Android 17's expression flickered between anger and confusion as he hovered above the ruined battlefield. His eyes darted to Rudra, who stood calmly before him, the faint blue glow of his sword pulsing with restrained energy.
"You were fighting 18 just a moment ago," 17 growled, his voice tight. "Where… where did she go?"
Rudra tilted his head slightly, a small, confident smile on his lips. "Oh, her? Why don't you guess?"
The words, so casual, sent a ripple of tension through the air. Android 17's muscles tensed. Fury and disbelief danced across his face, and without a word, he lunged forward, throwing a vicious punch.
Rudra's sword sliced through the attack effortlessly. The blade absorbed the impact, energy dispersing harmlessly across its surface. Android 17's fist met nothing but the edge of the glowing weapon, and he staggered slightly, surprised.
Stepping closer, eyes blazing, 17 demanded, "Tell me… what did you do to my sister?"
Rudra's smirk widened, almost teasing. "You'll find out soon," he replied calmly. "After I take you to her."
The words were enough to ignite a new fire in Android 17. He spun into a powerful kick, a strike aimed to break through any defense.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" 17 shouted, his voice echoing across the ruins. "A weakling like you can't defeat my mighty sister!"
Rudra didn't even flinch. His sword intercepted the strike with a sharp, glowing clang. The energy from the kick rippled along the blade, but Rudra held it steady, unshaken.
Android 17 paused, his eyes narrowing as he stepped back carefully, a rare note of caution in his voice. Wait… is this sword absorbing my energy? he thought, panic creeping into his mind. Even if I have unlimited stamina, there's no way he could harm 18… unless…
His fists clenched, and for the first time in this fight, doubt gnawed at him. He could feel the unfamiliar weight of uncertainty pressing down on him, and instinct screamed that dragging this fight out would only worsen his chances.
In a sudden, sharp motion, 17 spun and took flight, attempting to flee the battlefield. But Rudra's voice rang out across the sky, calm yet cutting through like steel.
"I won't let you escape, 17!"
With a flick of his wrist, the blue glow of the sword intensified. Rudra moved faster than the eye could follow, closing the distance in a heartbeat. The air itself seemed to ripple around him, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Android 17's heart pounded. His usual confidence faltered as he realized this was no ordinary opponent. Rudra wasn't just strong—he dictated the battle, controlled the flow, and punished every hesitation.
"Why… why can't I break through him?" 17 muttered, mid-flight. Each strike he attempted, each burst of energy, seemed to meet resistance, absorbed and redirected by the sword. The familiar certainty of his unlimited energy was meaningless here.
Below, the city lay in ruins. Dust and debris swirled around them as the two combatants clashed in midair. Rudra's smirk never faded; his movements were precise, fluid, and merciless. Every swing of his sword left a faint blue afterglow, cutting not just space but morale.
17 realized, with a sinking feeling, that he was running out of options. His sister—his precious Android 18—was no longer at immediate risk because of him, but Rudra's presence meant she could still be in danger if he hesitated. And he knew instinctively that Rudra didn't play by ordinary rules.
Breathing hard, 17 finally allowed his body to take over. He turned, weaving through the sky, trying to create distance—but Rudra was already there, blocking his path with uncanny precision.
"Stop running, 17," Rudra said, his voice calm yet laden with authority. "Face me. There's nowhere left to hide."
A shiver ran down 17's spine. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the battle's truth pressing on him. This wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a hunt. And Rudra was the predator.
Tension crackled in the air as the two stared at each other, energy swirling like a storm around them. The faint glow of Rudra's sword reflected in 17's eyes, a reminder that even infinite energy could meet a limit when confronted with the right force.
And in that instant, Android 17 knew one thing with chilling clarity: he couldn't escape. Not from Rudra. Not this time.
The chase had begun—and there would be no mercy.
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