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As Ash and Shadow continued their brutal battle, each strike carried the weight of their rage, pain, and determination. Their clashes sent ripples through the shattered cityscape, turning the battlefield into a storm of debris and destruction.

Seizing an opening, Ash lunged forward, his eyes burning with fierce intent. He grabbed hold of Shadow’s torso, locking him in a crushing grip. Without hesitation, Ash unleashed a torrent of shockwaves directly into Shadow’s body, the vibrations coursing through every inch of his being. Shadow’s eyes widened as the intense pressure surged within him, disrupting his shadow form and sending his internal energy into chaos.

“Let’s see you handle this!” Ash snarled, pouring every ounce of his power into the attack.

Shadow’s body convulsed, his form flickering between solid and ethereal. Desperate to break free, Shadow swung his leg up and landed a vicious kick to Ash’s head. The impact jarred Ash’s grip loose, and Shadow capitalized on the moment. With lightning speed, he twisted in mid-air, planting his right hand on the ground to stabilize himself. Using his momentum, he swung his legs around and delivered another punishing kick to Ash’s head, the blow connecting with brutal force.

Ash stumbled back, his vision blurring from the repeated hits. Shadow’s kicks didn’t just hurt him—they seemed to strike his very core, shaking him to his bones. Gritting his teeth, Ash quickly recovered, his adrenaline fueling him as he charged forward again, fists ready to deliver another barrage of shockwave-enhanced punches.

Shadow prepared to counter, his right arm poised to strike, but as he moved, the shockwave Ash had injected into his body took its toll. The pressure built rapidly within his arm, swelling it to grotesque proportions. Shadow’s eyes widened in horror, realizing what was about to happen, but there was no time to react.

With a deafening crack, Shadow’s right arm exploded in a burst of shadowy matter and flux energy, sending dark tendrils scattering like smoke. Shadow staggered back, his face contorted in pain and disbelief. Blood and shadow fragments spattered the ground, the remnants of his arm dissipating into the air.

“You… bastard!” Shadow gasped, clutching the mangled stump where his arm had been. The shockwaves had destabilized his form from the inside, and the damage was severe.

Ash stood tall, breathing heavily but with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. “I told you, Shadow. I’m not going down easy,” Ash growled, raising his fists once more. “This fight is just getting started.”

Despite the excruciating pain, Shadow refused to fall. His eyes, now glowing with a dark, fiery resolve, locked onto Ash. With his body still shaking from the aftershocks, Shadow prepared to keep fighting, knowing that even with one arm, he would not stop until one of them lay defeated.

With both his arms gone, Shadow relied entirely on his legs, each kick charged with raw, dark energy. Ash, battling the recoil of his powerful moves, pressed on with his fists, each punch driven by sheer willpower. Despite their injuries, neither was willing to back down, their bodies moving on instinct and determination alone.

Each kick, punch, and block sent shockwaves rippling through space, shaking the very fabric of the solar system. The ground beneath them shattered, and the sky above trembled as their relentless strikes clashed. For three minutes, they fought in a furious exchange, their movements a blur of power and pain.

Finally, they broke apart, panting and bloodied, both on the brink of collapse. Shadow glanced up at the sky, noticing the dwindling eclipse. “I’ve got two minutes until the solar eclipse ends. I have to end this fight now,” Shadow thought, knowing his advantage would disappear with the returning light.

Ash, equally determined, readied himself, his body screaming in agony from the strain but refusing to give in. “I’m ending this,” Ash thought, his gaze locked on Shadow. He got back into his stance, the vibrations of his armor intensifying. Shadow’s eyes widened, recognizing the familiar stance. “He’s using that move again!” Shadow thought, his mind racing.

“Shockwave Style: Krakatoa,” Ash muttered under his breath, channeling all his remaining strength into a final, devastating punch. He was about to launch the same earth-shattering attack that had previously torn through Shadow’s defenses. Shadow could feel the immense power building, the air vibrating violently around Ash as he prepared to strike.

Shadow’s mind was a storm of thoughts. Was he afraid? No. Did he want to run? Never. The only thing coursing through his mind was how to counter Ash’s attack, how to shatter this final blow that threatened to end him. As Ash surged forward, Shadow’s leg erupted with a surge of energy, his final, desperate counterattack forming in his mind.

Ash unleashed his punch, the shockwave tearing through the air with a force that could crack planets. But Shadow was ready this time. “Yeager Ability: Shadows Weep of Despair,” Shadow thought, channeling every ounce of his remaining power into his leg. As Ash’s fist closed in, Shadow’s leg swung upward, dark energy swirling around his foot.

Shadow’s kick met Ash’s punch with an explosive impact. The sheer force of the collision shattered the ground beneath them and sent a shockwave that rippled out into space. Shadow’s kick didn’t just block Ash’s attack; it completely overpowered it. His leg connected with Ash’s arm, shattering it instantly. The sound of breaking bones echoed like a thunderclap as Ash’s arm was obliterated, bones snapping and flesh tearing under the force of Shadow’s desperate counter.

Ash staggered back, his arm hanging limply, utterly destroyed. He gasped, his mind barely able to register the pain as he stared at the mangled remains of his limb. Shadow, panting heavily, stood over him, his leg still crackling with residual energy.

Neither could believe the sheer devastation they had inflicted on each other, but one thing was clear: this battle was nearing its end, and only one of them would be left standing.

The remnants of Ash's armor lay scattered around him, shattered beyond repair. Ash himself was out of flux energy, his body drained and battered. But despite his injuries, he forced himself up, standing on shaky legs. “Thanks for that fight,” Ash said, his voice hoarse but sincere.

Shadow paused, taken aback by Ash’s words. For a moment, a faint smile crossed his usually cold expression. Without another word, Ash smiled back, ready to accept his fate. Shadow lunged forward with all his might, delivering a final kick that sliced through the air, severing Ash’s head cleanly from his shoulders.

Ash’s body remained upright for a few moments, blood dripping from his neck. As his lifeless form finally collapsed to the ground, Shadow glanced at his fallen opponent. “You’re trash… no,” Shadow corrected himself, almost reverently. “You were the only human I will ever respect.”

Without another glance back, Shadow turned away, ready to continue his mission. He needed to reach Leon and Nur before it was too late. But as he took his first step, a voice stopped him in his tracks.

“That’s enough, Shadow. I’ll take it from here,” a calm yet commanding voice echoed, cutting through the tense silence.

Shadow immediately recognized the voice. He turned and saw her, his queen, standing before him with an aura of authority and power. “My queen, you should be resting. Leave the rest to me,” Shadow said, dropping to one knee and bowing his head in submission.

She walked over, her presence overwhelming, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “No, Shadow, you’ve done enough. I will handle this from here,” she said gently, her voice filled with both gratitude and finality. With a soft touch, she channeled her energy into him, healing his injuries and regenerating his lost arm.

“I will kill them both,” she continued, her tone icy and resolute, as Shadow felt his strength return.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Amber and Baluka stood face-to-face with Natalia, a fierce and twisted smile spreading across Natalia’s face.

“You ready, Baluka?” Amber asked, her eyes fixed on their dangerous opponent.

“No… not really,” Baluka admitted, her voice quivering with fear as she tightened her grip on her bow and pulled on her mask, steadying her aim.

Natalia grinned wickedly, licking her lips as if savoring the thought of their impending battle. “I can’t wait to eat the both of you,” she taunted, her predatory eyes gleaming with hunger.

Amber and Baluka braced themselves, knowing this fight would test them to their very limits.