Panther vs Cat

Amidst these fleeting moments, a cascade of events unfolded during these few seconds of the fight. The average spectator found themselves ensnared by the whirlwind of actions, momentarily halted only by the resounding crash of the fireball. Even then, there lingered no respite for the seasoned gamblers or Mbilas.

'Why deploy a smoke bomb when my fireball was hurtling towards him?' Dombi pondered with swift contemplation.

Upon releasing the initial fireball, Dombi surged forth, foreseeing its effect propelling his adversary in his direction. This tactic, honed through rigorous training with his grandfather, was a rarity in lipato. Notably, the analyses conducted by experts on his fireball omitted the blast effect intentionally utilized by Dombi. Thus, as Malamu was propelled forward, Dombi swiftly activated the Panther's Strength [State], intending to hit him, the damage being sufficient for paralysis, thwarting any aspirations of leadership in the impending expedition. Nevertheless, the vertiginous sensation struck Dombi as Malamu, propelled by the fireball's explosion, closed in rapidly, narrowly missing Dombi's blow, his fist connecting with a post.

There was no time for shock; Dombi, facing one of the premier lipato players, adhered to the elite Mbila mindset instilled by his grandfather—maintain focus. Swiftly, he turned to observe Malamu, who grappled to rectify his trajectory. His movements revealed an endeavor to shake Dombi off while stabilizing himself. Without pause, Dombi sprinted forward, covering two steps before executing a breathtaking leap, leveraging the Panther's Strength to ascend 20 meters into the air. From this vantage point, he unleashed another fireball, capitalizing on Malamu's inability to pinpoint his precise location. In mid-air, he initiated a diagonal descent, aiming to land ten meters from the impending impact, anticipating Malamu's evasion.

Surprise registered on Dombi's countenance as he witnessed Malamu deploying a smoke bomb in response to the approaching fireball—an act defying conventional logic. Evading would have been the rational choice, yet it appeared that Malamu opted to face the full force of the impending assault.

Indeed, the second fireball collided with Malamu, rendering the use of the smoke bomb futile and showcasing its inherent futility.

Abana had already departed from the first rim, making her way to the grandstand where a superior view of the playground awaited. Players entering the first rim required no prolonged stay, as their entry was duly noted. Some opted to linger close to the Geto, relishing the ominous sensation akin to how children approach perilous creatures at a zoo—with a mixture of fear and wonder. This, however, was their adversary—an erstwhile threat, now rendered completely harmless.

Upon the grandstand, Abana observed swiftly, enveloped in a heightened perception state, channeling nearly all her Kongas to carry with perception States. The intent was to capture every nuance of the unfolding fight. Mist users, particularly elites, typically possessed States that allowed them to manipulate their perception of time, recognizing its critical role in analyzing opponents during combat. However, the methodologies to manipulate perception using cartridges were diverse. Some employed electrical impulses to intensify cerebral activities, while others utilized precognitive States offering glimpses up to five seconds into the future.

'I think Malamu is done,' she analyzed. 'Why did he use the smoke bomb? I cannot comprehend. Even with just one konga, all Mbilas, especially elites, are trained to employ the most efficient strategies in any given situation. We, as elites, have access to education and tools that ordinary Mbilas lack.' Abana found herself perplexed by Malamu's choice of a smoke bomb, which proved ineffective against Dombi's fireball. It struck her as illogical.

Elites among the Mbila enjoyed privileges unattainable by their common counterparts, notably the mentoring system. While regular Mbilas received education through general discourse at the academy, elites could opt for mentorship in specific areas by chosen individuals, who were bound by law to accept. This arrangement not only benefited the elite Mbila but also bestowed favors upon the mentors as their stature and influence grew.

Another advantage held by elites was access to superior and diverse cartridges. The nuanced use of Mist relied on the abilities provided by these cartridges, making a significant difference in battle. If the [State] utilized was common or accessible to all, a plethora of counteracting tactics would diminish its effectiveness, as opponents would be well-versed in the tools at play.

Abana, the one who sought a marriage proposal from Malamu, had grown up in poverty, her childhood marked by the inability to afford adornments that would make her feel pretty as a little girl while all the other girls were clean and cared for. Witnessing her father being subjected to mockery and humiliation also fueled her desire for a different life. Choosing to pursue Malamu, she refrained from seeking approval from her parents, understanding that their counsel would offer little. Given that she was the one taking all the decisions. Despite her deep affection for them, they were, in her eyes, still failures—naive individuals content with a meager existence.

