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Chapter 96

Predator On The Prowl

I stood before Don Ghira keeping my guard up. I had a feeling that I would end up fighting against him eventually, however, I thought of this as an excellent opportunity. If I take him out right here, then maybe all the other members of Black Tiger will lose morale, and then the people that would be trapped here will be set free.

I couldn't let my guard down either. I was up against the guild master of a dark guild. Someone who reeked of murderous intent and one who's fighting style I had no idea about. But I was all the more willing to fight this guy especially since he was responsible for what happened to Sasuke and for trapping me in a cage.

I warmed up by taking a few hops switching to each of my feet while cracking my neck. I then took a couple more hops using both of my feet. Then I took a stance ready to fight my enemy.

"I should have an advantage over him considering that there's water here," I thought. "But... considering the aura that this guy's giving off, I can't let my guard down."

Don Ghira stood there not taking his eyes off of me as he took off the jacket part of his suit tossing it aside. Then he unbuttoned the buttons on his cuffs and pulled up the sleeves of his undershirt up to his elbows.

"Now then... time to begin the feast!" I heard him speak.

He then took a giant leap shooting up all the way to the top of the cave and up to a stalactite. Using that stalactite as a footing, he shot straight towards me at a fast speed with his foot aimed for my head.

I immediately reacted by crossing my arms in time for his foot to slam into them pushing me a few inches back. I pushed him away and jumped back attempting to gain some distance away from him, but Don Ghira pounced towards me and swung with a few quick and robust fists.

I blocked every blow by redirecting and parrying them and then countered with a straight punch to his face of which he jumped back dodging the blow.

Don Ghira then attacked again with a flurry of punches forcing me to dodge my tilting my head to the right and left multiple times. Then as he punched with a right hook, I leaned back dodging and while doing a handstand gave him a hard kick.

He managed to block the hit but the force pushed him back. Taking advantage, I flipped back to my feet and I attacked with a flurry of fists.

Don Ghira blocked each and every one of them with a smirk and then hit me with a sharp kick. The kick sent me reeling back my feet skidding on the ground. I then shot forward hoping to make my way to the water, but at that moment, Don Ghira suddenly appeared in front of me cutting me off and attacked me with a knee forcing me to block with my hands and jump back.

I cloaked my hands with water clenching them both into fists and shot straight to him while letting out a yell. Don Ghira then jumped forward and then swung another fist. This time I grabbed his arm and swung him around and around a few times and let go sending him flying to the rocky wall.

I shot forward in hot pursuit my hands cloaked with water. Sure enough, Don Ghira planted his feet on the wall stopping himself from slamming into it.

With a mighty yell, I swung my fists with all of my strength in time for Don Ghira to block me. The force of the attack caused the water to ripple, and clouds and dust flew everywhere.

I then felt Don Ghira somehow slip from me. Knowing that he was trying to get out of the smoke so he could see, I pounced towards him bursting out from the dust and cloaking my leg with water; I gave a mighty kick right across his jaw sending him crashing to the ground with an earth-shaking boom.

As I landed back on the ground, I looked back toward where I sent him making sure to stay on guard. I knew that attack wasn't enough to beat him, but he should have been able to take some damage from that kick.

Then from the dust, Don Ghira stood back up brushing the dirt off of his shirt and wiping the side of his cheek.

"I gotta say, that wasn't too bad," he said grinning. "You certainly are different from the other weaklings I fought in the past. I can see why the others had some trouble with you. Then again, they're weaklings too, now that I think about it."

"You sure you should be talking smack about them like that?" I asked. "They are members of your guild."

"Like I give a damn. They're just a bunch pups that know who the alpha is in our guild," he scoffed. "An alpha that'll kill them if they step out of line or don't follow my orders!"

He then extended his hands and shot towards me swiping his right hand at my face forcing me to immediately dodge by jumping back. I felt something scratch my cheek, I repeatedly dodged his swipes while countering with some punches and kicks. But those were easily blocked as Don Ghira continued to swipe at me.

