High Risk High reward

"You ready rookie!? The shark man goads Rain.

"I bet his flippers are shivering for what's about to happen" The smaller catfish chuckles.

"So what if they're shivering, doesn't mean I'm going to back down from a fight." Rain says shaking from the adrenaline.

"Oh the boy has more backbone then I thought this might be an interesting fight after all." The shark man grips at the anchors on his waist.

"He does seem to have some potential on his bones, but you bit off more than you chew boy." The catfish continues to chuckle, gripping at his tidal weapon.

'Either I win now and take us to higher heights or fall and sink further into this abyss. This body may have changed but I am still the same man. I refuse to back down. I refuse to lose it all again no matter what happens. I will win this fight then use it to find them dead or alive i'll find my family' Rain's mind continues to hone in on everything he has already lost.

Rain floats a couple centimetres off the seafloor. His blood starts to boil and surge through his whole body understanding whats about to happen an enormous hit of adrenaline begins to enter his veins sending his bold yellow eyes into a violent stare.

"You ready Alex?" The catfish says to the shark man.

"Yeah, try not to slip up, this is an easy win David." Alexander says.

"Oh I'm the one who's gonna slip up, sure. Let's just get our win!" David scoffs, irritated that he would suggest that.

"Rain this is too much you can't handle both of them at once please we can still back out of this." Serena says worried out of her mind trying to avoid the worst possible outcome. Finn begins to whine and yelp seeing Rain prepare for the fight

"No, I won't back down here. I will fight every part of me that I wish to fight. It's hard to explain but my body is demanding to fight and I don't want to ignore this rush." Rain responds gripping his fingers into a fist feeling the coursing surge for battle. 

"The fight starts now once one side is unable to fight the duel is over!" Samuel yells out making sure everyone can hear. Rain cracks his neck and fingers getting himself ready for what's about to happen.

'I don't think I can use mana again right after that fight. This is just going to have to be a bare knuckle fight. I'll fight. I have already lost too much. I promise I won't be losing anything else' Rain's thoughts continue to pour out rapidly. 

"Hey kid, why don't you throw your pet in with you, I'm sure we would all get a kick from having a seamutt like that." Alexander chuckles jabbing at David.

"What did you say!?" Rain's mind begins to lock into the fight even more.

"Well it's not like you'll have much say in the matter once you lose!" David jokes back grabbing at his tidal weapons summoning the blades in a flash.

Rain's gills begin to flare and take in a ton of oxygen. All of his muscles coil, for the first time his body listens in kind responding with a reflexive coiled tail whip. Launching him through the water like a missile. 

"Would you look at the poor swimmer who can actually manage some movement?" the fishman says a little shocked by the unusual speed behind Rain.

"Bring it on runt." David says crossing his tidal blades ready to fight. 

The back of Rain's head begins to tingle as his instincts plead with him to notice the obvious. His eyes catch sight of a chain right next to him. In a flash of understanding Rain flexes his muscles and grips the chain with all the strength he can. 

"What the! How the hell did he notice that, it's painted to blend in with the seafloor." Alexander mutters not understanding how Rain even noticed that.

Rain's yellow eyes continue to glow bright as he stalks his prey. More and more adrenaline is dumped through his nervous system. His fingers continue to clench around the chain until blood starts to seep out of his hand.

"What is that fool doing!" Alexander calls out seeing Rain gripping on the chain of his anchors worried about his weapon.

"Dont worry im on it." David says, appearing in a flash dispersing sediment into Rain's vision.

'Lets gamble then shall we my scales vs your weapon' Rain's mind surges with desire to win no matter what.

"RAIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT DODGE IT!" Serena screams out seeing Rain grin as he guards with his forearm. 

"Arrrroooouuuuuuuuu" Finn yelps out seeing the oncoming pain.

*SLICE*

[-4hp]

"How the hell?" David gasps, shocked at what he's seeing. As more and more blood starts to enter the water.

"I've got to test the effectiveness of my new weapons don't i? "Rain says, mocking David as he traps the blade in between his tensed muscles. Scales have slightly broken away as bright red blood starts to pour into the open water. 

"I said this before Serena but I will protect my people but I want more than that. I want us to thrive, not just survive. I will make that happen." Rain says as he continues to grip onto the chain not backing down in the slightest, the wound being the least of his concerns.

"Why am I worth so much to you!?" Serena yells out confused over Rain's actions.

"You're my friend and we're Serena's partners Serena so i'll make sure to take you to the top with me." Rain's head turns to smile before he gets back to gripping down on the anchor chain with all of his might.

"What are these scales I can't even cut deep?" David comments trying to cut even deeper not being able to get past the tense muscle and remnant scales.

"Right where I want you!" Rain's instincts humm as he begins to see a clear train of thought to get a significant leg up.

[+2 Stat points in strength]

*CRUNCH*

Rain's muscles surge with aquatic fury as his grip clamps down even harder. The anchor chain crumbles under the grip of rain sending the anchor deep out into the sea, taking the broken ends of the chain he begins to coil the chain around David. 

"This isn't some rookie." Alexander says seeing the combat prowess in front of him his weapons are broken beyond repair.

"You bastard, you think this will hold me!?" David chuckles as he grips at his tidal weapons ready to cut through the chain.

"No i don't but I just need you to stay still!" Rain says, lacing his fingers together before slamming down his fists sending the merfolk into a nearby house unravelling the thick chain in the process, as David crash lands on the house's roof causing it to fall in on him.

'Damn that burns, looks like I can't push myself too hard, my muscles can barely take it.' Rain says looking at his devastated hands his scales ripped off and bloody.

'Pain is a temporary sensation.' Rain's mind goes back in on the fight ignoring the pain running through his system.

"What was your name Alexander? It looks like your teammate is out of commission. How about we finish this. I won't be backing down" Rain replies cockily as he stares down the sharkman.

"Good like a true man, let's have an honourable end to our duel. I respect strength but its doesnt mean I'll keel over. Let's see if you really can win this." Alexander humours Rain a little.

Rain's light blue forearms raise as blood continues to flow out, his fists slowly are brought up to his face. Flashes of memories start to pour into his adrenaline filled mind. 

'Am I going to keel over again or am I going to stand tall?' Rain comments to himself, seeing the memories of his prior fights all the people that walked right over him. The bastards that thought they could hurt fin without any repercussion. 

His yellow eyes continue to stare into the Merfolks eyes, projecting every person that has beat him down and blocked the way. A constant surge of people project onto the shark man as Rain's mind continues to grow more furious. 

'Not anymore, never again. I'll have to die before I back down again!' His willpower starts to flare, becoming a surging inferno through his entire body. 

'I lost everyone important to me, being spared only barely. This isn't the same as the past. I'm not the same weak boy. I won't back down ever again even with my back to the wall.' Rain's eyes continue to fiercely glow, his stance not wavering an inch. Continuing to think on just how lucky he got in this apocalypse.

"I respect you, not many would risk this much and still be willing to keep going." Alexander says, rotating his shoulder getting ready to fight.