The Magician took a deep breath. After years of being a hero, he had laid waste to Etny City, fighting his sole opponent.

With his newfound strength, he charged Jesus and swung down, catching him off guard.

Jesus quickly went on the defensive and blocked what felt like a million strikes coming at him from every angle.

The Magician constantly surrounded Jesus with attacks, quickly moving behind him, to his side, and even above him.

Jesus: (Internally monologuing as he continued to block attacks) “Rah! How! How does he keep growing stronger! I DON’T GET IT! Every time I gain momentum, I lose it almost instantly. Please help me. I can’t hold out forever; he’s breaking through faster with every attack. It’s impossible to fight this guy! I’M GOING TO DIE!!”

Their swords clashed, but Jesus struggled to keep up with the Magician’s flashy techniques.

Magician: (Internally monologuing, full attention on his opponent) “BREAK THROUGH, BREAK THROUGH, BREAK THROUGH! I’m not making progress. I need to go FASTER!! Slash! Change my grip! And slash again! Come on! Break through, damn it!”

Top-level heroes withstood the holy energy and heat from the fight, watching in awe as they realized the gap between number one and the rest of them.

The Magician shouted at Jesus.

Magician: “With the power of hellfire, I will END YOU!” (Internally) “I can’t fully break through! Keep slaashiiinngg!”

The Magician slashed across Jesus’ body.

Jesus: (Putting all his effort into staying alive) “You’re more than that beast’s servant! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!”

The Magician danced around Jesus while steadily attacking him from every direction. 

He landed a heavy kick to Jesus’ side, propelling his motion with fire.

Magician: (Still swinging the Hell Blades) “I don’t have a name to give you, only my title. I. Am. The Magician. With infinite tricks and boundless possibilities for what I throw out next. You will not defeat me. You will perish by my blades!”

Jesus was at a loss. He stopped an incoming kick with his arm.

The Magician pushed off Jesus and spun his blades into an attack. Jesus jumped back and created distance.

Jesus: (Worried, internally speaking) “The Magician, huh? So, that’s why it’s been all about tricks and new techniques. I see.” (He breathed erratically) “Alright then, I’m ready now. What’s next!”

The red skies burned above them. Little flames and sparks appeared spontaneously throughout the sky.

The Magician held out his Hell Blades and spun them into buzzsaws himself.

He reached his hand into the center of each buzzsaw and slowly pulled out fiery chains. The metal clinked as the chains grew longer.

His new weapons…

Magician: (He smirked again, cocky as ever) “Flaming Buzzsaws! What’d ya think? You like? Hehe, let’s finish this.” (With the utmost seriousness) “Jesus.”

The buzzsaws connected by chains could be directed anywhere as they spun violently.

The only limit was the Magician’s imagination.

Bound only by his skill and creativity, he was at an all-time high. He floated a little higher, above Jesus.

Magician: “Ready? Don’t lose focus for even a second!” (Internally) “Okay, here I go. I’ve waited so long for this. It’s now or never!”

Jesus took it all in and realized it was life or death. He came to Earth just to kill this man, and now failing would mean death.

The Magician took another second and whipped the chain at Jesus. The chain sent the buzzsaw flying at Jesus’ head. Jesus quickly avoided it.

After a grueling fight, the Magician was ready to end this. He couldn’t fail in his one chance to kill Jesus and move forward with his plans.