*C64 - Wildfire, Victory!

E/d note: This chapter was written while I played "Wildfire" by HOYO-mix, for Honkai Star Rail. Try to read the fight while listening to the song!! I've added time stamps in brackets, although it might affect reader immersion, so you can try to follow which part of the fight you should be at, at whichever point of the song you are at. It's a relatively stable pace to follow, except for the part where it goes into the guitar solo segment and short bridge, which you have to speed up reading a little until the second "lull" of the song.

'Inner dialogue/thoughts'

"Normal dialogue"

[System]

[Diary entries]

(Word count: 1,051)

(00:00 to 00:40)

~ In Los Angeles, with Luke ~

The streets of Los Angeles were eerily quiet for a moment, as if the city itself was holding its breath. Luke stood firm, water swords hovering behind him like an army waiting for his command. Across from him, the giant creature, made from the fused bodies of smaller Messengers, stalked forward. Each step it took made the ground shake, sending tremors through the broken pavement.

Luke and the giant creature started walking towards each other slowly, eyes locked in a deadly stare as the tension in the air grew. Luke sent his five water swords flying towards the creature, aiming to test its defences. The swords struck, cutting into its flesh and drawing a pained roar from the creature, but it shook off the attack, clearly still very much in the fight.

"Alright, let's see what you're made of." Luke muttered, cracking his knuckles and rolling his neck.

(00:40 to 01:07)

Luke dashed forward, moving with the agility and speed of a seasoned fighter. Like a blur, he dodged the creature's massive swings and retaliated with a series of his own attack. He launched himself into the air, creating water platforms beneath his feet to remain airborne.

From his elevated position, Luke conjured water spears, hurling them into the creature's eyes before descending back onto the ground. Each spear hit its mark, causing the creature to stagger. But it swung back with brutal force, its fists smashing into the ground where Luke had been just moments before.

(01:07 to 01:35)

The creature roared and swiped at Luke with its enormous arms. Luke ducked, rolled and leapt around the monster. He slashed at its legs, hoping to bring it down, but the creature remained resilient and standing. It lunged at Luke, who barely dodged, feeling the rush of air as the creature's blades missed him by inches.

Luke danced around the creature, landing a series of quick, yet powerful strikes, each one aimed at the creature's joints. Water blades slashed through the air, leaving deep cuts on the surface of the creature. The creature roared in pain and fury, its movements becoming more erratic and desperate.

Suddenly, the creature managed to land a lucky hit. With a powerful swipe, it sent Luke flying across the street, crashing into a vehicle.

(01:35 to 01:45)

"NOOO!!!" Natasha screamed as she saw it happen. For a moment, everything went silent. Luke laid there, his body aching. Struggling to his feet, Luke's vision began clouding as he could feel the same anger burning within him.

(01:45 to 02:14)

"That. Hurt." Luke growled, pushing himself up. "Congratulations, now I'm mad. I'm really, really mad." As Luke spoke, water swirled around him, forming not just five, but dozens of swords all across the street.

He focused his power, directing the blades towards the creature in a relentless barrage. The creature roared, trying to shield itself, but the water swords cut deep, tearing through the majority of its defences.

Luke pressed the attack, directing the swords with complete control. The creature staggered back, trying to defend itself against the onslaught. However, Luke did not let up, his attacks growing more ferocious with each passing second. The creature howled in pain, its body now covered with multiple deep wounds and swords.

(02:14 to 02:53)

But the creature wasn't finished. As if responding to its call, the creature entered a berserk state, charging at Luke with reckless abandon. Its eyes burned with rage as it rushed forward, swinging its fists wildly. Luke's water swords struck, but they seemed to do little damage now. Realizing he couldn't rely on his usual tactics, Luke shifted his strategy.

Luke ducked and weaved, avoiding the creature's wild swings. As a massive fist came crashing down, Luke conjured a water shield, absorbing the impact with a splash. With a fluid motion, he transformed the shield into water whips that lashed out, wrapping around the creature's arms and legs like chains. The creature struggled against the bindings, roaring in frustration.

Using the water whips to his advantage, Luke pulled himself up and over the creature, landing behind it. He tightened the water chains, immobilizing the creature momentarily. Then, with a swift movement, he sent a concentrated jet of water slicing across the creature's back, leaving a deep gash. The creature bellowed in pain, trying to break free as the chains began cracking. However, Luke was already on the move again, repositioning himself for the next attack.

"Come on, you big ugly bastard." Luke taunted, smirking as he dodged another attack.

(02:53 to 02:57)

The creature's movement slowed, its strength waning. Sensing his opportunity, Luke decided to end the fight.

(02:57 to 03:15)

"Enough playing around. It's time to finish this."

He formed a swirling ball of water in his hand, concentrating his power into a massively condensed, yet rotating water sphere that seemed to glow from within. Luke did not stop there, he poured even more energy into it, creating a massive water sphere.

The ground trembled as Luke and the giant creature faced each other for the final time. The creature charged towards Luke, its footsteps shaking the earth. As they neared each other, Luke summoned all his strength, conjuring a powerful surge of water beneath the creature, propelling it high into the air. Luke smiled, a sense of finality washing over him.

(03:15 to ending)

'Game over.' Luke thought, his eyes narrowing with fierce resolve.

"Chou Oodama," He leapt into the air, propelled by his own water jet, catching up to the creature mid-flight, "RASENGAN!" he shouted, thrusting the Super Massive Rasengan into the creature with all his might.

The impact was cataclysmic, sending shockwaves through the air. The creature was lifted even higher, propelled upwards by the force of the attack. The water encapsulated the creature, carrying it higher and higher until it disappeared into the sky.

With the battle finally over, the streets of Los Angeles fell silent once more. Luke stood amidst the ruins, breathing heavily but victorious.

- End of Chapter 64 -

E/d note: Double uploads today because this series will go on a hiatus until 22nd July. This is the first upload of the day! 

You can support me on p@treon.com/The_Editor982 ! Advanced chapters are now live!