As the onslaught continued, I could feel some things like little needles scraping across my skin causing a little blood to leak out. At first, I didn't know what was going on, but then I took notice of Don Ghira's hands. His nails were extended a bit looking sharper than they were before.

With a roar, Don Ghira swiped his claws again. This time I jumped up and while I was in the air, I came down with a downward kick nailing him on the cheek.

He took the kick to the cheek with stride as he looked up at me his eyes gleaming and a wild smile on his face.

Before I had a chance to react, he grabbed my leg and then pulled me towards him, his hand poised and claws extended seeming to aim for my chest.

Sensing what was coming, I bent backward his swipe narrowly missing my chest and with my hands planted to the ground, I countered with a powerful kick making him stumble and let go of my leg.

I rapidly backflipped and back handsprung until I was a few feet away from him in the water of which went up to half my calves. I then looked up at Don Ghira who had turned around glaring at me.

"Well, I'll give you this much. You're quite the fighter," I spoke. "And here I was thinking that you were a third rate wizard like Bushy Brows."

Don Ghira merely stared at me while cracking his hands not saying anything.

"He didn't fall for that, did he? Guess he really doesn't care about his guild members," I thought. "Looks like I've got a fight on my hands and I better start getting serious."

I let my magic power surge through my body making me glow in a bright blue color. The water also began to ripple and some of the rock even began to tremble.

Don Ghira then smiled. "Seems like you're done warming up now," he said cracking his knuckles. "That's good. Now, let's have some more fun!"

His body then began to glow in amber in color and his muscles bulged underneath his shirt to the point where it almost ripped to shreds. His eyes also changed to a golden yellow with a slit in the middle giving and his claws also extended even more. And as he smiled, his canine teeth grew a bit longer and sharper.

Then with a roar, he launched himself straight at me his hand clenched into a fist. I mimicked him letting out a yell of my own as I cloaked my hand with water. The two of us closed in with each other and then swung with all of our strength and power.

Our fists collided releasing a powerful sonic boom shook the area causing the cave to shake and the water to ripple even more.

The two of us attacked each other with a flurry of fists using our incredible speed and power.

"WATER DRAGON IRON FIST!"

I swung my right fist only to have Don Ghira Block the attack using his leg and then countered with a kick. I caught his foot and threw it out of the way making him turn as I countered with a swing of my elbow.

"WATER DRAGON GUSHING ELBOW!"

The attack connected to his gut causing him to cough a little, but he hit me back with a powerful punch to across my cheek.

I was sent flying back about to hit the rocky wall, but I immediately shot water from the bottoms of my feet using the force and spray to shoot me from the wall and back to Don Ghira also unleashing streams of water from my hands.

"WATER DRAGON WING ATTACK!"

Don Ghira seeing the swinging streams of water coming straight towards him immediately gave a mighty swipe of his hand effortlessly canceling out the attack completely. The force of his swipe sent a gust of air blasting at me making me cross my arms to block it.

The stalactites on the ceiling began to fall from the ceiling due to our fight landing in the water. Not wanting to get caught underneath one of them, I sprouted my water wings and maneuvered around them as they hit the water with large and mighty splashes. Some of which sank into the water while others were so large, that they were like platforms on the water.

As I flew about in the air, Don Ghira landed on one of the rocky platforms and then took a giant leap shooting straight towards me.

"Don't think those wings will save you, boy!" he yelled. "I'll rip those wings right off!"

As soon as I heard that, I felt something rake across the skin on my back causing me to scream out in pain. Not only that, but one of my wings also dissipated causing me to plummet towards the water.

As another rock came falling, Don Ghira planted his feet on it and using it as his footing pushed off and began shooting towards me with his claws raised.

"Now you're mine!" he yelled.

"Not yet I'm not!" I yelled back as I clasped my hands together. "WATER DRAGON CLONE!"

At my command, a clone appeared on my right and at the last minute pulled out of the way while taking the hit in my stead. Then the clone grabbed a hold of his arm making sure not to let go and seizing my chance, I took a deep breath puffing up my cheeks and took aim.

"WATER DRAGON ROAR!"

