Hiyori hovered in midair, her eyes burning with a deadly crimson glare. The wind coiled around her like a living thing.
Then—
SHHHHNK!
She launched forward.
The battle erupted.
Her blade flashed through the air in silver arcs, slicing toward the monstrous serpent below. The snake hissed, its massive tail whipping around with a violent WHOOSH! It struck the ground—
BOOOOM!
Dust exploded outward.
The serpent's fangs parted, and it spat venom. The poison splattered across Hiyori's skin with a sickening SPLASH!
But nothing happened.
Hiyori didn't even blink.
The serpent screeched in fury and hurled a blazing fireball—
FWOOSH!
Hiyori twisted midair and dodged. Flames scorched past her shoulder.
Then came another.
And this time—
A colossal sphere of fire roared toward her, devouring the air itself.
ROOOOOAR!
Hiyori raised her sword.
CLAAAAANG!
Steel met flame. Sparks burst like falling stars as she blocked the inferno. The heat tore at her clothes, but she stood firm.
The serpent lunged and coiled around her again—
CRACK!
Its tail constricted, tightening like iron chains.
Hiyori's eyes narrowed.With a savage cry, she slashed downward—
SHRIIIING!
The blade carved deep into the serpent's tail, nearly severing it. Black blood sprayed into the air. The creature howled.
But not enough.
The tail still held.
With a violent twist, Hiyori broke free and sprinted up the serpent's massive body, her boots striking scales—
THUD—THUD—THUD—THUD!
In seconds, she reached its neck.
She looked less human now… and more like a demon born of vengeance.
Her sword lifted.
And she plunged downward—
The scene cut.
Five minutes earlier.
Jack and Michael reached the basement gate.
Michael pressed his hand against the lock.
CLICK.
The gate creaked open with a long, groaning CREEEEAK…
Below them, a blinding orange energy pulsed from the depths. The glow was so intense they could barely see.
Yet somehow, its brightness revealed just how deep the basement truly was.
Michael swallowed. "Let's go."
Jack hesitated only a second. "Okay."
They ran down the spiral stairs—
STEP—STEP—STEP—STEP!
Jack frowned. "I still don't understand. Why are we going to the basement?"
Michael didn't slow down. "There's a Book of Power down there. And treasures gathered over the last fifty years."
"So what?"
"The treasure will help us after victory," Michael said. "And the book… tells us how to defeat Weston."
They reached the bottom.
The door stood before them.
They pushed it open.
And what they saw made their eyes widen.
Elsewhere — in the laboratory room.
Zoe sat beside Elysia
Elysia stirred.
Her fingers twitched.
Then her eyes opened.
Zoe smiled softly. "So… you're awake."
Elysia blinked. "What… happened to me?"
"You fainted. You were exhausted."
Elysia squinted at her. "Wait… I've seen you before."
Zoe froze.
Elysia's voice rose. "Zoe? Is it really you?"
Zoe gave a small, almost teasing smile. "I guess you forgot about us."
Elysia struggled to sit up. "But how are you here? We heard you all died."
Zoe shook her head. "Fake news. Just because you couldn't find us doesn't mean we were gone."
Elysia exhaled in relief. "Who did this?"
"The same one who captured Daiki."
Elysia's expression softened. "I'm so glad you're alive…"
She winced suddenly. "Ah… my head…"
Zoe leaned closer. "Looks like someone hit you pretty hard."
"I climbed into Zero's body," Elysia muttered. "Then I fell inside… My head crashed into the control system."
Zoe frowned. "If the system was damaged, how is Michael controlling Zero?"
Elysia's eyes widened.
"Michael…"
Footsteps echoed outside.
STEP… STEP… STEP…
Zoe stood. "Stay here."
The door opened.
Hina entered from laboratory entrance, followed by Yuki.
"Who are you?" Zoe demanded.
Elysia stepped forward.
"Yuki."
Yuki froze.
Then rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
"Finally! I found you!"
Elysia held her. "Where is everyone?"
"On their missions," Yuki replied. "I hope they succeed."
"Mission? What mission?"
"There's a war happening."
