Inside Cave
Kaien, Ash, Misaki, Koharu, Naoto, Luna, kai,Drax and Tenma ran through the narrow stone corridors of Cave Kaien. The ground trembled faintly with distant echoes, and the glow of Luna's orb guided their way.
"We need to find Rei—fast," Ash said, his voice low but urgent.
Naoto glanced at Misaki as they moved. "Misaki… what's Rei's past? You've known him the longest."
Misaki hesitated, then spoke as they ran.
"He came to our village when he was eight… after completing training with Ash and Daiki. The day he returned, our parents arranged our engagement." Her voice faltered. "But he hated me for it. He avoided me for three years."
Naoto frowned. "Why?"
Her eyes dimmed. "Because of what happened next. When Rei was eleven… his mother, father, and little sister were killed. A fire broke out during a Yakuza battle—his home was caught in the crossfire."
Everyone slowed slightly, listening.
"Before Rei's father died," Misaki continued, "he told Rei to protect me. Maybe that's the only reason he stayed close after that. But I know… the pain changed him."
Naoto sighed. "So that's Rei's past… hmm."
Tenma clenched his fists. "No wonder he carries that rage."
Ash's eyes narrowed. "And now he's deeper in this than any of us."
They all quickened their pace, the air growing colder as they neared the heart of the cave—where Rei's fate awaited.
The group pushed deeper into the winding cave, its air turning heavier with every step. Shadows danced across the jagged walls as tension rose.
"If the process is complete… then we're too late," Naoto muttered, his voice grim.
"Hurry up!" Ash snapped, leading the charge.
But as they turned a narrow bend—
Six figures appeared before them. Two girls and four boys blocked their path, cloaked in eerie silence.
"You've all come this far…" one of the girls said coldly, stepping forward.
A second girl narrowed her eyes. "Hey… is that Naoto Yatsuki?"
Naoto froze.
Without a word, she gripped Ash's wrist and whispered with a sad smile, "Sorry, cutie… but I have to do this."
Then—in a flash of light and wind—Naoto vanished. In less than a second, she appeared behind the group of enemies.
"Urgent mission," she added coolly, cracking her knuckles.
Everyone stood stunned.
"So this is Naoto Yatsuki…" Luna whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "She's fast."
Misaki's gaze trembled. "Was she hiding that power all this time?"
The six enemies tensed. Ash stepped forward, his voice firm.
"No more delays. If Rei's still alive—we'll save him. If not…"
He clenched his fists.
"We'll finish what he started."
Luna vs. First Girl
Inside Luna's illusion domain, glass pillars rose like ancient trees. The enemy girl launched wind blades, shattering reflections, trying to find the real Luna.
But Luna was everywhere—and nowhere.
"You're quick," the girl said. "But fake beauty breaks easily."
Luna's smile sharpened. "Real beauty reflects pain."
She cast Mirror Waltz. The girl slashed wildly, but her own attacks bounced back, cutting her arm. Finally, Luna appeared from above and landed a finishing blow—a needle of light straight to the pressure point. The girl collapsed, unconscious.
Koharu vs. Second Girl
Koharu dodged gracefully, her katana singing through the air. The second girl threw explosive charms, setting the cave walls ablaze.
"You think speed wins battles?" the girl taunted.
But Koharu stayed silent, her eyes calm—like still water before a storm.
Then she moved.
In a single moment, her sword traced a full circle—Silent Moon Slash. The blast of air extinguished all flames, and the girl fell to her knees, sliced robe fluttering.
"You… didn't even say a word…"
Kaien vs. Two Boy
Kaien clashed with the first, blocking heavy punches, while dodging lightning spears from the second.
"You both lack rhythm!" Kaien laughed, dancing between them.
With one sword, he parried a fist; with his foot, he redirected lightning. Then, activating Storm Splitter, he turned mid-spin and knocked one out cold.
The last one panicked—Kaien's smirk grew deadly.
"Second verse."
With one swift strike, the battle ended.
Kai vs. Boy
The boy charged with armored skin, fists pounding. Kai took each blow, standing still, letting his own energy rise like magma.
"You don't hit hard enough," Kai muttered.
His hands glowed crimson. Iron Breaker Mode: On.
He countered with one punch—boom—shattering the cave floor and sending the boy flying.
Drax vs. Boy
The last enemy growled, forming a massive axe of bone.
"You a demon?"
Drax licked his fangs. "Worse."
He summoned black chains and charged. The boy sliced, but the chains wrapped his limbs—Hell Gate Binding.
With one pull, Drax whispered, "Disappear."
