Part 36: The Soul Twin and the Punching Bald.
The battle erupted in the hotel corridor, Kai and Jog-Jog moved with a fluidity that mocked their immense power. They were a perfectly synchronized engine of chaos. Kai, commanded his giant sword as a seamless extension of his will. The weapon swung and swerved like a master swordsman, his movements so fast and fluid that Zeldor found it impossible to predict the arc of the blade.
Complementing this deadly grace was Jog-Jog, though large and muscular, he was insanely agile, his body twisting and turning at will. His gauntlets, a gift from Maya designed to enhance his already monstrous punch power, were now causing excruciating pain to the unprepared assassin. The extendable and retractable claws on the gauntlets transformed his attack in a heartbeat, switching from a devastating power punch to a surprise blade attack. Kai would press the front, creating an opening, and the next second, Jog-Jog would fill the gap, completing the blow.
They fought and talked simultaneously, taunting Zeldor as they systematically drove him backward.
Zeldor, provoked by their strength and arrogance, desperately tried to analyze their blows, seeking to break their synchronized defense, yet every perceived open spot was a clever bait, immediately leading to a passive, concussive punch or a sudden, razor-sharp claw slash. Zeldor was forced onto the defense, relying solely on his raw speed to avoid fatal blows. He was losing ground rapidly.
Lost in his thoughts and fighting at a terrible disadvantage, Zeldor wavered for a split second. BANG! A devastating slash from Kai's giant sword slammed into his chest from the side, sending him flying. Before he could recover from the shock of Kai's raw swordsmanship, Jog-Jog closed the distance and landed a kinetic punch to his torso. The sickening CRACK of breaking bones was audible. Before his arm could recoil, Jog-Jog extended his claws, holding Zeldor in the air.
The pain was excruciating. Zeldor screamed, a raw, agonizing sound that shook his core. Jog-Jog, irritated by the noise, threw him against the nearest wall with brute force.
Zeldor staggered up as the dust settled, his body instantly regenerating. "Interesting," he growled, spitting blood. "I am surprised some humans are still strong." His look was now more dangerous, his physique more deadly, and his aura was thick, sending a noxious scent of death through the corridor.
Kai and Jog-Jog merely laughed, treating him like a joke...
"You think aura farming can save you from the trashing and ass-whooping of the Soul Twin and the Punching Bald?" Kai jeered, pointing his blade at the completely regenerated Zeldor.
Jog-Jog, momentarily confused, turned to his partner. "Who is that?"
Kai shocked, "what do you mean, who is that?
Jog-jog still confused. "Who is the Soul Twin and the Punching Bald?"
Kai, adopting a condescending professor's pose, pointed first at the Solon half of his own face. "Solon and I are a twin, and you," he pointed to Jog-Jog's polished head, "are bald!"
Jog-Jog, disappointed, turned back to Zeldor. "He's worst with names..."
Kai huffed. "Hey, the name was not that bad!"
Jog-Jog ignored him, focusing his full attention on the assassin. "Hey, aura guy! Give me your best!"
In a flash of pure aggression, Zeldor got next to Kai. He launched a brutal swing of his sword, forcing Jog-Jog to cover and take the hit head-on with his arms. SWISSHHH! The kinetic force sent Jog-Jog skidding backward.
Zeldor's perception, honed by the pain he'd endured, was now operating at a terrifying level. He became living vestige of pure perception. He was gaining ground, landing hit after hit with baffling accuracy. It was as if he knew the exact trajectory, velocity, and timing of every counter-attack they were about to execute. He became untouchable, delivering strikes regardless of who he was targeting.
Meanwhile,
On the hotel rooftop, Jex, hands in his pockets, a toothpick in his mouth,head tilted, watched the chaotic spectacle with an unimpressed look. He wouldn't interfere.
Dr. Orion, however, stood with quiet pride. The rigorous, deadly training he had inflicted was paying off. These were not just augmented kids; they were geniuses who thrived in chaos.
"So... you guys won't help out?" Markas asked, fear mixing with awe for his terrifying new friends.
Orion glanced at him, his face set in a look that promised assured victory. "They can handle it."
BANG! The duo was slammed against the same sturdy wall Zeldor had been thrown into. The wall held, uncracked.
"What in hell is this wall made of?" Jog-Jog complained, spitting dust.
Then, Kai's sudden outburst made Jog-Jog jump. "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Kai dissolved into mocking tears. "My hair! My sweet hair! You monster, how could you!" He stared mournfully at the shiny black curls Zeldor's sword had clipped from his afro.
Zeldor was utterly bewildered. Humans this injured should be in retreat, yet one was complaining about a wall while the other was sobbing over a haircut. Unbeknownst to the assassin, the duo's pain threshold had been honed to a monstrous height. Their intense training demanded they embrace pain not just endure it.
BANG! BANG! Jog-Jog slammed his fists together, the sound, a declaration of war. "Don't worry, Kai, I'll avenge your hair!"
In an instant, he covered the distance. Zeldor was in for a beating he couldn't regenerate fast enough to counter. Jog-Jog was a bully with his fists, his gauntlets pulsing with a vibrant blue kinetic energy. He bombarded Zeldor with punches that seemed to come from four directions at once—a maniac that utilized his terrifying agility.
He keeps talking "Take this! Wham! Bang bang! Fool! Global warming punch! For being mean! You're ugly! I hate your jaw! Kai's hair! In the face! Shoulders, fool! Sturdy wall!" As a stream of manic laughter followed every blasting punch.
Zeldor knew he was in trouble. He was fighting a maniac, a monster. He kept regenerating, but the relentless, focused assault left him no time to think, no chance to breathe. He couldn't remember how many times he'd regenerated parts of his body, especially his jaw.
Jog-Jog delivered a final double kinetic-powered punch, the claws extending and retracting instantly. Zeldor's body was sent flying, headless, slamming against the same sturdy wall, which still held without a crack.
"Yo, he's gone," Jog-Jog announced, turning to Kai with a satisfied grin.
A sharp tingle shot down his spine. Before he could react, Zeldor's own sword stabbed through Jog-Jog's chest, from behind and out the front.
Kai screamed!! His face contorted, the scar deepening as the gentle spirit of Kai was pushed aside. His Soul Twin, Solon, took over the whole face, his expression cold and terrifyingly calm, the Prince of the Old Hell...