Kanasei leapt forward and spun into a flying roundhouse kick aimed at The Toymaster. It caught his ankle mid-strike. Kanasei twisted free and stepped back just as Brawler charged in from behind.
Brawler jumped and drove a punch into The Toymaster's neck from behind. The blades cut deep—almost clean through.
He pushed off and landed as the creature's head hung loose, barely attached.
It grabbed its head and forced it back into place. Threads burst out and stitched it together instantly.
Then it vanished. No—moved. It appeared in front of Brawler and grabbed his face, lifting him off the ground. Black liquid poured from its hand, flooding over him like a burst tank. Drowning him.
SHHHHNK.
Kanasei dropped from above with an axe kick, bone blades driving deep into its skull.
He ripped back, tearing the head open, then followed with a second kick to the side, piercing it again.
The Toymaster staggered as black ink sprayed from its head.
Kanasei landed.
Brawler tore free, coughing and wiping the liquid from his face.
"Nice distraction," Kanasei said as he pushed himself up.
Brawler grinned. "Nice skills, kid."
His eyes dropped to Kanasei's legs. "Didn't know you had those. They look sick."
He slammed his fists together. The blades sparked—green.
His eyes glowed the same color. His muscles swelled as he lowered his stance.
He snorted like a bull, then charged.
The Toymaster turned—
Too late.
WHAM!
A brutal flying side kick hit Brawler first.
He slid back, clutching his stomach. He grunted.
"Muscles come in handy…that would've sucked."
He looked up.
Magnus stood in front of The Toymaster, hands in his pockets.
"I expected more from you…Emerald Brawler."
Brawler grinned wider.
Magnus tilted his head slightly, then leaned back and raised his right knee high—almost to head level—perfect balance, hands still buried in his pockets. He held it there effortlessly.
He cracked his neck.
"I've heard about you. Try not to disappoint me."
Brawler spread his stance, blades glowing green.
"BRING IT!!"
Magnus exhaled calmly.
"This won't be pretty."
Magnus moved first without warning. He dashed forward—still in that same relaxed stance—and his leg came up instantly, cutting through the air in a sharp diagonal arc. A high axe-like kick dropped from above. Brawler reacted on instinct. His arm came up and caught it—
THUD.
The impact rang through his bones. But Magnus didn't stop.
His body snapped back into motion. His left leg whipped out immediately. A kick straight into Brawler's side.
Brawler didn't dodge. He let it hit. His arm dropped down at the same time—locking around Magnus' leg, trapping it tight against his body.
"Got you."
Magnus didn't even blink. He jumped. His entire body twisted midair, turning sideways with perfect alignment. He pulled back his trapped leg just enough,
Suddenly, he drove his other leg forward. Straight for Brawler's crotch.
Brawler's eyes widened. "Oh, you f—"
He let go instantly and stepped back. The kick sliced through empty air.
Magnus landed lightly, both feet touching the ground at once. Balanced, like nothing had happened.
Brawler exhaled sharply, then grinned.
"You're one of those, huh?"
He slammed his fists together.
CLANG.
Green sparks burst out. The glow spread. Into his blades. Into his eyes. Into his muscles. His frame swelled, veins tightening under his skin.
He lowered his stance. Then charged. Fast. Impressively fast for someone his size.
His fist shot forward—
Magnus shifted slightly and it missed by inches.
Then came the barrage.
Punch after punch after punch—each one faster than the last, heavier than the last. The air itself shook under the pressure.
Magnus moved. Barely.
A tilt. A step. A block. A slip.
He kept up, but just barely.
Then—
A mistake.
Brawler's right arm swung wide, then snapped back in. Magnus leaned back to avoid it. But he was just too slow.
The blades clipped him. A clean slash tore across his chest and down his abdomen. Blood followed.
Brawler didn't stop. He roared, literally, and drove one final punch forward. The green energy around his arm erupted.
A massive, roaring beast formed around his fist—jaws open, eyes burning. It lunged with him. Magnus moved.
For the first time, his hands came out of his pockets.
His stance changed instantly.
Left arm raised, angled. Right arm pulled tight to his chest. Left leg forward. Right leg back.
The punch landed.
BOOM.
The beast crashed into his guard. The force pushed him back, grinding against his defense, trying to break through. Trying to crush him.
