The quiet hum of the infirmary was interrupted by a sudden, earth-shattering explosion that rattled the walls. The sound echoed through the halls, sending tremors throughout the entire facility. Kael, still lying on the bed, felt his heart race in shock as he looked up at the ceiling.
"What was that?!" Hana exclaimed, her eyes wide with panic. She stood up quickly, as did Tetsu and Ryuu, all looking toward the door. Eri and Kaede followed their lead, moving toward the exit.
Before any of them could say another word, another explosive sound rumbled through the air, this one even louder than the first. The ground shook beneath their feet.
"That's coming from the arena!" Ryuu said, already rushing out the door. "Let's go!"
Without hesitation, the group sprinted toward the arena, fear and confusion clouding their thoughts. What could cause such a disturbance at this critical moment? When they reached the entrance, they saw something that made their blood run cold.
Team Darkshade stood in the center of the arena, their figures silhouetted by the dust and debris that filled the air. They were accompanied by none other than Azrael, the very man who had previously encountered Kael and his team in the forest.
Kael froze in place, his eyes widening as he recognized the familiar face of the one man he never wanted to see again. Azrael's dark, cold smile made Kael's heart race with dread. He hadn't expected to face him so soon after their last encounter, let alone in the middle of this tournament.
"Well, well," Azrael said, his voice dripping with menace as he surveyed the team. "Looks like the little heroes have all gathered. It's good to see you again, Kael."
The rest of Team Darkshade, Azrael's elite squad, stood behind him. Kael's mind whirled as he processed their presence. Raven, Lilith, and Veyron were there—his old enemies from the previous tournament. He had suspected something was off about them, but to learn the truth now, after everything that had happened, was more than he could comprehend.
"You… you're Kurojin's team?" Kael's voice was shaky, though he tried to keep his composure. The truth was too much to bear at once.
Azrael chuckled darkly. "That's right, Kael. We are the four elite fighters of Kurojin Tsukiro's team. And as you've probably guessed, we've come for you." His eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity. "We've come for your power."
The rest of Kael's team exchanged shocked glances, their mouths agape as they struggled to understand what Azrael was saying. The realization hit them all at once—Team Darkshade had been working with Kurojin all along. They had been part of his elite group, just like Kael had once suspected.
"So this whole time…" Ryuu began, his voice thick with disbelief. "You've been working for Kurojin?"
"Correct," Veyron replied, his voice cold and detached. "And we've come to collect what's rightfully ours."
Kael's stomach churned as the memories from their previous encounter with Team Darkshade flooded back. He remembered the tension, the darkness in their eyes, and the looming threat that never fully left him. But to hear Azrael so casually reveal his allegiance to Kurojin now—after everything that had happened—left Kael feeling hollow.
"I should've known," Kael muttered under his breath. "I should've known that something was off."
Kaede stepped forward, a grim look on his face. "Why now? Why are you here?"
Azrael smiled, the corners of his lips curling upward as he looked Kael directly in the eye. "Kurojin wasn't here because he has bigger plans in motion. But we, the elites, are here to see to the details. And we'll start with you, Kael."
Kael's fists clenched at his sides, the words stinging in his mind. "You think I'll just hand over my power?" Kael's voice was laced with defiance. "I won't be your pawn, Azrael."
"We don't need you to be a pawn," Azrael said, his tone turning colder. "We need you to be something much more. You see, Kael, your power isn't just something we want—it's something we need to control. And we'll do whatever it takes to get it."
Hana stepped forward, her face filled with a mixture of determination and fear. "You'll never get away with this. Kael's not the kind of person you can just use. We won't let you take him."
Azrael's eyes flicked toward her, then back to Kael. "This is where it begins, Kael. The moment you try to run, it'll all be over. It's not just your strength we want—it's your destiny."
Kael swallowed hard. He had fought so hard to get to where he was now, and now it seemed like everything was slipping through his fingers.
But there was one thing that was certain—he wouldn't let them take him down without a fight.
"If you want me, Azrael, you're going to have to fight for it," Kael said, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Azrael responded with a smirk. "Because this fight is only just beginning.