Ch 52: "Tournament of Power" (Part 4!!)

As Brick and Dazzling Dagger repositioned themselves, the air grew tense with anticipation. The crowd held its collective breath, eyes wide with excitement. Brick crouched low, muscles coiling like a spring, before launching himself into the air with a mighty leap. At the same moment, Dazzling Dagger sprinted forward and sprang upward, meeting him mid-air.

The clash of their bodies in the sky was a sight to behold. They traded blows with rapid intensity, each movement a blur. The sound of fists meeting flesh echoed like thunder. Dazzling Dagger's reflexes were lightning-fast; she dodged every powerful punch Brick threw her way. In return, her own strikes landed true, each one making Brick wince with pain.

As they collided, the rush of air whipped around them, carrying the metallic scent of sweat and blood. Brick's eyes burned with determination, but Dazzling Dagger's gaze was sharp, focused. She could see every muscle movement he made, anticipating his next strike.

In the midst of their aerial battle, Brick grunted with effort, his fists swinging with the force of a hurricane. "You're quick," he growled through gritted teeth, narrowly missing her with a right hook.

Dazzling Dagger smirked, her voice steady and confident. "You're strong, but strength alone won't save you." She twisted her body gracefully, delivering a swift kick to Brick's side. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, causing a ripple effect that could be felt even by the spectators below.

The taste of adrenaline was sharp in her mouth as she maneuvered around Brick, each hit she landed sending vibrations up her arm. The texture of the rough, rocky terrain beneath her feet was a stark contrast to the smooth, controlled movements of her body.

Brick's frustration was palpable. He swung wildly, his movements becoming more erratic as he struggled to land a hit. "Stay still!" he roared, his voice echoing through the arena.

Dazzling Dagger laughed, the sound light and mocking. "What's the matter, Brick? Can't keep up?" She feinted left, then spun right, delivering a punch that connected with Brick's jaw, sending him reeling.

The spectators erupted into cheers, their voices a cacophony of excitement and admiration. The sight of the two combatants, locked in such an intense and dynamic battle, was mesmerizing. Dust and debris swirled around them, illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the open arena.

As they descended from their mid-air clash, both fighters landed in a crouch, their breaths heavy, eyes locked. The ground beneath them trembled from the force of their landing, small rocks tumbling away.

Brick wiped blood from his mouth, his expression one of grudging respect. "You're a worthy opponent, Dazzling Dagger," he admitted, his voice low and intense.

Dazzling Dagger straightened, her stance relaxed but ready. "Likewise, Brick. But this fight isn't over yet." Her eyes glinted with determination, a small, confident smile playing on her lips.

The crowd roared its approval, the sound echoing through the vast arena. The smell of sweat and dust filled the air, mingling with the palpable energy of the spectators. The battle was far from over, and both fighters knew it. They repositioned themselves, ready for the next round, their hearts pounding in sync with the rhythm of the fight.

As Brick shouted, "Enough with this!" his body began to glow with an intense aura. Muscles bulged and veins pulsed as he activated his ultimate move, enhancing both his strength and speed. He bolted forward with the speed of sound, his fist aiming straight for Dazzling Dagger's face.

In that split second, time seemed to slow for Dazzling Dagger. She saw the punch coming, the sheer force of it distorting the air around Brick's fist. Instinctively, she activated her magic barrier. Brick's punch collided with the barrier, a deafening crack echoing through the arena.

The impact was devastating. The force of the punch sent Dazzling Dagger hurtling through the air, crashing through three mountains in a series of explosive collisions. Each impact sent rocks and debris flying, the sound of the crashes reverberating like thunder. Finally, she was buried under a pile of boulders at the base of the last mountain.

Blood trickled down her face as she lay gasping for air, the metallic taste of it sharp in her mouth. Her vision blurred, the world around her spinning. She struggled to breathe, each breath a painful effort. The jagged edges of the boulders pressed against her, the rough texture scraping her skin.

Far away, Brick stood tall, a satisfied grin on his face. He reveled in the success of his attack, the crowd's distant cheers feeding his ego. The scent of sweat and dust filled the air, mingling with the acrid smell of magic. The ground trembled slightly from the aftershocks of their clash.

Dazzling Dagger's heart pounded in her chest, each beat a reminder of her determination. She forced herself to focus, to gather her strength. The pain was excruciating, but she knew she couldn't give up. Not yet.

Through her blurred vision, she saw the faint outline of the arena far in the distance. She could hear the muffled roars of the crowd, their excitement palpable even from her buried position. The taste of blood in her mouth fueled her resolve, the rough texture of the boulders grounding her in reality.