And for a moment, it looked like it might.
Then—
The energy flickered. Cracked. And vanished.
...
Brawler stepped back. His eyes widened.
Magnus hadn't budged.
"…Impressive."
The Feral Arts:
He tilted his head.
"Didn't think you had it in you."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"Go on…"
"Show me why they call you The Green Beast."
Lithe Monarch.
— — —
The Toymaster rose again. Its head had already been sewn back into place. Threads tightened along its neck. It turned.
Kanasei stood a short distance away—watching the fight between Magnus and Brawler. Distracted.
Perfect.
The Toymaster lunged fast.
Kanasei didn't even finish his thought.
Wow, they're so—
A hand slammed into his jaw and throat. His body hit the ground, and didn't stop. The Toymaster drove him forward, dragging him across the street. Concrete shattered beneath him. His back scraped. His skull bounced.
Pain exploded everywhere.
Then, he was lifted,
and thrown.
His body slammed into a car. The air left his lungs instantly.
Before he could recover, threads shot out. They wrapped around him. Tight. Binding. Dragging him back. The Toymaster didn't hesitate.
BAM!
Its fist crashed into his face.
Kanasei flew sideways, hit the ground, and rolled, finally coming to a stop.
He didn't get up.
"…Agh…"
His voice barely came out.
"…my body…hurts…"
The Toymaster walked toward him slowly.
"Greet the Lord for me."
It raised its hand. Black liquid began to gather.
Kanasei's vision blurred. His body wouldn't move.
...
A voice.
GET THE FUCK UP, COWARD!!!
Kanasei's eyes snapped open. Before he could think, his body moved. He pushed off the ground hard.
His leg swept low, the blades pierced into The Toymaster's legs.
It collapsed.
Kanasei stood up immediately, falling into his stance. Breathing hard.
Wh…what…?
That wasn't him. He didn't do that.
It's me, you ignoramus.
The voice again. Deep and distorted. Right inside his head.
Huh…? Who are you…? Why am I hearing you…?
...
Silence.
YOU DON'T REMEMBER?!
The voice roared through him.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOU GOT THESE POWERS?!
Kanasei frowned.
I…don't know. I just…got them.
...
…Hah.
A low, irritated sigh.
Why were my powers given to him…?
The Toymaster stood back up. Its legs stitched themselves together instantly. Its smile widened.
"You can still fight…"
It chuckled.
"...this'll be fun."
It lunged again.
Kanasei stepped back once—then pushed forward, throwing a side kick.
The Toymaster blocked it with both arms.
Kanasei didn't stop.
His right leg came around. The blade pierced straight through its arm. It didn't flinch. It grabbed his leg immediately. Threads exploded out from its fingers. Wrapping around him. Pulling him in.
Kanasei reacted fast. He yanked his leg back, letting the pull drag him forward instead. He grabbed its arm. Locked onto it. Pulled himself in tight.
Suddenly, his left leg snapped upward.
A clean, brutal heel kick. It pierced through The Toymaster's throat. Out the other side. Kanasei didn't stop. He flipped himself. Wrapped his entire body around its arm—locking it in place tightly.
Then, he pulled.
CRUNCH.
The arm snapped. The Toymaster dropped to its knees.
Kanasei tightened his grip. Pulled harder. The arm began to tear. Then—
It came off completely. Black liquid exploded out from the wounds. Spraying everywhere. Across his face. Across the back of his neck.
Kanasei dropped. The arm slipped from his grasp. He hit the ground hard.
Then, he felt a sharp burning pain. His skin felt like it was melting.
"Ghh—!"
He clawed at his face, trying to wipe it off—It burned his hands too, but he managed to get most of it off. He threw the arm away. Panting.
A thought hit him.
Wait…
He turned his head slightly.
Brawler. Still fighting Magnus. His face was burnt and scarred.
Kanasei's eyes widened.
…That's why…
He looked back at The Toymaster. Its throat had already been stitched shut. It stood again.
But, its arm...was gone. Not regenerating nor growing back.
Kanasei's gaze snapped to the severed arm lying nearby. It was still there. Still separate. Black liquid was dripping from it.
Realization hit hard.
…It can't regenerate.
His breathing steadied.
It just...sews itself back together.
A grin slowly formed on his face.
"Genius…"
He muttered to himself.