Kiroschi arrived at the lowest yet largest floor of the ship. There were 30 rooms lined up one after another on this floor. Within the pitch-black darkness, he entered one of the rooms. Macler descended to the lower floor right after him.
''Where are you, cowardly Shadowian? Are these actions fitting for a sorcerer?!''
Kiroschi hid beneath one of the beds inside the room.
''If you enter this room, I'll tear you apart with G-Technic!''
Macler's footsteps were becoming louder and louder.
''If I wanted to, I could drag you out of wherever you're hiding in a single move. But I don't want this ship to sink.''
Eventually, Macler entered the very room Kiroschi was hiding in. Inside the pitch-dark room, Macler's electro sword glowed brightly.
Kiroschi prepared both his sword and dark magic. His black mask also helped him camouflage within the darkness.
''You're not in this room either. Guess I should check the next one.''
Macler turned around and was about to leave the room. At that moment, Kiroschi suddenly leapt out from beneath the bed and activated GQ#41.
''GOT YOU NOW! GQ#41!!!''
A black slash burst out from Kiroschi's sword, then split into six pieces midair.
At the last second, Macler created an electro shield with his sword, but it failed to fully protect him and he was blown backward. He crashed into the wall, shattered through it, and passed straight through. The remaining fragments of GQ#41 damaged the bottom of the ship, causing it to slowly start taking in water.
While lying on the ground, Macler raised his sword.
''Ahhhh! YOU LITTLE BASTARD! It's time to teach you your place!''
''I highly doubt that!''
Kiroschi charged toward Macler with his sword. Despite struggling, Macler got back to his feet and the two resumed fighting. Their swords clashed once again. The collisions illuminated the darkness around them. Both of them continued battling while leaping from one side to another.
''GQ#68!''
Black particles burst out from Kiroschi's sword and scattered onto Macler. Macler was temporarily blinded.
''Now it's time to finish you off! Haaah!''
Kiroschi lunged toward Macler with all his strength.
''I-I have to use this or I'll die... ELECTRO-DISASTER: DESTRUCTION!!''
Macler's sword suddenly intensified and released a massive burst of energy. Everything on the floor was blown apart. Kiroschi was launched dozens of meters backward and smashed through nearly every wall with his own body. Dust and debris filled the surroundings. The entire fleet's electricity returned and the lights suddenly turned back on.
The ship began taking in water even faster. Meanwhile, Varaichi had already defeated all the Nyxian sorcerers above deck. After Macler used Destruction, the entire ship shook violently. Varaichi was affected by it as well.
''W-WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWN THERE?! D-DON'T TELL ME SOMETHING HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER?!''
Varaichi instantly rushed downstairs.
When she arrived, the area was filled with smoke and dust. Visibility was nearly zero. At that moment, she spotted someone within the smoke. It was Macler.
''One became two, huh?''
''Who are you, Nyxian dog?!''
''You Shadowians really don't respect nations at all. Come on, let me teach you some manners.''
Macler drew his sword and charged toward Varaichi.
Their swords collided. Both were trying to overpower the other, but their swordsmanship was nearly equal. Varaichi was the first to use an ability.
''Fire's Descendant: Assault!''
Arrow-shaped flames appeared before Varaichi and instantly rained down upon Macler. Though he deflected most of them with his sword, one pierced into his hand.
''Ahhh! You damn woman!''
Macler's hand suddenly burst into flames.
''You're really making me do this too! Electro-Disaster!''
Macler electrocuted his burning hand, instantly extinguishing the flames while charging it with electricity. Then, using his finger, he transferred all the stored electricity directly into Varaichi by touching her. Varaichi was instantly electrocuted and frozen in place. Macler raised his sword and swung it at her with all his might.
''A-ha-aah-ha F-f-fire's De-e-escendant: Shield!''
At the last second, Varaichi formed a shield of flames, preventing the blade from piercing her. However, the impact sent her flying backward.
Varaichi landed right beside Kiroschi and saw him lying unconscious. His condition was critical. His head was covered in blood, and his body was buried beneath piles of debris.
Varaichi's eyes filled with tears.
''M-M-My brother! I-I'll save you!''
Meanwhile, Macler slowly approached Varaichi.
''So that's all the life you had in you, woman?! Whatever... lesson taught.''
Varaichi stood back up. She focused completely. She pressed her sword against her forehead. She was about to use a technique she had once used years ago.
''Fire's Descendant: EIGHT SERPENT ERUPTION!''
Such an immense flame burst from Varaichi's sword that it instantly surpassed the height of the entire fleet and reached nearly 800 meters. Everything in front of it was reduced to ashes.
Meanwhile, Xers and Hanken were riding atop the dragons. Suddenly, they saw a wave of flames rising even higher than their own altitude. Both of them were instantly terrified.
''W-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!''
''H-HANKEN MOVE AWAY! IT'S SPREADING TOO FAST!''
Koberai and Gomerai sharply turned away.
90% of the ship was reduced to ashes. Only a tiny portion remained floating above the sea, and Varaichi with Kiroschi were there. Varaichi immediately collapsed unconscious due to the overwhelming spiritual pressure she had released.
The wave of flames maintained the same height and intensity for nearly 3 minutes. Afterwards, it slowly began to fade away. Then Xers and Hanken headed toward the scene. As they approached—
''X-Xers! Those are Varaichi and Kiroschi!''
''Y-Yeah, it's them. They both look unconscious. Hurry, let's get them onto the dragons and take them back to base!''
Xers leapt onto the remains of the ship. He carried both Kiroschi and Varaichi over his shoulders and placed them onto the dragons. They returned back to base as the sun slowly began to rise.
At around 5:30 in the morning, the team admitted Varaichi and Kiroschi into the hospital. Kiroschi's condition was extremely critical. Varaichi had only fainted from exhaustion. Eventually, Varaichi slowly opened her eyes.
She looked around at the lights of the hospital room. Then she turned her head to the left. Beside her, she saw Kiroschi lying there with bandages wrapped around his head. His heart was still beating. Letting out a deep sigh—
''I knew I'd keep you alive...''