With a huge blast of water erupting from my mouth, Don Ghira along with my clone were blasted away to the other side of the cave with an earth-shaking explosion of water. Water rained down everywhere as I landed on a rock that well in the water.

I was breathing a bit hard, and my back was hurting due to Don Ghira's recent attack. I felt my back and felt something warm and wet. I then looked at my hand to find that my fingertips were stained red with my blood. I then looked back at Don Ghira who was standing on the other side of the cave. He then looked at his hand which had a little bit of my blood on it and then gave it a seductive lick lapping it up in his mouth which made me stare with some slight shock and disgust.

Don Ghira then hummed as if he was thinking about something for a few seconds.

"Your blood is a bit average at best," he said. "And for a fighting style like yours, it's quite unorthodox, but I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed."

"Disappointed how?" I asked.

"I've heard tales about you and your reputation. From what I've been told and heard, you're formerly known as Shark of the Oración Seis," said Don Ghira. "Word on the grapevine was that you were considered to be one of the strongest members of that Dark Guild that ever existed. Everyone in the Barlam Alliance has at least heard about you or were aware of your powers. However, I feel as if those rumors were greatly exaggerated."

"And what makes you say that?" I asked again.

"It's your punches and blows," went on Don Ghira. "They're hitting pretty hard, but for some reason, I'm getting the vibe that your heart's just not in it."

"You saying that I'm holding back?" I asked raising.

"I'm just saying that I think that you should try a bit harder," spoke Don Ghira. "Because if you don't, I'm might end up killing you before I get my fill. I mean come on. Is this honestly the best you can do? Entertain me! Then I'll start trying!"

At this point, I was feeling a bit annoyed with this guy, but at the same time, I was a bit unnerved with what he said as well. Especially the part of him of actually start trying.

"You gotta be kidding me," I thought. "This guy's holding back? Then again, I shouldn't expect anything less from this guy. His agility is crazy with the off the handle crazy strength to boot. He's right about one thing; if I don't do something quick, he's gonna take me out before I have a chance to react. Well then, let's see how he does against this!"

"You want me to start trying? OK then. You asked for it!" I spoke.

I clasped my hands together and made my magic power flare throughout my body.

"WATER DRAGON AQUA CLONE!"

Then four clones appeared, two on my right and two on my left. I then held out my hands and summoned forth my water swords taking a stance. The other clones took their positions as well preparing to fight for my sake.

Don Ghira looked carefully at the six of us and then took a stance of his own. "So you plan to get to me with numbers, eh? That's not gonna work."

"We'll see about that!" I yelled as me, and my clones went on the attack.

NO POV

The six Willy's spread out jumping and dashing around and attacked Don Ghira at once. One clone came swinging with an Iron Fist only to have Don Ghira tilt his head at the last minute making it a swing and a miss. As the first clone shot past him, he glared at Don Ghira and then brought his hand back for another Iron Fist attack. At the very same time, another came flying in with a Talon attack.

But at the last minute, Don Ghira put up both of his arms and blocked both of the attacks at the same time with his elbows.

The clones then attacked at the same time with a flurry of punches and kicks and Don Ghira effortlessly blocked and parried the attacks using one of each arm. Then he grabbed each other by the foot and the fist and effortlessly flung them away both of them sent tumbling to the water.

The third clone came flying from above and conjured a pair of water shuriken and flung them. Don Ghira calmly stood there as the shuriken came closer and closer. Then, he caught both of them with ease and then crushed them in his hands.

"Child's play," he grinned as he then sprung from his platform straight towards the third clone.

Before the clone had a chance to react, Don Ghira had grabbed him by the neck and threw him towards the rocks. The clone hit the rocks exploding into water in an instant. Then the fourth and fifth Willy's shot towards him one using his swords and the other cloaking his fists with water.

Don Ghira cackling with glee landed on the rocks and then leaped and ran around on all fours being as agile as a cat. He shot right past the other clones slashing them with his claws at high speed destroying the clones in an instant.

He then gunned straight for the other two clones that remained just getting their bearings. But before they had a chance to react, Don Ghira was immediately upon one of them and then with his claws extend and poised, he thrust forward and stabbed right through his chest.

