelled.

In an instant, his eyes and clothing shifted into a fiery red, almost identical to Hugo's Corona Mode. The sheer heat radiating from him caused the dust around his feet to swirl.

Stella took a step back, eyes wide. "Wait… that looks just like—"

Hugo, instead of being surprised, smirked. "Now this is interesting. Only one other person was able to use a drill arc-lance's Gear Shift power."

Stella glanced at him. "How is that even possible?"

One of the kids, eager to explain, proudly chimed in, "That's because Drill Fang isn't just any arc-lance! It was made to replicate Cosmos' power!"

Stella blinked. "You're telling me someone just… built a weapon that copies a legendary sword?"

"Yup!" another kid grinned. "It took years, but our boss finally figured out how to unlock its true potential!"

Darius spun Drill Fang in his hands, its energy intensifying. "Enough talking! If you're so impressed, then fight me already!"

Hugo chuckled. "Alright, kid. Let's see what you can do."

With that, Darius lunged forward, his Drill Fang roaring with power.

Hugo swiftly raised Cosmos, blocking the impact of Drill Fang as sparks of Arcana energy erupted from the clash. With a firm push, he sent Darius stumbling backward.

Darius recovered quickly, his expression fierce. "Not bad, old man, but let's see how you handle this!"

He spun Drill Fang in his hands as the crimson energy around him flared even brighter. "Drill Rush!"

With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, Drill Fang spinning like a vortex of destruction, tearing up the ground beneath him as he charged straight at Hugo.

But at that moment, Hugo sidestepped effortlessly, dodging the attack with precise timing. Darius shot past him, his Drill Rush carving deep grooves into the ground before he managed to regain control and skid to a stop.

"Tsk," Darius clicked his tongue. "You're fast."

Hugo smirked. "You're predictable."

Darius tightened his grip on Drill Fang, his eyes burning with determination. "Then let's see you dodge this!" He planted his foot firmly on the ground, preparing for his next move.

Then Darius yelled again, "Gear Shift: Sonic Gear!"

This time, his eyes and clothing shifted to a deep blue, radiating energy similar to Hugo's Luna Mode. A faint hum filled the air as his speed visibly increased, his movements becoming sharper and more fluid.

Stella's eyes widened. "It's just like Luna Mode… How does he have something so similar?"

One of the kids grinned. "Told ya! Drill Fang was made to replicate Cosmos's powers! It's got modes just like your fancy sword."

Hugo let out a low chuckle, gripping Cosmos tightly. "Now this is getting interesting."

Darius lunged at Hugo with extreme speed, his Drill Fang humming with energy as he unleashed a flurry of rapid strikes. Hugo barely dodged the first few, but then—

Shhhhk!

Darius's attack landed, cutting into Hugo's side. Stella gasped.

But Hugo just smirked. "Not bad…"

Then, Cosmos roared,

"LUNA MODE!"

A surge of blue energy erupted from Hugo, his eyes and clothing transforming into a deep blue glow. His movements became fluid, almost weightless, as if he was dancing with the air itself.

Darius skidded to a stop, eyes wide. "So that's Luna Mode…"

Hugo cracked his neck, twirling Cosmos. "Alright, kid. Let's see if you can keep up now."

Hugo and Darius clashed, blow for blow, their movements blurring with speed. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, forcing Stella and the kids to step back.

"They're so fast!" one of the kids shouted, eyes darting between them, struggling to keep up.

Stella gritted her teeth. "This isn't just some sparring match… they're fighting like it's life or death."

Darius spun, Drill Fang revving as he unleashed a rapid thrust—Hugo barely deflected it with Cosmos, countering with a precise slash. The impact sent sparks flying, illuminating their intense battle.

Neither of them was holding back.

Darius stopped in his tracks, breathing heavily but grinning with confidence. He let out a short laugh, gripping Drill Fang tightly.

"You're strong, old man, I'll give you that... but unlike Cosmos, which only has two modes, Drill Fang has a third gear."

Hugo narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"

Stella's eyes widened. "A third gear?!" she exclaimed. "You're telling me that thing has another transformation?"

One of the kids smirked. "Heh, that's right. And this one's the real deal."

Darius raised Drill Fang high, his aura flaring. "Now, let me show you what makes me different from you!"

Then, he roared—"Gear Shift: Vortex Gear!"

This time, his eyes and clothing turned green, a swirling wind forming around him as his power surged.

Darius charged straight at Hugo, but to both Hugo and Stella's surprise, he was moving slower than before.

Hugo blinked. "Wait… are you—slower?"

Stella tilted her head, confused. "What kind of power-up makes you weaker?"

Darius scoffed. "Vortex Gear isn't for speed. It's for defense."

There was a moment of silence.

Then, both Hugo and Stella yelled at him in frustration.

"WHAT'S THE POINT THEN?!"

Darius flinched at their synchronized outburst. "W-Well, it makes me tougher!"

Hugo groaned, rubbing his temples. "Oh great, so now you're just a slower punching bag."

Stella crossed her arms. "You were doing fine before! Why make yourself an easier target?!"

One of the kids chimed in, nervously chuckling, "Uh… yeah, boss. This might not have been your smartest move."

Darius clenched his fists. "You don't get it! Vortex Gear lets me take ANY attack!" He smirked. "I just have to outlast you!"

Hugo sighed. "Alright then…" He raised Cosmos. "Let's test that theory."

Darius braced himself as Hugo's eyes and clothing turned red once more.

