The clash of swords echoed through the forest as Menma and Lunara locked in a fierce battle.
Lunara wielded a created sword in one hand and a massive fist in the other, each strike calculated and precise.
The two fighters were evenly matched, exchanging blows with expert timing. Steel met steel, sending sparks flying. Their powers were equal—each one determined not to give an inch.
Lunara suddenly saw an opening, swinging her steel fist toward Menma with all her might.
But Menma, using his teleportation sword, vanished just in time, narrowly avoiding the hit.
However, Lunara was quick to follow, disappearing and reappearing just behind him. Her fist collided with his backside, sending Menma flying. He cried out, clutching his rear, his eyes watering from the pain.
Lunara, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter, falling to the ground in hysterics.
"How did you do that?" Menma asked, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration as he stood up.
Lunara grinned mischievously, still chuckling. "Teleportation potions. Just like the ones Myrsel made. I created these potions specifically for this tournament—none for Purgatory, though." She paused, her smile fading. "You should be more careful."
Menma scowled. "What if we need them for something more important? Don't act like a child, Lunara. We've grown up now."
Her face flushed with irritation. "Who are you calling a child, you mf?" she snapped, her anger bubbling up.
But she quickly regained her composure, using the potions to teleport again, the two of them vanishing and reappearing in different locations as they continued to fight.
Their movements were quick and unpredictable—both of them blocking each other's attacks, neither able to land a clean blow. The forest around them, however, was not so lucky. Trees were splintered, and the ground was scarred by the intensity of their battle.
Garrick, watching from a distance, stayed out of the way, careful not to become a target. He observed the fight, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Menma had already begun to tap into his demon power—12%, then 14%, and finally 16%. The more power he released, the faster and stronger he became. Lunara, however, seemed to be keeping up with him, her steel body seemingly impervious to his attacks.
But Menma wasn't done. Pushing himself further, he increased his power to 20%. He aimed a kick toward Lunara's head, but she was ready. Her creation hardened her skin, and the blow glanced off harmlessly.
So Menma pulled back.Lunara panting asked him "How did you master your Demon Powers,for only 10 months?"
Menma said "Zayne's training was hard as hell so I started using it unconsciously at first,then mastering it but i can't use 100% ,at least for now,but i can use enough to beat you."
Lunara replied by saying "you wish, I've stolen a few potions from witches I've defeated, and I still have three endurance potions left. This fight isn't over yet."
Menma narrowed his eyes. "I'd better be careful then ." But just as he said this, Lunara made a change. Her sword transformed into a long spear, and her fist grew larger, adorned with spikes.
"If I'm going to hit you with this, it's going to hurt," she said, her voice cold and determined.
"Yea,that looks painful as hell" Menma replied, his grip tightening around his sword.
Lunara charged forward, spear in hand, but Menma deflected it easily, pushing it aside.
She followed through, her fist swinging to crush him, but once again he blocked it with his sword. In a swift motion, Lunara adjusted her spear, turning it into a double-headed weapon, its sharp points aiming at Menma's back.
But Menma was prepared. Using his teleportation sword, he escaped upwards, dodging the attack. He retaliated, slashing down toward her head, but Lunara was quick to react.
She moved her steel creation to protect her, absorbing the blow before retaliating with a powerful punch to Menma's stomach. The force sent him flying, and he crashed into the ground, groaning in pain.
As Menma struggled to stand, clutching his wounded stomach, Lunara stood tall, a confident smirk on her face. "You're probably at your limit now. Just let me win. The fight is already mine."
Menma, his expression grim, wiped the blood from his lips. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "You still haven't seen my full power."
Lunara's face shifted from confident to wary. Menma closed his eyes, and then, with a roar, he released more of his demon power—30%. His body radiated a dark aura, his speed and strength now increased beyond Lunara's expectations.
The fight raged on, with Menma moving faster, his sword cutting through the air with deadly precision. Lunara struggled to keep up, her body coated in steel to protect her from his deadly strikes.
Her defensive strategy was holding, but she could feel herself wearing thin. The damage was taking its toll.
Menma wasn't giving her any room to breathe, though. He continued to push forward, unleashing more power—31%,-35%.
