Hero For Lust

"Interesting."

Far above, clouds formed and vanished in the upper atmosphere, like colossal, unseen footsteps. Layers of vapor spun in place; stacked like celestial plates. From the underbelly of the clouds, lightning forked out with an unnatural repeated cadence. Even stranger was the quietude accompanying the display: no wind, no thunder. Just those peculiar clouds striding ever onward.

Something is… Boros's eye, attuned to the flow of life, saw what was truly there. An almost imperceptible trace of aura shot from the clouds to the ground, a circuit connecting the heavens and the ruined earth, racing back and forth.

He is returning… different now…

Garou streaked back to the surface. He landed before Boros in a low predator's crouch; legs splayed wide, clawed hands mere inches from the ruined earth. Four long, dark streamers unspooled from his back — slithering upward despite the absence of wind.

Then Garou straightened his posture, revealing his new form. Upon seeing it, Boros thought of three things. First, his aura felt similar to that which permeated the previous clouds. Second, his new appearance reminded Boros of when he would sometimes peer out into the universe on his journey to Earth. And the third one that exhilarated Boros to no end.

"Your newfound form's strength is worthy to face my final form!" Boros thundered as a giant sphere of violent energy imbued with dark lightning surrounded him. "'Meteoric Burst!'" He careered at the opponent of prophecy, eclipsing any speed he had ever achieved throughout his long life.

Dr. Genus' cure exceeded any expectations. Whenever and for however long, he kept 'Meteoric Burst' active, his prowess and lifespan would advance to a greater step on the evolutionary stairway with no end.

In the microsecond before Boros arrived, Garou readied his counter attack.

"'All Life Eradication Fist: Nuclear Fission—'"

"Okay, you two, time to change the battlefield."

Darkness swallowed Boros before he found himself upon a rocky ground which stretched beneath his feet toward a horizon where a gargantuan planet's storm bands consumed the sky.

"No way, that couldn't be Jupiter."

"That's right. Why bring you both here? Because fuck Io."

Boros looked at the man levitating above. "Caspian… Haha! It is good to see you."

"You're Caspian? Great. I'll get the chance to see how you'll decide my 'fate.'"

Caspian jabbed his thumb at his chest. "Me? No, your fight is with Boros. And as he is now, it's uncertain which one of you can grow stronger, faster.

Oh, and I'll send you to various battlefields throughout your battle.

Have fun."

"Bastard! My power isn't…" Garou's words fell off when Caspian vanished.

Farewell, my good friend.

Boros peered at the top of a spire of rock where Garou loomed. His figure stood as a cutout against the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, which churned behind him in twisting brushstrokes of ochre and cream.

¤ ¤ ¤

Where should I send them after…? thought Caspian.

His disappearing act was just a mere flex of his speed, nothing more.

Ha, I know where to send them next.

Caspian refocused on their battle while continuing his effortless swim through the metallic hydrogen layer. His current path was already set to confirm whether Jupiter's core was solid or not.

¤ ¤ ¤

The moon's surface crumbled as violet and blue streaks tore through it, colliding again and again in resplendent flashes. Each impact flung up clouds of rock and dust that never dropped back down.

"'Whirlwind Water Stream: Roaring Aura Sky Ripping Fist.'"

Garou's barrage of fists struck true, causing Boros to rocket backward and rebound across the cratered terrain.

This man... Boros came to a stop and got back onto his feet. Every gash had sealed. Stronger than ever. He makes me want to go all out!

He launched himself into a sprint, tearing across the moon's desolation like a thunderbolt.

Caspian's voice floated in from nowhere; cool and clear: "Next destination."

Darkness once again swallowed him.

Boros and Garou then reappeared atop Saturn's rings — an endless, dazzling stream of fragmented ice and ancient rock spinning at mediocre speeds beneath their feet.

"Come out and fight me, you bastard!" Garou shouted.

"No. And fuck Saturn too."

Boros didn't question Caspian's response. Instead, he leapt off a jagged ice slab onto a slow, tumbling asteroid before launching himself from it and delivering his fist to Garou's face.

