The arena lights blazed, and the crowd roared as the battle between Riku and Jin entered its critical moment. Sparks crackled around Bolt's paws. Golden feathers circled in the air like razor blades.
Jin smirked confidently.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence won't beat technique."
Riku narrowed his eyes.
"Let's see about that."
[Scene 1 – Feather Storm]
Jin raised his arm sharply.
"Hawklight—STORM CIRCLE!"
The hawk screeched and spun upward, releasing a spiraling tornado of gleaming feathers.
They slashed across the platform, cutting through the stone like it was paper.
Toma shouted from the stands:
"RIKU!! Don't get hit! Those feathers can slice through a shield!"
Bolt leapt sideways, but one feather grazed his leg, sparking pain.
"Gah—! Riku! They hurt more than they look!"
Riku clenched his jaw.
"Then we counter with speed. Bolt—Full Charge!"
Lightning erupted.
Bolt's small body blurred, weaving between the feathers, zig-zagging toward Jin like a streak of blue light.
[Scene 2 – Bolt's Gamble]
Jin clicked his tongue.
"So fast… but predictable."
The hawk swooped down, claws glowing gold.
"Strike him down!"
Just as the claw closed in—
Riku shouted:
"NOW! Redirect!!"
Bolt's lightning flipped mid-dash, twisting in a sharp arc.
The hawk missed by inches, crashing into the stone.
The crowd exploded.
Toma jumped up:
"THAT'S MY BOY!!"
Bolt grinned.
"Hehe, you can't catch lightning!"
But Jin didn't panic.
He simply lowered his head and whispered:
"You fell for it."
The ground beneath Bolt glowed—
A feather trap.
"BOLT—MOVE!!"
Too late.
A burst of golden feathers shot upward, blasting Bolt off his feet and sending him rolling back.
Bolt hit the ground hard, sparks flickering weakly.
Riku froze.
"Bolt!!"
Jin crossed his arms.
"Prediction. Strategy. A hawk sees everything."
The hawk spread its wings.
"Your lightning is flashy—but light burns out quickly."
[Scene 3 – The Pulse Inside Riku]
Riku's fist trembled.
He could feel it again—
that strange pulse inside his arm.
Thud…
Thud…
Thud…
A faint purple flicker ran under his skin, mixing with the blue lightning.
Bolt looked up, panting weakly.
"Riku… your arm… again…"
Riku whispered:
"Not now… Not here…"
But the pulse grew stronger, reacting to his panic, his desperation.
In the sky, a distant shadow watched—
the unknown dragon-like spirit from the outpost.
Its voice echoed faintly:
> "Awaken… child…"
[Scene 4 – Lightning Breakthrough]
Jin prepared his finisher.
"Hawklight—FALCON STRIKE!"
The hawk shot downward at incredible speed, feathers glowing like molten metal.
Riku took a step forward, eyes burning.
"No.
I won't lose Bolt.
I won't lose to fear again."
The pulse surged.
Lightning exploded from his feet—
but this time it wasn't normal blue.
A streak of blue mixed with violet shot upward.
Bolt gasped.
"That's… new!"
Jin's eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Riku punched forward—
not hitting Jin, but punching the air.
The compressed lightning burst outward like a shockwave.
BOOOOM!!!
The hawk was blown off its path, slammed into the ground, feathers scattering.
Bolt stood up shakily, electricity returning to his body.
Riku exhaled.
"That… that wasn't me alone. Something helped."
[Scene 5 – Final Clash]
Jin wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Tch… You're more dangerous than I expected."
He raised his hand.
"Last chance. Yield."
Riku stepped forward, lightning humming behind him.
"No."
Bolt hopped onto his shoulder, eyes shining.
"We're finishing this!"
The arena lights focused on the two boys.
> FINAL STRIKE — BEGIN!
Jin and his hawk launched together.
Riku and Bolt charged forward.
Lightning and feathers collided in an explosion of light.
The stage shook.
The crowd screamed.
Dust filled the air.
And then…
A single voice:
"Winner — RIKU & BOLT!!"
The dust cleared.
Jin was on one knee, exhausted.
His hawk folded its wings in defeat.
Riku panted heavily, but still standing.
Jin gave a tired smile.
"You're strong. Stronger than you know."
Riku held out his hand.
"Thanks… for the match."
Jin took it.
"No hard feelings. Bu
t I want a rematch someday."
Bolt winked.
"We'll be ready."