The air was thick with the stench of blood and dust. The cave trembled as if the entire earth itself feared what was about to unfold.
Yushi stood before Waren, his chest rising and falling, eyes burning with rage.
"I'm also here…" His voice was colder than steel. "…to kill you."
Waren's lips curled into a grin. It wasn't human—it was too wide, too sharp. His eyes shimmered with a madness that gnawed at the mind.
"Oooh… nice," Waren chuckled, his words heavy with hunger. "Even better. BETTER! Come then, give me your all. Show me despair!"
With a roar, Yushi lunged forward. His fist, infused with raw strength, crashed into Waren's cheek.
Crack!
The sound echoed through the cavern. For a split second, Yushi expected blood, bone, and collapse. Any normal man would have died from such a blow.
But Waren did not fall.
He did not even flinch.
Yushi's eyes widened in horror. He… he took it. He just took it head-on?!
Before he could comprehend it, a counter-strike came. Waren's fist blurred like lightning, slamming into Yushi's face with monstrous force. The impact tore through his body, flinging him across the cavern floor like a broken doll.
"Gaaah—!" Blood sprayed from Yushi's lips as he crashed into the stone, the air ripped from his lungs. His vision swam, his thoughts dazed.
"What… what the hell was that…?" he whispered, barely conscious, the cavern spinning around him.
But Waren did not give him time to think.
Another strike came—this time to his stomach. Yushi felt his ribs nearly shatter, his organs screaming in pain. His eyes blurred, his body convulsed.
Waren laughed, the sound echoing like a demon's hymn. "Is that it? You're fun! You're so much fun, Yushi! Why don't you use it? That power of yours… the Command. Or are you too scared?!"
His mocking voice carved into Yushi's mind.
Yushi staggered, coughing blood, his legs trembling as he forced himself upright. Not yet. I can't… not now. If I use that…
But Waren's grin only widened, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring the kill.
Yushi clenched his fists. His voice trembled but his will was iron.
"No… I can't fall here. Not now."
The cave darkened. Air grew heavy, suffocating. Yushi's eyes burned with unnatural light.
"Lion's Code…" His voice shook the ground. "FORBIDDEN COMMAND—"
The cavern shuddered violently, rocks splitting and falling from the ceiling.
"…THE ZERO!"
At once, the world changed.
The air froze. The cave bent and twisted as if reality itself was being torn apart. A pressure beyond imagination filled the space—so heavy that even breathing became impossible.
Weller collapsed to his knees. Waren's grin vanished, his jaw slack, his body shaking uncontrollably.
This was not human.
This was not mortal.
Everyone felt it. The monsters, the cave, even the illusions—all bent under its presence.
An aura vast enough to swallow the heavens poured forth, suffocating everything in existence. It was the kind of power whispered in ancient tales, feared by kings, worshipped by zealots.
The light that came was blinding, holy yet suffocating.
"The Angels…" Waren whispered, his body trembling, his face drained of blood. His knees hit the ground, eyes wide with primal fear. "It can't be… it can't be real…"
Weller screamed, his voice cracking with terror.
"Na… no… nooooo!"
"What?!" Yushi turned, rushing toward him. "Weller, it's me! It's Yushi!"
But Weller's eyes were filled with pure horror. He crawled backward, shaking his head violently.
"No… no! Stay away! STAY AWAY!"
Yushi froze. His heart twisted. "Weller, what's wrong?! It's me! I'm—"
"I don't know who you are!" Weller screamed, tears streaming down his face. "Don't come near me!"
Confusion tore through Yushi's mind. He turned his gaze to Waren, seeking answers. "What did you do to him?!"
But Waren…
Waren was kneeling. His eyes wide, his body trembling. Sweat drenched him as if he'd been thrown into fire. His lips quivered, his voice breaking apart.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
"What?!" Yushi roared.
Waren's face contorted in terror, his tears streaming. He looked like a child begging for mercy.
"I SAID I'M SORRY! Please… forgive me… don't… don't destroy me!"
Yushi's rage burned hotter, but confusion gnawed deeper. He looked around—everyone, even the monsters—were on their knees, bowing as if crushed by divine weight.
"What… what the hell is happening to me?!"
Before an answer could come, the cave roared.
BOOOOOOM!
Walls split apart, stone shattered, the very ceiling collapsing. Light poured through the cracks as the entire cave imploded. The illusions dissolved like mist, freeing the minds of all trapped within. Screams filled the void as men and monsters alike fled.
Yushi staggered, looking around. His body shook. "What the fuck… is happening?!"
Hakari opened his eyes amidst the chaos and froze. His breath stopped, his heart trembled.
"This… this can't be real. Am I dreaming? That… that's an Angel. A true Angel…"
—he saw it.
Above the collapsing cave, standing beyond comprehension, was a being.
A colossal figure, its wings so vast they could shadow three worlds, spread across the heavens. Its head was beyond sight, lost beyond the veil of space. Its sword pierced into the earth like a mountain of divine judgment.
Only three of them saw it.
Hakari's words trembled with awe and terror.
And then—
BOOM!
A flash of light erupted. A sound that shattered the soul resounded, and one by one, everyone collapsed into unconsciousness.
Waren, bloodied and broken, forced himself to his feet. His eyes darted to only one thing escape . Gritting his teeth, he staggered and tore open a shimmering gate. His body half-dead, he escaped into the void.
And then—all was silence.
---
Meanwhile:
Kage's eyes opened. But he was no longer in the desert.
He lay in a soft bed, the scent of incense filling his lungs. His body ached, but he was alive.
"Where… where am I…?" he whispered. "How did I get here?"
A calm voice answered.
"You, my sir, were found collapsed in the desert between Koha and Doer's borders. You are safe now."
Kage tried to sit, confusion wracking his mind. "I… I need to find Hakari… I need to…"
But his strength failed him. He collapsed back into the bed, his eyes half-open.
The voice spoke again, gentle and composed.
"Do not worry. You are our guest. You are at the palace of the King of Doer."
Kage's eyes widened. His heart skipped. "Wait… what did you say?"
"I said… this is Doer's palace."
His mind spun. He opened his mouth to speak—but froze as the figure before him pulled aside a curtain.
A woman stood there, veiled and modestly clothed in silk. Her voice was soft, yet carried dignity.
"In Doer, it is tradition for a woman to cover herself until marriage. My name is Aalena… the Princess of Doer."
Kage blinked. His heart pounded. "…Wha… WHAT?!"
The princess tilted her head gently, her tone calm.
"There is no need to panic. Rest, sir. You are safe here."
She poured a glass of water and handed it to him. For a moment, the curtain slipped.
Her face was revealed—gentle, flawless, breathtaking.
Kage's heart thundered. The glass slipped from his hands and shattered on the floor.
"I… I-I'm sorry! Forgive me! It was my fault!" he stammered, his face flushed.
The princess only smiled faintly.
"It is not so bad. You are injured. You need someone to help you. I am glad you asked."
Kage's voice faltered, his heart trembling with confusion. "I… I…"
She bowed slightly. "Rest. I will bring you food."
As she left, Kage sat frozen. His heart still pounded, his thoughts spiraling.
She… she's beautiful. Too beautiful…
But another voice screamed inside him.
Wake up! You don't have time for this! Hakari… the others… you have to save them!
His fists clenched. His body trembled.
"Yes… I have to… I must!"
The path ahead was no longer just survival.
It was fate.