Chapter 20: Surpass Your Limits!

Why did they have to leave?

I stared dully at the house I used to live in. Once a place full of warmth now felt cold, almost uninhabitable. My sister clutched my hand tightly, her expression ranging from sadness to cold detachment.

A hand found its way onto my shoulder. I looked up into the warm gaze of Jin Miyamoto.

"Come, Taruko. It's much too cold for you and your sister out here."

I watched the old man gently take Sachi's hand and walk away. Lance wasn't too far, sparing me a glance before following after his grandfather.

I stayed behind, my gaze falling back onto my house.

Why did they have to leave?

Ẃ̶̡̞̺͓̯͉̠̜̝͉̪͖̪h̴̥̠̤̠͉̭̬̤̯̼̟͍͐͑͑̋̃̐̿̍ͅy̷̤̼̺͕͍̗̻͖̹͕̥̲̔̃͆̃̃̈̆͆͑ ̶͔̱̺̺̟̫͔̭̣̭͕̹̰̽̈͌̇͑̓̋̽̐̄̕͘̕͝d̶̻͑͊͗̉̈̄̉́̈̈́͋̚̚͘į̵̧̩͇̟̓̎͒̀ḏ̸̛̈͗͗̐̃̏̃̈́̏͘ ̶̫͔̞̦͚̠̲̳̳̟̾̎̀͆̿͊̾͐̓͗́̍͛ͅͅṯ̴͔̄̒́ḩ̴̜͎̪͈̞̬̄͐̓̊̈̆̑͝ę̷̥̖̺̞͔̦̪̼̼͖͊̆͆̇̓̑ͅÿ̵̧̥̜̘̒͌̀̀́͐̿̅̒̚͝ ̸͇̝̽́̌͒͐͆̓̎͝͠ļ̷̢̡̛̯͚̱̫͎̖̠͋͆͛̿̀̀ę̴̛̛̞̳̆͆̊͑͌́͊̃̀͐̓́̉ā̸̙͍̖̳́͒v̶̡͕̱̟̐͒̈́͆ě̷̡̢̡̼̻͕̯͂͘

X-X-X-X-X-X

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CLANG!

My sword clashed with Kaiser's in a shower of sparks. His larger frame and superior strength

were put into play as he forced me back. Even with the use of Reinforcement, it was taking all of my focus to not buckle under the force he was placing upon my body.

Lance flew down from above, and both of his tanto blades were brought down in an overhead swing. Effortlessly, Kaiser shoved me back and whirled around to parry Lance's attack, allowing the momentum to carry his body forward as he twisted into a spinning backkick. Lance was sent flying through a stalagmite from the sheer power behind it.

I used Mana Burst to close the gap between myself and Kaiser. He grinned at me and pointed the tip of his sword. The telltale sign of him generating another explosion was the only warning I got. Driven by instinct, I swapped a nameless sword for Explosion and swung it upwards.

It was as if a bomb had set off, and I was caught in the epicenter of it all. There was a blinding flash, followed by a thunderous roar, and all of a sudden my body was flung through the air like a ragdoll. My ears were ringing, but I forced myself to focus, using a nearby stalagmite as a foothold to launch myself at Kaiser as he burst through the smoke and lunged at me.

We met mid-air. He swung his sword and I twisted my body like a drill, exchanging Explosion for Mel Force and unleashing a shockwave amplified by my Storm Magic to send him plummeting into molten rock.

A barrage of magic slashes from my right told me that Lance was on his feet again. The energy carved through the earth and kicked up lava. Kaiser swung his sword in an arc, batting the blasts aside. Dropping to the floor, I swapped out Mel Force for Stormbreaker and lunged at him with an overhead swing.

Kaiser glanced at me and narrowed his eyes. He swung his sword and caught my axe in between its shaft with his cylinder-shaped blade. His sword began to glow and my breath hitched.

"Explosion Magic: Tenka Zan."

BOOOOOOM!!!

I let out a sharp, pained cry as I was caught in a point-blank explosion. Stormbreaker crumbled to pieces as I rolled across the molten rock. Kaiser took that chance to pounce at me. I cursed under my breath, pulling Explosion back out and swinging it at him wildly.

My eyes widened when he caught the superheated sword with his bare hand, condensing the explosion into a weak crackle before crushing the blade with his fist. His leg lashed out like lightning, crashing into my gut and knocking the air out of me—

I rolled across the ground and slammed my palm against it, arresting my momentum while summoning a magic circle. I pulled Silfarion out and lunged forward with a roar. The world around me blurred as I slashed at Kaiser at different angles... and yet he blocked my strikes every! Single! TIME!

"Explosion Magic: Haretsu Ga." he swung his sword upwards, creating an explosion upon impact. The power destroyed Silfarion and sent me spiraling into the air and colliding with the ceiling.

I felt the rocks stab into my back, forcing a cry of pain to worm its way out my throat. "GAH!!!"

"RARGH!!!" Lance swooped in from behind, aiming to slash at Kaiser's back. Kaiser holstered his sword, blocking his attack. Lance grits his teeth as a shower of sparks flies from the metal grinding against each other. "Ghk-!"

"You both possess exceptional skill for your age," Kaiser commented, shooting Lance a smirk from over his shoulder. "Your Grandfather posed a better challenge, though."

Lance's pupils dilated and his face contorted into a look of pure fury. "SHUT UP!!!"

Magic power exploded from Lance's body as he kicked off Kaiser's back and focused them into his tanto blades. The energy transformed the blades into a pair of large, serrated fangs.

"Sword Saint Dragon's Fangs!" Lance snarled.

He dashed towards Kaiser and swung one sword in a downward arc. Kaiser blocked it with his sword, but Lance continued his assault, twisting his body into a rapid flurry of slashes. His blades struck from unpredictable angles, his movements erratic yet precise, each strike carrying the force of his rage. Kaiser grinned, his sword moving like a blur as he deflected each attack. Sparks erupted from the furious exchange, the cavern illuminated by the clash of steel.

Lance ducked low, twisting his torso as he pivoted on his heel. With a burst of magic, he launched himself upward, bringing both of his blades together in a scissoring motion aimed at Kaiser's neck.

Kaiser smirked, shifting his stance.

"Explosion Magic: Kyōka!"

A pulse of raw magic surged through his muscles. His reflexes sharpened, his body strengthened. With a single movement, he parried both of Lance's blades, forcing them apart. Before Lance could react, Kaiser drove his knee into his gut.

"GUH—!"

Lance's breath left him in a choked gasp as he was launched back, flipping through the air before crashing onto the molten rock below.

I couldn't waste this chance.

