Yumi's and Mei's voices overlapped, each speaking the name at the same time. "That monster is a shadow… a being of darkness. The Abyss Serpent."
Before I could react, the Abyss Serpent lunged toward me, its mouth wide open, intent on swallowing me whole. I barely managed to leap to the side, its shadowy form crashing where I had been standing a second before. My heart hammered as it adjusted its stance, circling and preparing to strike again.
I dashed forward, trying to keep ahead of it. But the serpent was relentless. It twisted its massive body, slithering through the air and lunging toward me once more, this time faster. I leapt upward, evading its snap, but just as quickly, it vanished into the ground.
"What the… that's cheating!" I shouted.
"Oh, is it?" Yumi's voice was laced with amusement.
Suddenly, a massive shadow darkened the ground below me. I looked down just in time to see the Abyss Serpent surging up, closing the gap at an impossible speed.
"Demonic Arts: Water!" I yelled, channeling water through my fist and creating a powerful jet stream to adjust my mid-air trajectory. The force of the water blasted me sideways, barely letting me escape its jaws as I plunged toward the ground.
The Serpent's roar echoed, a sound so deep it rattled my bones. I glanced at my hands, bruised and shaking, my body battered from the fight. I was on the edge—out of stamina, my strength slipping.
I gritted my teeth, doubt clawing at my mind. This is impossible. I can barely handle Yumi alone… now I have to face both? My vision blurred for a moment as my frustration mounted. This is just…
"Are you giving up already?" Mei's voice called out, her tone fierce. "Izumi, you've faced impossible fights before—and you've won, even against the odds. That's what makes you strong! Don't let them win. Consider this a test. Defeat them, and I'll give you the dearest thing a girl can offer." Her voice echoed in my mind.
"Dearest thing?" I murmured, not fully grasping her words but feeling a surge of determination from her encouragement. Right. I can't let her down.
A smile crossed my face as I gathered my resolve. I'll fight through this. I'll protect Mei and everyone else. I won't lose again. Gritting my teeth, I let that determination fuel me as I charged forward, white energy pulsing around my arm.
"AAGH!" I roared, launching myself at the Abyss Serpent's head. Its black scales shimmered under a dark mist, its body undulating as it braced to meet my attack.
As I struck, my fist connected, but the expected impact wasn't there. Instead, the creature's shadowy body rippled around my fist. No bones, no resistance… it felt like punching pure darkness.
With a swift, fluid movement, it countered, whipping its tail around with blinding speed. The impact crashed against my face and chest, pain searing through me. My ribs cracked from the force as I was thrown backward, my body slamming into the ground with bone-shattering intensity, leaving yet another crater.
I coughed, blood splattering the ground as I struggled to stay conscious. The edges of my vision blurred as I whispered to myself, I… I can't lose… not now…
"IZUMI!" Mei's voice rang out in panic as I felt my strength slipping, my vision darkening. My head spun, and finally, the world around me faded to black.
In the void, I felt alone, standing in a room devoid of light. Where am I? Did I… lose? I thought to myself, hazy memories of the fight flickering through my mind. A bitter sensation filled me, as if defeat itself was settling in my bones.
"Isn't it nice? Being with Mei?" A voice echoed around me, my own voice… but laced with something unfamiliar, a mocking tone.
"Yeah…" I nodded, sadness twisting in my chest. So this is how it ends… but what about Mei? And… Yuki… my friends…
The voice responded with a chuckle, "What? Are you just going to give up, hide here, and hope someone else will save them?"
Anger bubbled up. "Of course not! I want to fight… but I'm… I'm weak. I can't beat them. I'm… useless."
The voice grew colder, sharper. "Weak? Useless? You've fought battles no one else could. You've saved lives. Why should weakness define you?"
I glanced at my hands, recalling the lives saved, the times Mei stood by me, trusting me to protect her. Why am I letting fear decide my fate?
"Yes," the voice continued. "You've had the courage to face anything. The only thing in your way is your own doubt. Fight. For Mei, for your friends… even for Yuki. This world is brutal, but you don't belong among the defeated. Stand up and prove it!"
My heart surged as the words took root. I clenched my fists, feeling the fire reignite within me. I'll fight. I'll protect them all.
"That's more like it," the voice said, and suddenly, light flooded the darkness.
To be continued...