Coffee Warm-Up
A few minutes later, Nyxar returned from the kitchen holding another cup, steam curling in the air. Ember sipped it cautiously, bracing herself for another burnt-tongue experience—
Her eyes widened. "Perfect. How did you get it right on the second try?"
Nyxar looked back at the kitchen—stacked high with towers of half-full mugs, bitter sludge dripping onto the counters like a war crime. He kept a straight face.
"…Talent."
Bug squinted. "Yeah, sure buddy."
Backyard Preparations 🌱⚔️
The group stepped out into Ember's backyard, the two steel bears watching curiously like referees.
Sophia stretched her arms with practiced precision. "Alright. Let's test this 'Nyxar' guy's strength."
Bug buzzed low, frowning. "You sure this is safe?"
Ember waved it off. "She's an ex-adventurer. She won't go too hard."
Bug facepalmed. "No, no. I'm not worried about her hurting him—I'm worried about whether she'll survive once he gets in the mood."
Sophia smirked, rolling her eyes. "Please. Don't underestimate me."
Bug sighed, then zipped over to Nyxar, landing on his shoulder. "Listen up, dude. This is called a duel. A duel is a friendly fight. Key word: friendly. We're testing strength. Not killing each other. Got it?"
Nyxar: "Yes."
Bug narrowed his eyes. "…Did you actually understand what I just said?"
Nyxar: "No."
Bug groaned. "…Alright, simple version: Don't kill her."
Nyxar: "I will try."
Bug clapped his tiny hands together. "Good enough. We'll wing it."
The Duel Begins 🥋
Sophia stepped forward, cracking her knuckles. "Alright then—three, two, one—" She lunged forward with a sharp kick.
Nyxar casually stepped back. No effort.
Sophia frowned. She threw a quick combo: a jab, another kick, a sweep. Nyxar dodged them all, blank-eyed, as if she was moving in slow motion.
"What's wrong?" she sneered. "Too afraid to fight back?"
Nyxar's voice was flat. "Bug told me not to kill you."
Sophia laughed sharply. "Please, child. You couldn't kill me if you tried."
Nyxar's head tilted slowly, like she'd just claimed the throne of heaven. He looked to Bug. "Can I?"
Bug froze, rubbed his forehead. "…Okay. Disable. But refrain from killing."
Narrator Voice: If you're wondering why Nyxar listens to Bug, it's simple—Bug knows more about humans and their 'rules.' Though, to be fair, Bug doesn't know everything. But 1 is still greater than 0.
Nyxar Unleashed ⚡
Bug grinned. "Alright, go nuts—but no killing."
The air changed. Nyxar blurred forward, his body accelerating like a predator breaking its chains.
Sophia barely leaned back as his hand shot for her face—her eyes widening. Too fast.
But Nyxar twisted mid-strike, his body flowing like water, and snapped a kick under her guard. She shot upward from the force—then he was already above her, heel dropping down like a hammer.
WHAM!
Sophia crashed into the dirt, coughing. She pushed herself up, stunned. "Dammit. I underestimated him."
She wasn't wrong. If she were a normal person, that combo would've shattered bones.
Nyxar's expression was blank. Hunting-mode. No hesitation.
Sophia steadied herself. He's open! She dove in for a punch—only for Nyxar to sidestep, duck low, and uppercut into her gut. She wheezed, then his side kick folded her body sideways.
Before she could recover, Nyxar blurred again—appearing behind her, driving an elbow into her spine. She fell to her knees with a gasp.
But he didn't stop. His leg swung up for a face-kick—she narrowly ducked, dirt flying past her cheek.
He pivoted, heel dropping for a head stomp. She rolled frantically, clutching her back as the ground cracked where her skull had been.
The Finisher 🌀
Nyxar zigzagged, movements sharp and inhuman—left, right, left—his path a blur that left Sophia's eyes struggling to track him.
He swept low, hooking her legs. She slammed down flat.
Before she could blink, Nyxar's hand clamped her shoulder and slammed her into the ground again, dust exploding into the air.
And then… he stopped. Expression blank. He thought he had done enough—he hadn't killed her. Mission complete.
The Peanut Gallery 🤯😂
Nyxar straightened, calm as ever. When he turned, Ember, Spirit, and Edward were standing frozen—mouths open, eyes wide like he'd just flipped a mountain.
Bug? Bug was hovering midair with both tiny hands covering his face. "Oh gods above, she's gonna ban adventurer cards for life after this…"
Ember whispered, horrified. "…That was him holding back?"
Spirit floated with a sly grin. "Yup. Told you. Predator mode."
Edward, half-panicked and half-thrilled, muttered: "I think I just saw my whole life flash before my eyes—and I wasn't even fighting him."
Meanwhile, Sophia groaned from the ground, coughing and glaring at the sky. "…I am never… underestimating… that bastard again."