"Slimy's got the gauntlet! This is gonna be good!"
Zafron stared at the gauntlet in disbelief. "Okay," he said to himself, "that works."
[Impressive, my lord. Though I feel compelled to point out that your Berserker Mode will deactivate in approximately 30 seconds.]
"Thanks for the reminder," Zafron grumbled, pushing himself to his feet.
Across the arena, Sakura was also rising, her fur matted with blood and dust. She limped towards Zafron, favoring her right leg.
"Nice trick with the gauntlet," she said, her voice strained. "Got any more surprises up your sleeve?"
Before Zafron could respond, the Butcher emerged from the rubble of the wall. His chest was a mass of burnt flesh where the gauntlet's energy had struck him, but his eyes burned with murderous intent.
"I'm going to tear you apart," he roared, charging towards them with frightening speed.
Zafron raised the gauntlet again, but this time nothing happened. He shook it frantically. "Come on, work!"
[It appears the gauntlet requires time to recharge between uses, my lord. Might I suggest running?]
But there was no time to run. The Butcher was upon them, his massive fists raised high.
Sakura moved with lightning speed, shoving Zafron aside. She caught the full brunt of the Butcher's attack, the impact sending her flying across the arena like a rag doll.
"Sakura!" Zafron cried out, watching in horror as she slammed into the ground and lay still.
The crowd fell silent, the sudden hush eerie after the constant roar.
"Is... is she dead?" someone whispered.
Draco's laughter cut through the silence. "Looks like your little girlfriend couldn't handle the heat, Zafron," he called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "Just like old times, eh, Sakura? Always biting off more than you can chew."
Something snapped inside Zafron. With a roar of pure rage, he charged at the Butcher, Berserker Mode be damned.
His fist connected with the Butcher's jaw, the impact sending shockwaves through both of them. Pain lanced up Zafron's arm, but he didn't care. He followed up with another punch, and another, each blow fueled by a fury he'd never experienced before.
The Butcher stumbled back, momentarily overwhelmed by the ferocity of Zafron's assault. But size and experience soon reasserted themselves. He caught one of Zafron's punches, using the momentum to flip Zafron over his shoulder.
Zafron hit the ground hard, the air driven from his lungs. The Butcher's foot came down on his chest, pinning him in place.
"Any last words, boy?" the Butcher growled, raising his fist for the killing blow.
Zafron struggled against the immense weight, his vision starting to darken around the edges. This was it. He was done for.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling yowl split the air. The Butcher's head snapped up, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Sakura was on her feet, but she was barely recognizable. Her body had undergone a complete transformation, growing to nearly match the Butcher in size. Her fur bristled, standing on end, and her eyes glowed with an unearthly light.
"Get. Away. From. Him." Each word was a guttural growl that sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the arena.
The Butcher took an involuntary step back, releasing Zafron. "What the hell are you?" he breathed.
Sakura's response was a roar that shook the very foundations of the arena. She launched herself at the Butcher, her massive claws extended.
The two titans clashed in a fury of claws and fists. The Butcher's strength was matched by Sakura's ferocity, each blow powerful enough to shatter concrete.
Zafron struggled to his feet, his body screaming in protest. The Berserker Mode had completely worn off, leaving him feeling weak and vulnerable.
[My lord, I strongly suggest finding cover. Things are about to get rather... messy.]
Zafron didn't need to be told twice. He stumbled towards the edge of the arena, narrowly avoiding a piece of debris sent flying by the titanic battle.
Sakura and the Butcher were locked in a deadly dance, their movements almost too fast for the eye to follow. Blood flew with each strike, splattering the arena floor and walls.
The crowd was going insane, their cheers and screams reaching a deafening crescendo.
"Holy shit, did you see that?"
"The cat-girl's gone feral!"
"Tear him apart, kitty!"
Draco watched the battle with growing horror. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. The Butcher was supposed to be invincible, unstoppable. And now...
He edged towards the exit, ready to make a run for it. But a hand closed around his ankle, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Zafron loomed over him, the gauntlet glowing ominously on his hand. "Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
Draco's eyes widened in fear. "Now, now, let's not be hasty," he stammered. "I'm sure we can work something out."
Zafron's response was to lift Draco by the front of his shirt, bringing them face to face. "You sent that monster after us," he growled. "You put Sakura in danger."
"It was just business!" Draco protested. "Nothing personal!"
"Really?" Zafron's eyes narrowed. "Well, this is personal."
The gauntlet flared to life, energy crackling around it. Draco's scream was cut short as the energy engulfed him, leaving him a smoking, unconscious heap on the ground.
Zafron turned back to the main battle, his heart racing. Sakura and the Butcher were still going at it, neither seeming to have the upper hand.
Sakura's claws raked across the Butcher's face, reopening the wounds from earlier and adding new ones. The Butcher retaliated with a punch that sent Sakura skidding across the arena floor.
But Sakura was far from done. She sprang back to her feet, her massive form coiling like a spring. With a roar that seemed to shake the very air, she pounced.
Her claws found purchase in the Butcher's shoulders, driving deep. The giant howled in pain, trying to dislodge her, but Sakura held on with grim determination.
"This ends now," she growled, her voice barely recognizable.
A pink energy began to gather around her extended claws, building to a blinding intensity. The Butcher's eyes widened in realization, but it was too late.
Sakura released the pent-up energy in a devastating blast. The force of it sent both combatants flying apart, leaving deep furrows in the arena floor.
When the dust settled, Sakura stood victorious, her chest heaving with each breath. The Butcher lay motionless on the other side of the arena, his body smoking from the force of the blast.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, stunned by the spectacle they had just witnessed. Then, as one, they erupted into wild cheers.
"Un-fucking-believable!"
"That was the best fight I've ever seen!"
"Slimy and the cat-girl for the win!"
Zafron limped towards Sakura, his body aching with every step. As he approached, Sakura's massive form began to shrink, returning to her normal size.
She turned to face him, her eyes still glowing faintly. "Zafron," she said, her voice hoarse. "Are you okay?"
Zafron managed a weak smile. "I think that's my line," he said. "That was... incredible."
Sakura's legs gave out, and Zafron barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground. She looked up at him, a tired grin on her face. "Not bad for a rookie, huh?"
Zafron chuckled, wincing at the pain it caused. "Not bad at all," he agreed.
"How about a drink, you know, to celebrate.Units on me?" Sakura said with a wink.
"Sounds like a plan," Zafron said.