Kenzo stood amidst the smoking ruins of Tier's house, his eyes gleaming with amusement. Dark, Leona, Tier, and Cron struggled to rise from the ground, the shock of the explosion still rippling through their bodies. Dust filled the air, and the once-familiar home was now nothing but rubble.
Kenzo: (mocking) Come on, Gilmuar, is this the best you can do? Still trying to protect your little friends? Pathetic.
Gilmuar's barrier flickered and cracked, barely holding under the pressure of Kenzo's overwhelming aura. His breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles trembling from the strain.
Gilmuar: (thinking) His power... it's nothing like before. I can barely stand, and he hasn't even broken a sweat.
Kenzo took a step forward, his dark energy swirling around him like a storm. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the air itself seemed to warp in his presence. He raised his hand once more, his fingers curling as energy crackled between them.
Kenzo: (calmly) You're always trying to save someone, Gilmuar. But in the end, what have you ever saved? Nothing.
Gilmuar's eyes flickered with fear and defiance, but deep down, he knew Kenzo was right. He had no chance in beating his older brother that has lived for eons.
Kenzo: (smirking) You were always the weak one. Always hiding behind your ideals. But ideals don't matter in the face of real power. And now... I'll show you what true power looks like.
Kenzo's hand glowed with dark energy, ready to unleash another devastating attack. But before he could, something shifted in his expression. He glanced at Dark and the others, a glint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
Kenzo: (darkly amused) Oh? Who are these... friends of yours, Gilmuar? I didn't know you'd stoop to protecting such weaklings.
Gilmuar's eyes widened as Kenzo's gaze fell upon Dark. His heart raced with panic.
Gilmuar: (desperate) No! Stay away from them!
Kenzo chuckled, his hand dropping as he began to walk toward Dark, who was struggling to his feet. The air around Kenzo grew heavier with each step, the weight of his presence crushing down on everyone.
Dark: (thinking) His power.....
Dark: (thinking) on a completely different level....
Dark: (thinking) I have to keep them safe... Besides Cron, who's unconscious right now, I'm the strongest one here. Leona and Tier are helpless, and Gilmuar is already reaching his limit... Damn it...
Dark's body ached with the aftermath of Kenzo's earlier attack. His muscles screamed in protest, and the wounds across his body throbbed painfully. His vision blurred, but through the haze of pain, he could feel something deep within him stirring, a force waking up—a part of him he hadn't tapped into in a long time.
Kenzo: (smirking) Let's see what you've got, Dark. You won't last long.
Kenzo raised his hand, summoning dark energy that crackled violently around him like an impending storm. The air itself seemed to warp and distort under his power, bending reality as if it were nothing. He smiled darkly, watching Dark with predatory eyes.
Dark clenched his fists, his breath steadying as he felt the familiar weight of his weapon materializing at his side. But this time, it wasn't the usual Kyuketsu—the dark katana he'd wielded for so long. This time, it was something far more powerful, far more primal. The katana shifted and stretched, growing into something monstrous—a massive greatsword, black as the void itself, with edges that seemed to shimmer with raw, destructive energy.
Dark: (thinking) What... this sword... it feels different.
The blade was enormous, weighing down on him like the weight of an entire universe. The hilt alone required both hands to wield, and as Dark gripped it, he could feel the immense pressure of its power coursing through his veins. The blade was pulsing with an intense black aura that seemed to swallow the light around it.
Dark: (thinking) This... this sword... it's like it's alive.
Dark could sense the energy within the sword, a dark and twisted force that amplified his own power. It was as if the blade itself was an extension of his will, responding to his every thought, and it was hungry—hungry for battle, hungry for destruction.
Kenzo's smirk widened as he saw the transformation. He stopped his advance and crossed his arms, clearly amused.
Kenzo: (mockingly) Oh? You've got a new toy, I see. Let's see if that will be enough to save you.
Without a word, Dark raised the massive sword above his head. His body was still healing, slowly regenerating from the earlier damage. But as the strength returned to his limbs, something else came back with it—his original appearance. His long, black feathered hooded cape reformed, flowing behind him like a pair of shadowy wings. His tattered, bloodied outfit repaired itself, becoming the sleek, dark armor that had become synonymous with his name. Every part of him seemed to pulse with the immense power of the universe itself.
The sword in his hands—a massive, pitch-black greatsword—seemed alive, exuding an aura of such immense weight that it felt like it could crush the very fabric of reality itself. The blade was darker than night, the edges radiating an ominous, swirling energy.
Dark: (thinking) This blade... I can feel it. The universe's weight... It's unlike anything I've wielded before.
As Dark swung the massive sword downward, Kenzo's eyes suddenly widened. Something about the sword caught his attention, and for a brief moment, the great warrior's smirk faltered. His gaze locked onto the weapon in Dark's hands, a glint of recognition flashing in his eyes.
Kenzo: (thinking) That sword... it can't be...
