Chapter 197: Mere exercise
The clash between the two seemed almost unreal, a contest between two colossal forces of nature.
Taeron, relentless in his assault, called upon the earth beneath him, causing jagged spires of rock to erupt from the ground.
The stone shot upward with the speed of a thunderbolt, their tips sharp and deadly, each one aimed at Anthony's vital spots.
Yet, with the precision of a master, Anthony's body slipped between them, his movements fluid as he dodged the deadly projectiles by mere inches.
As Taeron's assault continued, the titan's fists began to glow brighter with the intense heat of the fire element.
He swung wildly, the air around him distorting with the extreme temperature, his strikes now accompanied by the roar of flames.
He lunged forward, one fist engulfed in fire, the other crackling with raw earth power.
Each swing of his limbs created shockwaves that threatened to tear the very ground apart.
Anthony, however, remained unshaken.
His eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked toward the incoming blows.
With a subtle shift of his body, he leaned back, narrowly avoiding the scorching punch of fire that passed so close it singed his hair.
His own hand shot out, fingers extended like a blade, and struck Taeron's outstretched arm with a single precise jab.
The impact was not forceful, but it was enough to send a jolt through the titan's muscles, the fiery grip faltering for a moment as the heat simmered down.
Taeron hissed in frustration, his fiery aura flaring back to life, but Anthony was already on the move.
He leapt into the air, his form a blur against the backdrop of the violent fight, and brought both hands together in front of him.
A rush of fire surged from his palms, an explosion of flame that collided with the earth based attacks Taeron had conjured.
The two elements clashed in a tremendous burst of power, their combined force creating a shockwave that sent dirt and debris flying in all directions.
When the dust settled, both fighters stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, their chests heaving but their resolve unwavering.
Taeron's skin was scorched in places, his massive frame showing faint burns, but the damage was fleeting, his healing abilities working overtime to mend the wounds.
Anthony, on the other hand, was unfazed, his figure pristine, his stance casual as though he had not just faced a barrage of earth shattering blows.
Taeron charged again, his footsteps causing the earth to tremble with every movement.
He was determined to end this fight, to land a blow that would bring his opponent to his knees.
With a roar, the titan raised both arms high, summoning a massive column of stone from the earth, its base wide and unyielding.
The stone shot toward Anthony like a spear, crackling with fire that encased the projectile.
Anthony, however, did not flinch.
His right hand moved in a swift arc, and with the flick of his wrist, he created a controlled burst of flame that blasted the stone column into pieces mid air.
The flaming shards scattered around him, but Anthony weaved effortlessly between them, his movements smooth and deliberate.
His next strike came swiftly. He moved so quickly that it seemed as though he teleported.
His palm pressed against the ground, and a massive surge of fire blasted forward, creating a wave of heat that surged towards Taeron with the ferocity of a wildfire.
Taeron raised his hands in defense, conjuring a wall of earth to block the fiery onslaught.
The ground buckled under the pressure, but the wall held, the flames crackling against the stone barrier.
Taeron gritted his teeth, his focus narrowing as he summoned even more power.
The ground around him shook as his form surged with an increased intensity.
His eyes blazed with fiery determination.
He swung both arms in a wide arc, sending a wave of molten rock and fire cascading towards Anthony.
The molten magma surged through the air, a deadly flood that would burn through anything it touched.
Anthony, however, seemed to welcome the challenge.
His arms spread wide, and the flames surrounding him intensified, forming a protective barrier of fire that swallowed the molten torrent.
As the magma collided with the inferno, the two elements collided in a brilliant explosion of light and power.
The heat surged outward, distorting the air in waves, but Anthony's stance remained unwavering, his body untouched by the chaos around him.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the battlefield was once again filled with smoke, the ground charred and scarred from the intensity of the conflict.
The two combatants stood, locked in an unspoken understanding.
Their breathing was steady, their movements slow but deliberate.
Taeron, though visibly wounded by the fierce exchanges, clenched his fists, the earth beneath his feet responding to his will.
The titan's body glowed with the remnants of the earth and fire elements, but his focus remained fixed on Anthony, who was still as composed as ever.
Anthony's gaze remained steady, unwavering as he sized up the titan.
Despite the immense power Taeron wielded, it was clear that Anthony had yet to exert himself fully, his every motion smooth and calculated.
The titan was relentless, but Anthony had no intention of letting the battle drag on.
His own body shifted forward in a blur, his form melding into the landscape as he closed the distance between them with lightning speed.
Before Taeron could even react, Anthony's fist was already in motion.
It was a single, controlled strike, not the wild, uncontrolled force that Taeron had used.
The blow landed directly on Taeron's midsection, and the titan's body was sent crashing backward, the force of the strike sending him stumbling through the rocky terrain.
Taeron struggled to regain his footing, his body taking the brunt of the impact.
A few shallow scratches marred his skin, though they were already beginning to heal.
The titan's expression shifted, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind for the briefest of moments.
He had given almost everything in this fight, and still, his opponent stood unscathed, almost as though the battle had been little more than an exercise for him.
Anthony, on the other hand, had barely broken a sweat.
His face betrayed no emotion, no sign of exhaustion.
He stood tall, waiting for Taeron to recover, his posture relaxed, his eyes focused.
The flames that surrounded him flickered and danced, but they were a mere reflection of his inner calm, his control over his powers absolute.