The threat of his life and Plit was about to be vanquished. From Kaller's weak grasp Soshi seized the Essence Emerald. The dragon pointed the two magical items at Koujin, the crests at the top glistening off the reflections in the ice. "It's my destiny to rid Plit from your clutches." he growled. Soshi tensed his hand. He couldn't afford to hesitate. The time had come for him to kill again. "With these two pieces of the Great Treasure, I'll have more than enough power to defeat you!" His threat was somewhat empty, but the dragon didn't care. he focused his newfound power into both weapons. With one swift movement, he aimed the blasts at the Ice Lord. Soshi continued the assault, watching as the beams moved closer. At the last second, with no provocation, Koujin raised his sword and deflected both beams up towards the ceiling, sending a cold wind raining down on Soshi.
Koujin chuckled, however, he still appeared to be seriously injured. He slowly stood, grasping his side and holding his limp arm, all the while laughing as if nothing happened. "Don't you see what you've done?" he panted. "You've given me the opportunity." He chuckled again as Soshi prepared another blast. His weapons charged with energy, but they quickly faded when the Ice Lord held up his sword. Soshi knew the attacks would only be blocked again. "By giving me a name, you've given me a new target." Koujin laughed one final time before disappearing in a wisp of smoke.
Soshi silently cursed to himself in the dank cavern. He had failed again, and now more innocent lives would be put on the line. He was pathetic, just another obstacle Koujin had overcome on his quest for ultimate power. Soshi set the two weapons down and hopelessly stared at his hands. They were callused and bleeding from his tight grip on the weapons. Soshi sighed as he realized he was slowly destroying himself in the process as well. Not just physically, but also emotionally. Who was he to think he could have stopped Koujin? The dragon closed his eyes, and realized there was nothing more he could do.
From the hole in the wall where Kaller first appeared, Soshi now felt a harsh wind. He struggled to his feet and peered slowly out of the hole. Looking up, he witnessed the formation of an immense black storm cloud that seemed to eat away at the night sky around it. The winds were swirling the clouds toward a center point, which was now beginning to stretch outward, consuming everything insight, plunging the sky into an infinite black sea. The waves of the shore were beginning to gain force. Some were high enough to actually enter the cave, the foam even splashing Soshi in the face. The ocean's water was the same midnight black as the sky above. Koujin was putting his plan to work now, and Soshi had to stop him while the storm was still young. He didn't know how, but he had to get back to the castle. Koujin would be attacking Sergeant Strobel and the rest of the Royal Army next. He couldn't give up. Everyone would be counting on him and him alone this time.
As Soshi gathered his courage to pursue, he looked behind him at the still impaled shark that was still hanging on the wall. The dragon sighed as he knew he would have to leave Kaller behind. Soshi forced the Crystal Blade out of Kaller's body, and let him drop limp, to the floor. He stared seriously at Kaller, noticing his chest was still rising and falling. Relief flooded into Soshi as his suspicions were confirmed; Kaller was indeed still alive. Before taking to the skies, Soshi whispered almost inaudibly, "Thank you."