The golden lotuses, once glowing with eternal light, burst apart in brilliant shatters of fire and sound. Above the mountainous lands of the Uaan Sect, petals of golden energy fell like rain, vanishing into sparks before touching the ground. The Thousandfold Rebirth Array, a symbol of immortality and illusion, collapsed at last.
Underground, the teleportation circle flickered.
A team of shadowy figures emerged through arcs of distorted space—Wolf 7 at the front, his masked face calm despite the darkness bleeding from his fingertips. Beside him, Girath's chest heaved, blood running from his knuckles. Behind them, Mafyuu's sharp eyes scanned the cracked cavern walls, and the twin sisters Sera and Hira walked in silence, ice mist and embers swirling around them.
The last burst of the teleportation circle pulsed, and Mido appeared with several support soldiers and healers. They rushed forward instantly, their palms glowing with healing light. One knelt beside Girath, pressing a glowing talisman to his side.
"I never thought we'd pull this off so clean," Mido murmured, his voice calm. "Still, we've drawn blood. The wolves must howl now."
Sera glanced at him, smiling softly. "The song has begun."
The shadows peeled away from the broken underground and opened a tunnel. Above them, the sky was streaked with strange crimson clouds, the Uaan Sect now laid bare. Lightning clashed in the distant sky as the mana fields twisted violently.
Wolf 1, Girath, stood, stretching his neck. "Healers, get the wounded ready. Everyone else—follow the strategy. Today, we rip open heaven."
---
Across the sacred grounds of the Uaan Sect, bells rang. The last echo of illusion faded. Dao disciples, masters, and elders stood armed in ancient robes, blades humming with energy, spirits taut like drawn strings.
The sect had transformed.
The mountainous paths were fortified with layered spells. Ancient runes floated in the air like glowing birds. On the highest platform, beneath a cherry blossom tree that never shed its petals, sat Jacob.
Calm. Composed. Surrounded by twenty elders and commanders.
His eyes reflected the battlefield, yet his soul dwelled elsewhere.
"You're still coming, aren't you, old friend?" he whispered.
In the main sect grounds, the armies clashed.
Force 1 — The Frontline Smash
Wolf 1, Girath, and Wolf 4, the Mad Demon, tore into the outer defense. Girath's fists shattered spirit walls. The Mad Demon laughed as he cleaved through Daoist defenders, fire in his eyes, blood staining his chest.
"They send children to die," he grinned. "Send me warriors!"
Blades met flesh. Dao arts flared. Girath lifted an entire boulder and hurled it, smashing a line of defensive masters.
Force 2 — Midfield Command
Mido stood atop a floating stone with Hira and Sera beside him.
"Now," he ordered.
Sera unleashed a wave of icy wind. It froze formations in place. Hira followed with a firestorm that shattered the ice—and the Dao barriers beneath. Mido's hands danced through command signals, shifting troops and backup support into formation.
Waves of Karlos's army poured through the breaches.
Force 3 — Silent Assassins
Mafyuu vanished into the sect's deeper layers, followed by the Masked Man and their assassination squad. One by one, key Uaan elders were found and eliminated.
"Make it silent," Mafyuu whispered.
One elder raised an alarm—only for a blade to pierce his throat. The masked figure melted into the shadows again.
Force 4 — Death Waits
The battlefield trembled. A wounded elder screamed.
Then, without warning, a whisper cut through the fog.
Wolf 8 appeared.
A ghost.
A silent shadow that ended the lives of those who teetered on the brink. His troops were like mist, dragging enemies into the void.
Force 5 — Chaos Incarnate
From the flanks, a monstrous beast emerged—a towering beast with shifting shapes. It crushed buildings, roared with multiple mouths, and scattered formations.
Wolf 9, the shapeshifter, laughed.
"I'll be your nightmare today."
Force 6 — Shield of the Rear
Behind the army, Old Man Neon stood calmly, his sword drawn only when necessary. His blade danced only when enemies reached the healers.
No one got past him.
Force 7 — The Arrowhead
Then came Karlos.
With Kell and his personal guard, he tore through the heart of the battlefield.
Dao masters fell.
Even sect elders were overpowered. Karlos's presence alone bent the wind, broke barriers.
He did not stop until the teleportation spell cast.
The battlefield slowed.
And in a pulse of light, Karlos vanished.
---
The Chessboard of the Past
Karlos appeared in a place untouched by battle.
A garden.
High above the main sect grounds, beneath the ancient cherry tree. Wind brushed petals past his face. Kell stepped beside him, tense but alert.
Across the garden sat Jacob.
He smiled. A chessboard lay between them.
"I've been waiting," Jacob said.
Karlos did not respond immediately. He stepped forward, his cloak dragging the scent of blood and fire.
"You're still playing games," Karlos said.
Jacob gestured at the board. "One last match. For the old times."
They sat. Kell remained standing.
Each move they made was mirrored below—soldiers dying, walls falling, elders clashing.
Jacob placed a pawn.
"You came with one lakh," he murmured. "Was I worth that much?"
Karlos moved his knight.
"I came for them. But I stayed for you."
Jacob's smile faltered just slightly.
Cherry blossoms drifted.
Hints of an old bond hung heavy in the air, not spoken but carved into the silence.
Karlos leaned back.
"I never thought I'd have to kill a friend."
Jacob sighed.
"Perhaps you won't have to."
But both men knew this story had only begun.
The battle raged below.
And the ghosts of their past had begun to awaken....