The entire base is exposed.
And in the center
Two figures stand.
One cloaked in FAKE wind.
One cloaked in fire.
Neither has fallen.
The smoke clears.
Raiji stands in the crater. Red Death still burning. Elemental Slayer glowing with residual wind.
His chest heaves. His arms tremble.
But his eyes are locked on the Paladin.
RAIJI:"You... wind element too?"
The Paladin straightens. His breathing is heavy but controlled. His body is already knitting itself back together. Burns fading. Cuts closing.
He looks at Raiji with cold curiosity.
PALADIN:"For you to find out."
A pause. His eyes narrow.
"How did you destroy my tornado? Wait..."
He studies Raiji's blades. The way they move. The way they absorb.
"Is it that reason?"
Raiji doesn't answer.
He swings.
Fire slice. The ground splits. A wave of flame rushes toward the Paladin.
The Paladin dodges.
But he's slower now.
Heavy breathing.
Sweat on his brow.
Raiji watches.
His inner voice speaks quiet. Calculated.
Inner Thought: "He's not making wind. He's just... that strong."
A beat.
*"And I think I recall something. Stamina. Cube users use stamina. Hope this works."
Raiji tightens his grip.
He doesn't attack again.
He waits.
Watches.
The Paladin's healing is slowing down.
His breathing is getting louder.
And Raiji smiles.
"Let's see how long you can heal."
Raiji grips both blades. Tightens his stance.
He dashes forward
A barrage of blows.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
The Paladin blocks each one barely. Steel screams against steel. Sparks fly.
Then the Paladin shoves him upward tries to throw him off with a counter
Raiji twists mid-air.
Red Death slices down.
Catches the Paladin's leg.
Blood sprays.
Raiji lands. Darts back.
He looks at Elemental Slayer.
Fire and wind swirl around the blade fighting for control. Crackling. Spitting.
He steadies it.
Then swings.
The blade tears through the floorboards. They rattle. Rip loose. Splinter upward
The Paladin tries to move.
His leg gives out.
The attack hits him head-on.
Chest ripped open. Lower body exposed. Fire catches his skin.
He flies backward. Slams into the wall.
Doesn't get up.
Raiji lowers his blade.
His voice is cold. Calm.
RAIJI:"Try to get up after that."
A pause.
"I call that... the Dragon Breath."
The Paladin's body twitches.
Burned flesh knits. Bone fuses. Muscle reattaches.
But slower now.
Much slower.
He pushes himself up. One knee. Heavy breathing.
His voice is ragged. Struggling.
PALADIN:"You... dare strike a PALADIN?"
t
The Paladin struggles to his feet.
His arm hangs limp cauterized at the shoulder. Smoke still rises from the wound.
But his eyes are cold. Focused.
He raises his remaining hand.
His blade spins in a slow cycle gaining speed. Wind curls around it.
PALADIN:"This is another tornado blade."
His voice is low. Dangerous.
"Just for you."
He starts to spin
Raiji dashes forward.
Blink.
He reappears behind the Paladin.
Red Death swings
A clean cut.
The Paladin's other arm falls.
Flames eat the wound. Seal it.
Raiji lands. Doesn't turn.
RAIJI:"Not that move again."
A pause.
"That's why... too much."
The Paladin stares at his missing arm.
No scream. No panic.
He flexes his shoulder muscle.
The wound twitches.
Five seconds pass.
More.
Then a white gue forms. Pulses. Stretches.
A new arm pushes out.
Pale. Raw. Unfinished.
But functional.
The Paladin flexes his new fingers.
His voice is strained. Breathing heavy.
PALADIN:"I had to regrow a new arm."
He picks up his blade.
"Now you pay."
He swings
Ice erupts from the blade.
Raiji meets it with fire.
Fire slice.
They clash.
Steam explodes between them.
The Paladin dashes forward.
Swing.
Raiji blocks
Gets sent flying into the wall.
Cracks spider behind him.
He slides down.
Slowly gets up.
Shakes his head.
The Paladin dashes forward.
Faster than before.
His rebuilt arm flexes. His blade cuts through the air huge. Hungry.
Raiji sees it coming.
The blade is right there. Inches from his face.
Two options: block or dodge.
That's what an average fighter would think.
Raiji grabs Red Death.
And blinks.
He reappears to the side.
Strike.
Blade cuts into the Paladin's side.
Blood gushes.
Raiji lands
His shoulder pops.
Blood sprays from his own wound.
He stumbles. Looks down.
A deep cut.
From shoulder to chest.
"When?"
He looks at the Paladin.
RAIJI (breathing hard):"How did someone as big and bulky as you cut me?"
A beat.
"And so fast?"
His eyes narrow.
"You've got a lot of stamina too..."
Raiji's arm trembles. His grip on Red Death is slipping. The blade feels heavy like it's made of stone instead of steel.
He can barely hold it.
His shoulder screams. Blood drips down his fingers.
The Paladin stands across from him. Breathing heavy. But standing.
He raises his blade. Ice forms along the edge. Crystals crawl up the steel.
PALADIN:"Next shot will freeze you."
His voice is flat. Certain.
"End this all at once."
Raiji looks at Red Death.
He doesn't speak.
But his eyes say everything.
"Please."
A pause.
"If you're really alive... help me."
He doesn't know if it's true. If the blade has a soul. If the clerk was right.
Could be a wild theory.
Could be nothing.
The blade warms in his hand.
He swings.
Fire erupts not from him.
From the blade itself.
The flames tear through the air. Slam into the Paladin's side.
His wound already healing slows.
Heals slower this time.
Much slower.
He falls to one knee.
Fire clings to his skin. Burns. Won't stop.
He forces it off. Stands again.
But he's slower now.
Weaker.
Raiji stares at Red Death.
His voice is quiet.
RAIJI:"...It worked."
MEANWHILE — MOMENTS BEFORE THE CHURCH FELL
(Insert flashback or cutaway to the Pastor's last moments, the explosion, or the crew regrouping. Where do you want to take this?)