Mana Burst ignited beneath my feet, propelling me forward like a bullet. My hand found the hilt of Gravity Core—my muscles straining under the immense weight. I reinforced my muscles with Reinforcement to lessen the strain, as I plummeted towards Kaiser at high velocity.

"Sword Saint Style: GRAVITY COMET!!"

Magic surged through the blade as I swung, its edge cutting through the air like lightning. Kaiser turned just in time to block, but the moment our blades met—

BOOM!

The force behind my attack cracked the earth beneath us. Kaiser's stance wavered for the first time. I pressed forward, twisting my wrist and unleashing a rapid succession of heavy slashes. Each strike carried the force of my will, my desire to protect, to win.

He grunted, his blade struggling to match my newfound strength. I saw the flicker of frustration in his eyes.

"You little—"

I didn't let him finish.

"Sword Saint Style: Tempest Fang!"

A spiraling slash of wind magic erupted from Gravity Core, catching Kaiser off guard. The gust ripped into him, carrying with it the force of a sledgehammer amplified by Gravity Core's inherent gravity magic, sending him skidding back. Lava splashed as he dug his feet in, barely managing to steady himself.

Lance had recovered by then. His magic surged once more, his eyes blazing with determination. He met my gaze. No words were exchanged. We simply moved.

Lance lunged in from the right, his magic-infused tanto radiating draconic energy. I dashed from the left, Gravity Core crackling with gravity magic. Kaiser readied himself, gripping his sword tightly.

"Come on, then!"

We struck as one.

Lance's blade flashed in a downward arc, while I swung horizontally. Kaiser blocked Lance's attack, but that left him open to me. My sword carved a deep gash across his chest, and for the first time since this fight started, we drew first blood.

Kaiser gritted his teeth, stumbling back. Blood dripped from his wound, sizzling against the heated ground. He glared at us, eyes burning with fury and something else—excitement.

Lance and I stood side by side, panting but unwavering.

"YOU CAN DO IT, TARUUUUUUUUKOOO!!!" Pip cheered from the sidelines.

"Your pet rabbit is distracting," Lance grumbles.

I chuckled. "I appreciate her enthusiasm right now..."

"You brats... are actually making this exciting!"

We paused, staring at Kaiser in befuddlement.

Rolling his shoulders and popping his neck, Kaiser flashed us a bloodthirsty grin. "I'll give you two the respect you deserve and start taking you a bit more seriously."

Lance grew angry at his remark. "The hell did you just say?!"

Indignation rose within me, but I remained calm and steady. I knew coming into this that we were outclassed. He beat Jin Miyamoto, Lance's grandfather. He was equal to my Mom and Dad in both strength and skill once upon a time. I wasn't arrogant or naive enough to believe that I was even at a fraction of their skill level... but still.

We can't give up. We have to keep pushing.

Kaiser is underestimating us. We have to use that to our advantage to edge out a win somehow...

My concentration was shattered when Kaiser released more of his magic power. The light was nearly blinding as the ground shattered beneath his feet. Spires of lava erupted from the molten earth below us; the ethernano in the air humming with unrestrained power as tiny explosions popped across his body like a miniature bombs.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. This pressure...!

Lance tightened his grip on his twin blades, his breathing steady despite the sweat rolling down his face. "Tch... You feel that?" he muttered.

I nodded, adjusting my stance. The air around Kaiser crackled with unstable magic, the sheer heat distorting the space around him. He wasn't holding back anymore.

'If we let him dictate the pace, we're dead.'

Kaiser surged forward. No warning, no wasted motion—just an explosive burst of speed. Lance barely raised his sword before Kaiser's blade was already swinging down. A shockwave tore through the cavern, splitting the molten ground beneath us.

I darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast zone. Lance, however, took the brunt of it—his arms trembled from the impact as he slid backward.

'He's stronger than before… no, faster too!'

"Explosion Magic: Kyōka!" Kaiser roared. His muscles bulged as his entire body ignited in controlled detonations. The force of it sent debris flying like shrapnel.

Wait... was he channeling his explosions within his body to amplify his strength?! That's insane—!

He disappeared.

Shit—!

I barely had time to raise my sword before he reappeared in front of me, swinging downward like a hammer. I parried, but the moment our blades met, an explosion erupted from his sword's edge.

"GAH!" I gritted my teeth as the force sent me hurtling backward. I barely managed to flip midair, planting my feet on a jagged stalagmite to slow my momentum.

I raised Gravity Core, only to note the web of cracks spreading along its surface. My eyes nearly bulged out of my skull as it crumbled to pieces right before my very eyes...

'You've got to be kidding me...!' I grit my teeth in frustration. 'He's burning through my arsenal like it's nothing! These were top-grade stuff!'

"TARUKO!!"

Pop's warning came too late. I sensed his presence too late—

"Sword Saint Dragon's SWORD EDGE!!"

Lance's roar was like thunder piercing through a raging storm. He intercepted Kaiser before he couldn't strike me from behind, his body spinning like a drill of whirring blades as he ground against Kaiser's sword. I leaped back as Lance broke away from the clash, shooting me a frustrated glare.

"Focus up, damn it! This is no time to be spacing out!" he snapped.

I gulped and nodded shakily, slowly reaching my hand out and summoning Mel Force. "R-Right. Sorry."

Kaiser rolled his shoulders, his bloodthirsty grin widening. "Good, good! This is how a fight should be!" His magic flared again, the ground beneath him trembling. The sheer force of his presence sent waves of pressure rolling over us.

I tightened my grip on Mel Force. My heart pounded, but I steadied my breathing. Gravity Core was gone, meaning I had to be even more careful with my approach. Kaiser wasn't just overpowering us—he was breaking us down, piece by piece.

Lance adjusted his stance, his blades humming with residual energy. "We can't keep letting him take the lead," he muttered.

I nodded. "Agreed. We need to turn the tide now, or we're done for."

Kaiser raised his blade. The glow of his magic intensified, the air thick with heat and raw destruction. Then—

He vanished.

I barely caught the flicker of movement in the corner of my eye. I twisted my body just in time—

BOOM!

An explosion erupted right where I had been standing. The force sent me tumbling, my ears ringing. Lance wasn't so lucky—Kaiser had anticipated his dodge and was already on top of him.

Lance's swords clashed against Kaiser's, sparks flying. But then—

Another explosion.

Lance was launched backward, crashing into a jagged rock formation. He coughed up blood, but before he could move, Kaiser was already there.

"LANCE!!" I shouted, dashing forward.

Kaiser swung his sword down—

I intercepted.

"Sword Saint Style: Stream Edge!"

A surge of slicing wind roared from Mel Force, clashing against Kaiser's downward strike. The pressure forced him back slightly—just enough for Lance to roll away.

I took my stance beside him, panting. "You okay?"

