Metal clashed violently, malevolently, against each other as the naginata met twin blades. Katsu pressed forward with offensive but could see that sheer force was futile. Ever so slowly he was losing his head-strong advantage. His attacks were blocked and being countered until he was forced to defend solely. As he swung his weapon to guard attacks, it felt as if the room was on fire. Heat was swelling as it became more apparent what was causing it. In the flashes before his eyes, he could see his opponent’s swords blazing like hell itself.

Master’s of their weapons, each attack was met with an equal defensive. Although he had lost his advantage, he was not losing either. The intruder could not pass his guard as he had not been able to pass his. All seemed as if it was going to carry on futilely until his opponent did something unexpected. As the swords whirled around him, seeking to pass Katsu’s defence, his opponent took a step back and pointed the streams of flames at him. In an instant they shot forth, now wanting to sear his flesh bare.

Taking his own step back, Katsu spun Ame-no-nuhoko in his right hand as the flames met him. The force of his weapon against the fire caused it to carry it round in its vortex until eventually extinguished. Smoke billowed from either end of his weapon as Katsu and the intruder’s eyes met. Clear burning rage met calm impassiveness but secretly his eyes hid excitement and joy behind their cold walls.

Surprisingly though, the room was still untouched bar the broken window and all would have seemed peaceful in the calm of the battle. The soft notes of the piano still played distantly in the background as a new sound swung to life. It was rough and loud, like nails down a chalk-board. However, it was the blade of the naginata piercing the stone floor at just before Katsu’s feet. Solid earth quickly turned into a pool of still water as the blade drenched itself in the new creation by its hand.

Lifting it from the puddle, that same sadistic grin dawned Katsu’s face as looked back at the raging eyes of his opponent. With a flick of his naginata, droplets of water were hurled at the intruder; the attack seemingly harmless. But as the water soared through he air, it solidified back into what it had been and at far greater a size of the droplets. Huge head sized stones now flew with the intent of colliding with whatever they met. Dipping his blade back into the water, he continued his motion of wetting and flicking it at his enemy, further sending more chunks of earth at him with unnatural speed.