The forest trembled as a violent wind swept through the trees. Leaves spiraled through the air like frightened birds fleeing an unseen predator. In the middle of the clearing stood a towering figure—his dark aura pulsing like a living flame.
Ashura.
His crimson eyes burned with a terrifying calm as he stared down the two guardians standing before him.
Without warning, Ashura stepped forward.
Then he charged.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he rushed toward Karan and Deva, both hands gripping the twin blades known as the Double Synth. The weapons glowed with a cold metallic light, humming with deadly energy.
"Back me up, Karan!" Deva shouted as he tightened his grip on his sword. "I'm going head-on with him!"
Karan shot him a sharp look but nodded without hesitation.
"Don't die before I get there," Karan muttered.
Deva give him a smile and dashed forward, his blade cutting through the air with blinding speed. Ashura met him halfway.
CLANG!
The sound of metal colliding exploded through the forest like thunder.
Sparks burst into the air as Deva's sword clashed against Ashura's Double Synth. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the trees, making branches shudder violently.
Ashura smiled.
It wasn't the smile of a warrior enjoying battle.
It was the smile of a predator toying with its prey.
Deva gritted his teeth and pushed forward with another strike. Ashura spun one of his blades, effortlessly deflecting the attack.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The echoes of steel clashing rang across the forest again and again.
"Karan! Now!" Deva shouted.
Karan had already moved.
Standing on a high branch, he pulled the string of his bow with deadly precision.
"Let's see you block this."
WHOOSH!
The first arrow sliced through the air like lightning.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, a storm of arrows rained down on Ashura.
But Ashura didn't move.
He simply lifted his blades.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Every arrow was cut in half before it could even reach him.
Some he deflected. Others he sliced apart midair with terrifying accuracy.
Not a single arrow touched him.
Karan's eyes narrowed.
"He's blocking all of them…"
Ashura glanced up toward Karan and chuckled softly.
"You'll have to try harder than that."
His mocking tone made Deva's blood boil.
"Don't underestimate us!" Deva roared as he lunged forward again.
Ashura tilted his head slightly, almost bored.
"Is that all the guardians of the east can do?"
Deva swung his sword with everything he had. Ashura raised the Double Synth again and blocked the strike effortlessly.
The sound of metal clashing echoed once more through the forest.
The battle had begun.
Not just between warriors.
But between ideals.
Between light and darkness.
Between guardians and the force that threatened to destroy everything they protected.
The battle between Ashura and the Guardians…
The battle between good and evil…
Had officially begun.
Far away from the battlefield, deep within the mountains, stood an ancient temple hidden among towering stone cliffs.
Inside the temple, silence ruled.
Candles flickered softly in the dim hall, their golden light dancing across the walls carved with sacred symbols.
At the center of the prayer chamber sat a man dressed in white robes.
Before him stood a grand statue of Lord Shiva, towering above the chamber like a silent guardian.
The man sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his eyes closed in deep thought.
This man was known as Lord Seven.
Time seemed to slow around him.
For a long moment, the only sound in the chamber was the gentle flicker of candle flames.
Then—
"Master."
A calm voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
The voice shattered Lord Seven's deep thoughts.
"It has been a long time. It is an honor to see the great Lord Seven healthy as ever."
Lord Seven slowly opened his eyes and turned around.
Behind him stood a group of warriors.
At the front was a young woman kneeling respectfully on one knee.
Miss Jun.
Behind her stood Hari and five other guardians, their expressions serious and disciplined.
"The Valkyries are present," Miss Jun said respectfully. "We await your orders."
Lord Seven looked at them quietly.
Then a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"It's always a pleasure to see you doing well, Miss Jun."
Miss Jun bowed her head slightly.
"So tell me, Master… why have you summoned us here?" she asked. "Whatever your command may be, we will be honored to fulfill it."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
The air inside the temple grew strangely heavy.
Lord Seven's smile faded.
Miss Jun noticed it immediately.
A flicker of tension appeared in her eyes.
Something was wrong.
Finally, Lord Seven spoke.
"I want all of you to go east," he said slowly. "You will act as a backup unit for an investigation team."
Miss Jun's eyebrows tightened in confusion.
"Master… you are sending two upper guardians and five fourth-rank guardians?"
Her voice carried disbelief.
"That means the situation must be extremely critical."
Silence returned once again.
Miss Jun lowered her head respectfully.
"Forgive me, Master… but could you please give us more information about this mission?"
Lord Seven looked toward the statue of Lord Shiva.
His eyes were heavy with concern.
"I'm afraid I cannot give you full details," he said quietly. "There isn't enough time."
The guardians exchanged uneasy glances.
Then Lord Seven continued.
"But I need you to accept this mission."
His voice became colder.
"Because… you may encounter them."
The room froze.
Miss Jun felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Lord Seven spoke the name slowly.
"The Six Evils of Desire."
The moment those words echoed through the chamber, the atmosphere changed completely.
Fear spread across the faces of every guardian present.
Even the calm Hari looked stunned.
Miss Jun's eyes widened in shock.
"The… Six Evils of Desire…?" she whispered.
Her voice trembled.
She slowly looked up at Lord Seven, fear flickering in her eyes.
Master but"Why…?"