Her choice of Malamu was not solely based on availability but also stemmed from their shared upbringing as denizens of a poor area in the village. If she had the luxury of choosing in an ideal world, Dombi would have been her preference. However, the higher echelons of power dictated a tendency for two-Kongas holders to marry within their circle, consolidating influence. Marrying a three-Kongas holder from outside the privileged spheres was not only a threat to established clans but also a collective declaration of enmity against the powerful. This left three-Kongas holders with the choice between commoners or ordinary Mbilas.


In the intricate dance of societal hierarchy, the prospect of two three-Kongas holder Mbilas unaffiliated with powerful clans seeking union between themselves prompted also a ferocious resistance. They were thrust into perilous missions, ensnared in plots seeking their erasure. The mere desire for such a marriage drew relentless opposition, with relentless schemes devised to eliminate them.

Abana's inclination to marry Malamu was strategic, a calculated move to seek refuge under the protective mantle of Malamu's first mentor, Matsouma. She discerned that, as Malamu's spouse, reprisals from the established order would be restrained, shielded as she would be by Matsouma's influence. Simultaneously, her own sponsors stood to gain from their investments, potentially fostering her rise to establish her own clan. Through this, she aspired to spare her offspring the hardships she endured as a child, shielding them from the humiliations her parents faced.

However, circumstances had evolved. Malamu, despite holding only one konga, wasn't an impediment, for the backing of Matsouma bestowed considerable advantages. Yet, he had the audacity to refuse her proposal.

She conjectured that the second fireball had effectively extinguished Malamu's burgeoning career.

How merciless life could be—today the village's great hope, tomorrow a common entity. One day, fortified by the mighty, the next day, forsaken and solitary.

She foresaw the impending abandonment of Malamu by everyone, including Matsouma—she herself would undoubtedly follow suit.

'Does he have a way to defend against my fireball? No. Mine costs 3 S.p, a Maqala shield costs 1 S.p. At most, if he uses his entire konga, he can deploy two Maqala shields, nullifying some damage but taking the rest,' Dombi contemplated. 'Regardless, if he miraculously avoids my fireball, I'll extinguish him.'

At ten meters from the impact, Dombi observed Malamu, poised to strike like a panther if he evaded the fireball. Few moments ago before the crash, the latter remained unaware of Dombi's location; the fireball hovered two meters above him, and his single Konga lacked the capacity to activate perception faculties while embroiled in combat.

Simultaneously, the Mbila analyst, keenly observing the unfolding spectacle, chronicled the commencement of the encounter up to this juncture.

'So, as the initial fireball was set forth and Malamu artfully evaded it, the aftershock of the explosion thrust him towards Dombi. Ordinarily, he would have faced imminent crushing had he not employed his dizzy Mist whip. Frankly, I am uncertain about the extent of his Mist's reach; it seemed to stretch as far as 5 meters. In a peculiar way, he exhibits a certain anomaly,' he ruminated, pausing before adding, 'Yet, his vulnerability lies in the singular konga that deprives him of augmenting perception States. Consequently, he remained oblivious to Dombi's whereabouts even after sidestepping the latter's punch, entirely engrossed in resetting himself. These nuances wield significant influence in genuine combat, illuminating how Dombi stands as a formidable combatant. Though, I would have suggested Dombi incorporate projectiles to further disorient Malamu. Ah, perhaps that was the missing link…' The analyst conjectured that had Dombi chosen to launch projectiles at Malamu, the latter would have a higher likelihood of pinpointing his adversary's location. Dombi's approach was decisive—a solitary opening left unguarded equated to farewell—whereas Malamu's technique centered around evasion and avoiding contact.

While relaying the unfolding events, an unsettling intuition gnawed at him brought by his perception state. Was Malamu now teetering on the brink of peril? His heightened awareness impelled him to scrutinize the Geto. 'Why does the Geto suddenly exude such tranquility?' The Geto subtly inclined his head, almost as if acknowledging the scrutiny. A semblance of a smile graced the Geto countenance, how can this monster even smile yet the analyst reciprocated with a faint smile of his own. Hailing from the esteemed 'Muinda' clan, denizens of Light, renowned for harnessing the velocity of photons to craft states that manipulated time—though their exact methods remained shrouded in secrecy—the analyst belonged to a lineage known for producing astoundingly perceptive Mbilas.


The Geto was at the center.

