The air inside the cave was thick and tense.
The only light came from the glow of auras and the flicker of lightning in the cave. Every footstep, every breath echoed slightly off the cave walls.
Ozaki stood tall. His face was calm, but his eyes were locked in—sharp, ready. His scythe rested across his shoulder, the blade glowing faintly with energy.
Across from him stood Rujer. His skin was covered in thick, moving black ink that crawled like it was alive. His black eyes stared at Ozaki, and a crooked smile sat on his lips. It wasn't friendly. It was mocking.
The ground beneath them cracked softly under pressure.
Behind them, Team Ozaki—Sora, Lumei, Ichiha, and Chella—stood near the cave walls, watching in silence. No one moved. No one breathed loud.
Then—
Ozaki stepped forward.
The stone cracked beneath his foot.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished in a flash of blue lightning.
He appeared mid-air, scythe already raised. His body turned mid-spin as he swung the glowing blade downward. A sharp wave of blue energy exploded through the air.
CRACK!
The energy slammed into Rujer's chest with full force.
Rujer's body jerked back. Black blood burst from his mouth, splashing across the cave floor like thick oil. He took two steps back, his body slightly hunched.
But he didn't fall.
He slowly stood up straight, wiped the side of his mouth with the back of his hand, and grinned.
"Heh…" he let out a low chuckle. His voice was rough. "Not bad… Finally, something worth feeling."
Suddenly, both of his arms flared up with swirling shadow ink.
Without warning, he thrust his hands forward.
Six shadow balls formed instantly in his palms—dark, spinning orbs that pulsed like tiny black holes.
He launched them.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Ozaki's eyes narrowed.
With smooth movements, he spun his scythe and deflected the first ball—CRACK!—dark mist exploded around him.
He ducked under the second. Turned sideways to dodge the third. Hopped back from the fourth.
But the fifth shadow ball slipped past and slammed into the cave floor behind him.
BOOM!
The rock exploded, a small crater forming. The ground hissed and turned black from the contact. It wasn't just energy—it was corrosive.
Ozaki landed lightly, scythe in hand, legs bent in a fighting stance. His expression was focused.
"You're not just borrowing power," he said quietly. "You're made from Kaku."
Rujer smirked. "You're smarter than you look."
He lifted his arms slowly.
"Case Form: Form 1 — Rujer's Shadow Bird."
The last remaining shadow balls rose above his head and started spinning. Faster and faster. The cave's air grew colder.
The orbs twisted into each other, merging and folding like fabric in a storm.
Then came the shape.
Wings.
Claws.
A long beak.
The black energy formed a massive shadow bird, hovering in the air. Its wings stretched wide, its feathers flowing like smoke. It looked like it was made of mist, but heavy. It left trails of black as it flapped slowly.
Then it screamed.
A loud, broken sound—like wind moving through shattered glass.
Sora gasped, hand over her mouth.
Chella stumbled back, eyes wide. "That's a summon…"
Lumei stared, whispering, "That's his main attack. He shaped his own body ink into this... He's the bird."
Ichiha readied his blade, sweat on his brow.
The shadow bird circled above Rujer. Its glowing purple eyes stared directly at Ozaki, unblinking.
Ozaki didn't flinch.
His feet shifted slightly. Both hands held the scythe. His body lowered just a little. He was ready.
His voice was quiet but sharp.
"Let's see," he said, "if a shadow bird can bleed."
---
A few steps away, Lumei wasn't watching the bird anymore.
His sharp eyes were on Rujer—watching closely. Every movement. Every breath.
"There's a pattern," Lumei muttered. "The shadow moves when his emotions rise. His power surges with excitement…"
He stepped closer to the others, voice low but urgent.
"He's smart—but not perfect. He's tied to that form. The more he uses it, the more energy he burns."
Sora turned to him, wide-eyed. "You think we can beat him?"
Lumei's eyes stayed on Rujer.
"If we find the rhythm," he said, "we can break it."
Ichiha nodded, his grip on his sword tightening. "Then let's keep watching."
They all turned back toward the fight.
The giant shadow bird screeched again, wings stretching wider.
Below it, Ozaki raised his scythe, face steady, body calm—but ready for war.
The battle wasn't over.
It had only just begun.