Luckily, that was a clone, but that wasn't all the more horrifying. The clone Willy was frozen and gasped trying to breathe, but it was already all over as he was turned into water.

Don Ghira then looked at the last remaining Willy who seemed to step back in fear. He gave a predatory and malicious chuckle.

"What's wrong, boy? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now," he spoke. "Did you honestly think those little clones of yours will be enough to beat me? You'll have to try something different!"

He then swung his fist connecting square in Willy's jaw sending the boy flying across the lake. As he flew, he skipped and bounced across the water like a skipping stone and even crashed through some rocks until he finally slammed into the wall of the cave hard and then sank to his bottom.

WILLY'S POV

I could feel pain throughout my body. Everywhere on my body hurt. I shakily tried to push myself up while using the wall for support as I coughed trying to breathe.

"Damn... That's crazy..." I choked out as I managed to stand. "He's... strong... super strong..."

I then heard footsteps coming towards me causing me to look up. I could see Don Ghira coming towards me taking his time.

"You OK, there?" he asked feigning concern. "Sorry, if I punched you a little bit hard, but I had to be sure if you were the real one. Guess I turned out to be right."

"Yippie for you," I groaned coughing.

"Come on now. Surely, that wasn't enough to take you out," Don Ghira spoke. "That punch was nothing more, but a love tap. Not to mention, I know every move that you make. I did manage to catch a glimpse of your fight, remember? Your silly little parlor tricks won't work against me. Unless that's all you got."

I managed to get up and I shakily took a stance defiant and still willing to fight. "No. It's not. I... I ain't beat yet!" I spoke. "I'm not... gonna go down!"

"That's good. That means we can play some more," smirked Don Ghira licking his lips.

He then prepared himself to attack his claws poised to strike ready to rip me apart and I prepared to defend or at least try to dodge. My eyes quickly darted around trying to find a way out.

Then from the water, something came bursting from the water and came right at Don Ghira. At that moment, Don Ghira immediately turned around and gave his claws a mighty swipe cutting whatever came out of the water across the chest instantly almost tearing the person in half.

My eyes widened in shock as the thing that came out of the water was my last clone of me which immediately turned into water in an instant. The Black Tiger guild master then turned back towards me.

Before I had a chance to react, Don Ghira gave me a fierce punch to the gut and then an uppercut to the chin and then a roundhouse kick to the side sending me flying to the lake screaming in pain slamming into a rock and making it crumble into pieces as he landed on the flat surface of the rock. I was now even more disoriented and even weaker and in more pain than before.

As I was about to get up on my feet, I immediately felt the collar of my shirt get grabbed and lifted me on my feet.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't see that attack coming?" he asked. "As I said, I know what you're planning before you make it. Your tricks are useless against someone like me."

My only response was a couple more coughs as I tried to break free of Don Ghira's grip. He then sighed with disappointment.

"It seems like this is your limit," I heard Don Ghira say. "That's quite a shame. I was expecting you to be a warrior worthy of giving me a good meal. But sadly I find no enjoyment in this, no matter how good a punching bag you make. Hope you said your peace."

I opened an eye to see that Don Ghira was bringing his arm back preparing to strike me. Thinking quickly, I immediately chuffed my cheeks gathering water in my mouth and taking aim. Then I unleashed a Water Dragon Roar right into his eyes. Don Ghira let out a yell holding his eyes in agony.

No matter how powerful anyone can be as a wizard, the eyes were a vital weak spot to anyone who got hit in them, and Don Ghira was no exception.

"Now's my chance!" I thought to myself.

I summoned forth a sword from my hand and cut the fabric of my shirt where Don Ghira was clenching setting me free; then I gave him a strong swipe across his chest causing the big man to stagger and yell in pain a bit creating a thin red line to appear across his chest.

Not wanting to give him a chance to counter, I then cloaked my hands with water and with a yell charged straight at him. I then attacked with a series of rapid punches and blows of my Dragon Slayer Magic right to his face.

"WATER DRAGON TALON!"

"IRON FIST!"

"GUSHING ELBOW!"

