LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 20: Chapter 19
The dojo stood eerily silent under the dim light of the moon. Gotham's biting cold crept through the wooden beams of the ancient structure, its shadows long and foreboding. Kurogiri stood in the centre of the room, his misty form shrouded in the imposing Silver Samurai armour that now served as his body. Across from him, Poseidon—a towering figure of divine strength—gripped his golden trident with effortless confidence, his sharp eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"You're improving," Poseidon said, his deep voice reverberating through the dojo. "But armour alone won't save you." His lips curled into a faint smirk.
Kurogiri tilted his head slightly. "Perhaps. But I am not the same entity you once knew. This body has given me opportunities I never imagined. Let's test your assumptions."
Poseidon twirled his trident, its three prongs cutting through the air with a whistle. "Then let us begin. Show me what you've learned."
Kurogiri charged forward, the Silver Samurai armour's weight barely hindering his speed. His blade sang as it sliced through the air, aimed directly at Poseidon's chest. Poseidon sidestepped with ease, the trident's shaft sweeping up to block the strike.
The clang of metal echoed through the dojo, followed by the swift hum of movement as Poseidon retaliated with a precise thrust of his trident. Kurogiri parried, the armour amplifying his strength. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed.
Poseidon pivoted, his trident spinning like a cyclone. The weapon's reach forced Kurogiri to backpedal, his mist seeping out momentarily from the gaps in the armour. The divine warrior's strikes came in rapid succession, each one calculated and relentless.
Kurogiri responded with measured precision, his blade moving in fluid arcs. He used the armour's bulk to absorb some of the blows, countering with swift and unpredictable slashes. Though Kurogiri lacked Poseidon's raw power, his agility and adaptability kept him in the fight.
"Impressive," Poseidon admitted, sidestepping a vertical slash that narrowly missed his shoulder. "You've adapted well to that body. But let's see how you handle this."
Poseidon thrust his trident into the ground, sending a shockwave of water surging through the floorboards. The force split the dojo's wood, creating jagged cracks. The water surged toward Kurogiri, threatening to engulf him.
Kurogiri vanished into his mist, the Silver Samurai armour collapsing into vapour. The water passed harmlessly through the empty space where he once stood. In an instant, Kurogiri reformed behind Poseidon, his blade descending in a lethal arc.
Poseidon spun, his trident intercepting the strike just in time. "Clever," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "But you'll have to do better than that."
The two clashed again, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Kurogiri's misty nature allowed him to evade some of Poseidon's more devastating attacks, while the armour granted him a physical presence to deliver powerful counterattacks.
Poseidon's trident became a whirlwind of motion, forcing Kurogiri to stay on the defensive. The divine warrior's strikes were faster now, more aggressive. Kurogiri's blade met each one, sparks flying as the weapons collided. Despite the intensity, both fighters remained composed, their expressions unreadable.
"You're holding back," Kurogiri said, his voice steady. "Why?"
Poseidon chuckled. "Because I'm still gauging your potential. But if you insist..."
Poseidon's aura intensified, the air around him growing heavier. The trident glowed faintly, its power radiating through the room. With a single sweep, he sent a wave of water slicing through the air, faster and more precise than before.
Kurogiri barely dodged, his mist form flickering as the water grazed the edge of his armour. He countered with a quick thrust, aiming for Poseidon's midsection. The trident deflected the strike, and Poseidon closed the distance with alarming speed.
The two warriors were locked in a deadly dance, neither gaining a definitive advantage. Poseidon's strength and experience were matched by Kurogiri's cunning and adaptability. The Silver Samurai armour proved to be a formidable asset, its durability allowing Kurogiri to withstand blows that would have incapacitated others.
As the fight progressed, Poseidon began incorporating more complex techniques. His movements became unpredictable, blending fluidity with sudden bursts of power. Kurogiri adapted in kind, his blade weaving a defensive web that deflected most of the trident's strikes.
The room's atmosphere grew tense as the battle reached its peak. Poseidon unleashed a barrage of water-based attacks, each one more devastating than the last. Kurogiri countered with precision, using his mist form to evade and his blade to retaliate.
Finally, Poseidon thrust his trident forward with tremendous force, aiming to end the fight. Kurogiri anticipated the move, sidestepping and delivering a swift slash to Poseidon's side. The divine warrior grunted, stepping back as a shallow cut appeared on his torso.
"Well done," Poseidon said, his tone filled with genuine respect. "You've earned that one."
Kurogiri lowered his blade slightly, his posture relaxed but alert. "And you've shown me why you're a force to be reckoned with."
Poseidon smirked, wiping the blood from his wound. "Let's call it a draw for now. But next time, I won't hold back."
The two warriors stood in silence, their mutual respect evident. The dojo, though battered and scarred from their fight, seemed to hold an air of reverence for the battle that had just unfolded.
"You've proven yourself, Kurogiri," Poseidon said, his voice firm. "But there's still much to learn. And I suspect our battles are far from over."
Kurogiri nodded. "Agreed. Let's see what the future holds."
As they stepped away from the centre of the room, the tension eased. Though the fight had ended, both warriors knew it was only the beginning of their journey. The world awaited their next move, and neither intended to face it unprepared.