Lance wiped the blood from his mouth and frowned, shooting me a brief glower. "Never better."

Kaiser let out a booming laugh. "Good! You're still standing! But how much longer can you keep this up?"

The ground beneath us began to glow—magic seals forming in rapid succession. My stomach dropped.

"MOVE!" I grabbed Lance and leaped just as the entire area erupted in a chain of explosions.

The sheer force of the blasts sent us soaring through the cavern, the heat scorching my skin. Before I knew it, we crashed through solid rock. The pain was blinding, feeling jagged debris dig into my skin like stray shrapnel. We were suspended in midair for a solid moment before we crashed against the cold, hard floor.

The air was damp, and a little bit chilly. The sweltering heat of the Ether Zone we were fighting in had abruptly vanished. I exhaled sharply and shakily pushed myself up to my feet, taking a look around our surroundings.

We had been blasted into a different chamber of the cavern—one that starkly contrasted the molten battlefield we had just left behind. The ground was solid stone, slick with moisture, and faint streams of water trickled down from the jagged ceiling above. The air was cool, a sharp relief from the blistering heat we had endured moments ago.

I winced, my body aching from the impact. My vision was blurry for a second before I forced it to focus. Lance groaned beside me, struggling to push himself up.

"Taruko!" I blinked and craned my head to the right to see Pip scurrying my way through the hole we created, her expression full of worry. "Are you okay?!"

I couldn't help but chuckle, patting her head and ruffling her fur. "Never better. This but a scratch, young rabbit."

"God... DAMN IT!"

We both flinched, turning towards Lance, who smashed his fist against the ground with a furious look on his face.

"One thing after a-FUCKING-nother! That bastard is toying with us!" Lance snarled, before whirling around at me. "And you...!"

I blinked. "Me?!"

He grabbed me by the collar and thanked me forward, causing our foreheads to bump against each other. "The hell is your deal, huh?!"

Pip glowered at him. "Let Taruko go, you jerk!"

"Piss off!"

"What is your PROBLEM?" I growled, snatching his wrist and prying it off of me. "I didn't do anything to you!"

"Your magic, dumbass! Blades Magic! Why are you holding back!?"

I froze, feeling a pit form in my stomach. Lance noticed my silence because he scoffed and stepped back with a glare. "We need all the advantages we can get to one-up this bastard, and you're over here twiddling your thumbs, playing with disposable toys!"

"...I..."

I exhaled, closing my eyes. "I can't use it."

"You can't, or you won't?"

My silence was telling.

Lance glared at me. "Are you that ashamed of your past, huh? Of your family? Friends?"

I clenched my jaw, the sharp sting of his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. The air between us grew thick with unspoken tension, the distant trickle of water the only sound in the cavern. Pip looked between us, her ears twitching, but for once, she didn't interject.

Lance let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Yeah. Figures." He turned away, running a hand through his sweat-matted hair. "I knew it. The moment you showed up again, playing hero, pretending like nothing ever happened."

I narrowed my eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You abandoned us, Taruko!" He whipped back around, jabbing a finger at my chest. "You left all of us! Me, everyone in the village, and most of all—your own sister! You ran off chasing power just like your damn parents did, and you didn't even have the guts to say goodbye!"

My breath caught in my throat.

This wasn't my crime to bear. Not really. But to him, it didn't matter. The Taruko he knew—the boy I once was—had made this choice, and now I was the one left to answer for it.

Lance wasn't done. His voice cracked as he kept going, his anger barely masking something deeper. "We were the ones left behind. You think life stopped when you left? You think things just went back to normal?!" He let out a sharp breath. "We waited for you, Taruko. I waited. Your sister waited. And you never came back."

I stared at him, my hands curling into fists. I wanted to deny it. To tell him he had it wrong. That I wasn't the same person who had walked away all those years ago.

But could I?

Lance scoffed, shaking his head. "And now you're standing here, acting like the past doesn't matter. Like you're some noble warrior on a quest. But the moment you get the chance to use the magic your family left you, the magic you abandoned us for, you won't even do it?!" He took a step forward, his voice lowering. "You know what that tells me? It tells me you didn't just leave us behind. You regret us. You regret who you were."

I gritted my teeth. "That's not true!"

"Then prove it!" He shoved me, but I held my ground. "If you really care—if you really changed—then stop running from the past and fight like it actually means something to you!"

His words slammed into me harder than any spell or blade ever could.

Pip frowned, stepping closer. "Lance, that's enough—"

"No, it's not!" he snapped, not breaking eye contact with me. "If he's not gonna fight with everything he's got, then we might as well be dead already."

I exhaled shakily. My chest felt tight, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had been so focused on moving forward—on being better—that I hadn't even stopped to think about the people left in the wake of my past.

I met Lance's gaze, my voice quieter, steadier.

"...You think I don't regret it?" I took a slow breath. "You think I don't wake up every damn day wondering what kind of person I used to be? The things I can't remember, the people I hurt—you—" I clenched my fists. "I don't even know who I was back then, Lance! But I know that person made mistakes. And I know I have to own up to them."

Lance's expression hardened, but I saw the flicker of something in his eyes.

I stepped forward, my voice firm. "I'm not the same kid who left that village. But I will fight. And if you think I have something to prove?" I met his glare head-on. "Then watch me."

Silence stretched between us. The only sound was the quiet drip of water from the cavern walls.

Then, with a grunt, Lance turned away. "...You'd better." without another word, he walked off.

Pip sighed, ears drooping. "Can you two not do this in the middle of a life-or-death fight?"

I let out a breath, shaking my head. "Yeah... you're right. Let's go. We have a psycho to beat."

Still. I couldn't help but reflect on Lance's words and how frustrating it was that they cut so deep. He was right, though. I was ignoring the past. I was ignoring a part of myself. I had been for about a year, now.

When I awoke in this world, I refused to use Blades Magic unless it was required. Every time I used it, it reminded me of them. Of my parents. The people I left behind. Faded memories that caused a sharp sting where my heart would be, as though I'd been pierced by a razor-sharp blade.

Was I really so childish and infantile that the mere thought of those two made me freeze up? To hesitate? And even then, I knew it was my old self's lingering memories and resentment that pushed those seeds of doubt and hesitation within in me.

In his mind, his parents left on a quest and never came back. Gone. Dead. Just like that. The old Taruko was obsessed with getting stronger, with becoming the best. Claudia and Hiroshi Hikari were the very picture of true strength. He didn't just want to be like them, he wanted to surpass them in every metric.

So when they didn't return after weeks, and then months? Something inside him broke. Something Inside me broke. That perfect image of strength was completely and utterly shattered. Left with a feeling of emptiness... detachment, and resentment. Betrayal.

