The earth shook as two monstrous beasts emerged from swirling void rifts, summoned by the corrupted high commanders of Team Darkshade.
One was a titanic obsidian centipede, plated with jagged armored segments, each limb ending in a barbed blade.The other—a hulking lava-cloaked wolf-dragon, its breath turning snow to ash, eyes glowing like molten suns.
The Wielders around them scattered, rallying in desperation.
"Fall back! Regroup!" shouted Commander Vale.
Zhen Kairo stepped forward, fists glowing with celestial flame. "We hold the line. No matter what."
Dozens of students and veteran Wielders unleashed every ounce of Will they had—glacial storms, solar chains, thunder pikes—all crashing against the beasts.
But nothing stopped them.
The centipede shrieked as it reared back.
The wolf-dragon roared, raising one molten claw.
Tetsu stumbled in front of a fallen student, arms raised to block the strike.
Ryuu forced himself to stand.
Hana pushed her cracked shield forward, tears brimming.
Eri, bleeding from her temple, stood her ground beside them.
The twin fists of the monsters crashed downward—unstoppable, merciless.
And then—
SLASH.
CRACK.
The air split. Sound fractured.
A black flash tore across the field like a comet.
Kael Renji stood in midair, arms extended—both of the beasts' fists cleanly severed, black lightning dancing along his twin blades.
Time itself seemed to hesitate.
The beasts howled in agony, reeling backward, their blood hissing as it struck the frozen ground.
Kael didn't speak.
His hair sparked with electricity, eyes glowing like twin galaxies — one filled with rage, the other with resolve.
Below him…
Ryuu grinned through bloodied lips. "Heh… I knew he'd come."
Hana's shield dropped slightly as she smiled, eyes wide with relief. "Of course he did."
Tetsu laughed. "Took you long enough, Kael."
Eri, tears mixing with dirt on her face, whispered, "Just like before…"
Kael raised one hand toward the sky.
The clouds crackled.
And from above, a ring of black lightning spears formed — his Surge Will fully awakened.
"Let's end this."