The battlefield trembled beneath the crushing weight of the ongoing war.
Bodies of defeated beasts vanished into shadow dust as the Wielders pushed forward, their resolve stronger than ever. Burnt soil, splintered terrain, and flickering elemental energy marked every corner of the corrupted training grounds. In the center of it all, the remaining elite forces of the villains stood like dark obelisks—Lilith and Veyron still holding their ground despite the collapse of most of their army.
Near the western edge of the battleground, Kael stood over the ruined ground, chest heaving, cloak torn and streaked with dried blood. His eyes locked onto the center, where Kurojin Tsukiro still stood—unmoving, unfazed.
Beside Kael, Kaito wiped blood from the edge of his blade. "He's waiting," he said grimly. "He wants you to come to him… probably thinks it'll break you."
"I'm done breaking," Kael replied. "It's time I show him what the Last Will really means."
Behind them, Ryuu rejoined the two, bruised but still standing strong. "Lilith and Veyron are pulling back toward Kurojin. They know it's the last stand."
Kael looked toward the chaos where Hana and Tetsu were still locked in a spiraling clash of time-bending distortions with Lilith. Meanwhile, Kaede battled alongside Zhen Kairo and Seraphine Vale to corner Veyron, who was warping the void itself to stay alive.
"I can't leave them yet," Kael said. "But I can't ignore him either."
As if summoned by the weight of destiny, a voice echoed across the battlefield. Kurojin.
"You've lasted longer than expected, Kael Kurai. I'll admit—it's impressive. But it won't change what's coming."
Kael stepped forward. "That's what everyone says before they lose."
A shockwave of dark Will pulsed from Kurojin. Even from this distance, it rattled the bones of the Wielders around him.
Raizen, though wounded, appeared beside his grandsons, leaning heavily on his blade. "You'll need more than anger. Remember what I taught you—especially now."
Kael nodded. "I remember everything."
Raizen's eyes met Kael's. "Then go. Kaito… protect your brother."
Kaito cracked his knuckles and grinned faintly. "He's stronger than me now, old man. But I got his back."
The three turned toward Kurojin—one final walk before the storm.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Magnus Kreel raised his massive arm, shielding three young Wielders as he crushed the skull of a monstrous beast under his foot. "Hold the line! Buy them time!"
Lilith screamed as Hana unleashed a brilliant explosion of crimson Will, finally breaking through her Chrono Veil barrier.
Tetsu darted in like lightning, striking her ribs with a shockwave punch that sent her spiraling into the stone wall behind her.
Kaede slashed through another void tendril and looked to Ryuu. "They're stalling. You know what that means."
Ryuu nodded, breathing hard. "The final fight… is starting."
And at the heart of it, Kael Kurai stepped forward… toward Kurojin Tsukiro.
To end the war that began with a fracture—and will finish with a legacy.