Thunder roared across the mountains as two powerful forces collided at the ruins of Velkar Temple.
On one side of the battlefield stood the enormous Void Guardian, its body radiating waves of dark energy as it continued evolving.
On the other side stood two figures facing each other in complete silence.
Orion.
And the cult leader who had once been his master.
The storm wind howled between them.
Their robes moved violently as dark lightning flashed across the sky.
Captain Leon and the surviving knights instinctively stepped back.
They could feel it clearly.
The pressure between these two men was terrifying.
Even the cultists stopped chanting for a moment to watch.
The cult leader slowly stepped forward.
"After all these years," he said calmly, "we finally meet again."
Orion crossed his arms.
"I was hoping you would disappear somewhere."
The cult leader laughed quietly.
"You know me better than that."
Dark energy slowly began gathering around his hands.
"You left before witnessing the true beauty of our research."
Orion's eyes narrowed.
"I left before you destroyed thousands of innocent lives."
The cult leader shrugged.
"History is written by the victors."
He raised his hand slightly.
Dark lightning formed around his fingers.
"Tonight, that victory will be mine."
Suddenly—
he moved.
His speed was unbelievable.
In a single instant, he appeared directly in front of Orion.
Dark energy exploded from his palm.
"Void Strike!"
BOOM!
The attack slammed into the ground.
Stone shattered everywhere.
But Orion had already moved.
He reappeared several meters away, his cloak moving gently in the wind.
"Still impatient," Orion said calmly.
The cult leader smirked.
"And you're still slow."
Dark mana exploded from his body again.
This time, dozens of black energy blades formed around him.
They floated in the air like sharp shadows.
"Let's see if you can dodge all of these."
With a wave of his hand—
the blades shot forward.
They moved like lightning.
But Orion simply raised his hand.
Golden light appeared.
A barrier formed around him.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The blades crashed against the barrier and shattered.
The cult leader watched carefully.
"Light magic."
"You learned a new trick."
Orion smiled slightly.
"I didn't spend those years hiding."
The cult leader's expression hardened.
"I see."
Then he slowly raised both hands.
Dark energy spiraled around him like a storm.
"You always were my best student."
"But now…"
His eyes glowed bright purple.
"I will show you the power you abandoned."
Meanwhile—
on the other side of the battlefield—
Saksham faced the Void Guardian again.
The monster had grown even larger.
Its wings stretched across the ruined temple walls.
Dark crystals continued forming across its body.
Each breath it released shook the ground.
Inside Saksham's mind, the system interface flashed again.
SYSTEM ALERT
Void Guardian Awakening: 97%
Final Stage Approaching
Saksham clenched his fists.
"So it's almost fully awakened."
Behind him, Captain Leon approached slowly.
"Young warrior."
Saksham glanced back.
Leon's armor was damaged, but his determination remained strong.
"We will support you."
Several surviving knights stepped forward beside him.
Their numbers were small.
But their spirits had not broken.
Saksham nodded.
"Then keep the cultists away from me."
Leon smiled slightly.
"That we can do."
He raised his sword.
"Knights!"
The soldiers stood ready.
"Protect him!"
The knights charged toward the remaining cultists.
Steel clashed again.
Magic spells lit up the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Saksham stepped forward toward the enormous monster.
The Void Guardian slowly lowered its head.
Its glowing red eyes focused on him.
It had recognized him as the greatest threat.
Saksham raised both hands again.
Golden light appeared.
Darkness followed.
The two elements began spinning together.
Fusion mana formed again.
But this time—
Saksham pushed more energy into the technique.
The swirling sphere grew larger.
The air around him vibrated.
The Void Guardian roared.
Then it attacked.
The monster leaped forward with terrifying speed.
Its claw cut through the air like a falling blade.
Saksham stepped to the side and launched his attack.
"Fusion Strike!"
The golden-black energy shot forward.
BOOM!
The attack struck the Guardian's chest.
The explosion shook the entire courtyard.
When the smoke cleared—
a massive crack had appeared across the monster's armor.
Black energy poured from the wound.
The Void Guardian roared in rage.
Meanwhile—
on the temple steps—
Orion and the cult leader finally collided.
Dark and light energy exploded as their attacks clashed.
Their battle lit up the stormy night.
Two powerful fights were happening at once.
Saksham vs the Void Guardian.
Orion vs his former master.
And above them all—
the ritual circle continued glowing.
Because the awakening had not stopped yet.
To be continued…