Don Ghira who was still blinded by my cheap shot took every block I gave him. I then gave him an uppercut to his chin sending him up into the air.

"WATER DRAGON AQUA JET!"

I shot water from the bottoms of my feet propelling me up into the air above him. I brought my hand together and slammed him with a doubled ax handle sledgehammer hard on top of his head sending him flying and crashing to the ground.

"Now, WATER DRAGON WINGS!"

I spread my wings and swooped around the cave keeping my eyes on Don Ghira who was recovering from the last attacks. I flew straight towards the wall of the cave and dispersed my wings. My feet slammed into the wall and coiling my legs like spring and while firing water from my feet, once again shot myself towards him like a rocket. I also clenched my fist as tight as I could, glowing and flaring with water and magic. I could see that Don Ghira was able to get his bearings, but it was already too late as I swung with all my might.

"WATER DRAGON IRON FIST!"

My fist connected square into his jaw and let out a fierce yell as I sent him flying all the way across the lake and crashing into the rocky wall. A huge explosion shook the area making more rocks fall from the ceiling.

When the dust cleared, there was nothing but a pile of rubble with Don Ghira buried underneath.

I then landed back on the ground panting heavily and wiping the sweat from my brow relieved that it was over.

"That should take care of him for a while," I thought to myself. "Hopefully, that'll give me some time to recover. Never thought what I did against that gorian would work."

I then wiped my cheek and felt a pang of pain on my back along with the other bruises and scrapes all over my body. I then looked at myself. My shirt now looked like I stretched out my neck to the limit, the guards on my arms had some scratches on them but were intact, and my shorts along with my sandals were a bit tattered.

"Oh man. Master's gonna kill me when she sees me like this," I groaned. "She did get me these clothes after all. Hopefully, she won't be too mad with me for ruining them."

I then stood up on my feet and looked to the water.

"In the meantime, I better drink some water and heal these wounds," I thought. "And I oughta catch up with the others and make sure they're OK."

I then walked over towards the water and was just about to take a drink when suddenly I heard a roar and the rock pile exploded making rocks fly everywhere. I snapped my head towards them, and my eyes widened with shock and fright as out from the rubble stepped out Don Ghira.

He too was covered in scratches and bruises, his shirt ripped and torn in some areas. He also had a thin trickle of blood coming out of his mouth due to my recent attack.

He wiped his mouth and looked at the blood on his hand. After staring at it for a few seconds, I heard him chuckle. The chuckling grew louder and louder until the man burst out laughing.

"Yes! That's more like it! It's been a while since a wizard's been able to draw blood from me!" he yelled with glee. "Despite the trick you pulled, that was a good attack! It's gotten me all the more hungry for your flesh! Very well then! Since you've managed to land a good hit on me, I'll give you a good reward. I was getting tired of holding back."

"Say what?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "You're still holding back?!"

"That's right. I have to keep my power contained so that I won't kill my prey needlessly. I mean it wouldn't be as fun if I unleashed my full strength from the get-go," spoke Don Ghira. "So to commend you on your effort, I'll show you my true self. The true self of Don Ghira that no one has been able to see! Just try not to die, OK?!"

His body began to glow in an amber light once again as he let out another roar which was louder and more beastly then usual. As his body was enveloped with his aura, he began to undergo a transformation.

His shirt completely disintegrated as his muscles bulged and rippled as they grew bigger and bigger and he grew taller and taller. His skin turned furry completely black with grey stripes, his claws sharpened and grew even longer, and his feet expanded and burst forth from his shoes as they turned into giant paws. His hair grew longer and wilder as the tie that held it snapped. His mouth twisted and bulged until it turned into a muzzle of a cat his fangs protruding from his mouth and a large tail that was about four feet long sprouted forth from his behind. Not only that, but I could also sense even more bloodlust and murderous intent from Don Ghira which made me frozen and wide-eyed like a deer.

Don Ghira gave a throaty chuckle which sounded deeper and more demonic his eyes now gleaming even brighter in the darkness.

"Now then... time for the real feast to begin!"

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Dragoman, signing off!