The rain fell heavy that night. Lightning slashed across the sky like divine blades, and thunder rumbled like war drums announcing the chaos to come. Inside the main hall of the Guild of a Thousand Lights, Ryan, Ryu, Ethan, Kane, and Dante awaited the arrival of Kelvin Nox. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the distant roar of the storm.
The doors burst open, and Kelvin appeared. His steps were steady, but his face carried the weight of a man who fully understood the risk of what was about to unfold.
"You all know what's at stake," he said, locking eyes with each of them. "Ron Stormbreak and Annie are in the wrong hands. Worse… they're in Hant's hands."
The very name cast a shadow. Everyone felt the pressure, but Ryan most of all. He knew Hant better than anyone — not just a villain, but a manipulator, a genius who could turn a single hesitation into a death sentence.
Kelvin drew a deep breath before continuing:
"Dante, Ryu… I entrust this mission to you. You'll lead the operation. The rescue depends on your command."
Dante nodded without hesitation, but Ryu clenched his fists, silently vowing not to fail.
Kelvin then stepped toward Ryan, piercing into him with a gaze that seemed to strip away every layer of doubt.
"Ryan, I know the weight you carry… but don't let fear rule your mind. That's exactly what the enemy wants."
Ryan lowered his eyes, staring at his trembling hands. Ethan noticed and moved closer with his usual laid-back air, trying to ease the tension.
"Hey, man, you nervous?" he asked with a half-smile.
Ryan drew a long breath. "Maybe… It's been over ten months I've felt like this before missions. But tonight… it's different. I feel like one mistake could cost us someone… forever."
Ethan gripped his shoulder firmly. "You're right. But tonight won't be about loss. Tonight will be about victory. Trust me, Ryan. We're not leaving anyone behind."
Before Ryan could answer, Kane cracked his knuckles and said loudly:
"Enough with the drama, guys. Let's end this once and for all!"
The storm only grew fiercer as they advanced to the marked location: an abandoned arena, surrounded by ruins and lit only by the storm's flashes. The pounding rain echoed like drums, setting the stage for the inevitable clash.
As soon as they entered, the sight froze their hearts. In the stands, seated as if on cruel thrones, were Ron Stormbreak and Annie. Both were shackled in chains that nullified aura. Annie's weakened eyes searched for Ryan, as if begging him for salvation.
A laugh split the silence. Hant emerged, hovering in the air, cloaked in his twisted aura.
"Once again, it's you and me, Ryan Valeborn," his venomous voice rang out. "You made a mistake, boy. You could have killed me when you had the chance… and now I'll take everything from you."
Ryan's eyes burned with fury, but before he could move, Hant raised a gleaming blade. His target was clear: Annie.
Time seemed to stop. The blade shone under the storm, about to pierce her heart. But suddenly, the arena erupted in lightning. Not aura-born sparks — but natural, untamed thunder, summoned by the unmatched force of Ron Stormbreak.
Ethan's eyes widened, tears mixing with rain. "Uncle Ron…"
Though battered, Ron forced himself upright. His voice rang with the might of a true hero.
"Ethan… lend me the daggers Raijin & Arashi."
Ethan unsheathed the legendary weapons — heirlooms of Ray Stormbreak — and hurled them toward his uncle. Ron caught them, his gaze ignited like fire.
"Take the girl… and run."
"B-but you—" Ethan stammered.
"NOWWWW!" Ron roared, unleashing a colossal surge of electricity that threw the enemies back.
There was no time to hesitate. Ryan rushed to Annie, shattering the chains with every ounce of strength he had, and pulled her into his arms. Together they fled the arena under the relentless storm, while the others stayed behind to fight.
But fate gave no mercy. Outside, the sky lit up with a golden and violet explosion. Two towering presences appeared: Arcanis, sharp and deadly, and Bhor the Fool — yet neither were the same as before. Their auras had multiplied, as if they carried the might of legendary beasts.
"Damn it…" Ryu muttered through clenched teeth. "Ryan! Take Annie! Dante and I will hold Arcanis!"
Dante smirked coldly. "Yeah. Let's show them who we are."
Ethan stepped forward, facing Bhor. "And I'll finish off this yellow clown!"
"Who the hell are you calling a clown?!" Bhor snapped, his goofy face twisted with newfound power. "This time, I'll end you all!"
Kane grabbed Ryan by the shoulder, his tone sharp.
"Go, nerd! Take Annie somewhere safe. We'll handle this."
Left with no choice, Ryan pulled Annie with him and ran.
With every step, the silence between them grew heavier than any battle. Rain streamed down their faces, blending with the tears neither dared to release.
"Ryan… why are you so cold to me?" Annie's trembling voice broke the quiet.
Ryan hesitated, still running, but her words burned inside him.
"It's nothing, Annie."
"Don't lie to me! You won't even look me in the eyes!"
Ryan suddenly stopped. Thunder lit his face — a face broken, torn by pain.
"It's because… Annie… we can't be together anymore."
Her heart stopped. "What…? Why?"
"Because if you stay with me, you'll die." His voice cracked, tears finally falling.
"Ryan… we can find a way—" she tried to reach for him.
But he stepped back. "Don't call me Yan. Please."
Her tears mixed with the storm. "But I want to stay with you… because I love you!"
Ryan collapsed into her embrace, holding her tight. "I love you too. But if we keep going like this… I'll lose you. And I can't bear the thought of watching you die because of me."
They wept together, bound in an embrace that said more than words ever could. Finally, Ryan kissed her — desperate, passionate, and heartbreaking. Their last kiss.
When they parted, Ryan whispered:
"No matter what happens… thank you, Annie. For everything. For every smile, every moment."
He carried her back to the Guild of a Thousand Lights. Abby opened the door, startled.
"Ryan! What are you going to do?"
With red eyes and a face of cold steel, Ryan answered:
"Finish this."
And he left without looking back, Annie's sobs breaking the silence behind him.
The thunder roared once more, as if the world itself grieved. On the horizon, the silhouettes of Hant, Arcanis, and Bhor gleamed in the storm. Ryan walked toward them, alone, resolute.
The end of that night would not just be a battle.It would be a sacrifice.
To be continued...