It was such a drastic switch up from the boy I used to be to who I was now. Sure, back then, the old Taruko was battle-hungry, but then he also had compassion for others, his friends. Did... the death of our parents really destroy him that much? To be pushed to such a point where he'd abandon the life he left behind in pursuit of power?

I stared at my hand with dull eyes, a cold feeling settling within my stomach.

'And what does that mean for me?'

He still had a lasting influence. I knew I needed to get stronger for the threats that would be coming in the future. But how much of that was the current me, and the old Taruko's influence? Did some of him still linger in me?

Would that influence drive me to repeat my mistakes once more?

The thought was haunting. It terrified me. More than the life-or-death battle I currently found myself in.

"Taruko..."

I felt Pip nuzzle my cheek. I glanced at her and grew startled at her worried gaze. Was I being that transparent with my emotions?

"Don't let his words get to you. You aren't a bad person," Pip said softly.

"I don't know if I can believe that with confidence, Pip." I said with a frown.

"But you're not...! You're kind, and strong; you gave me a home and family to belong to!"

"I also abandoned my old one."

"And you're trying your best to fix it! I dunno about your past and stuff, but you're still Taruko! The one I know!" Pip beamed, placing her paws on my face so that I could look her in the eyes. "And I believe in you, so don't give up!"

I felt my throat tighten up, and my eyes sting.

"...Pip..."

BOOM!

"GAH!!!"

"How cute."

The cavern trembled and Lance burst through a smoke cloud, his body soaring through the air and colliding with the wall painfully. I gasped in shock as Pip was encompassed in an orange bubble and pulled away by a mysterious force.

"Taruko!"

"PIP!"

I glared at Kaiser, who held the bubble Pip was trapped him. She kept banging on it from within, but it wouldn't yield. I raised up Mel Force with a growl.

"Let her go!"

"Afraid I can't do that." Kaiser tsked, shaking his head. "I have to eliminate you brats. The only reason I haven't yet is because I wanted to see what two children hailing from two prestigious family lines could do."

His gaze flicked over to Lance. "The great grandson of the legendary Musashi Miyamoto. A swordsman so skilled, some say he didn't even use magic. The founder of this village, the one he defeated a demon from the Book of Zeref."

Then, he looked at me. "And the son of one of Fairy Tail's esteemed mages, the Sword Priestess, Claudia Valoran. Not only that, but the Lion Senki, Hiroshi Hikari. The mere thought of clashing blades with them ignites a fire within me...!"

His expression turned cold. "But I cannot test my skills against them. Battling you brats is merely a taste—a fraction of their capabilities. Were this any other situation, I'd wait for you two to reach your full potential. To have a real battle of swords... but that is not what Fate has in store for us."

He grinned. "However... in a perfect world? I could get all I desired and more. The chance to fight against legends... and cement myself as the greatest swordsman."

I froze. My throat ran dry.

"...the greatest swordsman..."

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The rhythmic clang of steel against steel echoed through the forest clearing, each strike sending a pulse through the cool evening air. I gritted my teeth as my wooden sword met the force of his Father's. The sheer power behind each of Hiroshi Hikari's swings made my arms shake, but I refused to falter.

"Come on, Taruko!" Hiroshi's deep, commanding voice rang out as he pressed forward. "Your grip is sloppy, your stance is weak—if I were an enemy, you'd be dead ten times over already!"

"I know that, Dad!" I snapped, barely dodging a downward swing. My feet scrambled against the dirt, barely maintaining balance.

"Then show me you understand it!" Hiroshi suddenly twisted his wrist, and in an instant, my sword was knocked clean out of my hands. It spun through the air before embedding itself in the ground a few feet away.

I groaned, rubbing my stinging palms.

"That's the tenth time he's disarmed you." A voice, softer but edged with amusement, chimed in from the sidelines.

I turned and shot a glare at my mom, Claudia Valoran, who was casually leaning against a tree, arms crossed, her long, blue hair shimmering under the moonlight. She had been watching the entire match with a knowing smirk.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Mom," I grumbled.

"I am on your side," Claudia replied, pushing off the tree. "That's why I'm telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear." She walked over, picking up my discarded practice sword with ease and tossing it back to me. "Your father isn't going to go easy on you just because you're his son. If you want to stand a chance, start using your head."

I scowled but took the sword back, gripping it tighter this time. I turned back to his father, who was watching me with the ever-stern expression that I had grown used to whenever training was involved.

Hiroshi sighed, adjusting his stance. "We'll go again. Until you get it right."

I took a deep breath, raising my sword. My muscles seriously burned and my mind raced, but despite everything, I planted my feet firmly in the dirt. Again.

Before they could start, a sudden shrill voice cut through the night air.

"Taruko, nii-san! You're gonna lose again!"

The three of us turned toward the edge of the clearing, where a little girl sat on a rock, swinging her legs back and forth. Sachi grinned mischievously, her golden eyes filled with excitement.

Taruko groaned. "Sachi, why are you even here?"

"Because it's funny watching you get your butt kicked." She giggled, kicking her legs faster. "You said you wanted to be the best swordsman ever, but Dad's making you look like a total loser."

Claudia laughed while Hiroshi simply sighed.

I felt my face burn up. "I'm trying!"

Claudia crouched beside me, her sharp eyes locking onto mine. "Then stop trying and do." She reached out, adjusting my grip on the wooden sword. "Tighten your fingers—control the hilt, don't let it control you. And remember, power is nothing if you don't flow with it."

Hiroshi gave a single nod of approval. "Your mother is right. Technique will always triumph over brute strength. Now, again."

I swallowed. Then, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, exhaled, and opened them with newfound determination. My parents were legends. Swordsmen of unparalleled skill. And I—

"I'll surpass you both." The words left my lips before I even realized I was saying them.

Silence filled the clearing.

Then, Hiroshi chuckled—low and rumbling. "Big words,"

Claudia smirked. "Let's see if you can back them up."

My grip tightened. My stance steadied. My heart pounded with excitement.

Because no matter how long it took, no matter how hard I had to train—

I would become the greatest swordsman in Fiore.

X-X-X-X-X-X

X-X-X-X-X-X

The memory faded. I stood there, quiet... my tongue was tied. He was a like-minded individual. He wanted to cement himself as number one. The absolute pinnacle of swordsmanship. I'd... almost forgotten about that goal of mine. To be number one.

I was the one that declared it. Resolved to make it happen. But over the past year I've been so obsessed with getting stronger to prepare for threats like Zeref and Acnologia that I'd completely forgotten about my original reason for strength.

I stared at my hand with a frown, then eyed Mel Force.

