The more Karollus observed Alvalar, the more he found himself agreeing with his former-lover’s previous statement about how his uncle would transform into this scary state in periods of intense anger and other overwhelming emotions; with his mouth engulfed in a fiery hell-storm, his irises had shifted from a nice brown color to a piercing pair of smoldering hot coal while his dark brown curls had seemingly burned off his hair-tie as his hair bursted into flames, tumultuously dancing through the air like a giant out-of-control candle. The way his body had embodied these traits, this… this Elemental Semblance of Fire, and morphed him in such a way that Alvalar certainly looked horrifying indeed.

Huǒ-He lowered her sword. Cautiously, Alvalar retreated his own blade as well a moment later. No longer having a sword pressed to her throat, there was nothing restricting her movements anymore. Pivoting on her heel as though she was once a dancer, Huǒ-He twirled and slashed at her one and true objective: Alvalar Ignacio Leal.

If it was not for the fact that he was in this Elemental Semblance state which allowed him to hop back in short fire-powered bursts, the Weapon Wielder of Navasar would’ve been a goner. However, he didn’t seem to be disturbed by this fact. The Alvalar that Karollus knew - the Alvalar that was the goofy and fun-loving oaf that he loved with all of his heart - would’ve surely been cursing his head off at such close calls, but this wasn’t him; he had such an eerily calm and cool demeanor that it seemed almost void of human emotion like whatever was possessing him was ethereal in nature.

Adjusting Inferno closer to his body, Alvalar tightened his grip on its hilt while he eyed Huǒ-Hè with a crossed expression. Although her face was hidden behind that snake mask of hers, Karollus wouldn’t put it pass Huǒ-Hè to stare back at her opponent with the same frustrated mien. No words were needed to be said or thrown at each other, however. The air was tense as it is.

With an anxiety-stricken heart, Karollus constantly glanced at the two of them. His eyes moved about so much that his head began to ache, and the single, most important thought that he had running through his head grew more louder and raucous as though it was meant to complement the beating of his heart: which one of them is going to win?

As though they each had access to his thoughts, both Huǒ-Hè and Alvalar were off, seemingly eager to provide an answer for him (and themselves) as they raced towards one another. However, unlike previously, it seems that Huǒ-Hè had found her match in the Navasarian Weapon Wielder. When their blades collided against one another, neither submitted to the other, each appearing to of equal skill.

Being the other’s equal, however, was not going to win you the battle. Knowing this, Alvalar inhaled sharply and threw a torrent of fire at Huǒ-Hè’s face.

“NÖPPHO!” Despite knowing that his flames didn’t have the ability to burn her, Huǒ-Hè still reacted accordingly in a terrified panic, cursing as she backed away and threw off her mask in a hurry as though it was really on fire. Having her true appearance shown, a Navi of Athesanian descent with the same dark complexion and lavender eyes as Granny Kini, didn’t seem to be her intention today as her brows tightened with anger once she realized that her brain was just tricking her. “Oh, now you’re really going to get it, you little nöppho,” she growled, glaring at the Navasarian Weapon Wielder.

Alvalar’s lips grew wide in a cocky smirk. “BRING IT ON.”

Huǒ-Hè lunged at him and slashed in her infamously erratic manner, but Alvalar responded in an equally unpredictable way; one minute he would act like a solider and clash swords with her, but once she overpowered him, he dodged her like he was dancing. It was a dance that was seemingly meant to taunt her with his quick movements as he slid from side to side like a rock skipping along the surface of a body of water. He also surprisingly patient, far more so than Karollus was when he fought Huǒ-Hè, and because of it, he was rewarded when Huǒ-Hè accidently left herself wide open. Using Inferno as a pole that aided to propel himself forward, Alvalar kicked Huǒ-Hè in the face with all of his force.

As Karollus watched the mercenary woman flew back and crashed into the jungle’s shifty dirt like she was a character that belonged inside the Mugiwara comic book series that he’s loved since childhood, he wouldn’t help but stare back at Alvalar with a combination of confusion and pride. How did Alvalar suddenly how to fight? Of course, its impressive, but it doesn’t make any lick of sense. Whenever bullies harassed Alvalar, it always ended in either Karollus having to rescue him or the Weapon Wielder of Navasar beaten in a bloody pulp should he try to fight back. Alvalar did had some run-ins of success like headbutting Alexi or flipping Juan over his shoulder and slamming him on the ground, but that was quickly short-lived as three other guys would jump him in retaliation. This sudden power-up where he knew how to swordfight and dodge with ease was out of nowhere!

