Chapter Text
When broken down, soul energy became stronger, so that effect would come into play with Mario. But something else was at play too, because of the fourth function. When the body part is also torn off, since the flow of soul energy previously being used in that section of the body is torn off, it undergoes a mechanical breakdown, its tiny pieces floating into the air.
Then it was time for the chemical breakdown, where it could be altered. The chemical breakdown could be used to recover soul-energy, though not as effectively and efficiently.
The nature of Star Road was different from Entropy Rend, so as Agrona was ready to use the first function again to further the decay, she could feel the soul energy she had used from the decay begin to struggle from the opposite force of the soul energy being emitted. She groaned, cursing her soul energy’s inability to activate. Mario smirked.
Had the first step of the pain gone as exactly as his vision entailed? No, not at all. This was really a gamble, for the step forward towards his next plan would require a detriment; that detriment being the disablement of the functions from the rest of the fight. But now? His soul energy could move more freely. When the fourth function was pierced through, the soul energy from that still tingled within the air, fusing with the soul energy that was broken down and released into the air. The use of mechanical breakdown, its defensive nature could be altered into the same positive energy Mizan’s second function carried.
The perfect counter to the ability before him. With the positive force coming into effect, steaming emitted where his arms had—
—No… they were regrowing, an amalgamation of flesh coming back into reality. An unruly sight indeed, but Agrona wasted no time, her finger raised into the air.
However—
—A violent wind rushed forward where the two stood, the force of Mario’s soul energy pushing against her; a soul infused shockwave. Agrona’s feet plunged into already destroyed ground in an attempt to not be completely blown away. She held forth one arm in front of her face, fearing to open her eyes. The hell is this?
“This,” Mario said, “Is the solution to a temporary problem.”
An arc of light surrounded Mario as he stood up in the epicenter, his feet shattering the ground even further beneath him. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his gaze burning with resolve. Something sparked within Link’s soul seeing his glare, like a fire that hadn’t been ignited for years. What was it?
“Not enough!” Agrona snarled.
But that statement would be only true to her. The second function was even more powerful now, with enough soul energy to hold back the radiation as always. Mario became a comet of golden light as he rapidly accelerated from the epicenter towards his opponent, his fight fist tucked back, glowing with pure soul energy.
Agrona had merely a fraction of a second to react before the shining star was already inches away from her, his fist even closer to her abdomen.
Everything seemed slow for a moment as his fist furthered its journey. He remembered failing to hit that move during his fight with Link. Perhaps, he wouldn’t hit it in this scenario, and by all means, it wasn’t needed, so this fist was just fine. But today was his lucky day, for you only hit this move once in a blue move.
Ah, that spark, one of black and red. When concentrated to a point, and feeling the deep essence of one's soul ascending to a place unheard of, that, is when soul energy flashes red.
The previous holder of the strongest title had created this move, thus resulting in others using it despite being nowhere as proficient. Jin Kazama, he alone, was beloved by that fierce lightning.
Although the biological version is stronger, that doesn't denounce the sheer power of a replica.
The energy the second function emitted, combined with the sheer amount of soul energy being emitted. And then—
—boom!
𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐓!
He planted a perfect strike to her stomach, sparks of red lightning scattering all about, and the force felt as if the entire world had shattered. Soul energy jutted in all directions, the impact being felt by even Mario, and the most to its sender.
Agrona ached in pain, shouting out as her ribs shattered like glass. She could feel her soul energy begin to disrupt, blood mixed with saliva pouring out the side of her mouth.
The clouds began to separate, making room for the sun to shine. It felt as if she had truly lost. The look in her eyes turned hollow, and Mario would notice. “Sorry, but,” he retracted his fist, “I can't die until everyone has been saved.”
Save?
Was that really all it was? The desire to save others led to the immense pain she felt within her stomach and now? Pain, she angrily remarked in her head. Strange, why did she consider it that, and why did she bother getting angry at it? No.
Her vision swamped. As she struggled to pick her head up, Mario was nothing more than a faint glow of a multitude of colors.
But she would not falter.
I endure.
Mario shook his head. “You need to stop this, now.” He said. “The battle is as good as over now that my soul energy has been replenished and even stronger. If this goes on, you'll feel more pain. That'll be on you. I'll ask the Spectrals to not execute you or do anything harmful if you turn yourself in.”
He refused to fight her any longer.
And in all honesty, that only provoked the girl even more. She curled his fists, the intensity in her glare rising. “Do you think I give a damn about pain?” Her voice was more rusty and rigid than before. “It's the only thing that keeps me alive!”
One step.
Then another.
“You still think… you can save me… when I don't want to be saved?”
A conflicting question indeed, but Mario wasn't going to let her take any options here. The path of the sword was to ensure salvation at all costs. “You must have gone through so much, huh?” He asked, “Well, know this… for all your suffering, you can still—”
“C̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞a̳̿͟͞s̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞ y̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞u̳̿͟͞r̳̿͟͞ s̳̿͟͞y̳̿͟͞m̳̿͟͞p̳̿͟͞a̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞h̳̿͟͞y̳̿͟͞!” She bellowed, her voice tearing. Mario frowned, taking a step back. “I won't let It happen! Not again!”
There was a glow in her eyes. This battle was nearing its end.
Chapter End