Chapter 32: Skybound Showdown

Derek’s Patagiums sliced through the night air, wings taut and cutting against the wind. Every gust threatened to throw him off balance, but he used it to his advantage, banking sharply to gain speed. Below, the city lights flickered, and distant car horns echoed up like tiny warnings.

“Thunder,” a voice called out, sharp and taunting. Red Rose hovered above the rooftops, mask gleaming, every movement deliberate. “You really think a little gliding makes you untouchable?”

Derek smirked mid-air, adjusting his Patagiums. “Flying isn’t protection—it’s control. And tonight, I’m taking control of this fight.”

Red Rose dropped from a higher building, landing on a steel beam like a predator. “I’ve trained for this, just like you. Only, I’ve never lost to anyone.”

“First time for everything,” Derek replied. He dove, spinning to strike with a kick aimed at Red Rose’s side. The villain sidestepped gracefully, grabbing a nearby lamppost to pivot and counter with a punch. Derek blocked, the force sending both skidding across the rooftop edge.

“You’ve gotten faster,” Red Rose admitted, rolling to regain stance. “But speed isn’t enough.”

“Neither is arrogance,” Derek shot back. He kicked off a rooftop edge, launching himself toward Red Rose, using the Patagiums to twist midair. “And you’re about to find that out.”

They collided midair, fists and feet clashing in a violent ballet. Patagiums flared as wind whipped around them, forcing Derek to adjust constantly, every swing and block calculated.

“You still rely too much on brute force!” Red Rose shouted, catching Derek’s wrist mid-punch and twisting. “I can read your moves!”

“Good,” Derek said, gritting his teeth, “then I hope you like improvisation.” He pivoted his body, slipped from Red Rose’s grip, and delivered a spinning kick to the villain’s chest. Red Rose flew backward, barely catching a rooftop edge to stop his fall.

“Clever,” Red Rose hissed, brushing dust off his jacket. “But clever won’t save you.”

“Maybe not,” Derek said, diving again, “but determination will.” He swung around a tall antenna, propelling himself toward Red Rose with a gliding strike. Red Rose countered with a palm strike, and they collided in midair, sending both tumbling to the next rooftop.

“You think these tricks make you untouchable?” Red Rose spat, landing on the ledge with a controlled roll. “I’ve seen your type before. Always flashy, always overconfident. Always… sloppy.”

“I’m not sloppy,” Derek shot back. “I’m precise. Every move matters.”

They exchanged a rapid flurry of punches and kicks, sliding over roofs, vaulting over antennas, rolling through scaffolding. Sparks flew as Derek’s boots struck metal, and Red Rose’s elbows caught steel beams.

“You’re fast,” Red Rose admitted, stepping back, “but can you handle this?” He launched himself off a rooftop, flipping high into the air, aiming to strike Derek from above.

Derek pivoted on the edge of a building, using the Patagiums to glide around him. Mid-twist, he swung a kick that grazed Red Rose’s shoulder. “I can,” he said, smirking. “And I will.”

The wind howled, masking the sound of their impacts. Each strike echoed with precision—fists against flesh, boots against metal, bodies colliding with bone-crunching force. The city beneath was unaware that two superhumans battled above.

Red Rose landed a hard punch to Derek’s ribs, but Derek absorbed it, using momentum to elbow back, sending the villain stumbling. “You’re strong,” Derek said, breathing hard, “but not strong enough to beat strategy and instinct combined.”

“Strategy doesn’t always save the weak,” Red Rose countered, rolling into a kick. “And instincts? Mine are sharper than yours.”

“Then let’s test that,” Derek said, flaring his Patagiums and vaulting off a satellite dish. He twisted, aiming a spinning kick. Red Rose caught his leg, lifting him off balance—but Derek twisted midair, landed behind him, and punched his shoulder.

Red Rose hissed, stumbling to regain footing. “You’ve improved,” he admitted, sweat and rain streaking his face. “But this fight isn’t over.”

“Neither is my patience,” Derek replied, leaping high into the sky. “And I’m not done until I win.”

The two soared above the city, trading blows, twisting around obstacles, gliding past neon signs and streetlights. Every strike, every maneuver, every twist of the Patagiums brought them closer to exhaustion—but neither backed down.

“Why do you fight me, Thunder?” Red Rose shouted over the roar of the wind. “You don’t have to.”

“Because someone has to stop you,” Derek said, launching forward, Kitana in hand. “And if that’s me… then fine. I’ll fight you until my last breath.”

Red Rose braced himself. “Bold words… for someone who might fall.”

Derek’s eyes narrowed. “Bold actions speak louder than words.” He launched himself at Red Rose, swinging, twisting, and dodging with every ounce of skill. They collided midair, both grappling, both testing strength against strength, speed against speed.

The night sky bore witness to the aerial ballet, their Patagiums flaring with every glide, kick, and punch. Neither willing to surrender, neither willing to yield.

“Let’s see who lands last,” Derek said, voice low and fierce.

“Bring it, Thunder,” Red Rose replied, eyes locked on him.

And as the city stretched endlessly below, two superhumans clashed in the sky—a battle of skill, will, and aerial mastery.

To be continued…