Lunara, realizing that she was running out of options, began to rethink her strategy.
The spiked iron fist had become ineffective, as Menma's speed and reach outclassed her own. Instead, she summoned a shield in her left hand while in her right, she held her double-headed spear.
Menma, with a look of determination in his eyes, used his first step to push forward. Lunara blocked his sword with her shield and quickly swung her spear at him.
Menma, believing he was safe from the attack due to the distance, attempted to dodge. But Lunara extended the spear and shrank the shield, catching him just as he tried to move to the side.
Menma barely avoided the full force of the attack, but his movement was not without consequence. He couldn't balance himself, and Lunara seized the opportunity.
But Menma was faster. Using his second step, he sidestepped and got behind her. Lunara, knowing that she was too slow to stop him, tried to adjust, but it was too late.
Menma's third step allowed him to charge at her, piercing right through her torso with his sword.
Lunara staggered back, blood pouring from her wound. She looked at Menma, her breathing shallow. "You could've gone for my head," she said, her voice weak, "but you didn't. So just admit it—this fight is mine."
Menma wiped the blood from his sword. "Give up!" His voice was colder now, his eyes flashing with the fury of battle.
He started walking toward her, his sword held tightly in his hand. Lunara could feel her strength waning, but she wasn't ready to give up just yet.
"I'm fine," she said, using her creation to surround the wound. Her body was battered, but her resolve remained unshaken. She needed to finish this—she couldn't let Menma win.
As Menma approached, Lunara asked, "How's that earlier wound of yours treating you?"
"I've had worse," Menma replied through gritted teeth, his voice laced with defiance.
Lunara smiled, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "Same here."
She could feel herself slipping. Her shield wasn't enough anymore. Her body was too tired, and she had no more potions to rely on.
She remembered her harsh training with Annie over the last ten months. The lessons in endurance, the advice on passive creation.
(Passive Creation,something Annie herself uses whenever she comes across strong opponents,for Lunara's case she trained her mind for 10 months to be able to use her creation for defending her body in a passive/unconsciously way)
Lunara took a deep breath, focusing. She could feel the passive creation aura enveloping her body. It was time to end this.
Menma, however, was still powering up. He released his 37%, then 38%, and 39% demon power, each increment pushing him faster and further.
Lunara's eyes narrowed as she prepared herself for the final clash. She had to push past her limits, just like Annie had taught her.
Menma closed the distance quickly, his sword coming down toward her shoulder.
Lunara braced herself, using her hands to dodge the blade, her mind formed a passive shield on her shoulder just in time.
Then she counterattacked, her double fists slamming into his chest, drawing blood and causing him to stagger back.
"Ahh… f that hurts," Menma grunted, clearly annoyed.
Lunara's body screamed for rest, but she couldn't afford to stop. With a deep breath, she focused her will on the Creation she had honed over the months:
The air around her thickened, and a protective shield formed from hardened creation elements.
It wasn't perfect, but it gave her enough time to plan her next move
But Menma didn't give her that. Using 45% of his demon power, Menma closed the distance again, teleporting behind Lunara and slashing at her neck.
But her passive creation saved her,it enveloped her neck, protecting her from the fatal blow.
However, this was all part of Menma's plan. Using his teleportation sword, he appeared behind her and landed a blow just deep enough to knock her unconscious.
Lunara fell, blood dripping from the wound.
Lunara's vision blurred as Menma's sword cut through her defenses, a harsh strike to her neck that sent waves of pain through her body.
She staggered, blood dripping from the wound, but her will to keep fighting remained unshaken.
She gritted her teeth, determined to stand tall, but her strength was fading. With one last glance at Menma, she whispered through clenched teeth, "Next time… I'll beat you."
Her body crumpled, the strain too much to bear, and she faded into the light, leaving Menma standing victorious.
It's over," he muttered,"heal fast and come back if you want." And Lunara's body faded into light,just like the rest of the contestants.
Menma, now standing victorious, pulled off his scarf and pressed it to the wound to staunch the bleeding. And started walking,looking around for any remaining opponents.
With Lunara defeated, only two remained: Menma and Garrick.