Kael could barely stand. His body was covered in bruises, blood, and the marks of the fierce battle he had just fought. His breath came in ragged gasps, every inhale feeling like fire in his chest. His muscles screamed in protest, and his vision blurred with the weight of exhaustion. But there was no time to rest. The portal was closing, and he needed to get back—he had a promise to keep.
The moment Kurothar fell, the world seemed to stop. The beast's massive form crumpled to the ground, its monstrous roar dying on its lips as its enormous body shattered into countless shards of shadow, dissipating into the air. Kael stood there, barely able to remain on his feet, his sword still raised in the aftermath of his final strike.
But something wasn't right.
Kurothar's massive form was gone, but the power, the dark energy that had made it so formidable, didn't vanish. It surged through the air, swirling around Kael like a storm. Before he could react, the energy crashed into him—forcefully, violently—and he gasped as it entered his body.
Kael's senses exploded with unimaginable power. He felt the dark energy coursing through him, twisting around his very core, as though Kurothar's essence was fusing with his own. His body ached as if it were on fire, his mind screaming in agony as the beast's energy surged through him. It was too much—far too much—but Kael didn't have time to think. He could feel the portal closing, and he knew this was his only chance.
Fighting against the surge of power, Kael staggered toward the portal, his body trembling as the dark energy collided with his own. His vision was clouded, and every step felt like he was walking through molasses. His legs were heavy, his mind foggy, but he kept moving. He had to make it out. He couldn't fail now.
As the final remnants of Kurothar's energy left him, Kael felt a surge of strength—something far beyond what he had ever known. His body began to heal, the exhaustion and injuries he'd suffered from the fight melting away under the intense pressure of the power coursing through him. It was overwhelming, almost intoxicating, but it was also dangerous.
"Come on… just a little further," Kael muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. He could barely think straight, his mind reeling from the intensity of what had just happened.
And then, just as the portal's edge began to close, Kael made it. With the last of his strength, he leapt through the threshold, his body barely able to make it in time.
The portal snapped shut behind him, and Kael collapsed to the ground, his body finally succumbing to the toll the battle had taken on him. He was in the academy, but everything around him felt distant. The familiar sights of the academy faded in and out as he tried to focus, his mind too hazy to grasp onto anything solid.
The air felt suffocating as the reality of what had just happened hit him. His friends—Tetsu and Hana—were still gone. He had promised them he would bring them back, and he had to keep that promise. The weight of their deaths settled heavily on his chest, a burden he couldn't shake.
His hand, trembling, reached into his pouch, and his fingers brushed against the vial of medicine that would bring them back. The final item he needed—after everything he had been through, after the battle with Kurothar and all the sacrifices made—he had it.
But just as Kael began to rise, the others rushed toward him. Ryuu, Eri, Kaede, and the others crowded around him, their eyes wide with concern.
"Kael…" Ryuu began, his voice shaky. "You… you made it?"
Kael could barely speak, his voice a rasping whisper. "I made it…" His hand clenched around the vial, the hope of bringing back Tetsu and Hana keeping him from collapsing entirely. He took a shaky breath. "I… I can bring them back. I'll bring them back…"
But the others were silent, their faces a mixture of shock and grief. They could see what had happened to Kael—the immense power, the darkness that still clung to him. He was different now. Stronger, yes, but at what cost?
Kaede stepped forward cautiously, his eyes scanning Kael's face. "Kael… what did you do?"
Kael, struggling to stand, only nodded. "I had to do it. I had no choice."
Before he could say more, Eri rushed to him, tears in her eyes. "You're back. I was so scared…"
Kael's eyes softened as he reached out to touch her arm. "I'm here. I promised… and I'm going to make sure Tetsu and Hana come back. I won't let them die for nothing."
The others nodded, understanding the weight of Kael's resolve. But the academy—no, the entire world—had changed. Kael had changed. And the power he had gained wasn't just a gift. It was a curse.
"Let's go," Kael said softly. "I need to bring them back. I need to make this right."
And with that, he began to walk, the others following him. The academy had been quiet for too long, and now the storm that Kael had unleashed was only just beginning.
The price of power was high. But for Kael, it was worth everything to bring back his fallen friends.