'I can't become the greatest swordsman... if I keep running away from my past. My illusion of growth was just that—an illusion. I haven't been growing at all... not where it matters, anyway.'

I snorted. Then, I began to chuckle... before it evolved into a fit of laughter!

Pip blinked in confusion. "Taruko...?"

Kaiser frowned. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, just... you of all people finally made me realize something." I shook my head. "Haha... man, I've been pretty stupid, huh?"

I straightened my back and exchanged Mel Force for Kasaka's Venom Fang. "... Lance. You were right about one thing. I was running from the past. It took me this long to send a stupid little letter, but I'm not running away anymore. And I know that ain't gonna be enough to earn your forgiveness... so let me prove to you that I've changed."

I grinned, pointing my dagger at Kaiser. "From this point onward, Kaiser, you're not just some enemy I've gotta take down to save my village! You're a rival...!"

"Because the one that'll become Fiore's greatest swordsman... IS ME!"

(Cue OST: Shippuu Jinrai by Yasuharu Takanashu)

Kaiser stared at me, stunned, before he let out a hearty laugh and grinned, letting go of the sphere that contained Pip. It suspended itself in the air as he stomped towards me. "HAHAHA! You've got spirit, kid! I expect nothing less. With a declaration like that, it'd be disrespectful to not accept your challenge. But I propose my own."

His grin turned bloodthirsty. "10 minutes. If you and your friend can beat me in 10 minutes... not only will I let go of your pet rabbit, but I'll even let you go past me to the Matriarch, and I won't stop you at all."

Pip's eyes widened. "EHHHHHHH?!" she started banging against the sphere with her paws. "TARUKO!!! YOU'VE GOTTA WIN! GET ME OUTTA HERE!"

"I don't plan on losing," I smirked, craning my neck upwards to meet Kaiser's blood-red eyes. "I'm guessing if we fail to beat you in 10 minutes, we all die?"

"Correct."

My smirk widened. "Alright."

"You're fucking insane..."

I blinked, glancing to my right as Lance slowly limped his way to my side. He shot me an unreadable look. "There's no guarantee we're gonna beat him in five minutes, let alone 10."

"We won't know unless we try. We knew what we were getting into... and besides, I've got a plan~!"

We stared at each other for a few seconds. Lance closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, turning away from me and gripping his tanto blades. "Fine then. I'll play along. And in any case, the two of you got it twisted."

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm gonna be the number one swordsman."

A beat passed.

Then another.

Then—BOOM!

Kaiser launched himself forward in a burst of concussive force, his blade wreathed in molten orange light as he swung with monstrous strength. The sheer pressure of his movement sent cracks racing through the ground beneath his feet, and my instincts screamed at me to dodge—now!

I twisted my body, barely avoiding the arc of his blade as it exploded mid-swing, sending a shockwave ripping through the air. Lance wasn't as lucky. He blocked with his twin tantos, but the explosion sent him skidding backward, boots carving trenches into the dirt.

"Tch—his swings are bombs now?!" Lance gritted his teeth, shaking off the impact.

I lunged in, channeling my Blades Magic. The ground beneath Kaiser's feet shuddered, and in the next instant—a forest of swords erupted beneath him!

Blades of every shape and size shot out from the earth, aiming to skewer him from all sides, but—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each one was obliterated in rapid succession, fiery shockwaves consuming them before they even touched him. Kaiser laughed, spinning his sword around. "You're gonna have to do better than that, boy!"

I clenched my teeth. Alright then. Let's see how you handle this!

With a flick of my wrist, I extended my hand, and the broken shards of my destroyed swords shot forward like bullets!

Kaiser's eyes widened slightly as the metal rain came screaming toward him, and for the first time—he was forced to move. With a powerful stomp, he detonated the ground beneath him, launching himself into the air to avoid my attack.

'Gotcha.'

I was already moving. My grip on Kasaka's Venom Fang tightened as I propelled myself forward, aiming straight for his blind spot—

KLANG!

My dagger met steel.

I felt the force vibrate through my arm as Kaiser twisted mid-air, swinging his blade down on me with enough power to make my bones creak. My feet hit the ground, and I rolled to the side just as another explosion tore through the space I'd just occupied.

"Nice try," Kaiser grinned, landing with a flourish. "But you think I didn't see you trying to nick me with that little dagger? What's so special about it, huh? Poison?"

I didn't answer.

His grin widened. "Oh-hoh. That's what it is, huh? Well, too bad! You'll have to get through my explosions first!"

I wiped some sweat from my brow, my mind racing. His swings were stronger, his explosions faster. Damn it—time was ticking down, and we were barely keeping up.

"Tch… we need to pin him down," Lance muttered, stepping up beside me. His body was tense, but his eyes burned with resolve.

I smirked. "Then let's get creative."

Lance blinked.

Then, realization dawned.

"…Heh. Alright then, crazy bastard. I'll keep him busy."

Lance shifted his stance, his grip on his tantos tightening as a surge of draconic aura exploded around him. The earth trembled beneath his feet.

"Sword Saint Dragon's Secret Art…"

Kaiser's expression sharpened. "Oh?"

Lance vanished.

"—Gale Claw Crescent!"

A whirlwind of slashes tore through the battlefield, each strike howling with sheer force as they converged on Kaiser in an instant.

And I?

I had already begun weaving my magic.

The battlefield was my domain now.

'Let's see you dodge when there's nowhere left to run.'

Kaiser reacted fast—faster than I expected.

His sword pulsed with power, and with a single, explosive swing—

BOOM!

The shockwave detonated against Lance's incoming slashes, scattering them before they could converge. The sheer force sent dust and debris flying in all directions, but I wasn't watching.

Because I was already moving.

Through the cloud of dust, my fingers traced the air in quick, practiced motions. I felt my magic thrum beneath my skin, answering the call.

"Blades Magic: Thousand Blades Formation."

The moment Kaiser's feet touched the ground—the terrain changed.

Swords erupted from every direction. Not just beneath him this time—but from the sides, from behind, even from above.

A three-dimensional cage of blades, each one humming with my magic.

Kaiser's eyes narrowed. "Hoh…?"

Then, he smirked.

"Nice trick."

His sword ignited, and before I could react—

BOOOOOOM!

A massive explosion erupted from his body, annihilating every single blade in the formation!

The shockwave sent me flying.

I barely caught myself mid-air, flipping to land on my feet. My body ached from the sheer pressure of his attack, but I had no time to dwell on it.

Because Kaiser was already charging straight for me.

Damn it—!

I raised my dagger to block, but—

CLANG!

A pair of blades intercepted Kaiser's strike just in time.

Lance.

He gritted his teeth, arms shaking from the sheer force of the clash. "Hah… you're a real pain in the ass, you know that?"

