The courtyard had finally settled into an uneasy silence. The shattered marble and scattered weapons glistened faintly under the silver light, like remnants of a storm. Aren stood in the center, chest heaving slightly, the Crown beneath his ribs pulsing with newfound strength. Lyra remained close, her green eyes sparkling with both admiration and worry.
"Not bad," she whispered. "You… survived them all."
Aren smirked, brushing ash from his cloak. "Survived? Darling, that was a warm-up. Now it gets interesting."
Before Lyra could respond, a sudden shadow fell across the courtyard. A figure stepped from the high balcony above, cloaked in dark red, eyes like burning coals. The air grew heavy with an unnatural chill, and the faint glow of the Crown pulsed in warning.
"Who… who is that?" Lyra whispered, clutching his arm.
Aren's grin widened, his sharp eyes locking onto the newcomer. "Ah… this is the real fun. Meet the Crimson Fang."
The figure descended slowly, every step deliberate. The members of the Moonlight Sect tensed, their confidence faltering slightly. Even the woman with white hair took a cautious step back, her piercing gaze studying the newcomer with a mixture of respect and fear.
"You are… Aren Vale," the Crimson Fang spoke, voice smooth yet laced with malice. "I have been watching you."
"And I've been watching you think you can scare me," Aren replied, voice dripping sarcasm.
The Crimson Fang chuckled softly, the sound echoing unnaturally. "You misunderstand me. I am not here to… merely watch. I am here to test you."
Aren raised an eyebrow. "Test me? After surviving the Moonlight Sect, you think you can test me?"
The Crimson Fang's crimson eyes glowed brighter. "I do not test by trivial means. You will face true power… or perish trying."
A sudden gust of wind swirled through the courtyard, carrying the scent of blood and iron. Aren felt the stirrings of his Crown intensify, an unfamiliar heat coursing through him. He grinned, excitement bubbling beneath his sarcasm.
"Finally," he muttered. "Someone worth my attention."
Without warning, the Crimson Fang unleashed a surge of energy. The ground cracked, silver and red sparks colliding as the air trembled. Aren dodged instinctively, feeling the Crown guiding him. Every strike he blocked, every movement he made, flowed more naturally than ever.
Lyra's voice rang out, tense but steady. "Aren… be careful! He's—he's not like the others!"
"I noticed," Aren replied with a smirk. "Thanks for the heads-up, though. Appreciate it."
The Crimson Fang moved with inhuman speed, launching a series of attacks that forced Aren to retreat, sidestep, and counter. Each strike seemed to anticipate his movements, yet he adapted faster, his own strength growing with every pulse from the Crown.
Aren's eyes glimmered with determination. "So… you want a real fight? Let's give them a show."
He lunged forward, dodging a crimson blade, and struck with precision. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. The secondary members of the Moonlight Sect, initially observers, now joined the fray, supporting Aren with coordinated attacks, adding chaos to the already deadly duel.
Lyra moved deftly, her cloak trailing, tossing small charms to distract and slow the Crimson Fang. "Aren… focus!"
"I am!" he yelled back, launching into a rapid flurry of attacks, his movements blending offense and defense seamlessly.
The Crimson Fang paused momentarily, eyes narrowing. "He is… more than I anticipated. The Crown… it awakens quickly."
Aren's smirk widened, a mix of cocky bravado and genuine thrill. "Ah, you noticed! Good! Keep watching closely—it gets better."
A wave of crimson energy surged from the Fang, threatening to engulf the entire courtyard. Aren felt the Crown resonate, responding with a warmth that spread through his body. He leapt, dodged, and countered, moving faster than his opponents could track.
Lyra's breath caught, watching the spectacle unfold. "Aren… this is insane…"
"Insane?" he called back, flipping backward and landing gracefully. "No… exhilarating!"
The fight raged on, a deadly dance of shadows, silver, and red. Every member of the Moonlight Sect played their part, attacking, defending, or supporting. Secondary characters revealed their unique abilities—some manipulating chains, others controlling energy spheres, while a few specialized in brute force or cunning tactics.
Despite the overwhelming power surrounding him, Aren's confidence never wavered. Each strike he blocked, each move he anticipated, strengthened his control over the Crown. He felt it awaken fully, a dormant force now eager to fight.
Finally, with a decisive movement, Aren created an opening. He struck with calculated precision, forcing the Crimson Fang to retreat slightly, crimson energy flickering with restraint. The Fang's eyes narrowed, respect mingled with irritation.
"You… are stronger than I imagined," the Crimson Fang admitted, voice low and dangerous. "This… is only the beginning."
Aren laughed, chest heaving, a mix of adrenaline and thrill. "Oh, I know. And don't worry—I haven't even started having fun yet."
Lyra stepped closer, eyes shining. "Aren… that was incredible! But… be careful. He's… dangerous."
Aren turned, flashing his cheeky grin. "Danger? Darling, that's my middle name."
From the rooftops, the crimson-eyed observer made meticulous notes. The Nullborn was no longer simply awakening—he was evolving, and soon, the balance of power would shift in ways the world could never imagine.
(End of Chapter Five)