8 Combat (1/2)

"You have to be strong, stronger than anyone. Only when you reach that pinnacle will you be able to reach out and begin to shape destiny with your own two hands. Remember Koda, only those with power in this shit show of a world can hope to make a difference and achieve their goals."

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Tayuya calmly walked down the street as lightning sparked and crackled along his entire body, a brilliant smile spread across his face. A large, dense, invisible aura surrounded him, causing each step of his to crack the ground apart. His hair whipped around and his eyes glowed brightly, evidence of just how much magic he was building up.

"Don't tell me that that was all it took to make you say uncle," Tayuya shouted as he stopped some distance away from the store. "Come on!! Lets get this party started!!"

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"No matter how many times you fall Koda, you get back onto your feet. If the world tries to beat you down, shove a dagger down its throat. You're strong! Show them what you can do!"

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Tayuya stood by the building for around half a minute before finally letting the magic surrounding him die down. He was slightly disappointed that his target had went down so easily but at the same time he wasn't too stressed about it. He had probably overestimated the white haired youth a bit too much. He should've held back a bit in hopes of actually seeing what he could do.

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"Now! Do it! Let it explode! Show the world the depths of your resolve!!"

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"First Gear- Fulmination!!"

The shop Koda was sent flying into exploded into pieces, chunks of the building scattering in different directions. It was as if the shop itself had been erased as almost nothing of the structure remained other then some pipes and broken pieces of metal. Standing in the center of a massive cloud of condensed magic was a white haired youth with glowing green eyes (who could walk through walls like here and fly...ahem, sorry). The magic power was so dense and concentrated that Tayuya had to back up in order to breath properly, the sheer power eating away at the oxygen.

(("This magic....its almost overwhelming. Completely different from ordinary citizens!!")) Tayuya couldn't help but smile in delight as the sparks of what appeared to be a true challenge appeared. This was the reason he had come out here, to fight, to feel that rush of adrenaline he could only experience during combat. He cared neither for the kingdom nor its inhabitants, his only goal now being to crush his opponent under his foot.

"YES, power up more," Tayuya shouted as he watched Koda from a relatively safe distance. "Show me the extent of yo-"

Before he even registered what had happened, the young royal was slammed backwards into a building, his throat seized and held on tightly by Koda, cutting his words short. It was almost as if the boy had dematerialized and then reappeared right in front of him, catching him unaware. With a hand wrapped around his throat, he couldn't breath, let alone speak. Even as he grabbed Koda's hand in an attempt to pry it off, he found himself amazed at just how strong the white haired boy was, unable to even move a single finger.

(("That move he used earlier...that was Fulgur Gradus. So he's a lightning magic user!!")) Tayuya could hardly think beyond this one detail as he kept fighting to free himself.

"Do you know why you lost to me so fast?" Koda asked calmly as he slightly tightened his fingers, causing Tayuya to let out a choked gasp. "Because you lowered your guard when you thought I was down. You should never turn your back on an opponent unless you've made sure they're unconscious, crippled, or dead. In life, there are no do overs so you have to make sure victory is guaranteed or you run the risk of losing in the process."

Koda watched the young man struggle for a bit before letting him go, allowing him to fall to the ground. He didn't feel like hurting the guy despite having been punched for no reason, at least for any reason he knew of. Besides, he had to leave the Lana Realm soon as the Guardians, being as quick to take action as they were, would be dispatched to investigate the spike in magic. Fighting this stranger would only add on to the situation.

"If you attack me again, I'll cripple you. I imagine that you want to keep using your legs right?" Koda stepped away from Tayuya as he repeatedly coughed, struggling to breath normally again. "This is your only warning."

Koda prepared to leave, his senses still focused on Tayuya as he walked away, alert to his surroundings should the guy try to foolishly attack him again. He was almost certain that he intimidated the young man enough to deter another attack, but he wasn't about to lower his guard. However, while he was ready for the young man to strike at him, what Koda hadn't prepared for was being attacked from the space above his head, a clean kick slamming into his temple and once again sending him soaring into another storefront.

"Yeah you piece of shit," A young man with black hair and pink eyes muttered as he landed onto the spot Koda had been standing. "Sit your cocky ass down!!"

