Alala stood with her hand on her hips as she faced Kismet.
"Fuck...."
Impactor cursed as he held his face. He checked his body and his clothes and mask had a few burns, but were mostly fine.
"These specially made clothes really are durable."
"I'm surprised you have time to worry about clothes in a time like this."
Alala spoke with a chuckle.
"Well, Sinvula hated it when I was naked and refused to fight; I don't want that to happen with you as well."
"I see."
Alala lifted her hand and blocked a punch from Belinha.
"You recover quick, Blood Phoenix."
"It's in the name!"
A burst of flames engulfed Alala. Belinha leapt back to create distance. Alala popped up in front of her and thrust her hand through her chest. Blood flowed through her mouth. Belinha gritted her teeth and spat flames from her mouth before kicking Alala back. The hole in her chest was filled with crimson flames before forming new flesh.
"It's quite fascinating, no matter how many times I see it."
Alala cracked her fingers.
"I take it everybody is warmed up?"
She bent her knees.
"Then let's take this up a notch."
She blasted off the ground with a boom. She flew at Mikel and his team. Batu appeared between them and Alala and thrust both palms in front of him. Red lines manifested before him. Alala punched out, but her fist halted as if she hit an invisible wall. The red lines lit up and exploded, yet Batu and the Rookies were unharmed.
"Not bad, #7."
Alala punched out again and shattering noise reached her ears. Batu stumbled back in panic. Dozens of lasers fired from behind him and hit Alala. The twins appeared at her flanks with cannons for arms. She pointed her palms at them. Batu flew at her with a punch. She snapped her fingers, and the twins were devoured by explosions. She stepped forward and traded punches with Batu. Batu was slammed onto the ground while she stumbled back.
Her feet stepped into a mud puddle and she was pulled underground. The earth exploded as Alala remerged with the twins chasing after her with swords for arms.
(So, they were pulled underground to escape the explosion.)
Alala's mind raced as she looked around and spotted Bojana pressing her hands on the ground.
"An earth-type ability, huh?"
She prepared to swing her leg at the twins. A chain made of crimson flames wrapped around her ankle and pulled that leg. The twins' blades cut down on her body. A loud clang resounded and sparks flew when the blades hit. She swung her hand in front of her. Mud wrapped around the twin's waists and pulled them away before they were swallowed by explosions. Alala landed on the ground and looked to see the twins at Bojana's side.
"Impressive teamwork."
"Alala!"
She turned her head at Impactor.
"You came to fight me, right?"
Impactor pointed at himself.
"Then, let's get to it."
"I honestly came to destroy the entire team but...."
The two kicked off the ground in unison and cut the distance. They swung their legs like whips. A deafening noise rang out as they clashed.
"This works pretty well too!"
They clashed with kicks again and explosions erupted between them. They separated before flying at each other again. Impactor hit Alala with a right hook, and she replied with a left uppercut. Impactor swung again, but she ducked under it. Red lines appeared across his torso before he was hit by an explosion. His vision was blocked by the flames. Alala grabbed his throat and slammed him on the ground. Rapid explosions blasted his throat as she grabbed it.
"You absorbed the impact of my explosions, but the flames still hurt you. So, in theory, I can burn off a body part like your head."
Belinha forced Alala off Impactor with a flying kick. Alala rolled on the ground as a shadow cast over her. Batu fell from the sky with a stomp. She was forced into the earth after catching the stomp. She slammed her hand on his leg and it blew off.
"Ahhhh?!"
He let out a scream as he fell to the ground. Alala got up and looked down. He was gone. She turned her head, and he emerged from the ground at Belinha's feet. Crimson flames danced around Belinha and embraced Impactor's neck and Batu's leg. When flames faded, the burns around Impactor's neck were gone and Batu's leg was restored.
"Incredible."
Alala applauded Belinha.
"To instantly heal such injuries, as expected of the World's #1 healer and doctor. Your Blood Flame is like a cheat code."
Impactor sprang to his feet and immediately charged at Alala. She met his charge with rapid explosions. He flew through the explosions, throwing a punch. An invisible force shot at Alala. She dodged it and flew at him with a kick. She hit him in the stomach and it exploded. She followed up with an uppercut. Impactor fired an impact from his feet to elevate off the ground. He slammed his foot on the side of her head and Alala was propelled to the right. He kicked the air and chased her. She spun in the air and swung her hands. A massive explosion swallowed Impactor. His body was covered in burns. Crimson flames engulfed and healed those burns. He charged at Alala again. She stepped in with a punch. An impact came from his feet. He flew over the punch and landed behind her. She spun around and snapped her fingers while he thrust his palm out. Alala was sent flying while Impactor was swallowed by flames. Alala spun in the air and landed on her feet as Impactor emerged covered in crimson flames.