"Corona Mode!" Cosmos roared.

Without hesitation, Hugo shot forward, his movements becoming a blur of blazing energy.

"Strong Corona!" Hugo yelled, his sword slashing at Darius with rapid, burning strikes. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Darius gritted his teeth, standing firm as Drill Fang absorbed the relentless onslaught. His Vortex Gear kept him from being knocked back, but each slash chipped away at his defenses.

The kids watched in awe, while Stella crossed her arms. "I don't care how tough he thinks he is. Nobody takes that many hits without consequences."

Darius staggered slightly, his stance faltering. "Tch… Is that all you got?!"

Hugo smirked. "Oh, we're just getting started."

CRACK.

A deep fracture spread across Drill Fang's surface.

Darius' eyes widened. "Wait—"

BOOM!

The Arcana energy within his weapon surged uncontrollably, sending Darius skidding backward as sparks of green light burst from his lance. He barely kept his grip, panting heavily.

Hugo twirled Cosmos before resting it on his shoulder. "So? How's that 'unbreakable' defense working out for you?"

Darius clenched his jaw. "Tch… Damn it…"

Stella leaned toward one of the kids. "Does he… know when to quit?"

The kid awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… usually not."

Darius growled. "I can still—"

"No, you can't." Hugo cut in. "That last hit cracked your weapon. If we keep going, it'll shatter completely."

Darius hesitated, gripping Drill Fang tightly.

Hugo sighed. "Listen, kid. You're not bad, but you're not ready to take my title either."

Darius glared at him but stayed silent.

Hugo lowered Cosmos. "Now, are you gonna be smart about this, or do I have to break that thing for real?"

Darius clicked his tongue but eventually sighed in defeat. "…Fine. You win."

The three kids groaned. "Aww, boss! We were supposed to be famous!"

Stella let out a breath. "Finally. Now, can we talk about getting past that ridiculous Veilgate fee?"

Hugo sheathed Cosmos, stretching. "Yeah, let's figure that out before we waste the whole day."

Darius, still catching his breath, muttered, "You guys are really broke, huh?"

Hugo and Stella turned to him, deadpan.

"…Shut up."

As the tension faded, Hugo and Stella turned to leave.

Darius sighed, resting Drill Fang on his shoulder. "Well, guess I'm not the Hero of the Eclipse today…"

One of the kids patted his back. "You'll get 'em next time, boss."

Stella rolled her eyes. "Yeah, maybe after a few more years of training."

Darius shot her a glare but didn't argue. Instead, he looked at Hugo. "Hey… you're not as washed-up as people say. But next time, I will beat you."

Hugo smirked. "Looking forward to it, kid."

With that, Darius and his crew turned and walked away, disappearing into the bustling streets of Ironfang Village.

Stella let out a deep breath. "Well, that was… something."

Hugo nodded. "Yeah. Now, back to our problem—how the hell are we gonna pay for that Veilgate?"

As they wandered through the village, still figuring out how to get enough ArcanaCoin for the Veilgate, Hugo suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He narrowed his eyes at a colorful poster pinned to a wooden board. "Huh."

Stella glanced over his shoulder. "What is it?"

The poster was advertising a combat tournament, promising a grand prize of 10,000 ArcanaCoin to the winner.

Hugo smirked. "Well… that solves our problem."

Stella groaned. "Oh no. I don't like that look on your face."

Hugo pointed at the poster. "Simple. I win this tournament, and we get more than enough to pay for the Veilgate."

Stella frowned. "And what if you lose?"

Hugo grinned. "Then I'll just win."

Stella crossed her arms. "That's not an answer!"

But Hugo was already walking toward the tournament registration booth.

As Hugo approached the registration booth, a bored-looking clerk sat behind the counter, flipping through a holo-screen.

"Welcome to the Ironfang Combat Tournament. Entry fee is 50 ArcanaCoin," the clerk droned without looking up.

Hugo blinked. "Wait, entry fee?"

Stella sighed. "Oh, now you care about not having money?"

Hugo scratched the back of his head. "Okay, new plan—we find another way to enter."

The clerk finally looked up and squinted at Hugo. Then his eyes widened in recognition.

"Wait… you're Hugo!"

Hugo tensed. "Uh… maybe?"

The clerk practically jumped out of his seat. "The Hero of the Eclipse?! Oh man, I've heard stories! My grandpa told me all about your fight against the Five Nations and the Perfect Life Forms!"

Stella crossed her arms. "Oh, now people recognize him."

The clerk grinned. "Hey, listen, you're a legend! If you enter the tournament, we have to put your name on the posters. That'll bring a huge crowd! I'll tell you what—if you fight, I'll waive your entry fee."

Hugo smirked. "Now that's more like it."

Stella groaned. "I swear, if this turns into another Darius situation…"

The clerk tapped on his holo-screen. "Alright, you're in. The tournament starts in three days—don't be late."

Hugo nodded. "Sounds good."

Stella sighed. "Great. Now what do we do until then?"

After signing up, Hugo stretched and let out a satisfied sigh. "Alright, that's done. Now, I think it's time for some ramen."

Stella stared at him, exasperated. "Seriously? That's your priority right now?"

Hugo grinned. "Hey, I haven't had ramen in years. And besides, we've got three days until the tournament starts. Might as well enjoy ourselves."

Stella sighed but didn't argue. "Fine. But you're paying."

Hugo froze. "…With what money?"

Stella groaned. "Unbelievable."