—
Sparks flew as Hoshiro's fist clashed with Reiji's crimson claw. The underground chamber trembled from the force of their collision—stone cracked, metal bent, and lights above flickered like dying stars.
Reiji snarled, "You always held back. Even now, you're too soft!"
"I was trying to save you!" Hoshiro growled. "But you already chose this path."
They broke apart—Reiji launched bolts of red energy, tearing through the walls. Hoshiro weaved through them, vanishing in a flicker of speed. He reappeared behind Reiji, slamming his knee into his back and sending him crashing through a reactor core.
"You're not the only one who's evolved," Hoshiro muttered.
Suddenly, the walls cracked wider—fluid leaked from shattered tanks. Dozens of mutated experiments stirred, awakened by the chaos. They screeched and surged forward—creatures of twisted limbs and glassy eyes, no longer human.
"We need to retreat!" Kazuki shouted, slashing at one with his electrified blade.
"No," Hoshiro said. "This ends now."
Reiji burst from the rubble, wings of fire erupting from his back. "Then die with them!"
Hoshiro's blue aura intensified, forming a blade of pure light around his arm. "You're no longer my brother, Reiji… but I'll give you the fight you want."As monsters closed in from all sides, the two clashed once more—center stage in a maelstrom of chaos. Old bonds shattered, and war echoed in every blow.
—