As Captain was chasing Yoki, his mind raced.
This is getting more dangerous by the second, he thought, his boots pounding against the cracked stone streets.
Smoke and ash swirled around him as the roar of battle echoed through the burning capital.
He could see Yoki ahead—massive, unstoppable, tearing through the city guards.
If I have to stop him, Captain thought grimly, I'll need help. The other Captains… I can't take him alone.
Behind him, atop the main tower, the White Leader stood motionless, his cloak fluttering in the hot wind.
His silver mask gleamed faintly in the firelight as he turned toward the ten figures standing behind him—the ones whose presence bent the air itself.
"Scatter," he commanded quietly.
His voice carried through the chaos like a whisper from the heavens.
"Kill everyone. Leave no trace of this city standing."
The ten figures bowed their heads silently.
Then, one by one, they vanished—leaping from the rooftops, disappearing into the smoke, their movements so swift they seemed to blur with the flames.
On the other side of the city.
Titus fought like a wall — steady, unyielding — barking orders as he carved a path through the chaos.
"Hold the line! Protect the people!" he shouted, every command sharp as a blade.
We have to stop them, he thought, driving his men forward. They can't reach the civilians.
A sudden strike came from behind; Titus twisted, narrowly avoiding the blow.
He didn't need to turn to know who it was. Platius stepped out of the smoke, grin like a razor.
"Oh—I wanted to get you with that one," Platius said, voice cold and amused.
"Platius," Titus said .
"It's been a while," Platius replied, blade leveled, eyes hard.
Titus said with a serious face on his face.
"You've lived long enough. I think I should send you where you belong."
Platius's anger snapped.
"Don't worry — it'll go the same as last time. Today I won't let you live."
Platius added, " I lost last time due to that fool captain but this time he won't be disturbing me"
Then they were on each other — steel and motion, beginning a brutal, unrelenting clash.
Titus parried, countered, and pressed forward, his strikes precise and lethal.
They moved in a blur, stepping, dodging, blocking.
Platius roared with each attack, "I will not lose again! I will get my position back as a captain!"
Titus gritted his teeth, feeling the difference in him.
He's not the same as last time… he's stronger, sharper, deadlier.
With a final push, Titus blocked Platius' slash, twisting him sideways and forcing him to stumble.
Platius regained his stance instantly, glaring with pure hatred, ready to continue the fight.
They faced each other, chest heaving, eyes locked — both knowing this battle was far from over.
While…
Rolsten ran through the chaotic streets, every step precise despite the chaos around him.
Flames licked the sides of buildings, and enemy soldiers lunged at anyone in their path.
His axe and sword moved in a deadly rhythm, cutting down anyone foolish enough to stand in his way.
Amidst the smoke and screams, he guided terrified civilians out of danger, keeping his focus sharp.
Finally, he spotted them — Roxy's parents huddled together on a narrow pathway, fear etched deep in their faces.
A lone enemy soldier raised his blade, aiming for them.
Without hesitation, Rolsten struck him down, the axe cleaving through the man before he could move.
The parents gasped, eyes wide.
"You're safe now," Rolsten said, his voice calm but firm.
"Captain sent me."
Roxy's mother looked at him, worry wrinkling her brow.
"Are you… one of his soldiers?"
Rolsten shook his head, holding his weapons steady.
"I am his companion. Don't worry — I'll get you both to safety."
Her voice trembled as she spoke again.
"Do you… know if Roxy is fine too?"
Rolsten caught the raw worry in their eyes, the fear of a parent desperate for their child's safety.
He offered a small but confident nod.
"She's fine. Stronger than she looks, too. You have nothing to worry about."
A faint, relieved sigh escaped them, though the tension in the air remained.
Rolsten glanced around, eyes scanning for threats, before gesturing toward a safer route.]
"Come. Move quickly. We can't stay here."
As Rolsten guided Roxy's parents through the smoke-choked streets, his eyes suddenly froze.
Ahead of him, blocking the narrow path, stood a figure he knew all too well.
One-eyed, massive, and radiating a killing intent that made the air itself feel heavy.
Yoki.
"Oh? Look who we have here," Yoki's voice rumbled, a low, menacing chuckle escaping him.
"Rolsten, right? Captain's companion. Interesting… we're alike, you know — big, strong… and only one eye."
He stepped forward, the sunlight glinting off his black armor.
"If you're truly his companion, you must be strong. I wonder… how strong?"
Rolsten's heart pounded.
He stole a glance at Roxy's parents, who huddled behind him, wide-eyed and trembling. His chest tightened.
I can't protect them and fight him at the same time… Can I even stand against this monster?
Yoki's grin widened, sharp and cruel.
"Come now, let's end this. I want to fight your beloved Captain. He was following me, but I think… someone stopped him."
Rolsten planted his feet firmly, gripping his axe and sword tighter.
His mind raced, weighing every possibility, every risk.
If I fight him here… the parents won't survive. But if I don't… they could still die.
The streets were quiet for a moment, the distant clash of battle fading as Rolsten and Yoki sized each other up.
Rolsten swallowed hard, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.
And then he made his decision.
Rolsten tightened his grip on his weapons, eyes darting to Roxy's parents.
"Stay back! Don't move!" he shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.
Yoki's gaze flicked toward the terrified couple, then back at Rolsten.
Rolsten lunged first, axe swinging in a wide arc aimed straight at Yoki's shoulder.
The enemy's reflexes were blinding — with a fluid twist, Yoki stepped aside, letting the axe whistle past him harmlessly.
Undeterred, Rolsten spun, bringing his sword up in a slicing strike toward Yoki's torso.
Yoki shifted effortlessly, his movement so smooth it seemed almost lazy, almost playful. The sword cut nothing but air.
He launched a rapid combination, swinging the axe horizontally while thrusting the sword diagonally.
The force behind each strike carried all the weight of his frustration and desperation.
Yoki leaned back, easily evading the first strike, then sidestepped the sword's thrust, his grin widening.
"You've got fire," Yoki said, his voice calm but deadly.
"But it won't be enough."
Rolsten followed with a spinning overhead strike, his axe descending like a meteor, then a jumping slash aimed at Yoki's side.
Yet each attack met nothing but open space.
Yoki's movements were a blur — effortless, precise, and teasingly slow at moments, as if he were enjoying the display.
Rolsten gritted his teeth, frustration burning through him.
He's toying with me…
Every strike he threw, every tactic he employed, was dodged with ease. It wasn't just skill — it was control, mastery, and amusement all wrapped in one.
And yet, Rolsten didn't stop.
He spun, lunged, and struck again and again, his heart pounding, the weight of responsibility for Roxy's parents driving him to push harder.
But Yoki remained untouchable, his laughter soft but mocking, echoing in Rolsten's ears.
I… can't let him touch them… not even a scratch…
The two stood in the middle of the burning street, Rolsten lunging relentlessly, Yoki dancing around each attack, the tension thick enough to choke the air.