-BOOM-!
The two roaring beasts collided in the center of the clearing with a shockwave that shook the leaves from the trees.
Technique, feints, and martial arts all vanished, replaced by a raw crash of flesh and mana.
Arlath caught Nico's charging slash with a bare hand, ignoring the steel biting into his palm to grip the blade, and with a savage twist of his hips, wrenched the Kukri aside, snapping the wrist like a dry branch.
-CRACK-!
Nico ignored the fracture to drive his forehead straight into Arlath's nose with a sickening crunch.
Arlath roared in delight, spitting blood as he released the blade to wrap his massive arms around Nico's waist.
He lifted Nico off the ground and crushed.
-CRUNCH! – AAAAHHH-!
Nico screamed as the ribcage collapsed inward under the Tier 4 pressure, while the shattered bones pierced his lungs in a dozen places.
