Nazrat's voice sliced through the air. "You know what this is, Kurai?"
Kurai said nothing, but his breathing grew heavy, charged with rage.
"This is Nazrat's Golden Apple. Anyone who eats it gets an abnormal power boost, for a short time. That's what killed all your friends." Nazrat said, grinning wickedly.
Fury exploded inside Kurai, his body trembling with barely contained rage.
"One bite of this, and I'll crush you." Nazrat taunted.
Without hesitation, Nazrat bit into the Golden Apple. His eyes rolled back as the power surged through him. Tossing the apple aside, he faced Kurai. "Now, let's fight."
Kurai charged, weapon raised. Their blades collided again and again. Kurai poured every ounce of strength into his strikes, but Nazrat pushed him back each time. Still, Kurai returned relentlessly, unyielding.
From afar, Nao watched Kurai struggle.
Nazrat laughed, a mad, cruel sound. He conjured a massive black hole ball and hurled it toward Kurai.
Kurai threw his sword up just in time, blocking the attack.
"Ha. At least you can defend yourself." Nazrat jeered. "Say your last words and prepare to die by the Great Sin of Pride, Nazrat."
"Ne..." Kurai started.
"What? I couldn't hear you from here." Nazrat mocked.
"Nev..." Kurai's voice grew louder, stronger.
"HEHHH? I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING!" Nazrat shouted, irritated.
"You stupid bastard. I said NEVER!" Kurai roared.
"Never what? Oh yeah. Keep dreaming. Now, end your suffering."
Kurai launched a final kick at Nazrat's left ear. He saw it coming, countered easily, and kicked Kurai back. He followed with rapid strikes, sending Kurai flying through the air.
"Are you done? Goddamn, are you made of diamond?" Nazrat growled.
"No...you're just dumber." Kurai retorted. His hand twitched, reaching right. He grabbed the discarded Golden Apple.
'Am I gonna do it? Will this make me win...? Can I control the power that comes with it?'
He bit into it.
Kurai's eyes turned a deep, blazing red. His body convulsed violently as the abnormal power overwhelmed him. He clutched his throat, struggling as if trying to choke himself. A strange, distant voice echoed inside his mind, repeating: Push.
He flailed wildly like a fish out of the water, then suddenly froze.
Nazrat chuckled darkly. "Haha...you tried my apple and died to it? I thought you could survive and die by my hand, but I guess that's a win too."
He approached Kurai, closing his eyes mockingly. "Now go to sleep with your friends in the same place."
Turning his back, Nazrat began to walk away. Suddenly, a brutal strike hit him square in the back, knocking the wind from his lungs.
"Peek-a-boo!" Kurai whispered.