One year had passed since Ravihiro and Haruno had begun training together. Ravihiro had grown more powerful, having reached Level 99 in Soul cultivation, while Haruno had impressively reached Level 60, acquiring her spider legs soul bone and several formidable abilities. They had spent their days in training, honing their skills, and pushing the boundaries of their cultivation. However, the desire for a true test had been growing within them both.
One evening, as the sun set on the horizon, casting a crimson glow over the forest, Haruno approached Ravihiro with a burning determination in her eyes.
"Brother," she said, her voice steady, "I want a duel. I need to test myself against you. You've been holding back on me."
Ravihiro, who had been meditating under a nearby tree, opened his eyes and studied her. The spirit within his ring stirred, sensing the tension building between them.
"Are you sure?" Ravihiro asked quietly, his voice calm but laced with an unspoken intensity. "I won't go easy on you."
Haruno's expression was fierce, her spider soul martial aura flaring. "I wouldn't want you to."
With a nod, Ravihiro stood, dusting off his robes. "Very well. But before we begin, there is something you need to know… something about me and my techniques. Have you ever heard of the Tandav?"
Haruno shook her head, her curiosity piqued. "What is that?"
Ravihiro's eyes darkened, as if recalling an ancient memory. "The Tandav is an ancient and forbidden art—both a dance and a weapon. It's a form of cultivation that originates from the very essence of the universe itself. The dance embodies both creation and destruction, two forces in eternal balance. My martial soul, Kageha, is connected to it. This technique… it is feared by many because those who master it can control the very elements of existence."
The spirit within Ravihiro's ring chimed in mentally. "You truly intend to show her the Tandav? It is rare even in this world for one to wield it."
Ravihiro responded internally, "She deserves to see my full strength. But I will hold back the final stage—for now."
With this explanation hanging in the air like a storm cloud, the two faced each other, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
The Duel Begins
Without warning, Haruno released her martial soul, the Spider Demon Queen. A massive, dark silhouette formed behind her, the eight-legged monster radiating power. Her soul rings flashed into existence—six bright circles of light.
Her first attack came swiftly. She unleashed her String of Poison, a series of green-tintedthreads Chapter: The Dance of Power – Tandav Unleashed that shot toward Ravihiro at incredible speed.
Ravihiro, calm as ever, raised his hand, a faint smile on his lips. He took a step forward, and his entire presence shifted.
"This is the first stage of Tandav," he said. "Pralaya—The Destruction of Form."
His movements were fluid yet destructive. As he spun on his heel, a massive surge of energy shot from his feet, forming a wave of force that sliced through the poison threads as if they were nothing. With each step, the ground beneath him cracked, the sheer weight of his energy crushing everything around him.
Haruno's eyes widened as her attack was shattered. But she didn't stop. She released her second soul ring ability, Cry of Fear, a terrifying scream that rippled through the air, intending to disorient and freeze Ravihiro in place.
Ravihiro's steps didn't falter. His mastery over the first stage of Tandav allowed him to counter with the Annihilation Strike, a concentrated burst of energy from his palm that shattered the soundwave before it could reach him. Haruno's scream was swallowed by the force, and for a moment, the battlefield fell silent.
Transition to Srishti
Chapter: The Dance of Power – Tandav Unleashed
Haruno gritted her teeth, summoning her next abilities. Her Net of Hypnosis spread over the battlefield, a shimmering trap of illusionary energy. If Ravihiro was caught, his mind would be dragged into a maze of endless confusion. At the same time, her Danger Detection activated, heightening her senses to anticipate his next move.
Ravihiro's eyes narrowed."Impressive, Haruno," he said. "But you're not the only one with tricks."
With a swift, graceful movement, Ravihiro transitioned into the second stage of the Tandav—Srishti, The Creation of Energy.
His steps changed, becoming smoother, more circular, as if he were moving with the flow of the world around him. Every attack Haruno threw at him was absorbed into his movements, and with each spin, he created a barrier of energy that deflected her soul techniques.
"This stage is about balance, Haruno," Ravihiro explained. "Creation and destruction together."
With a fluid motion, he activated the Cycle of Creation, absorbing the energy from Haruno's illusions and turning it into fuel for his next attack. The energy built within him like a growing storm, and as he raised his hands, a burst of light erupted from his palm, sending Haruno reeling back.
To be continued