The countryside of Eldoria was quiet.
Golden fields stretched far into the horizon, moving gently with the wind. It was a rare moment of calm—one that felt almost unnatural after everything that had happened.
Amagi stood with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the distance. Beside him, Gorath sat on a large stone, sharpening a blade with slow, steady movements.
"He will come," Gorath said in his deep voice.
Amagi didn't look at him. "Not alone."
Silence followed.
Both of them understood what was coming. Caldryn wouldn't rush blindly into war—they would strike with intent, with precision.
Gorath stopped sharpening.
"…Do you trust the others?"
Amagi answered without hesitation. "I trust them to fight."
That was enough.
Then—
The wind shifted.
A strange pressure filled the air.
Amagi's eyes narrowed. "Do you feel that?"
Gorath stood up slowly.
Above them, something cut through the sky at terrifying speed.
A figure.
Descending.
Fast.
"Move—" Amagi began.
Too late.
The ground exploded as the figure crashed between them.
Dust and debris shot into the air. The force alone pushed Amagi back several steps, while Gorath braced himself, muscles tightening.
From the center of the impact—
A man stood.
Bandages wrapped around his body. His presence sharp. His aura heavy.
Norio.
Without a word—
He moved.
In a blink, he was in front of Gorath.
A single punch.
It connected directly with Gorath's face.
The impact cracked the ground beneath his feet as the massive warrior was launched backward, sliding across the field before crashing into a stone wall.
Amagi reacted instantly, stepping forward—
But Norio was already there.
A powerful kick slammed into Amagi's side.
His body flew through the air—
And smashed into a distant boulder with a deafening crash.
The rock shattered on impact.
Dust filled the air.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Norio exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as if warming up.
"…Stronger than before," he muttered.
Gorath pushed himself up from the rubble, blood running down his face—but his stance steady.
Amagi stepped out from the broken boulder, breathing heavier, but eyes sharp.
Neither of them had fallen.
Norio smiled.
"Good," he said.
"This won't be boring."
The peaceful fields of Eldoria were gone.
And in their place—
The next battle had already begun.