The black haired young man stared at the destroyed store before bolting over to where Tayuya was, of whom was still rubbing his throat and breathing raggedly. "Young master Tayuya, are you alright?"

"Mantle, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be distracting Vex." Tayuya coughed a bit before standing back onto his feet. "Where's Vex?"

"Taking a dump," Mantle responded hastily. "I rushed over here as fast as I could when I felt the sudden spike in magic. To think that that low-born piece of garbage had the nerve to lay a hand on a royal, and someone from House Tomura no less. He deserves to die!!"

"Mantle.....what have I told you about status?" Tayuya asked, his breathing having finally stabilized though a bruise in the shape of a handprint still remained.

Mantle flinched a little before lowering his head. "Status means nothing. Titles are just that, a title given by others to categorize and segregate. All that truly matters is strength."

"Good. You memorized it word for word but you still haven't figured it out. You'll have to write it out 10,000 times more on paper when we get back home. For now though, step aside and make sure not to get in my way. This is MY fight and I don't want you to interfere."

"So.....can someone explain to me why I deserved to get hit?"

Both Tayuya and Mantle turned to stare at Koda who was now a few feet away from them. His clothes were ripped in multiple places but, despite a few minor scratches, he was unharmed. His glowing green eyes held no hints of anger but rather annoyance, his white hair dancing wildly, giving him menacing presence.

"I haven't done anything to warrant such an attack. Normally I'd hit you and I'd call it even but I'm sort of in a rush so I'll take a quick apology and leave it at that. Be reasonable and refrain from hitting me again." Koda suppressed the magic aura surrounding him to show that he didn't want to fight, but he didnt dispel it. There was a 50-50 chance that they wouldn't listen to him and just continue to attack him so it would be completely idiotic to just turn his Fulmination Gear off.

"I'm glad that you're able to keep your calm, even after my subordinate attacked you," Tayuya replied, flashing a smile. "But I'm afraid-"

"YOU ARROGANT PIECE OF SHIT," Mantle yelled as he disappeared in a flash of light. The boy reappeared behind Koda, his leg already set up for a full force kick. "DONT YOU DARE TALK DOWN TO TAYUYA!!"

"Mantle!! I told you not to...interfere...with my fight." Tayuya's voice slowly fizzled out, his eyes widening slightly.

The kick which should have slammed into Koda's shoulder ended up hitting a large but thin barrier made up of crackling, bright blue lightning. It didn't appear to be very strong or very impressive but it was still enough to render Tayuya speechless.

(("Then he's a special type?!!)) Tayuya could feel his heartbeat accelerate, adrenaline pumping through his veins. (("No wonder he seems so confident. With both attack and defensive spells, he would be able to beat the majority of those his age in one on one combat. Talk about power."))

"Damn it," Mantle muttered as he leapt backwards, his leg tingling slightly. "How'd you know where I was gonna attack? Even if you are a specialist with attack and defense spells, you shouldn't have been able to block that attack so quickly!"

Koda turned his head to look at Mantle, glowing green eyes filled with hostility. "A better question is, what made you think that the same attack you used before would work a second time? Try something else.

"You little-"

"MANTLE!!" Tayuya shouted, his voice finally reaching the black haired youth. "GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!! Change of plans."

Mantle grit his teeth together and glanced at Koda briefly before disappearing in a brief flash and reappearing beside Tayuya.

Koda clenched his own teeth together. He wanted to just leave and head back home or at the very least disappear from the area, but it wasn't a possibility at the moment. The boy named Mantle was a light magic attack type mage with the ability to use Motus Lucis, a spell that allowed the user to move at the speed of light. It was nearly impossible to dodge an attack made by those with complete mastery over the spell and virtually impossible to escape from someone who could use it. If he wanted to leave, he would have to knock out Mantle so he couldn't follow him or resort to his second gear which he didn't want to have to use. He wasn't as efficient with his second gear as he was with his first.

"Look. Just apologize and I'll be on my way." Koda tried once again to use reason to try and persuade them even if it was futile. "I'm not trying to start a fight."

"Thats too bad," Tayuya said with a smile. "Cause thats exactly what your getting. You best prepare yourself because we're about to go all out."