Kaiser grinned. "And you're both stubborn brats. I like that."

Then, before Lance could react—Kaiser slammed his foot into his gut, sending him flying.

Damn it!

I lunged forward, aiming for his ribs with my dagger—

But Kaiser moved faster.

With an almost lazy flick of his wrist, he batted my attack aside. Then—

BOOM!

A point-blank explosion went off between us.

Pain exploded in my ribs as I was sent skidding backward, coughing from the impact.

Kaiser rolled his shoulders, letting out a low chuckle. "Five minutes left, boys."

I wiped blood from the corner of my mouth, breathing heavily. My mind raced. He's overpowering us. I'm still sloppy with Blades Magic, his explosions cancel out my Blades Magic, and even with Lance's Slayer Arts, we can't pin him down…

I gritted my teeth. No. I refuse to lose. Not here. Not now.

I met Lance's gaze.

We both knew.

We needed to go all in.

Lance wiped sweat from his brow. "Tch… Alright, then. No more holding back."

I smirked. "Took you long enough."

Then—

My aura flared.

Lance's draconic energy surged.

Kaiser's grin widened.

"NOW WE'RE TALKING!"

'Right here and now... WE GOTTA SURPASS OUR LIMITS!!!'

Lance shot forward first. His Sword Saint Dragon Slayer Magic surged around him like a storm, his twin tanto blades vibrating with raw energy.

Kaiser met him head-on, his sword pulsing with volatile explosions.

CLANG! BOOM!

Their blades clashed, sending out a shockwave that shattered the ground beneath them.

I wasn't far behind.

As Kaiser pushed against Lance, I flicked my wrist—

"Blades Magic: Phantom Bloom."

From the battlefield's shattered terrain, ghostly mirages of swords shimmered into existence. Ethereal, weightless—but deadly.

I willed them forward—a hundred phantom blades piercing through the air like homing bullets.

Kaiser saw them. He grinned.

Then—he detonated his entire body.

BOOOOOM!

The explosion vaporized the phantom swords mid-flight, forcing Lance to disengage and sending me stumbling backward.

Shit.

I barely had time to react before Kaiser was already in my face.

His blade swung for my neck—

I ducked—just barely.

The explosion following the swing still ripped through the air, burning my cheek as I rolled away.

He's too damn strong. Even with both of us pushing him, he's still dictating the fight!

"Four minutes left!" Kaiser taunted, launching another explosive sword strike at Lance.

Lance barely managed to parry, but the sheer force still sent him skidding back.

I clenched my jaw. We needed to hit him with something he couldn't just blow away.

And I knew exactly how.

My eyes flickered to Kasaka's Venom Fang.

I just need one cut. One opening.

I exhaled sharply.

Then—I vanished.

Using Mana Burst in conjunction with my Storm Magic, I blasted off with an explosive burst of wind. With my speed now, even without Silfarion, I could create afterimages with ease, all of them dashing towards Kaiser from different angles.

Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "Cute trick."

BOOOOM!

He swung his sword in a wide arc, detonating all the illusions at once.

But that was the bait.

Because the real me was already above him.

I flipped mid-air—dagger poised—

Kasaka's Venom Fang sliced down—

Kaiser's eyes widened.

Then—he grinned.

And his entire body exploded.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The force slammed into me like a wrecking ball.

My vision blurred as I was sent flying, crashing into the dirt with enough force to leave a crater.

Pain flared through my entire body. I could barely breathe.

Kaiser's footsteps approached. Slowly. Mockingly.

"Three minutes," he mused, resting his sword on his shoulder. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand. My legs screamed in protest, my arms trembled—but I couldn't stop.

I wouldn't stop.

Lance was already moving again, his magic aura intensifying.

I could feel it—he was ready to push past his limits.

And I was too.

I exhaled sharply.

Then, gripping my dagger tightly, I smirked.

"Round two, bastard."

Kaiser's grin widened at my defiance, his blood-red eyes gleaming with exhilaration. He slammed his sword into the ground, causing a violent tremor that split the battlefield apart. Flames and smoke erupted from the cracks, turning the forest clearing into a war zone. The heat licked at my skin, the air thick with embers and cinders.

"Two and a half minutes," he mused, rolling his shoulders as he yanked his sword from the earth. "Better make 'em count, kid."

I wiped the blood from my lip, heart hammering against my ribs. My body screamed in protest, but my resolve only sharpened.

I had one shot. One chance to turn this around.

Lance, standing beside me, took a slow, deep breath. His Dragon Slayer Magic rippled outward, his twin tanto blades thrumming with raw, concentrated magic. I felt it—a shift in the air, a tension that coiled like a drawn bowstring. He wasn't holding back anymore.

Neither was I.

We locked eyes for a brief moment.

Then—we moved.

Lance struck first, vanishing in a blur of speed. His tanto blades sang through the air, aimed directly for Kaiser's exposed flank.

Kaiser turned, his sword already intercepting—

CLAAANG!

The impact sent a ripple of force tearing through the ground. Sparks scattered like fireflies as their weapons locked in a brutal deadlock. Lance pushed forward, his muscles taut, his stance unyielding.

But Kaiser only grinned wider.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he detonated the air itself.

BOOOOOOM!

The shockwave blasted Lance back, his boots skidding against the dirt, but he twisted mid-slide, regaining control.

That was my opening.

I surged forward, Kasaka's Venom Fang flashing under the firelight.

Kaiser barely had time to turn—

SLASH!

My dagger carved a thin, precise line across his arm.

For a split second, nothing happened.

Then, the venom took hold.

Kaiser's expression faltered as his muscles tensed involuntarily. His arm twitched, the skin around the cut darkening as the venom seeped into his bloodstream. It wasn't fatal—not yet—but it was enough to slow him down.

And against us, that was all we needed.

Lance didn't hesitate. He dashed forward once more, his aura bursting to life like an inferno.

"Sword Saint Dragon's Secret Art—"

He twisted his blades, the air compressing around him.

"Twin Fang Severance!"

His tanto blades sliced through the air faster than I could blink. The force behind them warped the very atmosphere, creating razor-sharp shockwaves that streaked toward Kaiser like twin crescents of destruction.

Kaiser's instincts screamed at him to dodge—but the venom had slowed him.

He barely managed to raise his sword—

The shockwaves tore into him.

BOOOOOM!

A deep gash opened across his chest. He stumbled, boots digging into the dirt as blood trickled from the wound. I felt a spike of exhilaration. Yes! My plan was working in our favor...!

His breathing grew heavy. For the first time, he looked down at himself in mild surprise.

Then—he laughed.

Low, deep, guttural.

And then, he grinned again—wide, feral, ecstatic.

"NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!"

