Dimensional Descent

Leonel flew backward at an astonishing pace, but he simply seemed to glide through the air at the end, sliding across the ground on his own two feet when he made contact with the earth.

His eyes still vacant, Leonel looked down at the hole in his stomach. It hadn't gone all the way through and with the sturdiness of his physique, he could flex and keep his inner organs from spilling out. In fact, after perfecting his Metal Body foundation, his vitality had reached inhuman levels. Even if the wound had gone all the way through him, he would likely still be able to fight.

His mind went through several indifferent calculations before a spark lit his free hand. He pinched at his wound, searing it closed as though he was welding metal rather than his own body.

Without looking up, Leonel sidestepped, illusory golden wings seemingly forming to his back.

BANG!

The Puppet Master landed to his side, its expression flickering between thirst and rationality. Eventually, thirst won out and it surged toward Leonel again.

A flurry of exchanges erupted between the two, the Puppet Master sending out four or five strikes for Leonel's every one. But, as though he was playing a game of chess, Leonel's dodging would always put him in the perfect position to counter come the fifth strike.

Unfortunately, the moment he did attack, he would be send flying once again, the wounds on his body accumulating at an alarming speed.

Leonel picked himself up from the ground again, searing a wound on his shoulder closed.

His spear spun in his hand, suddenly swinging backward.

What once were his vacant eyes lit with fury once again.

The Puppet Master swatted Leonel's spear aside, causing a violent, rebounding upsurge to travel up the latter's arm. It felt as though his arm might shatter at that very moment, but he stood his ground, his hips fighting against the momentum and completing his turn to face the Puppet Master.

Reacting quickly, the Puppet Master sent a palm strike at Leonel's chest. But, Leonel managed to cross his left arm across it first.

The horrible sound of a bone splintering in two sounded as Leonel's forearm bent beneath the pressure.

However, as though he didn't notice what happened, Leonel raised his right arm into the air, striking down with his spear with all the strength he could muster.

Unfortunately, a kick of the Puppet Master found him before he could even make it half way. The difference between their speed of attack was simply too drastic.

like Leonel's combat experience was greater. But, in

watching the replaying of the same movie, Leonel was sent flying again. His body twisting in the

must be mental as well... it's no wonder you protected yourself from me... well, no. Even then, its still quite baffling. I can only say that the people of

the Puppet Master's eyes had long since faded. After several exchanges, it felt as though it was tightening a noose around

Sands Range for most of its life, a place known for this very ability. But, it still felt like Leonel was far more deserving of such

here is beyond me. And, even if you had the

alone seemed to arch like a bow and crack

now seemed to be a completely different level

to Leonel's back, a sinister light

just need to target my

flicker of rage crept by Leonel's once vacant

only spin his body once more. But, having lost the initiative, it only took

seemingly intent on not giving Leonel any room to breathe, the Puppet Master accelerated again, appearing to Leonel's back

Master hit Leonel back and forth between itself, every strike causing the red light

seemed to reverberate through the hearts of the Eartherners. Their gazes

'Dammit, do something!'

roared in his mind. For the first time, he doubted his grandfather. Why was it that even now he

little for his life.

as Leonel's mother... his mother couldn't even look up to Leonel's father...

explanation... It was

not

"Why?!"

through the battlefield, his body expanding to

skin shimmered like diamond, his blue blade swinging about

BANG!

Master landed a heel from above, practically ignoring the single arm defense of Leonel's spear and sending him spiraling toward the

BANG!

foolishly landed on his feet. A sharp pain

body reflexively knelt, his knees heavily slamming