Dombi remained on edge, his tension unabated even after the fiery collision, as the subsequent developments validated this unease. He now comprehended the wisdom in his grandfather's teachings—never underestimate an opponent, and vigilance must persist regardless of apparent victory. In the realm of Mbilas, triumph was an elusive certainty. Despite striving to internalize these lessons, Dombi, not having experienced the crucible that forged his grandfather's insights, couldn't fully appreciate the weight of his teachings. There lingered within him an implicit belief that one konga was a palpable mismatch against his prowess.

From the explosion emerged a figure propelled by a grappling hook, evidently attempting to flee toward the second rim. 'So, he's heading to his team's defenders for protection against me. But how did he survive that?' These thoughts raced through Dombi's mind, yet he didn't waver in his pursuit. Throughout the assault, he had foreseen Malamu's potential escape towards the second fireball, perhaps employing a concealed ability or state. Surprise struck when Malamu absorbed the fireball head-on. How could anyone endure such a direct impact?

With swift agility, Dombi closed in behind the silhouette of Malamu, shrouded in the smoke from the smoke bomb. This time, Malamu was significantly weakened—escape was futile. Dombi embodied the panther, and Malamu, the mere cat.

His hand ascended behind Malamu like a panther's paw, activating several state cartridges to simulate the extension of his nails, now resembling razor-sharp claws. 'Manzaka Ma Nkoyi'—'Panthère's Claw' in Lingala—was a technique he had independently devised to discreetly handle potential adversaries. If it made contact with an unprepared Mbila, especially from behind, it spelled their demise.

The claws tore through Malamu's clothing, or so Dombi believed. However, there was no body—just a heap of garments and what appeared to be...

'Oh no...'

Boom!

The average spectator saw only the moment when Dombi struck what seemed to be Malamu, leading to an explosion upon Dombi's contact.

In the aftermath of the second fireball's impact, as the flames dwindled, a clear form emerged. A wounded body, adorned with burns, its torso bereft of clothing, retaining only the remnants of its undergarments. The figure exuded both concentration and exhaustion.

"Mameh!" The entire stage erupted in shock and surprise.

Abana couldn't believe her eyes. All that transpired was a misdirection orchestrated by Malamu. When he deployed the smoke bomb, he chose to endure the full impact of the second fireball. The smoke bomb concealed the pile of clothes he had gathered and projected with his grappling hook, creating the illusion for Dombi. However, when Dombi grasped what he thought was Malamu, it was merely a decoy filled with explosive cartridges. He had willingly accepted the damage to wound Dombi.

It was akin to a cat saying to a panther, "You may be stronger, but I can hurt you too."

Now, it was Dombi's turn to reveal himself. After enduring the explosion, which inflicted minimal damage, he was profoundly marked. "I will kill him," he thought, not out of anger but with a cold calmness, as the most logical conclusion to the situation. Allowing him to live might be the most fatal mistake, and even if people developed a negative opinion of him, with time and the influence of his grandfather, the village chief, they would eventually move on, considering Malamu's single konga holder from a poor part of the village.

Dombi decided to activate a special technique, the Panther's Totem. The stark difference between a [state] and a Totem lay in the fact that the totem was an aggregation of several states, generally coherent due to their nature. In the Panther's Totem, there were states like Panther's Strength, Panther's Speed, Panther's Reactivity, Panther's Sense, and more.

Another peculiarity of a Totem was that, whereas each state constituting it, used separately, would consume multiple S.p, utilizing a Totem incurred a cost of only 1 S.p. The power of a totem remained the accumulation of the S.p from all the states constituting it. In Dombi's case, activating the Panther's Totem granted him a power of 18 S.p, operated by a single S.p. Of course, this was not without risk, as the use of a Totem could lead to an effect called hyperdrive, with one of its many consequences being the irreversible destruction of one or more Kongas.

Hence, the distinction made among veteran Mbilas, stating that at their peak, they operated with 2 Kongas, but after their careers, sometimes they returned to a single konga, having lost all others. The konga could dwindle, and many 3 Kongas holders reduced theirs through the temptation of using a totem or another advanced technique.

Dombi was in Nkoyi mode, or panther mode.

Malamu, who was now at a distance, struggled to stay on his feet. He knew that he had exhausted all his resources to face Dombi.

Even with his regular 3 Kongas, he was formidable; however, with the totem activated, he now possessed a power of 18 S.p provided by the totem, in addition to the 13 S.p from his 3 Kongas.

Dombi took a step forward, but as he did, his badge began to blink. It displayed *Stand Still*.

The crowd erupted into cheers. What a match!!!