Brick's triumphant stance and the crowd's distant cheers were a stark contrast to her current predicament. But she wasn't finished. Summoning the last of her strength, she prepared to rise from the rubble, determined to continue the fight. The battle was far from over, and she was ready to give it her all.

As Lefa watched the intense battle unfold from afar, she couldn't contain her emotions. Grabbing a magical speaker, she shouted, "You can do it, Dazzling Dagger! I know you can!" Her voice, amplified by the magic, echoed across the battlefield. Worry was etched across her face, but her faith in Dazzling Dagger was unwavering.

Hearing Lefa's encouragement, Dazzling Dagger smirked, a fierce determination lighting up her eyes. "Hmm," she mused, "looks like 20% of power isn't enough. Let's bump it up to 40%." With a deep breath, she stood at the base of the mountain, summoning her energy. She charged her power, her aura glowing intensely like a Dragon Ball character, the air around her crackling with energy.

From a distance, Brick squinted at the glowing figure, confusion and concern mingling on his face. "What is that?" he muttered, shielding his eyes from the blinding light.

Dazzling Dagger let out a primal shout, "Hahhhhhhhhhh!" The ground shook with the force of her power, small explosions erupting around her as her energy peaked. In an instant, she dashed forward with blinding speed, her movements now a blur.

Brick barely had time to react before she gripped his face with iron strength, grinding it into the ground as she moved. The rough texture of the earth scraped and tore at his skin. With a powerful throw, she hurled him into the mountainous terrain. Brick crashed through three mountains, the impact sending debris flying in all directions. He finally came to a stop, unconscious and buried under a pile of rubble. The once formidable warrior lay incapacitated, his body lacking any protective barrier against the brutal assault.

Dazzling Dagger's eyes glowed an intense blue, her face darkened with the sheer exertion of her power. She had not killed Brick but rendered him completely incapacitated. As the adrenaline subsided, her knees gave way, and she fell to the ground, using one of her daggers to steady herself. She breathed heavily, the metallic taste of blood in her mouth, and the sharp smell of the earth filling her senses.

The crowd erupted in wild cheers, chanting, "Dazzling Dagger! Dazzling Dagger!" Their excitement was a palpable force in the air, a mix of sweat, dust, and magic.

Lefa, her eyes wide with amazement, murmured, "Wow, she is really strong without muscles." She pondered, even if you have body-enhancing magic, you can't surpass the big guy. How did she do it? The texture of her worry lines faded, replaced with awe and curiosity.

Dazzling Dagger looked around, her vision stabilizing, her senses overwhelmed by the sounds of the cheering crowd, the sight of the devastated terrain, the smell of sweat and earth, the taste of victory and blood, and the feel of the ground beneath her. She had done it, against all odds, she had won.

Dazzling Dagger, feeling the weight of fatigue pressing heavily on her shoulders, moved to the shade of a nearby mountain to rest. The sun was still high in the sky, its rays harsh and unrelenting, but the cool shadows provided a much-needed respite.

As she settled against the rough, cool rock, she focused on her healing magic. A soft, green glow enveloped her body, soothing her injuries and knitting together her torn muscles. The gentle warmth of the magic was comforting, a stark contrast to the searing pain of her wounds. She could feel the cuts closing and the bruises fading, the tingling sensation spreading through her limbs.

Despite the healing, her magical reserves were nearly depleted, and her mental fatigue remained. Every breath felt like a struggle, the air thick and heavy with the lingering scent of dust and blood. The distant sounds of battle echoed through the arena, the clashing of swords and the roar of magic creating a cacophony that seemed to vibrate in her very bones.

She could hear the crowd's distant cheers and shouts, their excitement palpable even from her shaded refuge. The noise was overwhelming, a constant reminder of the battles still raging around her. The taste of blood lingered in her mouth, metallic and bitter, a reminder of the toll the fight had taken on her body.

The rough texture of the rocky ground beneath her hands was grounding, a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield. She could feel the coolness of the shade, a small relief from the oppressive heat of the sun. The slight breeze carried the scent of sweat and dust, mingling with the faint smell of magic in the air.

As she rested, her eyes closed for a moment, and she could still see the image of Brick being hurled through the mountains, the memory of her victory a fleeting comfort. She knew she couldn't stay here for long; the tournament was far from over, and she needed to be ready for whatever came next.

Despite the fatigue, Dazzling Dagger's determination remained unwavering. She took a deep breath, the air cool and refreshing, and opened her eyes. The sun still shone brightly overhead, casting long shadows and illuminating the arena. She knew she needed to conserve her strength, but for now, the brief respite in the shade was enough to give her the energy to continue.

With a final deep breath, she pushed herself to her feet, the rough rock providing a steadying support. Her body ached, but she felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battles were far from over, and she was ready to face whatever came next, even if it meant pushing her limits further than ever before.