The battlefield trembled as Kael, Kaito, and Raizen stood opposite the man who had haunted the world for decades—Kurojin Tsukiro.
Dark clouds swirled above, summoned by the malice radiating from Kurojin's body. His cloak drifted with an unnatural wind, eyes glowing a deep crimson. Behind him, the war raged on, but in this space, it felt as though time had frozen.
"You've both grown," Kurojin said calmly. "But you are still shadows of your potential. Especially you, Raizen."
Raizen's eyes narrowed. "You've always been obsessed with strength… even if it meant corrupting everything."
Kael stood ready, energy humming around him. Kaito slowly stepped beside him, sharing a quick glance with his younger brother.
Kurojin made the first move.
With one step, he vanished—and then reappeared behind Raizen, slamming a fist engulfed in black flame into his back.
Raizen grunted, the force sending him crashing into a stone wall.
"Grandpa!" Kael shouted, but Raizen waved him off, standing slowly. He was bleeding, but his eyes remained sharp.
"I'm fine… but I won't be able to keep up if this is how he's moving now," Raizen said through clenched teeth. "This is beyond anything I've ever seen from him."
Kael's breath hitched. Kurojin wasn't even using his full power yet.
"It's up to you two," Raizen said, gripping his side. "End this."
Kael turned to Kaito, nodding. "Let's do this together."
Kaito grinned. "Finally."
They rushed forward, one on each side. Kurojin countered instantly—parrying Kael's Voidstep Slash and ducking under Kaito's punch. In return, he launched a massive pulse of corrupted energy outward, sending the brothers sliding back through dirt and debris.
"You're coordinated," Kurojin said, casually dusting off his coat. "But you're still not in sync."
Kael vanished and reappeared above Kurojin with Voidstrike, while Kaito came from behind with his Darkforce Breaker. This time, their attacks hit—sending Kurojin skidding across the cracked earth.
But he was laughing.
Blood dripped from his mouth, yet his voice stayed calm.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
Kurojin's body ignited in swirling darkness—his Will unleashing fully. The corrupted energy twisted the air, warping space itself.
Kael and Kaito stood together, shoulder to shoulder.
"He's stronger than I imagined," Kael muttered.
"But we've got something he doesn't," Kaito said.
Kael looked at him.
Kaito smiled. "Each other."
As the next clash began, the sky roared.