The chains exploded, knocking the boy out cold.
Ash, Naoto, and Tenma sprinted through the narrowing stone path. Their breaths echoed in the ancient cave, each step heavier than the last.
They halted.
Before them stood a massive stone chamber, bathed in eerie blue light. The air was thick with power—divine, unnatural.
"It's huge," Ash whispered, eyes wide.
Naoto stepped forward, pressing his hand to the sealed stone doors. Ancient glyphs glowed.
Click.
The doors creaked open.
The three rushed in—then froze.
There he stood—no longer Rei.
Floating inches off the ground, shrouded in golden-black aura, a figure with eyes like galaxies. Divine markings pulsed across his body.
He turned, smiling darkly.
"Ah... you made it."
"Rei!" Ash called out.
But the voice that answered was not his friend's.
"Aa… Rei is no more," the entity said. "I am the Supreme Lord. I am Almirah."
His laughter echoed through the chamber, shaking the ground. The pressure made it hard to breathe.
Ash clenched his fists. "No… Rei's still in there. I know it!"
Naoto's eyes narrowed. "We might be too late…"
Tenma drew his weapon. "Then we bring him back. No matter what it takes."
"My lord, I shall deal with them," the god declared, stepping forward.
His divine form shimmered, wrapped in stone and flame, his eyes glowing with resolve. With slow, heavy steps, he walked toward Ash, Naoto, and Tenma—his presence alone felt suffocating.
Ash stepped forward, sword in hand, eyes blazing. "I'll handle this."
The god smirked. With a single stomp, he summoned a colossal wall of earth behind him—sealing off the Supreme Lord from interference.
"You shall not pass."
The god charged, fist glowing with divine energy. Ash met him mid-sprint—his sword clashing against the fist with a loud BOOM. Sparks flew.
"Your anger is admirable, but you're weak," the god said calmly, blocking a lightning-charged slash with just his hand.
Ash's eyes narrowed. "Then let's see how you handle this."
He combined fire and wind—creating a vortex of burning air that twisted like a serpent around him. The fire wrapped in wind soared, engulfing everything.
But the god stepped through the flames—untouched.
With a gesture, he summoned a monstrous beast—a towering wolf made of earth and divine energy, its eyes glowing with hatred.
Ash stared up, stunned. "What the hell...?"
The beast lunged.
Ash barely blocked the fangs with his sword, but the wolf's massive claw slashed across his chest—blood spilled.
"Ash!" Naoto shouted from afar.
Meanwhile, Tenma and Naoto stood their ground in front of Almirah, whose eyes shimmered with power.
Back in the fray, Ash fell to one knee, struggling to breathe. The beast raised its claw for the final blow—
But suddenly—
Slash!
Kaien and Kei, covered in blood and sweat, leapt from the side.
"No one touches our comrade!" Kaien shouted.
They struck the beast with full force—blades glowing.
The wolf howled, erupting in light.
When the dust cleared…
Kaien and Kei stood still for a moment.
Then both collapsed to the ground—lifeless.
"KAIEEEEN!! KEIII!!" Ash screamed, voice cracking.
From the shadows of the chamber's shattered entrance, Koharu, Misaki, Luna, and Drax burst into the scene.
"ASH!!" Misaki screamed, rushing to his side.
Her hands glowed with healing light as she knelt beside him, magic flowing like water across his wounds. "Don't die... not here."
Luna knelt beside Kaien and Kei, her face pale. "Stay with us," she whispered, casting her healing too.
Koharu quickly supported her, while Drax stood watch, glaring at the still-smoldering beast's remains.
Ash gasped, breath returning. Slowly, shakily, he stood up. Kaien joined him.
"This fight," Kaien said, gripping his blade, "It never ends."
Ash tightened his grip on his sword. Lightning sparked around his feet.
"I'm ending it now."
Without hesitation, Ash sprinted toward the god. The divine being turned—but too late.
Misaki's enchantment circle glowed faintly beneath the god's feet.
"You didn't notice it?" she muttered coldly. "You walked right into it."
"Seal: Trade Bind!"
The god's limbs froze mid-motion, his expression shocked.
Ash roared, jumping into the air, lightning crackling wildly around his sword.
"Thunder Fang—Heaven's Descent!!"
The strike landed dead center—a colossal bolt of lightning engulfed the god, roaring like a dragon from the sky. The entire chamber trembled. The god screamed in pain as lightning coiled around his body, tearing into him, burning his flesh and spirit.
When the light faded, the god was on his knees—burned, gasping, smoldering.
Ash stood before him, panting, eyes glowing with fury.