Chapter 14: Chapter 14- Summoned
The battle began: Akuro vs. Xenovia and Kiba vs. Irina. Xenovia was trading sword strikes with Akuro, who was keeping up effortlessly.
**Xenovia**: What's that? Is this all you've got? *She said with a smug smile, still attacking.*
**Akuro**: That's what I'm asking you. *He said, unleashing a mini Getsuga Tenshou at Xenovia, which she blocked with her Excalibur Destruction.*
**Xenovia**: If that's all you have, maybe I shouldn't have stooped to fighting you. *She said, her arrogant smile persisting.*
Unbeknownst to her, the Getsuga Tenshou she blocked had just enough power for someone of her strength to handle. Akuro's true Getsuga Tenshou could destroy the entire Infinityverse, but he controlled its power to make the fight more thrilling.
**Xenovia**: What?
She was shocked as Akuro vanished from her sight.
**Xenovia**: Where di—
**Akuro**: Man, you talk a lot. *He said, revealing he was now behind her, thanks to his incredible speed.*
**Xenovia**: Huh? *She said, stunned that he was in front of her seconds ago and now behind her.*
**Akuro**: You said that was weak? How about this? *He said as his sword glowed with dark reddish energy.*
His Black Getsuga Tenshou hit Xenovia directly. This time, Akuro used a bit more power, and she wasn't as unscathed as before. She was sent skidding across the ground with light injuries but quickly stood up, as it wasn't a fatal blow.
**Xenovia**: I see you're getting serious now. *She said, standing and panting slightly.*
Akuro didn't respond, just stared at her for a moment until…
**Rias**: Huh? That pose…
**Akuro**: GEAR SECOND!!!
Steam rose from his body, and his skin turned reddish.
**Xenovia**: Your body…
**Akeno**: Huh? Steam? President, is that…
**Rias**: Yes, the same form he used when talking to my brother. *She said, confirming everyone's suspicions watching the fight.*
**Issei**: Whoa, so that's what it looks like! *He said, observing Akuro's form, having only heard about it from Rias.*
**Issei (Thinking)**: *So cool!* *He thought, eyes sparkling.*
**Akeno**: A power that can trouble even a Maou, huh? I feel like we're about to see something interesting. *She said with her usual sadistic smile.*
Back to Akuro and Xenovia.
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *Let's see how it feels to use Gear Second with a sword, since its original user only fights hand-to-hand.* *He thought, Gear Second active and Tensa Zangetsu in hand.*
**Xenovia**: I don't know what's going on with you, but let's keep fighting. It's not ov—
She couldn't finish, forced to duck as Akuro's sword aimed for her head.
**Xenovia (Thinking)**: *He's faster than before.* *She thought with a serious look.*
Xenovia took distance to gain an advantage.
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *Xenovia, you're lucky I'm a nice guy. If I wanted, you'd already be dead without a chance to dodge.* *He thought, also stepping back.*
They stared at each other from afar, waiting for the first move.
**Xenovia (Thinking)**: *Was it that change in his body? How can he be faster and stronger just because he's steaming?* *She wondered, confused.*
(Sound of Armament Haki)
Akuro's hands were coated in a dark armor—Armament Haki, also strengthening his Tensa Zangetsu. Since the sword was already black, it wasn't very noticeable, but it was undeniably stronger. Akuro was using this fight to test his combined powers.
**Xenovia (Thinking)**: *That's the same power he used earlier.* *She recalled when he stopped her sword.*
**Issei**: Wow, that thing on his arm is what he used against Riser! *He said, eyes still sparkling, finding Akuro's form cool.*
Even Koneko, usually emotionless and focused on sweets, couldn't help but find Akuro's appearance cool, her eyes sparkling as she watched.
Xenovia, shaking off her thoughts, charged at Akuro again. He didn't move or raise his sword, only lifting his arm. When her sword hit it, nothing happened—his arm remained intact.
**Xenovia (Thinking)**: *How? His arm should've been severed. Was it that black stuff?* *She wondered, unable to penetrate Akuro's Haki-coated skin.*
With a single arm movement, Akuro sent Xenovia flying back. Using his speed, he appeared behind her, kicking her upward. He then appeared above her in the sky, waiting. Interlocking his fingers, he struck her full force, sending her crashing into the ground, creating a massive crater.
She regained focus quickly but had no time to breathe. Akuro, previously in the sky, was now above her, sword raised. Reflexively, she blocked with her Excalibur, but pinned to the ground, she struggled against Akuro's Zanpakuto. Despite her full strength, her sword was slowly being pushed toward her body by Akuro's force, enlarging the crater beneath her.
Miraculously, she escaped the near-fatal ambush. Standing, panting heavily, and nearly exhausted, Akuro showed no signs of sweat or fatigue.
**Akuro**: Lucky you escaped, or you'd be dead. *He said coldly.*
**Xenovia**: *Huff… Huff… Huff…* This sword, Excalibur Destruction, shouldn't be underestimated! *She said, striking the ground, creating a crater as large as Akuro's.*
**Akuro**: Still on that? I told you, that sword doesn't make you invincible. *He said, charging again and trading sword strikes.*
**Xenovia**: Shut up! *She shouted, defending as the power gap and her exhaustion weighed her down.*
Seeing her persistent arrogance, Akuro sighed and delivered a strong Tensa Zangetsu strike. She blocked but was pushed back by the force.
**Xenovia (Thinking)**: *Damn it. Is the power gap this big? I haven't done anything since this fight started. This is a first. What do I do?* *She thought, panicking.*
Akuro slowly closed his eyes, surprising Xenovia.
