The battlefield was chaos. Blood, dust, and the heavy scent of iron filled the air as Bolt gritted his teeth, his body aching from the relentless onslaught of the Demon Minotaurs. Even with his newfound 10% control over his Warborn powers, the battle was anything but easy.
The Celestial Tempest and the remnants of the Black Squad had formed a defensive line, but they were barely holding on. The seven Demon Minotaurs loomed over them, their dark crimson eyes glowing with predatory hunger. Each of them was A+ rank, their muscles thick with supernatural power, their weapons dripping with dark energy.
Kairos stood atop a jagged rock, watching the chaos unfold with an eerie calmness. His long coat swayed in the wind, his fiery-red eyes locked onto Bolt. "You're improving, Bolt," he said, his voice cutting through the battlefield noise. "But you're still far from ready."
Bolt clenched his fists, his lightning-infused aura crackling around him. "Why, Kairos?! Why betray your own faction?!"
Kairos scoffed, stepping forward. "Betrayal?" He let out a dry chuckle. "This was never about loyalty. It was about power. You, Bolt, are standing in my way. Do you really think you deserve the title of Warborn? Do you think you deserve all that strength?"
Before Bolt could respond, one of the Demon Minotaurs roared, slamming its massive axe into the ground. A shockwave of dark energy erupted from the impact, knocking several Black Squad members off their feet.
"Shit!" Akane cursed, rolling away just in time. Aether barely managed to put up an earth barrier, but even that cracked under the force.
Valeon, standing beside Bolt, narrowed his eyes. "We need to take them down before they fully synchronize their movements," he muttered. "They're adapting to us."
Bolt nodded, raising his hands. The seven elemental energies surged within him, each one pulsating like a heartbeat. He could feel their power coursing through his veins—lightning crackled at his fingertips, wind coiled around his legs, and fire simmered in his palms. But controlling them all at once was still a struggle.
One of the Minotaurs lunged, its massive blade coming down in a brutal arc. Bolt barely managed to sidestep, the blade cleaving the ground where he stood. He countered instantly, sending a spiraling wave of fire toward the beast. It roared in agony as flames engulfed its arm, but it didn't go down.
Valeon moved swiftly, dashing past Bolt and slashing at another Minotaur's leg. His blade shimmered with condensed energy, slicing deep into its flesh. The beast howled but retaliated with a brutal backhand, sending Valeon flying into a nearby boulder.
"Bolt!" Aether called out. "We need a strategy!"
Bolt gritted his teeth. He knew Aether was right. The Minotaurs were stronger, but they weren't invincible. They just needed to be smarter.
"Akane, use your wind to blind them! Aether, reinforce the ground under us so we don't lose balance!" Bolt barked out orders, his mind moving faster than his body. "Valeon, flank them from the left. I'll take center!"
The team moved instantly. Akane raised her hands, summoning a violent whirlwind of dust and debris, reducing the Minotaurs' visibility. Aether slammed his fists into the ground, reinforcing it with his earth magic.
Bolt took a deep breath. This was it. He channeled his elements, feeling them surge through his body. He needed to push further. More than 10%.
A Minotaur charged at him, its axe poised for a devastating strike. Bolt's instincts kicked in. Lightning. Speed. Wind. Evasion.
He disappeared in a flash, reappearing behind the beast before it could react. A surge of electricity danced along his fingertips as he drove a lightning-infused punch into its back. The Minotaur howled, its body convulsing under the electrical surge.
Kairos watched from the sidelines, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad," he murmured. "But still not enough."
He raised his hand. A dark flame ignited in his palm, swirling with an unnatural aura. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a wave of black fire crashing toward Bolt.
Bolt barely had time to react. The fire was fast—too fast.
But at the last second, Valeon intercepted it, his blade glowing with a protective aura. The flames dispersed, but Valeon staggered back, his expression dark.
Kairos narrowed his eyes. "You should've stayed out of this, Valeon."
Valeon exhaled sharply. "And let you manipulate him?" He gripped his sword tighter. "I don't think so."
Bolt looked between them. There was history here—something deeper than he understood.
Before he could ask, one of the remaining Minotaurs roared, its body suddenly glowing with a dark crimson light. It was… evolving again.
Aether's eyes widened. "What the hell is that?!"
The Minotaur's muscles expanded, its horns lengthened, and its aura intensified. It was no longer just an A+ rank—it was something beyond that now.
Kairos smirked. "Looks like the real fun is about to begin."
---
The evolved Minotaur let out a guttural growl, and in a split second, it moved.
Faster than before. Stronger than before.
And its target was Bolt.
The last thing Bolt saw was a massive fist hurtling toward his face.
Then— impact.