Alvalar rose Inferno’s blade from within the earth and, without a moment to waste, he quickly held the legendary blade with both of his hands and was in mid-swing, possibly readying himself to send a wave of flames at Huǒ-Hè, when Elemental Semblance suddenly vanished; his bright fiery hair collapsed and returned to its normal brown curls whose length blocked his line of sight, the fire that erupted from his mouth dissipated and his eyes were no longer red-hot coals. Even the fire that engulfed Inferno was gone.

Did I cause it? Karollus wondered nervously. Was it because I was questioning it and the fact that I was placing doubt make Elemental Semblance disappear?

As though confused himself, Alvalar looked at Inferno after tucking some of his curls behind his ears, lost in his own train of thoughts.

Although she was bloody and injured, Huǒ-Hè still rose to her feet and lunged for the Navasarian Weapon Wielder. She knew that they were equals when he was in Elemental Semblance, but now that he had reverted back to normal, the balance of power had shifted.

Huǒ-Hè was getting closer and closer, leaping across the roots that littered the ground, and still no acknowledgement from Alvalar. It was as though he had forgotten that he was in the middle of a swordfight all together.

Karollus gritted his teeth angrily. “PAY ATTENTION, YOU KAVA’O! SHE’S COMING TO KILL YOU!”

Despite insulting him, it was good to see that Karollus’ words had reached his former-lover’s ears and he finally paid attention again. “¡COÑO!” Alvalar shouted as he stumbled back just in time to endure a sole gash on his left arm.

Although the baker’s son knew that if the Navasarian Weapon Wielder stayed any longer in that daze of his, he would’ve become another member in the newly-amputee club, Karollus didn’t necessarily feel delighted either as he heard the metalsmith apprentice scream in pain.

“¡COÑO!” Alvalar hissed. “¡TU PUTA!” No matter how many times he cursed, it still didn’t seem to pacify the pain of the deep cut that tore through his skin and muscles. He groaned as he tried to endure it as best he could, using his right hand to cover the wound and provide support to keep his injured arm from trembling, but no matter how strong he seemingly held onto his arm, it didn’t stop shaking. His shoulders went up and down heavily as the smell of fresh blood filled the air.

Huǒ-Hè’s expression was neither one of a predator that enjoyed seeing her prey in pain nor was it sympathetic. Although she allowed Alvalar moment to react to his pain without outright killing him, that moment didn’t last long as she continued to slash at him.

Whether it was because he was injured or due to a lack of experience, Alvalar had difficulty swinging Inferno with an even strength, causing him to use all of his might to deflect a couple of blows while leaving him defenseless for the rest. Dodging her moves by moving about were tricky as well.

Seeing his former-lover endure more nicks and cuts and gashes than he ever did caused tears to swell in Karollus’ eyes. It was obvious that Alvalar was trying, but it wasn’t enough—

The Navasarian Weapon Wielder’s footwork suddenly wavered and he let out a yelp as he stumbled. If it was due to his own clumsiness or the doing of the tree roots, Karollus was not quite sure. All the fighting was taking place too far away and the light from the fires wasn’t as strong as it once was. Although Alvalar tried to keep his balance, Huǒ-Hè wasn’t going to allow it. Using his predicament against him, she swept her leg right from under him, causing him to truly fall over.

“Get up, Al,” Karollus whispered, his heart skipping a beat.

Alvalar let out a painful groan when he collided with the bumpy ceba roots, but he did try to raise to his feet, albeit slowly and with much care as though his ankle had been sprained. Huǒ-Hè suppressed his effort, however, and held him down by pressing her boot against his chest. She went through hell to get to him, and now that she finally had him pinned, she wasn’t going to let him go.

“No…” Karollus realized. His heart sunk and his eyes grew wide in disbelief.

Alvalar struggled, grabbing ahold of Huǒ-Hè’s ankle and squeezed with all his might. “LET GO OF ME!” he demanded.

Even if it hurt her, the mercenary woman did not waver or flinch in her domination. Denying his request, she stabbed her opponent’s shoulder with her sword, effectively squashing his resistance.