(Sound of Mangekyo Sharingan)
When he opened them, his eyes had changed—he'd activated his Mangekyo Sharingan (Sasuke Uchiha's design), shocking everyone again.
**Rias (Thinking)**: *Another strange power.* *She thought, analyzing his eyes.*
**Issei**: Man, those eyes are creepy! Hard to believe he doesn't have a Sacred Gear. *He said, seeing another new power.*
**Akeno (Thinking)**: *The feeling from those eyes…* *She thought, her sadistic smile gone, face serious.*
**Xenovia**: Now you can change your eyes? Haha, how many tricks do you have? *She asked, laughing nervously, sensing danger from his eyes.*
Akuro remained silent.
**Xenovia**: Didn't know it's rude not to answer? *She said, charging with her Excalibur again.*
As always, Akuro dodged her strikes, but something was different…
**Issei**: He's still dodging all her attacks, but something feels off…
**Akeno**: It's his movements.
**Issei**: Huh?
**Rias**: He was dodging her attacks easily before, but now his movements are more refined. It's like he's not just dodging by instinct anymore—he's predicting her moves. Maybe it's those eyes. *She explained, her last words serious.*
In the fight, Akuro dodged Xenovia's sword strikes with even greater ease.
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *Gear Second's speed combined with the Mangekyo Sharingan's advanced analysis—what a combo I never thought I'd try.* *He thought, dodging effortlessly.*
**Xenovia**: STOP TOYING WITH ME! *She shouted, frustrated by her situation.*
**Akuro**: Since you insist…
He switched from defensive to offensive, landing a strong kick to Xenovia's stomach, sending her sliding back. Her sword slipped from her hand, falling far away.
She stood again, but Akuro was already in front of her, landing another punch to her stomach.
**Akuro**: Not done yet. *He said, using a bit of his physical strength, unleashing a barrage of kicks and punches.*
From a distance:
**Issei**: Can we even call this a fight? It's more like a massacre. *He said, scratching his neck.*
Koneko's eyes were still sparkling, fixated on Akuro's fight.
Akuro landed another punch, and Xenovia fell to her knees, exhausted and battered.
**Akuro**: You know what's funny? You were acting all high and mighty, thinking you could judge or punish people in "God's" name, but now you're kneeling pathetically before me. *He said, seeing Xenovia covered in bruises, blood dripping from her mouth and nose. He hadn't gone easy on her.*
**Xenovia**: J-Just kill me. I bet someone as strong as you wouldn't have trouble with the Church even if you did. *She said with dead eyes, her pride shattered.*
Akuro summoned Tensa Zangetsu again, having made it vanish earlier, and pointed it at her neck. Xenovia closed her eyes, lowering her head, awaiting her fate.
But Akuro suddenly made the sword vanish and turned, walking away.
**Akuro**: I hope you've learned to stop being so arrogant and see others as equals. *He said, back to Xenovia.*
**Xenovia**: B-But why not kill me? *She asked, shocked and confused.*
**Akuro**: What would I gain from your death? *He said, still walking away.*
Xenovia was speechless.
**Akuro**: But here's a warning: if you act arrogant in front of me again or hurt my friends, I *will* kill you. *He said, turning his head, his Mangekyo Sharingan glaring at her, sending a chill down her spine.*
He deactivated his powers, his body returning to normal—no reddish skin, his eyes back to crimson, his arms no longer black, and his Zanpakuto gone. He rejoined the group watching.
**Issei**: You were awesome! *He said, patting Akuro's back.*
**Akuro**: Haha, thanks. *He said, hand on his head.*
**Issei**: So, what was that form? It was way too cool! *He asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.*
**Akuro**: Well, that… *He said, scratching his cheek, hesitant to talk about his powers.*
**Issei**: Come on, tell me! *He said, super excited.*
Akuro felt his shirt tugged from behind—it was Koneko.
**Akuro**: Huh? Koneko, what's up?
**Koneko**: Akuro-senpai looked really cool fighting. *She said with a slight blush.*
**Akuro**: Oh, thanks. *He said, ruffling her hair, making her blush more.*
The fight between Kiba and Irina had just ended, with Irina apparently the victor. Seeing Kiba on the ground, frustrated by losing to Excalibur Mimic's power, Akuro's face twisted slightly.
**Irina**: Well, looks like a tie. *She said, sheathing her Excalibur.*
Deep down, she was shocked by Akuro's domination over Xenovia.
**Rias**: That concludes this unofficial duel. *She said, ending it.*
Irina helped Xenovia, supporting her as they left due to her injuries. Kiba, still on the ground, looked frustrated. Akuro approached him, his face no longer his usual one.
**Akuro**: Kiba… Right now… you're pathetic! *He said with a twisted expression, staring into Kiba's eyes.*
**Everyone**: Huh? *They were shocked, including Kiba.*
**Issei**: What are you saying, Akuro?
**Akuro**: The truth. He's pathetic right now. *He said darkly, as if he didn't know or care about Kiba.*
**Issei**: Hey, what are you—
**Akuro**: See ya, I'm heading home. *He said, waving over his shoulder, hands in pockets, and walking away.*
**Issei**: W-Wait!
**Kiba**: I'm going too. *He said, standing with his hair shadowing his face, walking in the opposite direction.*
**Issei**: What's going on?
The atmosphere was tense; no one expected Akuro to say that out of nowhere.
**Issei (Thinking)**: *What got into Akuro to talk to Kiba like that?*
The scene cuts to Akuro walking through the crowded streets, deep in thought…
**To be continued…**