"Whoosh!"
Countless afterimages stretched into a phantom streak, carving a massive trench through the ground. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Rayleigh.
"Boom!"
River planted both feet against the ground. The earth shattered with a thunderous crash, spraying dirt everywhere as he shot hundreds of meters into the sky.
He suddenly raised his blade, then flipped upside down. Holding his sword with its tip aimed at the figure looking up from below, River plunged downward with tremendous force.
"One Sword Style!"
His deep voice rang across the sky. Behind his descending figure, the faint shape of a hawk spread its wings, its piercing eyes radiating boundless majesty.
"Screee!"
Everyone seemed to hear a shrill eagle's cry echoing in their ears.
"Eagle Cry!"
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, a cone-shaped sheath of air formed around the diving River. As he hurtled down at lightning speed, his body scraped against the air, producing a piercing birdlike shriek.
"Come on!"
"River!!"
Rayleigh's eyes widened. Light flashed along the sword in his hand. Its edge trembled, then he swung fiercely toward the sky.
The next second, the two swords collided with tremendous force.
"Boom!"
Like two meteors crashing into each other, the sword tip struck the blade. With a sizzling screech, multicolored light flashed out.
Endless shock waves and crackling light erupted at that moment, surging in every direction.
"Boom!"
Another thunderous crash rang out. The ground beneath Rayleigh exploded, forming an enormous crater as cracks raced outward in every direction.
"Getting serious now, River?"
Rayleigh shouted, his eyes shining brilliantly.
"You're getting serious too!"
River laughed heartily.
He twisted his wrist, abruptly shifting his sword. Its tip slid past Rayleigh's blade in an instant, trailing a burst of lightning.
"Sizzle!"
A loud scrape of steel rang out. River flipped