Without warning, his entire body ignited in a swirling vortex of flames and explosions.

The battlefield became hell itself.

"ONE MINUTE LEFT!" he roared, eyes gleaming with madness. "SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT!"

I tightened my grip. Lance steadied himself.

This was it. The final push.

I exhaled sharply, summoning every ounce of strength left in my body.

Then, with a grin of my own—

We charged.

Kaiser lunged forward, his sword a whirlwind of steel and flame, swinging with the sheer force of an explosion. The ground beneath his feet cracked apart from the pressure of his movements. Even wounded, even slowing down, his strength was overwhelming.

But he was slowing down.

I saw it.

The way his swings, once lightning-fast and precise, now carried just a fraction of delay. The way his footwork, once fluid and unpredictable, now had hesitations—tiny, but there. His breathing was sharper, heavier. His movements were still brutal, still dangerous, but—

They were readable.

Lance and I moved in perfect sync, dodging left and right, slipping through the openings in his defense that hadn't been there before.

Kasaka's Venom Fang flashed in my grip. I ducked under a wild, fiery slash, twisting my body and carving another gash along his ribs. The poison worked fast, spreading further through his bloodstream. His left arm twitched—his grip faltering for half a second.

Lance capitalized instantly.

"Sword Saint Dragon's Crushing Fang!!"

His right tanto blurred, slamming against Kaiser's sword with such force that the air compressed, sending out a concussive wave. The impact knocked Kaiser's blade slightly off course—just enough for me to step in.

It appeared in my mind's eye. A blade wreathed in flames. I didn't think. I simply acted.

"Blades Magic: Amol Saiqa."

A longsword made of black steel appeared in my hands, radiating a sweltering heat. I felt the properties I imagined within the sword come to life—flames bloomed along the metal.

I brought my sword down.

"Sword Saint Style: BLAZING REND!!!"

The flames along my blade erupted in intensityas I slashed downward, striking across his chest once more. Fire and sparks scattered from the impact, and Kaiser staggered back, his grin faltering for the first time.

He gritted his teeth, lifting his sword, but—

Lance was already there.

"Sword Saint Dragon's Twin Fang Strike!"

Both of his tanto slashed outward in a crisscrossing arc, the shockwave slamming into Kaiser's legs. The force bent his knees, forcing him to drop lower—making him an even easier target.

We weren't giving him a second to breathe.

I dashed in.

"Sword Saint Style: Flame Tiger!"

A flurry of rapid slashes tore into him, each one faster than the last. With each strike, the roar of a tiger bounced off the walls, flames illuminating the dark cavern. Sparks and blood sprayed into the air as my blade bit into flesh again and again, each strike pushing him further back.

Lance followed up instantly.

"Sword Saint Dragon's ROAR!!"

With a single, fluid motion, he stabbed his blade into the ground. The earth ruptured—and arcs of energy bled from the dirt, before an explosion of magical energy in the shape of a dragon's head exploded from the ground and slammed into Kaiser with devastating force.

Kaiser coughed, staggering again—his stance faltering.

His body swayed slightly.

His left arm—limp.

His movements—sluggish.

He was slowing. Struggling. Losing.

And he knew it.

"RRRRAAAAGGGHHH!"

With a roar, he lifted his sword high. Magic surged around him, explosions erupting wildly, sending fire and debris flying. The battlefield trembled beneath his sheer fury.

But it was reckless. Uncontrolled.

Desperate.

Lance and I moved as one.

We weaved through the chaos, slipping through the gaps in his attacks, striking him down from every angle. Every dodge, every strike, every movement was flawless.

Kaiser swung.

I ducked, twisting my body mid-motion—and buried Kasaka's Venom Fang deep into his side.

Lance followed up instantly—his tanto cutting across Kaiser's wrist, forcing him to release his sword for the briefest moment.

That was all we needed.

We both leaped back, panting, eyes locked on him.

Kaiser staggered.

His chest rose and fell erratically. His arms twitched, his fingers struggling to grip his weapon properly. Blood dripped down his wounds, steam rising from his overheated body.

His grin—once wide and confident—was now smaller. Tired.

And we had seconds left.

I glanced at Lance. He nodded. We both knew what needed to be done.

Our magic surged.

Our energy intertwined.

The air crackled with raw power.

Pip's voice—loud, desperate, filled with everything she had—pierced through my very soul.

"DO IT!!!"

Lance and I moved simultaneously.

Our magic merged, two forces becoming one.

A Unison Raid.

A cyclone of energy burst to life around us, our combined aura intertwining, spiraling into a single, devastating force. The air itself warping under the sheer pressure of our attack.

Kaiser's eyes widened slightly.

For the first time—

He looked at us, not with amusement—

But with awe.

We roared in unison—

"SWORD SAINT STYLE—"

Our combined magic surged forward, forming the shape of a colossal draconic blade, wreathed in lightning and crackling magic power. A chaotic maelstrom of energy that warped the very air around us. The blade hummed, pulsing with devastating energy.

Kaiser let out a wild, exhilarated laugh—

And then—

We swung.

"DRAGON'S FINAL JUDGMENT!!!"

The blade tore through the cavern, a massive arc of draconic energy lightning engulfing Kaiser completely. Our envision was engulfed in a blinding ray of light—

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

And then, an explosion ripped through the clearing, shaking the entire cave system. A pillar of energy erupted into the air, piercing through the ceiling, the sheer force sending shockwaves for miles. The force was so devastating that it carved a hole into the mountain, revealing the night sky and beautiful moon.

The light blinded everything.

And then—

Silence.

The flames flickered.

The dust settled.

And Kaiser—

Collapsed to one knee.

He braced himself against his sword, digging it against the ground. His breathing was ragged. His body trembled. Smoke rose from his wounds.

And then—

He grinned.

A small, tired, but satisfied grin.

"I concede."

A beat of silence.

We stared at him in shock.

The bubble Pip was trapped in popped, and she was released unarmed. In an instant, she leaped into my arms with a cheerful cry.

And then...

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

We roared in glee; our exhaustion and injuries momentarily forgotten as we relished in the victory. We beat Kaiser... we actually beat Kaiser! It didn't matter how we did it, or if we barely managed to scrape out a win... we won.

Lance let out a winded chuckle, collapsing onto his back. "I can't believe... I beat someone... Gramps couldn't...!"

I slowly sat down, exhaling deeply. "Yeah..."

"I knew you could do it! Yup yup!" Pip chirped happily.

"You two were brilliant."

We craned our heads in Kaiser's direction. The swordsman coughed, spitting up a glob of blood and leaning back against the wall behind him. "You both displayed exceptional skill, tenacity, and strength for boys so young. You will go far as swordsman."

