Without wasting a second, Ren lunged at Lex, sword aimed for a killing blow. Lex didn't flinch—but Rayn burst between them, kicking Ren away before he could strike.
Before Rayn could turn, Lex seized Rayn's arm and, with shocking strength, spun and hurled him aside. Lex shot forward—no hesitation—right for Ren.
His punch collided with Ren, but Ren blocked it with his katana, sparks flying.
Ren smirked, "What's up with you?"
Lex didn't reply. His face was blank, unreadable. He kicked—blinding speed—catching Ren in the chest. Even bracing with both hands, Ren was blown backward.
"Tch," Ren spat, shaking off pain.
Rayn reappeared, wariness in his eyes. "What's up with you, Lex? What are you—"
But Lex grabbed Rayn's face, ran at full speed, and slammed Rayn headfirst into Ren, smashing them both into a heap.
Rayn groaned, dazed, "What is with you…"
Ren growled, fury bubbling up. "Hey, don't play with me!"
He snapped his arm back and hurled his katana at Lex, so fast the blade was almost invisible—a silver flash.
Rayn's eyes went wide. "No way!"
Lex tilted to the side at the last instant, dodging, and his hand shot out—grabbing Ren's katana by the handle as it flew past. In a heartbeat, Lex was behind Rayn, blade ready, poised to strike.
Rayn spun just in time, blocking Lex's attack with his own katana—but Lex didn't slow. He brought his knee up, then kicked Rayn full-force in the stomach—so hard Rayn flew backward, crashing into the stone.
For the first time, Ren's mask cracked. "Huh. What do you think you're doing with my item?" His voice was ice and venom.
Lex didn't answer. Calmly, he stabbed Ren's own katana into the floor. The ground split in two with a deafening crack. Ren dodged, barely a blur, instinctively leaping away.
But Lex was already behind him.
One clean thrust. The sword pierced Ren's heart.
Blood sprayed as Ren's pupils shrunk. He tumbled to the ground. A shudder went through the air.
Lex turned, now heading for Rayn.
Rayn tried to call out, desperation in his tone. "Ren! Lex, come back to your senses!"
But Lex strode forward and rammed his fist into Rayn's gut—so hard Rayn doubled over, blood dripping from his mouth. Lex's fists met him again in the exact same spot—merciless, endless.
Rayn fell to his knees, choking, gasping, blood trickling from his mouth.
Lex stopped.
A heavy silence.
Across the room, Ren was sprawled on the cold ground. Inside his head, chaos raged.
What am I doing, lying here? How could I lose? How can I be their leader if I lost? If I lost to a kid… am I just weak? No. I can't lose. I can't…
His eyes snapped open, wild with fury.
Lex—expressionless moments ago—hesitated, surprise flickering across his face. Even Rayn noticed, blood still in his throat.
Both stared as a pitch black aura leaked from Ren's fallen body, snaking across the broken stones.
Rayn whispered, "What is this? Ren?"
The answer came—cold, echoing, powerful—
"ZONE".