Dust rolled across the battlefield, carrying the echo of steel and fire.
Far from where Theo and Zeven clashed, two monstrous presences had already collided—the ground itself trembling beneath their blows.
This was where Flint and Raghul's war began.
When Theo and Flint had split up to fight the bandit elites, neither knew how far the other would be pushed. Theo was alone, standing against Zeven… and Flint found himself standing before the brute of the bandit camp—Raghul.
Raghul grinned, his twin axes gleaming red.
"Finally," he growled, cracking his neck as the air around him thickened with killing intent. "It's been too long since I've had any real fun. You look sturdy—let's see how long you last!"
Flint didn't respond. His golden eyes burned silently beneath his scaled brow. His right shoulder bled—Zeven's blade had grazed deep earlier—but he ignored it, his claws flexing as his body lowered into a beastlike stance.
Then, with a hiss, he moved.
The ground exploded under his feet as he dashed forward.
Raghul laughed, swinging both axes downward. "Come on then, lizard!"
BOOM!
Their first clash cracked the air. Flint's claws met Raghul's steel. Sparks scattered. The sound was raw—metal and scale grinding, claws screeching against blades.
Flint ducked beneath a wild swing and countered, ramming his fist into Raghul's ribs. The man staggered back, spitting blood—and grinned wider.
"Good hit!"
He roared, his muscles bulging as he swung again—Heavy Cleave!
Flint jumped back, the blade narrowly missing his face, slicing a trench in the ground. He lunged forward again, striking at Raghul's leg. The blow connected, but the brute only laughed.
"You call that a cut? Try harder!"
Flint's eyes narrowed. He darted in again, claws flashing like lightning, slashing across Raghul's chest and arms. The scales on his fists glimmered with faint energy as he delivered strike after strike, forcing the bandit back.
Raghul blocked with his axes, but his skin began to tear, blood dripping down his body. He didn't care—his laughter only grew louder.
"Now this… THIS is what I live for!"
He lifted both axes and crossed them—his aura flaring crimson. Carnage Grip! His muscles tightened as his power surged, the veins in his arms glowing red.
The next swing came like thunder.
CRASH!
Flint was flung backward, crashing into a broken wall. Blood splattered across the stone, his scales cracked. His chest heaved, his breathing sharp. But even so—he got back up. Slowly. His golden eyes blazed with fury and resolve.
He rushed forward again.
Raghul met him, their silhouettes colliding again and again—each strike sending shockwaves across the field.
Every movement was primal. Savage. Beautiful.
Raghul swung his axes like storms, his laughter booming. Flint dodged and countered, each motion calculated, every strike aimed at vital points. His claws tore through cloth and flesh, but Raghul's endurance was inhuman.
Each time he bled, he only grew faster. Stronger.
Then, Flint spun—his tail glowing faintly with energy. Tail Smash!
The impact sent Raghul flying back several meters, the ground cracking beneath him. He hit the dirt hard, rolling once before planting his axes into the soil to stop his fall. He grinned, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Heh… strong tail."
He wiped the blood away and raised his weapons again. "Now it's my turn!"
He rushed forward, his body blazing with aura—Enduring Rage! His skin flushed red, his eyes gleamed wild. He swung downward, the force of it breaking through Flint's guard. The claws clashed but failed to hold.
SLASH!
Blood erupted from Flint's shoulder, another from his arm, then his side. The axes cut deep this time, tearing past his scales. He staggered but didn't fall.
Raghul's laughter echoed. "That's it! Don't you dare die yet!"
Flint's breath quickened. He was losing too much blood. But he refused to give in. He raised his claws again, his eyes flicking toward the far side of the battlefield—where Theo's aura flared gold against Zeven.
For a moment, Raghul's gaze followed.
He saw it—the glow, the fight, and then—Theo's strike that severed Zeven's arm.
Raghul's pupils widened.
"ZEVEN!" he roared, voice shaking the air. "You bastard brat!"
He stepped forward, ready to run toward Zeven's side.
But something moved into his path.
