Smoke and fire raged across the fractured skyline of Capriha. Buildings were scorched. The streets, empty. Blood stained the rubble like ink on torn parchment.
Gendai and Raijin stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the tall pale figure cloaked in a crimson coat—Foogle, the newly revealed vampire king. His sharp fangs glinted under the blood moon, twin swords humming with murderous delight. Beside him, Enma, her gaze unyielding, waited in silence.
Gendai's green aura flared around her spear, while Raijin's twin daggers crackled with emerald lightning.
Raijin: "Let's bring him down, Gendai."
Gendai: "Together."
They surged forward in tandem—perfectly synchronized. Blades clashed. Sparks flew. Foogle danced between them, a blur of technique, parrying both with casual grace. With a flick of his wrist, he smashed Raijin into the pavement, then caught Gendai mid-kick and slammed her into the side of a car with enough force to cave in the door.
Raijin stood, blood trailing from his forehead, his jaw clenched.
Raijin (panting): "That regeneration… it's not natural."
He yelled Gendai's name—just in time to see her sever Foogle's head.
It grew back instantly.
Foogle (grinning): "Try harder."
He grabbed Gendai by the hair and hurled her skyward. Raijin's heart nearly stopped—he flashed into the air, caught her, and landed with a jolt.
Raijin: "Don't be reckless!"
Gendai (ashamed): "I'm sorry. I'm holding you back—"
Raijin (cutting in): "No. I'm serious—we need each other right now. I can't do this alone. You've grown stronger, Gendai. I need that version of you. Act on it."
They nodded to each other. Sparks of understanding passed between their eyes.
Raijin: "He's on the level of a Vandor under this moon… meaning without it, he's probably one of us."
Gendai: "Then let's rip the sky down."
Raijin reengaged. Foogle spun into him, nearly slicing through his chest, but Gendai intercepted, planting her spear and using earth magic to trap his feet.
Above, she raised her hand.
A celestial rumble. A massive rock—a meteor-sized stone glowing with ancient sigils—descended from the clouds.
Gendai (screaming): "Grave of the Heavens!!"
The meteor tore through space. Light vanished. Sound folded in on itself. Entire city blocks crumbled under its descent.
Kamaki and Felicia, moments away from defeating Enma, looked up in disbelief.
Kamaki: "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
Felicia: "That's Gendai?! That thing's bigger than a damn mountain!"
Kamaki (half-laughing): "We're gonna die."
Tyrone and Lihanna, recovering on the other side of the city, looked up as their entire district turned golden-red from the blast.
Tyrone (gaping): "…That's Gendai?!"
Lihanna (stunned): "That'll wipe out the region! MOVE!"
They dashed out of the impact zone just in time.
The meteor landed.
Capriha shook.
The entire region detonated in silence before the shockwave hit—flattening the streets for miles. In Bruswa, even Neve and Jessie turned their heads in awe.
Jessie (wide-eyed): "No way… was that… Gendai?"
Neve: "She just shook the continent..."
But from within the crater—Foogle rose.
Unscathed.
He smiled.
Foogle: "Is that all?"
Gendai, pale and heaving, could barely lift her weapon. She didn't even see the blood beam fired from his mouth until it hit her square in the face—sending her spiraling through the sky like a ragdoll.
Kamaki (roaring): "GEND—!!"
He launched himself into the fray. Blue flames burst from his back.
Kamaki: "Look here, you bloodsucking bastard! I ATE YOUR GIRL! SHE'S IN MY BELLY! And guess what?! I got STRONGER!"
He punched Foogle in the jaw, flames erupting like geysers—but Foogle caught him mid-combo and drove a sword through his chest. Then fired a blood beam point-blank through his heart.
Kamaki (staggering): "...Shit."
He fell.
Raijin dashed overhead, electricity ripping through the clouds, blasting a hole through Foogle's chest with a thunderstrike—but it regenerated instantly. Foogle turned and slashed Raijin diagonally from shoulder to ribs. Raijin fell with a crash of lightning.
Felicia (horrified): "NOOO!! Gendai… Kamaki… Raijin?! They're all down?!"
Foogle walked toward her—blade dragging against the ground.
Felicia (trembling): "Where are you… Riah? Kazimir? WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
She clutched the red phoenix feather Riah had given her long ago.
Felicia (whispering): "You said… this would protect me from my nightmares…"
She pressed it to her chest.
The feather ignited.
A blaze erupted from her core—dark blue, light blue, and black fire twined together, burning like starlight. A phoenix scream echoed across the battlefield.
Kamaki (weakly): "Is that… Riah?"
Gendai (hoarse): "No… that's Felicia… she… overloaded?"
A giant phoenix formed behind her. Then vanished in a burst of divine flames.
Felicia stood still—her black hair flowing, her eyes now glowing deep cerulean. Her armor had transformed, sleek and celestial, adorned in dark blue, white, and silver flames.
Felicia (coldly): "You wanted a nightmare, Foogle? I'll show you mine."