The giant frame of Zero towered over the battlefield. Michael's hands danced over the control panels embedded in its massive body, each movement precise, deliberate.
Through the chaotic clash in the castle lobby, swords clashed, barrels tumbled, and bullets tore through the air. Soldiers fought fiercely, trying to hold their ground against waves of enemies.
Then, the room fell silent.
All eyes turned to the giant figure that suddenly moved with unnatural grace. Zero had broken free. I Whispers rippled through the lobby:
"What… what is that?!"
"It's Michael… inside that… monster!"
Without hesitation, Michael guided Zero with expert control. He didn't strike the soldiers—he didn't even glance at them. Instead, he vaulted onto the castle roof, leaping across gaping holes in the stonework with terrifying agility for a being that massive.
The giant descended into the laboratory below. Outside, the sky had shifted. Storm clouds churned violently, lightning slicing the sky in jagged streaks. A green glow painted the air. Soldiers froze, watching as Lyra's presence manifested in the heavens—a furious emerald energy spreading like wildfire.
"She's… angry," someone whispered.
"Look at her… what is she doing?"
The energy washed over the castle like a tidal wave. Swords fell from hands, knees buckled, and soldiers collapsed to the ground as if gravity itself had betrayed them. It was as if the
weakly. "I'm… okay. But first… get me out of his body."
Michael nodded, moving quickly. Carefully, he guided her out of Zero's enormous shell, cradling her as she stepped onto the laboratory floor.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Zoe, Jack, and James stormed in.
Michael's eyes widened. "How… how did you escape?"
Jack grinned. "Hiyori freed all the prisoners. We made it to the village safely."
Michael glanced at them
Zoe "Elysia"Elysia—she's badly injured."
"I know enough to help," Zoe said, kneeling beside Elysia. "But she's unconscious. Someone hit her head on hard stone—she needs rest, fast."
Michael gently laid Elysia down on the floor. "Stay with her," he said to Zoe. "I'll handle the rest."
James shook his head. "We can't waste time. There are still people trapped. If the castle blows in thirty minutes, we need to move fast."
Jack nodded. "I can transfer the things with my power—but we need to act strategically."
Zoe began her work, tending to Elysia's injuries with careful precision. Michael watched her hands, steady despite the chaos.
"Jack," Michael said, turning to him, "come with me. I need the Book and any valuables we can salvage."
Jack ."Understood."
Michael's voice rang out across the lab as they moved toward the castle. "Good luck, everyone. Zoe—if we don't make it back in time, take Elysia and get out. The castle explodes in thirty minutes!"
Zoe nodded, gripping Elysia's hand. "I know. Everyone move toward your destination. I'll handle her."
Michael's gaze hardened. The mission was clear: secure the book, rescue the people, and confront Weston. Everything else would fall into place… or be lost forever
.The stone corridors trembled under hurried footsteps as Michael and Jack descended into the castle's underground lobby. The air was damp… heavy… suffocating.
Then—
…sob… sob… sob…
A woman's cry drifted through the darkness.
Jack froze. "Did you hear that?"
Michael didn't even slow down.
"Ignore it," he said coldly. "You focus on that voice, you get trapped. Let's move."
Their boots struck the marble floor—TAP. TAP. TAP.—as they rushed toward Weston's private chamber.
Michael yanked open the drawer.
Empty.
His eyes narrowed.
"No way… He's clever. He took the key with him."
Jack clenched his fists. "Then how do we open the basement gate?"
Michael exhaled sharply. "Calm down. Maybe someone from our side took it. Raihtasu… Hiyori… Anyone. First, we check the basement door."
Jack nodded. "You're right. Let's go."
Again, the crying echoed—
Help me… please…
Jack winced. "Why do we keep hearing that?"
For a few seconds, Michael said nothing. The silence stretched like a tightening rope.
Then he spoke, his voice low.
"Weston's wife was killed in this lobby. Every painting you see here… it's her."
Jack's breath caught. "No way… Weston had a wife?"
Michael's jaw hardened.
"Yeah. She was my sister."
A heavy pause.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes." His eyes turned glacial. "That's why I know how to defeat him."
Scene Shift
Deep within another chamber—
Hiyori's body dangled in the crushing grip of a massive white serpent. Its emerald eyes glowed like cursed flames. She was seconds from death. Her vision blurred. Her strength drained. Her body turned numb.
The snake tightened its coils.
CRRRRRK.
Her bones screamed.
Then—
Silence.
Her expression changed.
A smile curved across her lips.
She laughed.
Soft at first.
Then louder.
"You big snake…" she whispered. "You really think I'll be defeated by you?"
Her eyes shimmered.
"Want to taste my Butterfly Power?"
WHOOSH!
An explosion of orange energy burst from her body, shattering the serpent's grip. She rose into the air, hair flowing wildly. Her pink aura burned into a blazing orange flame.
A clone split from her form—perfect, identical.
The clone lunged forward—BAM! THUD! CRASH!—engaging the serpent in brutal physical combat.
Meanwhile, the real Hiyori spun midair, reclaiming her fallen sword.
SHING!
She dashed forward and slashed—
SLASH! SLASH!
Deep scratches tore across the serpent's white scales.
"Barrier."
A glowing seal spread across the wounds.
The scratched areas stopped regenerating.
The serpent shrieked in agony.
SSSSSSKREEEEECH!
It writhed violently, smashing into pillars.
In rage, it inhaled—
FWOOOOOSH!
A torrent of fire blasted toward her.
Hiyori twisted midair.
WHOOM!
She dodged.
The serpent's mouth opened again, releasing thick purple poison gas.
The chamber filled with deadly fumes.
Hiyori closed her eyes.
"Healing Style."
A soft emerald light wrapped around her body. The poison dissolved. Her wounds sealed. Her breathing steadied.
She opened her eyes—
Now glowing like a warrior reborn.
The battle had only just begun.