"Belinha, is this the strategy you're going with?"
Alala spoke to Belinha without looking away from Impactor.
"It seems like the most effective approach."
Belinha stretched her hands out towards Impactor. She was focusing all her flames on him.
"The Blood Flames heal rapidly, but you still feel the pain of being burnt repeatedly by my explosions. The fact he can fight without pause is insane."
"Are you complaining?"
Belinha showed a smirk.
"Girl, I know you can't heal yourself if you're healing others. This strategy of yours will fail if I behead you. It won't kill you, but it will stall you long enough for me to kill him and the rest of your team. Then I can kill you, because don't think I don't know how."
"But you aren't going to do that, right?"
"Of course not."
She clapped her hands and Impactor's vision was dominated by red lines.
"It's rare for me to have a little fun."
She snapped her fingers and the world was rocked by a chain of explosions. The mountain was immediately engulfed in flames. She walked through the flames before stopping. She moved her head out of the way of a punch, and pressed her hand on the chest of Impactor who was in front of her. He was hit by another explosion. She leapt back to evade a kick.
"Fucking hell!"
Impactor roared with his melted skin rapidly healing. He blasted off the ground and popped up in front of Alala. She crossed her arms in front of her and blocked his punch.
"?!"
Her eyes widened as she was blasted off the ground and into the sky.
"He broke through Tank's defences?"
She blinked and Impactor was above her. He spun and slammed his leg against her body. She was hit by an overwhelming force and crashed into the earth. An enormous crater opened underneath her. She sprang to her feet and leapt back as Impactor fell like a meteor.
"This guy...He got stronger?"
Impactor blasted off the ground with such force that the earth burst open. Alala punched out and her fist clashed with his. Her fist was blown back with pain travelling up her arm. Impactor slammed his leg into her side and flung her through countless dead trees.
"....."
Belinha and the others stood speechless, unable to process what they were seeing.
".... He's actually pushing her back."
Batu broke the silence.
"I heard he was strong, but this is something else."
Impactor flew through the air and grabbed Alala's arm. He flung her into the sky. He popped up above her with fists clenched and threw a punch. His punch hit air as Alala vanished. He turned around and a hand grabbed his face. He was forced headfirst into the ground.
"Incredible, truly incredible."
He looked up. Alala stood over him covered in cuts and bruises. She applauded him with a joyous tone.
"To think the constant pain would make you break past your limits."
She pulled her sabre from her waist.
"It wasn't a waste coming here after all."
She swung her sword and the world was dyed red. A devastating explosion erupted and rocked the mountain range. Impactor climbed out of a crater filled with molten rocks formed from the explosion. He was breathing heavily and his body was black as coal. His clothes were almost non-existent. Crimson flames engulfed him and quickly repair his charred body.
"Hey, now."
He looked up and saw Alala slowly walking towards him.
"Don't get lazy."
A shadow cast over her blank mask. He could see the flames around them reflecting in the dark eyes behind the mask.
"We're just getting started."
"....Seriously, what's with you Calamities? You're all battle-maniacs."
"Oh, please."
Alala pointed at him.
"You're the one with a huge grin on his face."
Just as she said, an excited grin was plastered all over Impactor's face. He said nothing and got to his feet. The two grinned at each other before disappearing. A massive explosion erupted and shockwaves spread through the mountain range. Impactor and Alala reappeared attacking each other in a frenzy. Alala sabre struck Impactor from every angle. Impactor deflected the thrusts with his fists while attacking Alala. An orchestra of flames and destruction was formed as their attacks clashed.
The deadlock was destroyed when Alala kicked Impactor and forced him back. She flew at him and slashed him across the chest. His chest exploded but Impactor still punched Alala across the face. She was flung back and he chased like a mad hound. He fired a barrage of punches from a distance. Alala twisted her body to evade the invisible forces. Destruction spread as Impactor's attack ravaged the area. Alala broke in a sprint and Impactor followed her. They fired attacks at each other as they moved through the area. They flew at each other, trading blows while still running.
"Holy shit!"
Deimos shouted while trying to outrun an explosion sent his way.
"This is insane."
He escaped it but found himself next to Kismet. The rookies and Batu instantly entered battle mode and faced him.
"Calm down, Heroes. The Commander is your only opponent. I'm just trying to survive."
