Ryo's fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. News of Lurama's situation had ignited a storm inside him, a rage that made the air feel heavy and still. Nothing moved—the wind, the stones, even his own breath seemed suspended—but the world itself felt like it was holding its breath.
From the castle gates, Lurama and the other residents ran out. Lurama, a small boy, dashed toward him, a brave smile masking his fear.
"Big brother! What's going on?" Lurama called, eyes wide.
Ryo knelt slightly, gripping the boy's shoulders. "I promise… I'll bring your mother back, no matter what," he said firmly. "And everyone else… I'll free all of you from Ryak's grasp. I swear it."
Abraham stepped forward, worry etched in his face. "Lurama… you'll be fine, right?"
Lurama nodded, forcing courage into his trembling frame.
"Yes," an old woman said softly, smiling at him. "Thanks to you, he's been well-nourished. He'll be fine."
"Big brother," Lurama whispered, "you're going to come back with Mom… and play catch with me, right?"
Ryo's lips curved faintly. "I promise."
They moved toward the castle together. The moment they stepped inside, Ryak's soldiers attacked. Ryo didn't even move. Stage 1 of his dark matter surged invisibly. Soldiers were ripped from the ground, slammed into walls, crushed by an unseen force. When the dust cleared, only four lutenants and one commander remained.
Ryo froze, his chest pounding.
"Leave them to us," Zain shouted. "Go. Keep your promise."
Ryo nodded and sprinted toward the throne.
Ryak lounged lazily, smirking. "I wonder… what power does your Damik really hold?"
"None of your business," Damik hissed in Ryo's mind. "Make it interesting."
Ryo didn't hesitate. "I'm coming for you!"
Meanwhile, the others fought fiercely:
Scarlet used Stage 2 water powers, slicing through enemies.
Zain struck with Stage 3 precision.
Benjamin controlled air, Aisha fire, Leona earth, Abraham lightning.
Together, they eliminated their opponents. Only Ryak remained.
"I'm going to bring back Lurama's mother… and I'm going to kill you!" Ryo shouted.
Ryak's eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. "Lurama… is it the chair I sit on?" He gestured toward the pregnant woman. "That boy… he's nothing but a liability."
Then, with a swift command, Ryak's Damik lunged—one of the lutenants tried to intercept, but a strike reached Lurama.
"No—!" Ryo screamed as the boy crumpled to the cold stone floor, tiny hand reaching out.
"Big… brother…" Lurama whispered, his smile fading.
Ryo's chest tightened, rage clawing at him. Damik's voice echoed in his mind:
"Finally… let's show them what happens when you break."
The world around Ryo bent under his fury. Stage 2 dark matter erupted. Gravity surged outward, invisible but undeniable. Ryak was yanked toward him, pulled like a puppet by an unseen hand. He didn't even flinch before Ryo's hand shot forward, striking straight through his chest.
The throne room trembled violently. Ryak's eyes widened in shock, then went lifeless as he collapsed. The remaining lutenants and commander were thrown back by the sudden gravitational surge.
Ryo's victory was hollow. Lurama lay crumpled nearby. Sobs ripped from him, helpless, enraged, broken.
Then… a deafening sound split the air. Walls cracked, the floor shook, and an impossible force erupted from the throne room's center. From the rifts came a deep, hollow voice, not Ryak's, not Damik's:
"So… the boy has fallen. Now, the real game begins."
Ryo froze, dark matter thrumming invisibly within him. Damik laughed inside his mind, wild and untamed:
"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?"