Byron coughed out a dark mist as he staggered from the last blow.
His body was scorched, his armor cracked, but his pride burned hotter than ever.
> "I won't be defeated by a boy who doesn't even know who he is!!"
He roared and slammed his fists into the ground—Dark Steel Breaker activated.
Massive steel pillars burst out in every direction, slamming into the walls, floor, and ceiling of the chamber. One slammed into Show, launching him into a stone barrier with a thunderous crack.
Dust and debris flooded the room.
Raelyn, Karen, Drake, and the others looked on, horrified.
> "Show!" Karen gasped.
> "That bastard…!" Drake clenched his fists.
> "Is it over?" Lily whispered.
But as the dust settled—a glowing silhouette emerged, levitating above the shattered steel.
Show, completely unharmed, stood mid-air, eyes glowing bright, his aura still flaring like a solar storm.
> "You're done, Byron."
He raised his fist, engulfed in blazing heat. The very air rippled around it.
> "This fight… this nonsense ends now."
Byron screamed and charged up everything he had.
> "DARK STEEL RAMPAGE!!"
He summoned a hundred steel spears around him, spinning them like a storm of metal and hatred.
Show exhaled softly, then extended both hands above his head. The fire around him pulsed and transformed—a mythical bird of flame formed behind him.
> "ANCIENT MAGIC: Burning Phoenix Strike!!"
With a screeching cry, the giant fire phoenix soared forward, crashing into Byron's attack.
The explosion that followed lit up the entire ruins, shaking its foundation and sending a wave of blazing wind across the battlefield.
---
When the light died down…
Byron lay defeated, buried in broken pillars.
And Show stood tall, levitating above the cracked floor, flames gently falling from his body like divine embers.
Everyone stared in awe.
But then—something shifted.
Chunks of dust and debris fell off the wall behind Byron's collapse… revealing something ancient.
A mural—a faded painting etched deep into stone. It showed a figure cloaked in fire, standing alone, facing a massive, shapeless darkness.
Flames curled around his body in the exact same way as Show's Burning Phoenix form.
The students all stared in silence.
> "That… that figure…" Raelyn muttered.
"He… looks like Show."
> "Is it just a coincidence?" Clod asked.
> "No way," Veil said coldly. "That's not coincidence. That's history."
Show hadn't noticed it. He turned toward the battered Byron, walking calmly.
> "You talk too much, Byron. You're strong, but your fear made you blind."
"You wanted to use my power. But power means nothing without purpose."
"And I've already found mine."
Byron tried to speak, but collapsed unconscious.
Suddenly—the walls cracked. The mural began to crumble. The ruins were collapsing.
> "EVERYONE OUT!" Criss shouted.
> "On it!" Clod said, raising his hands.
He created a massive spatial gate, large enough to fit the whole team.
> "Clara would be proud of you," Drake smirked.
> "Hurry!" Lily called.
Raelyn looked at the mural one last time, then followed the others.
Clod turned to Show.
> "Coming?"
Show looked at the flaming dust swirling behind him. He nodded silently.
> "Let's go home."
---
Outside, as the ruins faded into smoke…
The students stood in the dawn light, wind blowing softly. Victory was theirs—but questions loomed larger than ever.
Final words from everyone:
Raelyn:
> "This isn't the end. It's only the beginning of the truth."
Drake:
> "Whatever lies ahead… we'll burn it down together."
Karen:
> "Show... I don't know who you really are. But I believe in you."
Veil:
> "That mural... the Dark Order knows. And now we're part of that story."
Clod:
> "I'll look into it. I want to know who that flaming warrior really was."
Cyrus:
> "This mission turned into a war. We'll be ready next time."
Lina (grinning softly):
> "We're not just students anymore. We're legacy."
Show (smiling faintly):
> "Whatever that vision meant… whatever I really am…
I'll keep going.
I'm not alone anymore."
---
To Be Continued...