Flint.
The kabolt slammed into him, blocking his way. Raghul's fury turned to disbelief.
"You again!?"
Flint didn't move, didn't blink. His golden eyes only glowed brighter, challenging him to move an inch further.
Raghul snarled, tightening his grip on his axes. "Fine, then I'll crush you first!"
He swung, his roar shaking the earth. Flint dodged, his tail striking out again, smashing into Raghul's chest. The blow sent him staggering back.
Raghul spat blood, then charged, both axes twirling before slamming down together. Flint's claws caught them—but the force pushed him to his knees.
"Enduring Rage!" Raghul bellowed again, his veins lighting like molten cracks. His strength doubled. He shoved forward, slamming his knee into Flint's chest, then spinning to elbow him across the jaw.
Flint stumbled, his scales splintered, blood dripping freely.
He retaliated, clawing across Raghul's face, leaving deep scars from jaw to ear.
Raghul roared, his eyes flashing. "That all you got!?"
The next moment, both dropped their weapons. Axes and claws forgotten—they charged like beasts.
Their fists met.
BOOM!
A shockwave rippled outward, scattering dirt and blood. Flint's punch connected with Raghul's ribs; Raghul's fist struck Flint's gut. They didn't stop—punch after punch, each heavier than the last. Flint's scales cracked; Raghul's skin tore open.
Neither flinched. Neither yielded.
It was a fight of endurance. A test of will.
Flint finally managed to tackle Raghul, pinning him down. He roared silently, his fists raining down like meteors. Each punch cracked the earth. Raghul's grin never faded. He spat blood, laughing even as his bones groaned.
"Hah… hahahaha… not bad… monster!"
He headbutted Flint. Hard. The blow dazed the kabolt for a second. Raghul seized the chance, pushing Flint off and kicking him back. Both stood—bleeding, trembling, breathing fire.
For a long moment, neither moved. The air between them steamed from the heat of their auras.
Then Raghul exhaled and spoke, his tone softer but dripping with madness.
"This was fun. Real fun. But looks like the boss has joined the fight… means I need to end this quick."
He looked toward the distant battlefield—where Ardan's silhouette had appeared. His grin widened.
"Once I'm done with you, I'm gonna cut that brat into pieces myself!"
The words were like a blade to Flint. His eyes flared bright gold. With a surge of energy, he lunged forward—his claws slashing in a cross pattern.
SLASH!
Raghul's chest split open, blood spraying into the air. The bandit coughed, stumbling back, laughing even as crimson dripped down his chin.
"Heh… beautiful hit."
Flint stood over him, chest heaving, body trembling. Blood covered his arms, his tail dragging behind him.
Raghul looked up—his breathing heavy.
"…You're strong."
He coughed once, his grin faltering for the first time. Then the ground beneath him began to tremble.
Flint froze. His golden eyes widened as a crimson light began to seep from the scars across Raghul's chest—and from a mark on his face, glowing brighter and brighter.
"Don't think…" Raghul's voice deepened, cracking with something feral. "…that this is over."
The glow spread, consuming his arms, his torso, until his entire body was wrapped in red energy.
Flint took a step back, too weak to move further. His knees hit the dirt. His vision blurred.
Raghul raised his head, his eyes glowing pure red as he screamed to the sky.
"RAAAAHHHH!!!"
The roar shook the world. The entire battlefield felt it.
Theo and Onyx both froze mid-fight, their heads turning toward the sound.
Kairo's command panel flared red—warning alerts filling the screen.
Zeven looked up from his fight with Theo, smirking through his blood.
"He's awake," he muttered.
Ardan laughed, his sword resting on his shoulder. "About damn time."
Flint remained kneeling, barely conscious, his breath ragged. The air around him shimmered with heat and power.
Raghul stood once more—his wounds closing, his aura burning like fire incarnate.
Zeven's laughter echoed across the field. Ardan joined him.
Their victory—at last—seemed certain.
And Kairo could only watch in horror as the balance shifted once again.
To be continued....