The Sixth Regression of the Shadow Magnate

"He's quick" Jakaa said, observing Durma's reactions to Harmless's swings.

Harmless kept swinging at Durma in quick but clumsy successions. Just then, as he made to swing down at Durma with the sickle he held with his left hand, Durma, quick enough, grabbed his left wrist, preventing that strike. But then Harmless remained still, as if waiting for Durma to strike next. However, Durma wasn't willing to take the bait. He released his grip and gave distance. Instead of taking that chance, he needed to wait for something better.

"I don't think so, Jakaa" Heiva replied Jakaa's previous comment.

"He's aware of Harmless's unpredictability"

"Huh?" Jakaa looked closely at Durma again.

"He must have been a regular visitor before signing up" she continued.

"And just like he was able to predict and counter South's wind effectively, he's also aware of Harmless's randomness...and perhaps, an effective counter as well"

"Even I couldn't understand what happened to South, until you explained it, that is" Jakaa said.

That moment three days ago, at the final moments of Durma's last fight, just when South made to strike him, she suddenly took a clean hit upwards from below. A strike she didn't see coming.

"It was too fast and was simply hidden from her view" Heiva had explained.

Then, Durma had been on his right knee. And South had already lunged at him, with her arms crossed just before her face. She intended to slash him as soon as he got in range but then, Durma suddenly leaned backwards just as she unfurled her arms, evading her slash, and at the same time, propping up his right knee up her jaw before she could react and strike again, sending her head up high first, after which he grabbed her neck immediately in-between his elbow pit, dragging her up and then slamming her to the ground.

"She had barely given him time to react, yet he knew she was going for another low strike" she said.

"And he also had the perfect counter to it"

Durma and Harmless continued their dance, with Harmless on the offensive and Durma slipping through each swing. After a few more, Durma gave distance again.

"Even I would find it difficult in a fight with this mad man" Heiva commented.

Durma had to be alert. Inasmuch as he was free to move in more ways than he would if he had worn an armor, that was more reason why he had to be careful, since he was bare.

Durma took an attacking stance.

"Huh?" Harmless muttered seeming confused.

What use would making an opening for a barrage work? Durma thought. It was hard enough fighting South who gave him the advantage of fighting without a helm. And now, a mentally unstable fighter, covered entirely?

Harmless took an attacking stance as well and lunged at Durma first, swinging his right sickle downwards. Durma evaded, dashing to his right leaving Harmless to strick the ground, and then, with the same sickle, he swung at Durma's feet. There, Durma saw an opening and took it immediately.

He leapt, evading and countering Harmless's low swing with a front flip and then a heel drop on his head, sending Harmless to the ground with a heavy thud, dissipating a good fraction of his Daiki at the same time. The crowd cheered at his splendid acrobatic execution as he had landed back strongly on his feet. But he needed to strike one more time and then create distance again. So as Harmless pushed himself up to stand, Durma took his right leg a step back to gain a stronger footing. Folding his fists and inhaling, he raised his left foot, and putting all his strength into it, he stomped Harmless's head into the ground and then scrammed.

The crowd, of which a majority had been hailing Harmless now gave off mixed reactions.

Harmless got back on his feet again, recovering instantly. That was one thing about shadow energy. Users recover from most strikes instantly. And no matter how much energy has been diminished, their output remains the same.

Durma observed Harmless. He could tell he had diminished his energy at least, to a third. However, he still had to be careful. Even his strike just now, he attributed to luck, since his opponent himself was mostly unpredictable.

Harmless stood blankly for a few more seconds and then, suddenly, lunged at Durma.

'Tch'

He had lost it already. There wasn't anyone who would be happy after a non user damages them to this extent, given their advantage of Daiki.

He came at Durma, but instead of using his sickles, he leaped at Durma with his left foot, and with his right foot, he nearly landed a side kick on Durma's face but then he missed, as Durma, leaned backwards with two steps, hoping to land a counter if he could get an opening. But Harmless, landing on the right foot he had just swung at Durma quickly transitioned to a back kick which he landed this time. Durma blocked quick enough, but the impact was heavy enough to take him off the ground. And that was a big trouble for him. He fell backwards to the floor, enduring the crushing pain he had just felt on his arms. He really had to focus on dodging Harmless's next strike.

Harmless was quick. Turning towards Durma, with his left foot now up in the air, he was going for a crescent kick to the ground where Durma was.

Durma couldn't avoid it but at the same time, he wasn't getting any more injuries. Taking his chances, he reached for Harmless's right and only footing on the ground. He had to strike it before that left foot landed on him, so he moved quickly and just as Harmless's left foot descended, Durma reached with his feet and swept him off the ground and with haste, he threw his legs up for a back roll, getting himself up again.

Harmless sprung himself up off his back immediately with a violent gaze in his eyes.

'This is it' Durma thought.

With a rush, he pressed forward just before Harmless totally gained balance, and landed a left front kick to his face. Enough to send Harmless falling back to the ground again. But then, Durma still needed more. His left leg followed Harmless to the ground, and once again, he stomped him, dissipating more energy. Once more! He still needed to deal more damage! And so, he raised his left foot again to stomp but there came swinging sickles and an angry yell. Durma barely missed them as Harmless got back on his feet immediately.

'Tch. He still has energy'

He had hoped his failed stomp would disperse his remaining energy. Usually, Daiki users would always be exhausted after their energy had been extinguished completely. He had attempted the second stump just incase. And obviously, that was the right attempt and a needed strike.

Nevertheless, Durma could tell he just needed one more strike. He observed Harmless; was he about to go on a rampage? No matter how energetic he may seem right now, all he needed was one strike so Durma took his stance.

And just as he luckily predicted, Harmless, engulfed in a fit of ire, pounced on Durma with his sickles up, ready to strike down at him. But then, his trunk was open as well. So he took the risk. Aiming his elbow towards his airborne opponent, he took a step to his side, his right foot nearer to Harmless and his left, farthest. Then he shifted his weight to his left foot, to gain enough energy before propelling his elbow straight at Harmless's chest, while he was airborne, striking him before he could slash down.

Durma could feel the last of his energy dissipate as the rigid elbow strike sent his opponent head and back first, to the ground, where he lay, finally tired out and unable to get up.

'Whoosh!' He exhaled, finally relaxing as he stood up amidst the mixed yells from the crowd. Some celebrated and the others, confused. Durma grinned, not paying them any particular attention. Instead, he looked straight up to where Jakaa and Heiva sat. The corridor of the uppermost floor which Jakaa had to himself and the ladies he brought for company. He made some signs to them, with his hands, boldly signalling a bit of his cheeky arrogance.

Heiva smiled calmly while Jakaa stood up from his recliner glaring at Durma, perhaps in amusement. He scoffed silently, but Heiva could tell how he took Durma's gesture. He must've questioned if that was some sort of challenge from the lad. But then, Durma smiled with a jeer on his face before walking off through the exit.

"He thinks you're the one" Heiva said.

"Hmph! Is that so?" He replied.

"No matter. I like the brat. He seems to have some guts" he said, before sitting back and reclining again.

"I only hope he can keep that face after his next fight"