Dark closed in, preparing to strike, but Kenzo stood still, his gaze still fixed on the greatsword as memories flashed before his eyes. It wasn't the sword itself, but the aura it gave off—a power he had faced before, in another time, in another battle.
Kenzo: (voice low, thinking) I've felt this power before... It was him... back then.
For a fleeting second, Kenzo's mind was elsewhere, lost in the memory of a battle long forgotten by most, a clash with a being who wielded a similar force, someone who had pushed Kenzo to his limits.
Dark, sensing an opening, rushed forward, bringing the sword down in a swift arc. The air trembled, and the ground beneath Dark's feet cracked as the sheer force of the attack approached Kenzo. But at the last moment, Kenzo's eyes snapped back to reality, and with a flicker of movement, he dodged the strike. The blade slammed into the ground with a resounding crash, sending tremors through the earth and splitting the ground beneath it.
Kenzo: (smirking again) So, you've inherited something powerful. But don't get cocky just because you have a sword that feels familiar.
Dark spun around, lifting the massive sword with surprising ease, his eyes locked onto Kenzo's smirk. He lunged forward, the sword crackling with dark energy as he swung it again. This time, Kenzo didn't dodge. Instead, he caught the blade mid-swing with both hands, his palms pressing against the flat of the greatsword.
Kenzo: (calmly) You're not the first to try this against me.
Dark pushed forward, but Kenzo held firm. The ground beneath them shattered, crumbling away from the pressure as the two locked in a battle of sheer strength. Dark's muscles strained, veins bulging as he pushed with all his might, but Kenzo's grip was unyielding.
Kenzo: (chuckling darkly) Come on, Dark. Is that all you've got?
With a surge of power, Kenzo pushed back, knocking Dark off balance. In a blur of motion, Kenzo unleashed a swift series of punches, his fists glowing with dark energy. Each hit landed with the force of a meteor, sending shockwaves through the air. Dark blocked with his sword, but the power behind Kenzo's blows still sent him sliding backward.
Dark gritted his teeth, holding the greatsword steady as he regained his footing.
Dark: (thinking) He's stronger than I thought... But I can't let up now.
Dark lunged forward again, his speed increasing as he swung the sword in rapid succession. The ground trembled beneath them as each strike connected with Kenzo's defenses, creating shockwaves that rippled through the air. Kenzo countered with precise, effortless movements, dodging and parrying with the grace of a seasoned warrior.
Kenzo: (grinning) You're fast, Dark. But not fast enough.
In a flash, Kenzo moved, disappearing from sight. Dark's eyes widened as he felt the sudden rush of wind behind him. Kenzo reappeared, his fist glowing with dark energy as he aimed for Dark's spine. At the last second, Dark twisted, blocking with his sword, but the force of Kenzo's punch still sent him skidding across the battlefield.
Kenzo: (laughing) You're starting to bore me.
Dark planted his feet firmly in the ground, using the momentum to spin back around. His sword glowed with an intense black aura as he summoned more energy, the weight of the universe pressing down on him.
Dark: (growling) Don't underestimate me.
Without warning, Dark charged forward, his sword raised high. The black aura around the blade grew darker, more intense, as if it were pulling the very light from the air around them. Kenzo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden shift in Dark's energy.
Kenzo: (thinking) Interesting... He's not holding back anymore.
The two clashed again, their movements a blur of speed and power. Dark's greatsword collided with Kenzo's energy-infused fists, each impact creating a shockwave that tore through the battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked and crumbled, chunks of earth flying into the air as the two titans fought.
Dark swung the sword in a wide arc, aiming for Kenzo's neck, but Kenzo ducked under the blade with inhuman speed, countering with a punch to Dark's ribs. The impact sent Dark flying, but before he could hit the ground, he twisted in mid-air, landing on his feet and skidding to a stop.
Dark: (thinking) I'm giving everything I've got... but it's not enough. He's adapting to everything I throw at him.
Kenzo: (laughing) Is that it? I expected more from someone wielding such a powerful blade. Or are you still warming up?
Dark narrowed his eyes, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter.
Dark: (gritting his teeth) I haven't even started.
Kenzo: (mocking) Good. Show me what you've really got, Dark.
Dark raised his sword once more, channeling all his energy into the blade. The air around him grew dense, almost suffocating, as the black aura intensified. The greatsword pulsed with power, its weight increasing as if it were drawing strength from the very universe itself.
Dark: (growling) This ends now!
With a roar, Dark charged forward, his sword blazing with dark energy. The ground beneath him shattered as he launched himself at Kenzo with blinding speed. Kenzo's smirk faded slightly as he braced himself for the attack, his fists glowing with dark energy.
Their clash was cataclysmic.
The impact of Dark's greatsword against Kenzo's energy-filled fists sent shockwaves through the battlefield, tearing the earth apart beneath them. The sky above them rippled, as if reality itself was struggling to contain the sheer force of their battle.
Kenzo: (thinking) Hehe, what a crazy kid, he's quite good I'll give him that
Dark pushed harder, pouring every ounce of his strength into the blade. The pressure was immense, the weight of the universe bearing down on him, but he refused to back down. Kenzo gritted his teeth, feeling the strain as he held back the power of Dark's greatsword.
