Kaito's body slid across the cracked earth, a trail of scorched dust marking where Kael's last strike had landed. The battlefield around them was a storm of chaos—black lightning, rending shadows, and time fractures distorted reality with every clash of Will.
Kael's heart pounded. His hands trembled slightly, not from fear—but from the pressure. Holding back. The Last Will inside him wasn't calm. It howled, roaring for dominance, pushing him to finish Kaito permanently. To erase the threat.
But Kael held his breath.
He had to be better.
Kaito slowly rose from the crater, coughing blood, grinning through broken teeth. His cloak torn, his hair wild like a storm unleashed. That familiar face—so much like Kael's—still bore the burn scars. A memory twisted into a weapon.
Across the battlefield, Veyron and Ryuu traded brutal blows, each movement a masterclass in void manipulation and swordplay. Raven's sonic booms echoed as he clashed wildly with Tetsu, grinning with madness while Tetsu's armor cracked but never broke. And Lilith—still untouchable—hovered through time-glitches, her eyes locked coldly on Hana, who adapted mid-movement to her distortions, fighting smarter with every second.
Then—mid-battle—Kaede Mizuno, eyes focused as he fended off a corrupted beast charging from the outskirts, spoke out loud.
maybe… when this is over… and we get back to nova academy
he swung his blade once, slicing through the beast
i'll show you guys something
tetsu—bloodied but still standing—shouted while blocking raven's punch
what now kaede-sensei this really isn't the time for another secret technique—
kaede chuckled between breaths, stepping back from an explosion of cursed energy
no secret technique
just… my one-year-old daughter
silence.
even raven paused for a beat. lilith blinked.
hana turned mid-dodge, genuinely shocked
wait. daughter?
kael blinked in disbelief
you have a kid?
kaede's smirk held calm pride even as sweat ran down his face
mhm. little hikari. she likes drawing and kicking my shins. i've been meaning to introduce her once things calm down
ryuu looked like he nearly dropped his blade
bro what?
veyron scowled
disgusting sentimentality
kaede just grinned
say that again when you get punched in the kneecap by a toddler wielding crayons
then the moment passed—and the chaos returned.
kael dove forward, reengaging with kaito who now floated in the air, eyes glowing violet, arms spread wide. the ground beneath him warped, shadow energy forming blades that spiraled like a hurricane.
you're holding back kael
kaito's voice boomed—too loud for just one voice
you think you can save me?
you're still that scared little brother
kael vanished, appearing behind him, blasting kaito with a punch wrapped in voidfire
no. i'm not that kid anymore
the strike exploded through the air—kaito screamed, crashing through several warped structures. but as kael approached, kaito's grin widened.
that's it
you're slipping
kael's eyes widened. the darkness on his arms was spreading. faster. thicker. forming clawlike trails up his neck.
he gritted his teeth
he couldn't lose himself
not here
not now
behind him—kaede shouted again, this time with sharp command
kael! remember who you are
you're not the Will
you're the one holding it
kael's breathing slowed
he centered himself
the darkness receded—just enough to keep control
the battle wasn't over
but he'd taken the first step
he wasn't falling yet