Before I could respond, Lance beat me to the punch, scowling. "We don't need your praise, bastard... you had it comin'."

Kaiser didn't argue. He simply chuckled and smiled. "I suppose I do."

We sat there in tense silence, before I spoke up. "... why do this?"

Kaiser blinked. "Hm?"

"This," I gestured around vaguely, "Attack our village. Subjugate the villagers... harm innocents. Why? What do you get out of it? And what makes our village so special that a dark guild like Crimson Thorn would go out of their way to keep this operation hush hush to avoid the Magic Council?"

Kaiser let out a slow, pained breath, his head tilting back against the cracked stone wall. For a moment, he simply stared at the night sky, as if searching for something beyond the stars. Then, with a tired chuckle, he finally spoke.

"You think this is all some senseless act of destruction? That we're just a bunch of mindless thugs tearing through villages for fun?" He shook his head, a rueful grin tugging at the corners of his bloody lips. "If only it were that simple."

Lance scoffed, still lying on his back, but his grip on his tanto blades remained firm. "Don't try to act noble now, bastard. You slaughtered people. You put children in chains. You took my Grandfather. You act like there's some grand meaning behind this, but it's just bloodshed."

Kaiser chuckled again, though this time it carried a bitter edge. "You're young. You still see the world in black and white, don't you? I used to be the same." His gaze flickered to me, scrutinizing. "You, though… I can tell you're starting to understand. The world isn't that simple."

I frowned. "That doesn't justify what you've done."

"Maybe not," Kaiser admitted, coughing again. His hand pressed against his side, where blood pooled freely. "But whether you accept it or not, I had my reasons. The Matriarch… she gave me something no one else ever did."

His crimson eyes darkened.

"Purpose."

Lance and I exchanged a glance, but neither of us interrupted.

Kaiser continued. "You ask why your village? Because this land is sacred. Old. Important. There's something buried deep beneath it, something even the Magic Council doesn't know about—or at least, something they don't want to acknowledge." His grin widened slightly, as if amused by some hidden irony. "The Matriarch seeks power beyond mortal reach. She believes in a perfect future... a world with no more wars. Bloodshed. The rampant destruction of magic. A world without guilds... she have stood at the top, governing over it all."

I stiffened. "You mean a world where everyone's free will and individuality is stripped away."

"Yes," Kaiser confirmed without hesitation. "No kings, no Magic Council, no false heroes clinging to outdated ideals of justice. A world of stagnation."

I clenched my fists. "That's just another form of tyranny."

Kaiser chuckled again, but it was weaker this time. "Maybe. But to someone like me, who spent his life bowing to men unworthy of my respect, it's the only world that makes sense."

Lance narrowed his eyes. "And what did she promise you in exchange for helping her build this so-called future?"

Kaiser closed his eyes for a long moment.

Then, he sighed. "To carve my name into history as the greatest swordsman the world has ever known."

A heavy silence followed.

I felt something tighten in my chest. I had declared that exact same dream mere minutes ago. And now, I was looking at a man who had devoted his life to that pursuit… only to be left broken and bleeding at my feet.

For the first time since this battle started, I saw Kaiser not as an enemy, but as a reflection. A warning.

"…and was it worth it?" I finally asked.

Kaiser exhaled through his nose, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. "Ask me when I'm dead."

I pursed my lips, an uneasy feeling settling within my stomach as I hugged Pip closer to my chest. "Doesn't seem like a world befitting a warrior like you. Kind of contradictory, don't you think?"

"Maybe." he conceded, offering a lazy shrug. "But so long as I've achieved my goal, I can die without regrets."

Lance sat up with a pained grunt, glowering at Kaiser. "So... what's this amazing power you're looking for, then?"

He huffed. "Heh. Well, I don't see a reason to hide it. It should be about that time anyways..."

What?

His eyes sharpened. "She's going to revive the demon from the Book of Zeref. The demon that your ancestor defeated over 100 years ago."

"The Walking Disaster, Vaelgryn."

A chill ran up my spine. Judging by Lance's bewildered and haunted expression, he experienced a similar feeling.

...well... shit.

X-X-X-X-X-X

"It's time, Matriarch."

A young women stepped up behind the cloaked figure of the Matriarch. She pulled down her hood to reveal a pretty, heart-shaped face, grey eyes, and matching grey hair.

Her gaze flickered over to the towering, black egg that remained rooted in the earth. She squinted at it before turning away.

She bowed her head slightly. "The seal is weakening. It won't be long now."

The Matriarch remained silent for a moment, her piercing crimson eyes locked onto the writhing mass of dark energy encasing the ancient prison. The air around it shimmered with raw, oppressive magic, as though the very fabric of the world groaning under its presence. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she lifted her hand.

"The time of reckoning is at hand," she murmured, almost reverently. "The sins of the past shall be undone, and the future I envision will rise from the ashes of this broken world."

The grey-haired woman hesitated. "And what of the children who defeated the Four Pillars?"

A faint smile played on the Matriarch's lips. "They are of no consequence. Not yet. Let them think they won their battles. Soon, they will come to understand the true scale of what is to come… and by then, it will be far too late to stop it."

A heavy, guttural crack rang through the cavern as the obsidian shell split slightly, a single pulse of abyssal energy rippling outward. The grey-haired woman stiffened as the air grew thick with an ancient, malevolent force. The shadows around them deepened, stretching unnaturally as whispers—low, guttural, and hungry—began to echo through the chamber.

"It stirs," the Matriarch whispered, her voice laced with a quiet, unsettling anticipation. "Vaelgryn is awakening."

She turned to the grey-haired woman. "Evangeline... prepare for the sealing."

The woman, Evangeline, nodded and raised her hands, a pair of silver magic circles blooming to life.

The Matriarch eyed the cracked egg, a solemn smile gracing her shadowed featured. "Soon... I will have my perfect world."

The air shook with a haunting growl. Many of the members of Crimson Thorn who bore witness to the event shuddered in a mix of anticipation and fear, as the cracks that appeared along the egg's surface began to grow larger, teeming with dark magic.

The Walking Disaster... was awakening.

A/N.

And that's a wrap! This was a fight I was looking forward to ever since I thought up this arc. I had fun with it. But alas, it's over... and now we're heading into the big stuff! Close to the final act. Trust me, you aren't ready for what I've got~

I don't have much else to say here! I was in a rush to get this out because I'm dealing with a lot of issues in my home life - one of which was internet issues. I dunno if I'll be able to get it paid soon, so it could be cut off. That's why I was in such a hurry with this, haha.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Lemme know which fight from this arc has been your favorite so far? Whether it be the spectacle, narrative, character moments, or interactions. I'm curious to see your opinions! That's all from me for now. Have a good day, and God Bless!