Kenzo: (thinking) His power... it's growing stronger and stronger.
Dark's black aura flared, and with a final push, he broke through Kenzo's defense, the blade slamming into Kenzo's side. The force of the blow sent Kenzo flying across the battlefield, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Dark: (panting) I told you... I'm not done yet.
But as the dust settled, Kenzo stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. His body glowed with a dark, pulsating energy, his wounds healing almost instantly.
Kenzo: (laughing) Not bad, Dark. Not bad at all. But you're still not strong enough to take me down.
Dark's eyes widened as Kenzo's aura flared, his energy increasing tenfold.
Kenzo: (grinning) Now... let me show you what real power looks like...
As Kenzo's aura surged, an overwhelming pressure filled the air, making it difficult to breathe. Dark's hands trembled against the hilt of Kyuketsu as he felt the force of Kenzo's energy radiating outward like a tidal wave. He held his ground, muscles straining as he braced against the crushing weight of Kenzo's power.
Dark: (thinking) This... this strength. It's beyond anything I've ever faced. But I can't back down now.
Summoning his will, Dark tightened his grip and took a deep breath. But something inside him stirred, a dark voice whispering in the silence of his mind, urging him to reach beyond his limits.
Dark: Lurona Kokun.
In an instant, time itself froze. The roaring winds ceased, the waves of Kenzo's power stilled in midair, and a heavy silence settled over the battlefield. The world around Dark hung in suspended animation, as though existence itself was holding its breath.
Dark's grip on Kyuketsu loosened as the sword suddenly slipped from his grasp, hovering in front of him. His heart pounded as he watched it, the dark metal shifting, twisting, beginning to take shape before him. Slowly, it transformed, molding into a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness, its very presence exuding an aura that felt ancient and sinister.
The figure's eyes snapped open—deep, abyssal voids that seemed to devour the light around them. The intensity of its gaze sent a chill down Dark's spine, and he felt the weight of its malevolent energy pressing down on him.
Figure: (voice low, dark, and reverberating) You called upon me, Dark.
Its voice was like a growl, layered with centuries of suppressed rage and wisdom. The figure's presence was so intense that even within this timeless void, Dark could feel his very soul quiver.
Dark: (struggling to speak) Who... who are you?
The figure tilted its head, an amused smirk creeping across its dark face.
Figure: (ominously) My true name? It is Kuragari No Eiryuu. In your tongue, that would mean... Shadow of the Eternal Dragon. I am the spirit bound to the blade you wield—the depths of darkness beyond imagination, beyond existence.
The words seemed to echo within Dark's mind, his every sense attuned to the sinister energy radiating from the figure. It took a step closer, and Dark felt as though he were staring into an endless abyss, a place where light dared not reach.
Kuragari No Eiryuu: (coldly) You have wielded my strength, Dark, but not without a cost. Every cut, every blow—has only awakened my thirst. Are you ready to embrace what true darkness offers?
Dark swallowed, his heart pounding. The weight of the decision pressed on him, but he knew he had no other choice. He nodded, steeling himself.
Dark: (firmly) I'll take whatever power it takes to defeat him.
Kuragari No Eiryuu's smile grew wider, revealing sharp, shadowed teeth.
Kuragari No Eiryuu: Good. But understand this—you bear a weapon beyond mortal reckoning. It is a copy of my true form, a mere shadow. You'll only unlock my full strength when you are ready to abandon everything else.
With a low, menacing growl, the figure began to dissipate, merging back into the greatsword that floated before him. The blade, now darker and more sinister than before, returned to Dark's grip. He felt an overwhelming surge of power, his very essence vibrating with a dark energy that pulsed through him.
As time resumed, Dark met Kenzo's gaze with renewed determination, his aura now a deep black haze around him.
Dark: (grinning) I've got more fight left in me than you think.
Kenzo's eyes narrowed in curiosity as he watched Dark's transformation. The dark aura crackled around Dark, so dense and intense it seemed to pull the surrounding light into its depths. Without warning, he lunged forward, the greatsword a blur of black energy as it tore through the air.
Their clash was violent, each impact shattering the ground beneath them. Kenzo blocked and countered, but Dark's speed and ferocity were relentless, his attacks unyielding.
Kenzo: (thinking) What is this power? I've felt something like this before...
As Dark's blade swung down, it cut into the very air itself, leaving scars that lingered, portals opening into dark voids filled with bizarre, alien landscapes. Through the rifts, dark figures emerged, drawn to the chaotic energy of the battlefield. Kenzo's eyes widened as he recognized them.
Kenzo: (muttering) The World of the Strongest Souls... These are prisoners—beings with power beyond understanding.
Dark and Kenzo stopped, both turning to the portals, watching as the beings emerged, each one radiating a presence that seemed to challenge even the forces they had summoned.
End Of Arc 2 Chapter 13.