P.S= #24: Cory vs Blaze Part 1

TEP! TEP! CREAK! The heavy door swung open under Cory's deliberate push, revealing the enigmatic figure within.

"Welcome, Coryeil Silva. I have been expecting you. Would you like some tea or water, maybe?" The man's voice carried an air of casual indifference.

"Cut the crap," Cory retorted sharply, his tone laden with undisguised hostility.

"Huh, what's wrong?" The man feigned innocence.

"I'm here to take back my crewmate," Cory declared, his patience wearing thin.

"Well, lucky for you, Elliott already saved her," the man replied with an almost mocking tone.

SHING! Cory drew his swords, the metallic ring echoing through the room. "I'm not leaving until I beat the hell out of you. How dare you try to sell a member of my crew."

[Meanwhile, with Elliott and the others]

TEP! TEP! TEP! Naima walked into the room, her gaze scanning the scene. Elliott, Ava, and Kiyomizu stood amidst the aftermath, while Sliver lay defeated on the ground. Naima's eyes darted around, taking in the burn marks that adorned the room. A realization struck her Elliott had held back during the fight with Cory.

"Oh, it's you, Naima," Ava greeted her.

"Kiyomizu, you're okay," Naima exclaimed with relief.

"Yeah, thanks to Elliott," Kiyomizu replied.

"I guess you're not too bad," Naima acknowledged with a nod.

"So, I guess you beat my sister," Elliott remarked.

"A piece of cake," Naima quipped confidently.

TOOWISHTINK!! Ava, Naima, and Elliott swiftly turned around, their senses tingling with the unmistakable presence of haku.

"Did you guys sense that haku?" Naima questioned.

"Yeah," Ava confirmed.

"That's my big brother's haku," Elliott added.

"Huh, I don't sense anything," Kiyomizu admitted.

"We should hurry," Naima urged, a sense of urgency settling over the group.

Blaze surged forward, drawing his sword with swift precision, and appeared in front of Cory, launching a swift strike aimed at his head. Cory, caught off guard, managed to react just in time, blocking the attack with one of his swords. The clash of blades resounded through the room, sending Cory skidding backward before he employed his second sword, drawing it along the ground with a sharp sound, slowing Blaze's advance and preventing him from crashing into the wall.

Cory couldn't help but be surprised. The AoiHi clan was known for their hand-to-hand combat skills, and seeing Blaze wielding a sword was unexpected. As Cory regained his footing, he quickly assessed the situation.

TEP! In an instant, Cory gracefully surged to his feet, a swift and fluid motion propelling him forward. With unparalleled agility, he closed the distance between him and Blaze, his every move calculated and precise. The air crackled with anticipation as he leaped into the air, the dual blades in his hands becoming a blur.

"Tiger Sword Style 100 Stripes!" The declaration echoed through the space as Cory descended upon Blaze, a whirlwind of slashes raining down like a storm. Each strike, a testament to the mastery of his technique, left streaks of gleaming silver in its wake.

Blaze, undeterred, met the onslaught with his own formidable skill. "4 Arts Flame Sword Style: Fire Slash!" The clash of their blades was a spectacle of power and finesse. A fiery shockwave erupted, the clash of elements creating a mesmerizing display. The intense heat danced in the air, momentarily obscuring the combatants.

KLING! KLING! KLING! "Your sword skill is not bad, but let me show you a real attack," Blaze taunted.

Executing the formidable "4 Arts Flame Sword Style: Flaming Rush," Blaze wielded his sword with mastery, conjuring a colossal wave of fire that surged towards Cory. Caught momentarily off guard, Cory found himself engulfed in the searing flames, the impact propelling him forcefully into the unyielding wall with a resonating THUD. Despite the intensity of the collision, Cory tenaciously rose from the rubble, determination gleaming in his eyes as he caught his breath.

Seizing the apparent advantage, Blaze couldn't resist a taunt, "Oh, you got back up. I guess I will have to try harder to put you down."

Unyielding, Cory summoned his inner strength. In a sudden blur of motion, Blaze materialized behind him with a swift "FWISH!!", slashing Cory with his sword and leaving behind a scorching, fiery cut. Before Cory could react, Blaze executed another rapid maneuver, reappearing in front of him and delivering a slashing blow across Cory's chest. The flames clung to Cory, casting a grimace of pain across his face.

"You see, even if you're fast enough to predict my movements, you can't stop my Flame Sword Style. Now, it's time to die," Blaze declared with ominous certainty, poised for a finishing strike.

Yet, in a dramatic turn, Elliott emerged from the shadows, intercepting Blaze's sword with a surprising twist—he used his right foot. The flames merely singed Elliott's pants, and he stood resolute, a stalwart defender ready to shield his captain from the impending threat