Hina stiffened. "How much time do we have?"
Zoe answered grimly. "Twenty minutes before the castle explodes."
Hina's face darkened. "That's not enough. Zero's structure is badly damaged… I hope Michael is alive."
She moved toward Zero's body.
Moments later, Zoe's voice echoed back. "Michael isn't here."
Hina turned sharply. "What?"
"He went to the basement. Said he needed something… treasure."
Hina and Yuki spoke at once. "What?!"
Hina clenched her fists. "We came here for that… and he already went?"
She turned. "We're going to the basement too. Let's move."
Zoe nodded. "We're coming with you."
They ran.
STEP—STEP—STEP!
"I know a shortcut," Hina shouted.
Meanwhile—
Lyra hovered in midair, binding Weston with strands of glowing energy.
Weston's body was torn and bleeding.
Lyra released him.
He crashed to the floor—
THUD!
He groaned… then slowly stood.
His hand transformed into a blade—
SHHHNK!
Lyra's energy flickered.
Her strength was gone.
She swayed, exhausted.
Weston smirked and lunged—
WHOOSH!
The blade pierced her stomach.
SHLICK!
Blood dripped onto the floor.
DRIP… DRIP…
Suddenly—
A powerful force seized the blade midair.
CRACK!
Weston looked up.
Daiki stood before him, gripping the weapon with bare hands.
With a twist—
SNAP!
The blade shattered.
Daiki glanced at Lyra. "You okay?"
Lyra forced a weak smile. "Yeah… thanks."
Daiki's usual bad-boy smirk softened for a brief second. He blushed faintly. "No need to thank me."
Then his expression hardened again.
He stepped forward, staring Weston down.
"You old scum," Daiki growled. "Don't expect mercy."
His eyes burned with fury.
"You hurt my aunt."
Daiki's grip tightened. His knuckles cracked.
"This time," he said, his voice low and trembling with rage, "I'll show you who I really am."
He stepped forward—
THUD.
The ground beneath his foot fractured.
He vanished in a blur—
WHOOSH!
But before he could strike—
Lyra grabbed his arm.
"Stop!"
Daiki turned sharply. "What are you doing?!"
"He must not die," Lyra said, her voice strained but firm. "Not until we find the Book. We need him alive. We capture him."
Daiki's jaw clenched. "Lyra, that's a waste of time."
"I'm fighting him to distract him," she insisted. "We wait for the others."
"I said I'm going to fight—"
"No!" Lyra cut him off. "Not until everyone arrives."
For a moment, tension thickened the air between them.
Then—
The scene shifted.
Castle battlefield.
Steel clashed.
CLANG! CLANG!
Explosions thundered in the distance.
BOOOOM!
Yotara's team pushed forward with unstoppable momentum. Enemies fell one after another.
Within minutes, the battlefield was nearly theirs.
Yotara wiped blood from his blade and raised his voice.
"Everyone! We don't have time!"
His soldiers turned toward him.
"Run outside! The castle will explode in ten minutes!"
Murmurs spread.
"But leader—"
"We've already won this field!" Yotara barked. "Take the surviving enemies with you! Move!"
"Yes, Leader!"
The soldiers obeyed instantly.
Boots pounded against stone as they rushed toward the castle gates—
THUD—THUD—THUD—THUD!
Smoke curled through broken walls. Flames flickered along shattered pillars.
Some enemies staggered after them, wounded and slow.
A mocking voice echoed from behind.
"Oh? Running away like losers?"
Yotara stopped.
Slowly… he turned.
Standing amid the smoke was a lone figure.
Yotara's eyes narrowed. Who are you
The man smirked. "I am your enemy."
Yotara didn't even blink.
He spoke calmly to his soldiers.
"Why are you still standing? Go."
"But leader—"
"I'll handle him."
The soldiers hesitated only a second.
"Yes, Leader!"
They ran.
The castle trembled again—
RUMBLE… RUMBLE…
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Yotara tightened his grip on his weapon and stepped forward.
The mysterious enemy laughed softly.
Heh…
Outside, the countdown to destruction had already begun.