The impact sent Garou soaring backward. He landed on a whirling band of ice that cracked from the force, then jumped straight back at him.

Boros met him mid-way. When their fists collided, hundreds of nearby chunks burst into glittery mist.

¤ ¤ ¤

I'm afraid…

Caspian descended into the hexagonal storm at Saturn's north pole, fluttering between columns of ammonia clouds. He split his focus between their fight — the dilemma created from it — and the gentle breeze encompassing him.

…their battle will never end.

When should he intervene? Using 'Omniscience' was boring. Besides, he wanted Boros to have the fight he had searched for across the galaxy.

Minutes ticked by…

His perspective pulled back, viewing the planet as a satellite would. The famous rings were now highlighted by violet and blue energy trails that wrapped around the entire world.

I've decided where this will conclude.

Caspian summoned two micro-gates behind them; projecting his voice through both. "You should know what I have to say about Pluto."

¤ ¤ ¤

The frozen plains of Pluto stretched under an alien twilight. Around Garou and Boros, jagged mountains of ice clawed at the inky blackness above.

Garou's irritation flared. Being teleported around like a chess piece had soured his mood, and now all he wanted was to end this fight so he could destroy Caspian.

"Let's end this now."

He exploded forward and unleashed a deluge of strikes. His martial arts flowed like water turned lethal. Landing thousands of precise strikes in a breath.

Boros's body exploded in a brilliant cloud of violet particles. But even as the energy scattered, it pulled back together, coalescing until he stood whole once more. New flesh sealed over wounds that had ceased to exist.

"Glorious!" Boros launched himself skyward, fists clenched in ecstasy. "I will release my ever-growing energy and obliterate both you and this pathetic rock!"

Massive energy bolts erupted from his chest, tearing through the frozen air and terrain like a downpour of violet lightning.

"As if I would just watch and let you do it."

Garou lifted off the ground and pressed his palms together before space itself warped around him. Forming around him was a miniature singularity with him as its core.

"'All Life Eradication Fist…'"

"'Collapsing Star, Roaring Cannon!'"

"'…Gamma Ray Burst!'"

¤ ¤ ¤

I knew I'd have plenty of time.

Caspian had returned to Earth for a quick 'chat' with Flashy Flash. Floating there in outer space, he reached through a gate and pulled out a handful of popcorn, eating it at a speed that kept the surrounding environment from affecting it.

Two colossal beams of energy battled for dominance straight ahead.

What's it been… two hours now?

This outcome was close to what he'd expected. Even better when factoring in how Pluto had long since turned to star dust.

Caspian finished his popcorn and flew over to Boros. "How's it going buddy?"

"Not bad. Haha! I am having a blast. The prophecy held true."

"That it did, that it did." He placed his hand on Boros' shoulder while his friend unleashed his ultimate attack. "You know both of you are evenly matched, right? This battle will never end naturally. Let me know when you're satisfied and we can wrap this up. You have loved ones back on Earth — two in particular. I'm just saying..."

"Caspian."

"Yes, Boros?"

"Why do you make it sound as though I would perish and be satisfied about it?"

"No reason." Caspian opened a gate, pulled out a recliner, sat down, and kicked up his feet. "There's no rush."

Several hours later…

"I am satisfied."

"Are you sure? Once 'God's' powers are gone, then—"

"Yes. It is time for me to return… home."

Caspian smiled and said, "I'll send you back. Just don't let up your attack." He flew straight into the clash of energy beams, traveling upstream toward Garou, who had no chance to respond before Caspian's hand clasped over his face. The two vanished into a gate.

And to an environment where a thick yellow haze of sulfuric acid shrouded everything.

"What? Where are we?"

"Venus." Caspian struck a martial pose. "Time for you to experience the 'Ultimate Martial Art.'"

"Huh? Do you want to die?"

"…"

"Tch. Whatever… what's its name?"

"'Water Polo Carbonated Fist.'"