Alvalar’s heavily breathing and screams littered the air with its presence, resembling those who somehow managed to survive the blast from close-range and were able to cry out.

This can’t be happening.

This can’t be happening.

As though taking joy in taunting Karollus, the light from the orange moon reflected off the surface of Huǒ-Hè’s sword, making it clear for all to see as she pulled it out from her opponent’s wound and lowered the blade’s tip beside Alvalar’s neck as he continued howling in anguish, grasping at his shoulder as though it was a delicate flower.

“ALVALAR!!!” Karollus yawped, his heart tight with fright. Huffing and puffing, he consumed all of the pain as he struggled to raise to his feet, but a sharp, unbearable pain erupted from his lower back, leaving him unable to pass that final step of pushing his knees off the ground. Angrily, he glared at his thighs and hit them one after another with his good hand, not caring about the pain it caused him. “GET UP, DAMN YOU!” He roared desperately, eyes wet with tears. “GET UP!”

But no matter how much Karollus pushed himself, nothing worked. He was reminded of how jealous he felt as he watched the twins practice, and how insignificant he felt when Keian and Kyrah shot arrows from 600 yards away while he could only shoot from the 400 line. Even if he improved, he always grew anxious whenever he shot closer to their skill level, effectively causing him to miss every time and relegate him to a lower and lower tier. Although this was nothing as trivial as archery, the feeling of powerlessness still ranged through his core, and he despise it.

Huǒ-Hè drew her blade back over her shoulder as though she was analyzing Alvalar and how she could inflict a good, clean cut. Her lavender eyes grew wide like she finally found it, and without a moment’s waste, she swung her arms.

“NO!” Karollus sobbed loudly, his lips trembling. “PLEASE, STOP!! PLEASE!!!!” He reached out his hand while tears and snot gushed down his face. It was torture as he was forced to watch her sword sliced through the air, drawing closer and closer to the man he loved.

RRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!

At first, Karollus thought that the sudden thunder-like roar was just a fantasy that his mind had conjured up, but when Misu leaped through the air, over the bushes and pounced Huǒ-Hè, he could not believe his eyes. However, he dared not blink either as he watched the calibress use her mighty weight to pin the woman to the ground.

With her large round ears pulled back and the chocolate fur along the ridge of her back pointing high in the sky, she roared once more in Huǒ-Hè’s face.

“GET OFF!” Huǒ-Hè ordered, trying to swing her sword despite having her wrists held down. “GET OFF ME, YOU BITCH!”

The calibress grabbed Huǒ-Hè’s blade with her teeth and ripped it from her hand. No matter how good her skill with the sword truly was, Huǒ-Hè was nothing without its razor-sharp blade. Under the bite force of a four-hundred-pound carnivore, the iron-hard murder weapon groaned until it ultimately shattered like glass. Where’s your sword now?! Misu seemed to ask in a low, guttural growl, no longer paying the zahrah that phased through her any mind.

“YOU DAMN CALIBRESS!” Somehow, Huǒ-Hè managed to wiggle a hand from Misu’s hold and began to pound her fist into the calibress’ head. “LET GO OF ME!”

Withstanding the mercenary’s abuse, Misu let out a snarl as though in a warning. But Huǒ-Hè didn’t listen nor did she care and continued bashing her fist against the carnivore’s skull until Misu attacked. With the calibress’ fangs deeply embedded around her neck, Huǒ-Hè’s movements became more prey-like as though she was fighting back, kicking her legs. She struggled to find her breath, gasping and wheezing for air, any words she managed to form were slurred and incomprehensible.

When her resistance grew weaker and the scent of blood became stronger, Karollus looked away, refusing to watch a woman die. Although she killed probably a good chunk of people and her death was necessary for Alvalar’s survival, as well as his own, he still found Huǒ-Hè’s last moments alive a difficult thing to witness.

THUD!

Karollus knew Huǒ-Hè’s corpse was the one that made that noise, and as though cautious, he returned his sights on Misu. No longer crushing a human’s airway, he saw Misu lick away the human blood that covered her lips against the moon’s orange glow, her paws burned and bloody from the fire that engulfed Esperanza. The baker’s son found his eyes fell on Huǒ-Hè’s corpse. He gulped for a moment and quickly shifted his attention back to his former lover’s calibress.

“A’hahi,” he praised with much shame, wiping away the sticky mucous from his upper lip.