The Lar Gibbon clicked her tongue in annoyance. Half of it stemmed from the fact that she couldn’t finish off Shibo. The other half came from the fact that Tenshi’s movements were almost as fast as her previous opponent.


    “And who are you supposed to be? Some generic hero showing up last second? Because that trope is far too outplayed.”


    “Damn, is it really?” Tenshi snarked. “And here I thought I was so cool too-!”


    His snark comments were cut short by a sudden violet beam. The Lar Gibbon had managed to buy enough time to regain some of her power. However, Tenshi seemed unphased, even swatting the beam of light away as if it were a pesky insect.


    “But how…?” The Lar Gibbon questioned, her expression flickering with disbelief.


    “How, you ask? That’s a tough question. I’ll have to come back to you with that. For now, I want you to show me what you’ve got.”


    “Not so fast. It seems you’re forgetting something. I can redirect any damage inflicted on me to that mother. If you value her life, I’d recommend not harming me.”


    “………”


    “What? Too stunned to speak? Where did all that bravado go?”


    “Nah. It’s just, I don’t know who you’re talking about.”


    “Huh?”


    “Not only do I not know who this mother character is, I see no reason why I should care about her.”


    “You barbarian! Obviously I’m referring to the mother of this village’s chief! The mother of the girl I was previously pretending to be?”


    “Ahhh. I see. I see. Yes, I guess that would be a problem.”


    He’s lying. Behind that smile he’s as confused as they come.


    “Well, that’s alright. I’ve actually been meaning to test out this trick on another person.”


    “What? Didn’t you hear a word I just said?”


    “Oh, I did. Every word unfortunately. But if it’s true that you redirect any injury, then I only need to not injury you…”


    As he wound his fist he sunk his feet into the ground, solidifying his balance.


    “…This Kata, was it? I don’t exactly know what it is, or why I can use it. But it doesn’t seem to do any physical damage, nor can it be healed by external means. I actually wrote it off as garbage, but I guess in situations like these, it has its uses.”


    The spectating group struggled to keep watch of the sight as Tenshi gathered his starlites. The shockwaves were like powerful winds produced by a devastating tornado.


    In an instant Tenshi was in front of the Lar Gibbon, firing a punch that hurled her through the damaged village. What was most strange about the blow was that Tenshi hadn’t even hit her. It looked as if the air produced from his fist had blown her away.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    She had reacted just in time to at least put up her guard, and yet, it felt as if she’d been attacked head on. The pain was excruciating, and she felt as if her soul was shaking.


    “No way!” Arthur exclaimed. “How does a guy like him know Kata?!”


    The Lar Gibbon wasted no time regaining her balance, firing off violet beams at Tenshi. She’d intended to fire eight or so but found that she could only fire a mere three.


    While dancing around the beams of light, Tenshi closed the distance once more and feinted a right punch, only to use the momentum to sweep her off her feet. Though she managed to jump over his leg as it swept past her. Using the moment to her advantage, she swiped through the air with a right kick.


    For a moment, it appeared as though the blow connected. But in reality, Tenshi used the momentum of her kick to counter with a kick of his own, knocking her to the ground. Again, he’d managed to blow her away without even touching her.


    (This man. I took him to the type of warrior who rather use their fist than brains… But every attack has meaning. No movements are wasted… And this power… It’s just like that time again that deity boy. There’s no physical injury and yet I feel as if my entire body is shaking. And I’m not able to redirect the damage.)


    What followed was an onslaught of blows, feints and counters. Each fired with kata, so that there would be no physical damage. The strange creature known as Lar Gibbon was completely and utterly outclassed in both skill and power.


    As she crept back in terror, Tenshi found himself taunting her.


    “C’mon. Is that really all? I swore you had better movements than this. Hurry up and give me the fight I want.”


    (What… is this? I’m not able to use my Empower… I get it now. That strange power can disrupt the soul, hindering its ability to properly generate and use starlites… Then I have no choice…)


    “…THIS IS MY LAST GAMBLE!!!”


    In a last-ditch attempt at victory, the Lar Gibbon channeled a large violet orb. It was about the size of a large house and was producing enough energy to knock any surrounding villager off their feet. Tenshi however, stood firm, eager to face the attack.


    He knew that dodging would only put his friends in danger, so he poured everything into catching and redirecting it upwards. His veins bulged and his shirt ripped into shreds as he controlled the massive orb of raw power. And just as he succeeded in throwing the attack upward, he noticed something. It was the Lar Gibbon zipping past him. She was attempting to reach his friends.


    (What?!) Tenshi thought. (Is she really trying to get a hostage? Does she seriously think that’ll stop me from kicking her ass?! She must be going after Shibo since she knows he and I are close no-!)


    Suddenly he remembered something. It was a memory that almost seemed irrelevant. The kind of moment where you’d just glance over and think nothing of. Except it was this memory that flashed through his mind in this moment.


    It was the moment he, Akuma and Shibo met Aamil for the first time. Specifically, when Akuma pointed out that she was from earth.


    (Now that I’m thinking about it… Why would this monster just let Aamil into the village? Real chief or not, surely anyone would be warry of a random child suddenly popping up in their village. There’re so many questions at play. You know, like where did they come from? Are they a spy? Anything!)


    As he contemplated these things, he remembered Pegasus. How it was able to summon forth thunder and remain unscathed by the burning aftermath.


    (…Of course! It’s that damn horse! It only lets Aamil ride it.)


    Tenshi raced over to Aamil, hoping to intercept the Lar Gibbon. But as he did, he noticed something in the corner of his eye. The earlier attack that he managed to redirect into the air had shot a single beam of light at Rin. Its rays shimmered as it hovered above her and time seemed to halt as he watched it do so. Before he realized it, he pivoted and pushed Rin out the way and got hit by the full force of the violet beam in the process.


    Perhaps it was dumb of him. I mean worst case scenario she could’ve just healed herself. Maybe even Akuma could’ve done something if it came to that. But honestly, none of those thoughts came to him until after he the attack struck him. His body had just moved on its own.


    With Tenshi momentarily stunned, the Lar Gibbon darted past the group with Aamil’s neck clenched between her grip.


    “At long last. Oh, how I’ve waited for this day. Two centuries ago, I used this power to completely take over that man, forcing him to kill the one he loves. All so that I could force her to use her power to keep Palola alive for all this time. After all, her power is necessary if I want to control those creatures… But as fate will have it, I no longer need her power. Not when I have you, my dear Aamil... Now. Combine with me!”


    The remarkable ability to imitate others is a defining trait of all Primordial Monkeys, manifesting in various intriguing ways.


    In this case, the Lar Gibbon is able to take on the appearance of anyone who is unconscious, while also harnessing the abilities of those she has previously mimicked. That’s not all however. The hair covering her body has the extraordinary capability to induce unconsciousness in others.


    By combining these two abilities, she can envelop someone as if she were a second skin. She had refrained from utilizing this power, as it could only be executed in her true form and as Palola had the ability to communicate with all animals, she had no real need to use it.


    But now, circumstances are far different. As she wraps herself around Aamil, she not only sends her into a deep slumber but also gains control over both her body and Pegasus. And since Aamil is still underneath the mimicked skin, any harm inflicted upon her will inevitably affect Aamil as well.


    In essence, they have effectively become one.