Elsiya's breath hitched. Panic crawled up her spine like ice.
What do I do? Who do I attack?
Before she could move, chaos erupted.
From the left—
CRASH!
A group of warriors burst through the trees, their combined strength roaring past two thousand. The ground shook beneath their feet as they sprinted toward the forest, leaves exploding into the air.
One man grabbed Daiki and rushed to Lyra.
"We're leaving him with you," he said urgently.
Lyra's eyes widened. "No. Take him with you. He can't even stand, let alone fight!"
"We don't have time," the man snapped. "Run to the village."
He turned away—but Daiki suddenly tightened his grip around Lyra's wrist.
"Please…" His voice was broken, barely louder than the wind. "Let me stay. I can still fight. I'll protect her."
Lyra looked down at him. Blood soaked his clothes. His breathing was uneven.
"You're badly injured," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Daiki forced himself up, pain tearing through him. "I'm not useless yet."
Silence.
Then Lyra exhaled sharply and looked at the man.
"Fine. Take him—but leave him somewhere close. Somewhere safe. When he wakes up fully, bring him back."
The man nodded and vanished into the trees.
Inside Zero's body, Elsiya saw everything.
She heard everything.
Her fists clenched.
So… she's not my enemy.
Her gaze snapped forward.
The enemy is right there.
Before Elsiya could react—
BANG!
Zero moved on his own.
Steel rods screamed through the air as Zero lunged at Weston.
"Wait—!" Elsiya cried.
CRASH—SHHHKK!
The rods pierced straight into Weston's robotic body. Sparks erupted violently, electricity snapping and shrieking. Weston didn't even have time to turn.
BOOM!
He slammed into the ground, metal grinding against stone.
Elsiya screamed. "I'm not doing this—why is it moving?!"
Zero leapt again, landing on Weston's body with a thunderous impact.
Panicking, Elsiya raised her arms to protect her head and slammed her hand down.
CLICK—CLICK—CLICK!
Multiple buttons activated at once.
Zero's mouth slowly opened.
A red light flared.
"What did I press?" Elsiya gasped. "Why is it glowing red?! Is this—some kind of emergency mode?!"
Elsewhere
The sky split open.
KRAAAASH!
Thunder tore across the land, lightning slamming into the ground again and again.
Yuki shielded her eyes. "What is this madness?!"
Another bolt struck.
Hina vanished.
"Then take this," Yuki shouted. "Thunder Sandstorm!"
ROOOAR!
Sand exploded upward, spinning violently as lightning danced through it. Vision disappeared. Sound drowned.
Hina moved.
In one instant—
she was gone.
In the next—
BOOM!
She appeared in front of Yuki, her fist blazing with electricity.
"SKY VOLT!"
The impact cracked the air.
Yuki's body bent forward as blood sprayed from her mouth.
Hina stepped back, breathing hard. "Don't worry. This won't kill you."
A calm voice answered behind her.
"Who decided that?"
Hina froze.
SHHHK!
A rope of sand wrapped around her left arm, crushing tight.
Yuki stood in front of her—
then vanished.
Hina spun.
"Hi," Yuki said cheerfully behind her. "Miss me?"
Electricity surged through Hina's body. She grabbed the sand rope with her right hand.
CRACK—SHHH!
The sand turned to glass.
She slammed it forward.
SPLASH!
Yuki's hand tore open, blood splattering across the ground.
Yuki smiled, eyes burning. "Impressive. Now you've made me serious."
Hina's lips curved upward. "Good. I was getting bored."
Wind screamed.
Blades of air erupted, ripping through Hina's body.
SHHK—SHHK—SHHK!
Blood appeared across her skin.
"Spark Rain."
Lightning rained down like bullets.
Yuki dodged, teeth clenched. "Damn—it hurts!"
"Cloud Barrier!"
A massive shield of clouds formed above Yuki.
"Water Flow!"
ROOOOOAR!
A tsunami tore across the meadow, slamming into Hina and vanishing just as fast.
Hina staggered—then lifted her head.
Lightning gathered in her palm.
"Lightning Ray."
KRAAAASH!
A bolt struck Yuki from behind, tearing through her chest.
Blood poured.
Yuki gasped, knees shaking. "You're fast… but I'm not done yet."
Underground
Hiyori stood motionless.
Zoe, Jack, and James !
"You're alive…" hiyori whispered. "She said you died."
"Lies," zoe replied coldly. "They captured us like Daiki—and spread fake news."
James clenched his jaw. "Then they're after Asta-sensei."
Hiyori nodded. "This isn't the place to talk. Leave. Now."
"We won't abandon you," Zoe said.
"I'll be fine," Hiyori answered. "They need you upstairs."
After a long pause, Zoe nodded. "Do as she says."
They left.
Hiyori turned and jumped.
WHOOSH—THUD!
She landed in a deep hollow beneath the structure.
Her eyes widened.
"It looks like paradise…" she whispered. "But someone destroyed it."
Giant corpses lay scattered.
"Who could kill beasts like these?"
Her foot struck something cold.
A green crystal pendant.
Hiyori's breath caught.
"This… belongs to Raihtasu."
Her expression darkened.
"So he was here."
She stepped toward the cave—
ready to face whatever waited inside.