World-Ending Apocalyptic Fist Of Doom!!

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Orphanage's Courtyard

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Two "warriors" fighting.

Nex went on the offensive, his opponent a youth called Johny. Flaming hair, a bit crazy, but a good kid. Oh, but he'd become incredibly competitive whenever he'd hear "official duel".

Nex made sure to keep his distance, his only advantage being his reach. The kid out-specced him in everything else, may it be strength, speed, or resistance.

Suddenly, Johny disappeared from Nex's vision.

— Whoosh! —

Back? No, too obvious. Above!

Nex rolled backward, evading the large yellow energy fist.

— CRASH! —

The impact was Hella loud, the ground cracking. Oh gosh! A single hit from this would crush a horse instantly.

The only counter to this was evading…but even that was so hard!

Nex somehow managed to predict how the kid would move, giving himself an advantage. But, delivering a decisive blow quick enough was proving an incredible challenge.

He would have to take a chance. Otherwise, he'd run out of stamina, his opponent winning the fight by default.

Damn, this was so unfair!

The enemy had energy fists, while he had an inactive system, one that had been silent ever since. 'Tch— Whatever, time for a calculated risk!'

Nex did a feint and dashed in.

The enemy jumped in surprise, barely reacting in time. His outstretched glowing fist magnified before Nex's face, but then…. 'Too bad, kid. That was a feint too, hahaha!'

Nex gleefully evaded, going back in again.

Johny's surprise turned to panic, but who cared. No mercy! He was already spinning, awkwardly swinging his fist one last time.

The attack looked incredibly imposing, but it was off by a few centimeters! This was the kid's last attempt, and he was totally finished!

But just as Nex was rejoicing, the glowing fist suddenly grew even larger. What?! That was totally cheating!

Nex got hit head-on, his consciousness returning to the darkness. He had been so close too! Next time for sure…

In a dream, Nex saw those silvery red eyes, still as beautiful as ever. But as he woke up, all he faced was the lizardman's ugly face.

"Tch— You really are weak, truly worthless!"

"Yet here you are, you tsundere lizard. Here to wish me well?"

"Here to give you an ultimatum. Your time's up. Win an official duel before tonight ends, or you're out. Understood?" He quickly left the coffin-like room.

Impossible. Just impossible.

Nex ribs were cracked, his arms were in bad shape, and his whole body hurt. At this moment, even fighting a crippled grandma would have been beyond his means!

"That's pretty much an eviction notice…."

But it was fine. He still had his stories and just needed to convince a single kid to lose on purpose. Yes, cheating, but who cares.

Nex dragged his body around the orphanage, greeting everyone. But every time he tried to breach the topic of getting help, they'd recoil with disgust and fright.

They were afraid of losing their Honor…

Goddamnit! Was their damn Honor more important than his life?! Apparently, it was…way more important even!!

Nex ended up in the courtyard, sighing to himself. But just as he was despairing, he saw those silvery red eyes gazing at him with so much kindness.

"That's right. I need to keep going for the sake of those eyes. I'll just keep trying to convince them….Wait, no…they're real?!"

He could truly see those eyes! They were peeking from the water collection hole by the side!

"You! You're real!!" Nex exclaimed as if a madman.

A shy but resolute nod ensued. The owner was a timid young girl who seemed to want to help! "I-I'll help you…Defeat me. Stay at the Alcove."

"You will?! That's amazing! Thank you!! I'm Nex Xander, you?" He was ecstatic.

"….Sera, just Sera. Nex…Can you tell me what happens to Moon Moon?" She cutely asked.

So that's why she was helping. She'd been sneakily listening to the stories! A relieved smile found its way to his face as he began his tale…

Night came, and with it, the grumpy Lizard appeared.

"You failed, kid, lamentably too."

"Hehe, that's where you're wrong, you shitty lizard!"

"?"

"I challenge Sera to an official duel right this instant!" He proclaimed as loudly as possible, enjoying the Lizard's shock.

'Hehe, surprise! I bet he instructed the kids to turn me down but forgot about the ghost-like Sera! Oh, this will be fun!'

She came out, and for the first time, he saw her appearance.

She wasn't human: silver wings, antennas, soft-looking fur, she was a moth-girl! She was shivering under the gazes of the other kids too.

Then she slowly glanced his way, seemingly worried.

"Sera!" Nex enthusiastically waved at her.

That's when the entire world seemed to brighten, her eyes lighting up like crazy. Was she ashamed to be half-moth? So what? She was super cute!

She skipped his way, soon facing him while the others were already creating a large circle around them. Under the reproachful gaze of the old Lizard, the fight started.

"Invincible Crepuscular Bone Shield!"

"World-Ending Apocalyptic Bringing Fist Of Doom!"

"Spinning Tornado of Infinite Slaps of Mass Destruction to the Max!"

Both of them kept shouting the silliest attack names, having a blast. It sounded awe-inspiring, but they were just throwing obviously weak fake punches at one another.

It was crazy ridiculous and so much fun!

Nex found himself smiling, and so did she.

He had never once seen her with the other kids, and she seemingly lived in a hole. Ostracized? How long had she spent alone? This would have to change!

Her current smile was the most radiant thing he'd ever seen. Heck, even gods would have paled compared to it!

He had long forgotten the stakes, the scheming, and the mundane world. They were simply having fun.

They kept playing until she got tired, and the last grand finish came. Sera exaggeratedly threw herself on the ground, acting dead.

Pfft— She was still so visibly breathing!

Nex turned toward the Lizard. He really seemed pissed, but there was also helplessness in his gaze. This was his victory!

He couldn't wait for him to announce the outcome of the fight reluctantly!

"Victor, Nex! He can henceforth stay…." He bit his tongue. "…for losing an official duel, Sera is now banished from the orphanage and—"

"WAIT, WHAT?! What the heck are you talking about?!"

"She will be banished and—"

"Screw that! That's bullshit! She was just helping me!"

"That's how things work in the Alcove. For one to stay, one must leave. Enjoy your new life to the fullest."

Sera was already rising up, tip-tapping toward Nex. "It's okay. I had so much fun! Thank you for all the stories!" She bowed, thanking him joyfully.

She was freaking thanking him?! Wait, she had known all along, hadn't she? They all did. That's why none wanted to help. He had been truly foolish, hadn't he?

This sweet girl now wanted to sacrifice herself for his sake.

What kind of messed up world was this?!

Nex lowered himself to her level, giving her a bear hug.

"W-what?! What are you….." Her complaints died off as she sobbed in his embrace. Nex could feel her warmth and her emotions.

She nestled herself against his chest, crying. But she wasn't crying out of despair or fear, but happiness. It might only have been for an instant, but she had found a family.

What kind of monsters were the people here?! Why had they left her all alone for so long?! She deserved a thousand hugs, no a million of them!

"Tch— She has to go. Hurry up, will you!" The lizard interrupted.

Nex got up, drying her tears and gently ruffling her hair. Then he turned toward the Lizard. "Yes, it's time to go. Show me the exit already, you shitty Lizard!"

"You'll die if you head out there as you are."

"So will she. Lead the way."

Red silvery glowing eyes met his, beautiful tear-filled ones. As long as those eyes kept shining, he felt like things would be alright...