An explosion broke out next to them. Batu thrust his hands in the air and an invisible wall blocked the flames.
"Wow, what a useful power."
Deimos spoke with admiration.
"Deimos, quit chatting with the enemy."
Eris and Phobos appeared next to him. Eris looked at the Rookies.
"You kids better leave if you don't want to die. Things are about to get even more intense."
The ground cracked underneath them as she said that. They turned to see Impactor getting bombarded by explosive slashes. He thrust his hand out and grabbed Alala's sword, which she released without hesitation. She stepped in and slammed her leg on the side of his head. His upper body was swallowed by an explosion. Impactor grabbed her leg as if unbothered and slammed her on the ground. He threw her in the air and flew up. He was hit in the face by a heel before he could reach far. He punched out and Alala was hit by an overwhelming force that shook the air.
"Hahahaha!"
She let out a laugh as blood leaked from under her mask. She swung her hand, and the sky was filled with flames.
"Hahaha!"
Impactor emerged from the flames with his masks burnt away. He was smiling with charred lips.
"How can they enjoy something like this?"
Deimos mumbled.
"They're pretty insane. Don't you agree, Batu?"
"...Why are you asking me?"
"Don't know, just felt like it."
Deimos looked back at the fight only to see the two flying through the air and firing attacks like two fighting jets.
"....."
Batu looked away at the battle and turned towards Belinha.
"Hah~! Hah~! Hah~!"
She was down on one knee with her hands stretched out. Her tanned skin had lost its colour, her breathing was heavy, her face was sunken, and she was drenched in sweat.
(Belinha has long reached her limits with healing Impactor. If this goes on any longer, she will be at risk.)
Batu looked back at the fight. Impactor's body was falling apart quicker than it could regenerate.
(However, without her, Impactor will lose and then we will all die.)
He turned his head.
"?!"
He flinched at the sight of Phobos staring at him and Belinha. Batu swiftly shielded Belinha behind him.
"Don't worry. We don't need to resort to such tricks."
Phobos looked away.
"After all, our Commander is the strongest."
"Hahahaha!"
Alala burst out laughing while floating in the sky.
"This is the most fun I've had in a while. To think I could enjoy myself with someone other than Sinvula and Mishma. You have my thanks, Impactor."
"If you're grateful, then could you go away now?"
Alala shook her head.
"Don't be ridiculous. I've just done warming up."
"Huh?"
Impactor's jaw dropped.
"You're joking, right?"
"Nope. It's the first time my blood got pumping in a long time."
She stretched her left hand out and lifted her right hand in the air.
"As thanks, I'll fight a little more seriously."
Her lips moved as she mumbled something inaudible.
"?!"
All three Generals reflexively took a step back, which drew Batu and the Rookies' attention.
"G-Guys, I'm imagining things, right? She didn't just summon—"
"Full retreat, now!"
Phobos started running. Eris turned into a beam of light and escaped.
"Shit! She really is about to switch!"
Deimos looked at Batu and the Rookies.
"If you want to live, run!"
He said nothing more and transformed into a giant lion and started running. Batu didn't hesitate and grabbed the Rookies.
"Belinha!"
"I'll be fine..."
Belinha spoke with a weak voice. Batu nodded after much hesitation. He ran, carrying the rookies with lightning speed. Meanwhile, Alala pressed her right hand on her left palm. A clank resounded through the area. The atmosphere around her immediately changed. She pointed her palm at Impactor, who sensed the danger and flew up at her. He clenched his fists while pouring all his strength in them. Alala opened her mouth and mumbled something under her breath. A bright light flashed between the two of them. Impactor's vision was assaulted by that blinding light, forcing him to close his eyes.
"It's been a long time since I used this."
Alala smiled behind her mask.
"It sure has been, hasn't it?"
A new voice entered her ear. A burning sensation came from her chest as lightning penetrated her body.
"S-Sinvula?"
Her body froze as static danced inside her. Sinvula's voice entered her ears again.
"Karma, Alala. Karma."
Oblivious to what was going on, Impactor thrust his fists in front of him, releasing everything he stored at her. Ungodly destructive force flew at Alala, who was unable to move. She gritted her teeth until tears gathered in her eyes as she fired an incomplete attack.
"FUCKKKK!!!!"
A devastating explosion erupted, swallowing a large chunk of the Muggle Mountains and causing tremors rivalling earthquakes across Berlin. When everything faded, Alala was nowhere to be found and only an unconscious Impactor and Belinha were left lying in a massive crater.