I'm done playing games with you. It's time to die.
WHOOSH!
A violent gust split the air as Saponu vanished.
CRACK!
A brutal kick slammed into Epson's face, sending him flying through the air. He hit the ground hard, rolled twice, and came to a bloody stop. The earth groaned beneath him as he struggled up, wiping blood from his nose.
But there was no time.
FWIP! FWIP! FWIP!
Three more Saponus blinked into view, surrounding him like wolves. Their silence made it worse. No taunts. No jokes. Just cold, merciless eyes.
Epson's heart pounded. He's faster… stronger… how?
He gritted his teeth. "You think copies scare me?"
He slammed his hands together.
"Seal of Binding — Wall!"
A green wave pulsed from his seals. A massive wall of cursed symbols burst from the ground around him in a dome.
But—
BOOM!
A fist broke through the wall like paper.
A second fist followed—then a kick from behind.
His dome shattered.
BAM!
A punch to the ribs sent him skidding across the dirt.
Another clone swooped in from the air.
"Copyeye Ability: Meteor Fist!"
CRUNCH!
The blow landed on his shoulder, dislocating it. Epson screamed. The impact drove him halfway into the ground.
"Damn you—!"
He rolled over and pressed a hand to his chest.
"Seal of Spikes!"
SHHHHHK!
Dozens of cursed spikes erupted from his skin, stabbing outward.
One clone took a spike to the chest and burst into smoke.
Another darted back just in time, but a gash opened across its cheek.
Epson stood, shoulder dangling. "Still think I'm done?"
He slammed his foot down.
"Seal of Gravity — Sink!"
A circle of cursed gravity pulled the battlefield into a vortex.
The two remaining clones were sucked into the pull.
Epson raised both hands.
"Seal of Flame Burst!"
The ground lit up beneath them—
BOOM!
A fiery pillar consumed both shadows. The blast rocked the forest. Leaves flew like ash. The ground cracked.
Epson fell to one knee, panting.
His vision blurred.
Not enough. He's still out there…
A quiet voice echoed from behind him.
"You're improving."
Epson spun—but Saponu was already mid-air.
CRACK!
A spinning heel smashed across Epson's temple. Blood flew as he hit the ground with a heavy THUD.
Before he could move—
SLAM!
Saponu landed on his chest, pinning him.
"Copyeye Ability: Pulse Echo."
A vibrating ripple struck Epson's organs from inside.
He screamed. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
Saponu stood up and backed away.
"You've got grit. I respect that. But let's be honest."
He raised a finger.
"You're not on my level."
Epson groaned but smiled through bloodied teeth. "Neither… were your clones."
Saponu paused.
That tone…
Epson's body began glowing green.
He slammed both hands on the ground.
"Seal of Multiplicity — Army of Thorns!"
BOOM!
Six cursed beings rose from the earth. Twisted, armoured versions of himself—each with jagged arms and emerald eyes.
They roared and charged.
Saponu narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
His Copyeyes spun.
Three more clones blinked into place beside him.
They met the cursed army midair.
CLASH!
The battlefield exploded in chaos.
One thorn-warrior locked arms with a clone. Another launched cursed chains that whipped through the trees. Explosions of cursed light and clone energy filled the air. The ground became smoke and fire.
Epson limped backwards, clutching his shoulder.
He formed a single symbol with his good hand.
One shot left…
The real Saponu moved like a shadow through the battle, slicing through two of the thorn-beasts with ease.
Epson raised his hand.
"Seal of Core Erasure."
A green mark flashed beneath Saponu.
BOOM!
An explosion of cursed light swallowed him whole.
The thorn-army vanished.
Epson collapsed, coughing blood. His entire arm was charred from the spell.
He looked up, breathing ragged.
Please… let that be enough…
The smoke cleared.
Saponu stepped forward.
Unburned.
Untouched.
His Copyeyes glowed brighter than before.
"No."
He vanished.
CRACK!
A palm slammed into Epson's back, breaking bone.
"Copyeye Ability: Heat Spike."
Searing pain. A burning fist burst through Epson's chest from behind.
His breath caught.
He looked down.
Blood gushed from the hole.
Saponu whispered, "I liked your spirit."
He pulled his hand free.
Epson dropped to his knees.
"I… I was supposed to…"
He looked up toward the sky, tears and blood mixing.
"Mother…"
His body trembled. Blood streamed from his mouth. His vision blurred.
Then—
A memory flashed in his eyes.
He stood beneath a neem tree. Laughter filled the air. His mother was calling him inside. His father waved from the wooden fence. His grandfather sat on a stool, peeling oranges. His grandmother hummed softly while sorting herbs. His little sister chased butterflies, giggling, while his two older brothers mock-sparred with wooden sticks.
They were all there.
Whole. Alive. Smiling.
A memory.
A promise.
He had said it that night under the full moon, when everyone had fallen asleep but he stayed awake, watching the stars:
"I'll protect you all. No matter where I go. Even if it costs me everything."
Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes.
"Why…" he whispered. "Why am I remembering this now…?"
Saponu stepped forward.
"You were strong," he said. "But not strong enough."
Epson's vision dimmed.
He reached out—but his hand only fell limp.
Saponu raised one palm.
An orb of glowing energy formed.
Epson's mind screamed. No! Not like this!
Then—
BOOOOM!
The blast detonated inside Epson.
His body exploded in a storm of fire, blood, and shattered energy.
The ground shook. His scream was silent—his body torn apart.
When the smoke cleared, only ash remained.
And a glowing stone where Epson once stood.
Silence.
The wind howled.
Above, Wisdom Wokata watched.
A slow, wicked smile stretched across his face.
"Fascinating."
A pulse of power surged through Saponu's body.
His aura flared.
His grin widened.
"Finally… my powers are back."
The battlefield went still.
Across the field, even Monica Kwashi froze.
She felt it. Something had shifted.
She stared across at Saponu. His presence now radiated danger.
She took a slow step back.
Everyone did.
Even Wisdom let out a dark chuckle.
"Now this… is interesting."
Saponu slowly turned his gaze across the battlefield.
Then he locked eyes with Monica.
He grinned.
A wicked smirk on his face.
"You're next."