Things are becoming intensely heated in this war, and slowly but surely, a truth is beginning to surface on the battlefield. We now return to the clash taking place at the main gate.
While Malekin is taking down his enemies and using his multiple barriers, we see General Tiacauh observing the battlefield and pondering his next move. Suddenly, Malekin bursts forward at high speed and activates a white shield, pushing back all the enemies. The Jaguar General, without hesitation, leaps into the fight and appears behind Malekin. With a kick, he sends the demon's few followers flying, and Malekin activates a barrier, pushing back all the enemies in front of him. Now the two main fighters are face to face while the teams from both factions watch on the edge of their seats, observing how this encounter unfolds.
GENERAL TIACAUH: So you're a demon... though you seem somewhat different from the rest. For starters, why do you cover your face with that thing?
MALEKIN: That's personal. A cat like you wouldn't understand.
GENERAL TIACAUH: (annoyed) You're getting on my nerves, demon. It's time to set things straight: who is stronger, you or me?
MALEKIN: Well, let's find out.
The two characters stare at each other and begin circling. After a few seconds, MALEKIN fires a beam from his hand, which the jaguar general easily dodges. Quickly, the general closes the distance, standing just inches from MALEKIN. In the blink of an eye, he delivers a powerful blow to MALEKIN's stomach, sending him reeling and to his knees. TIACAUH taunts the demon.
GENERAL TIACAUH: You're disappointing me, demon. I thought you were the strongest here, but you lack speed. Is firing lightning all you know how to do?
MALEKIN: Looks like I'll have to get serious with you.
Quickly, Malekin gets to his feet and charges forward at great speed, throwing punches in all directions. Tiacauh easily dodges every blow and then kicks Malekin, but this time the demon blocks with his white barrier. Tiacauh smiles at this and then launches a swift attack on Malekin. Malekin barely manages to dodge or block the blows. Suddenly, Tiacauh increases his power, and Malekin notices. He raises his red barrier, nullifying the powerful blow he was receiving and separating the two fighters.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Look at that, so you had more to show after all. Well done, demon—now I'll take this a bit more seriously.
MALEKIN is caught off guard by his words as the general advances toward him with blinding speed. MALEKIN deploys his red barrier just before the strikes land, only to be horrified as his shield shatters to pieces. Realizing the punch was infused with magic, he rapidly forms a green barrier, but it too is instantly destroyed, leaving MALEKIN completely stunned and knocked to the ground while his soldiers look on in disbelief.
MALEKIN: (in his mind) What on earth is happening?! How can he break through my barriers?!
GENERAL TIACAUH: You're probably wondering why your barriers aren't working, hahaha! I've been watching you for a while and I know how those things operate. There's no way you can use them against me anymore.
MALEKIN is thoroughly shocked by his words, questioning internally if his end has arrived.
GENERAL TIACAUH: hahaha, the transparent and white barriers are just basic shields. The red one stops physical attacks, the green one stops magical attacks, and the purple one is a combination of red and green that stops everything—though it depends on the user's strength. If the enemy is stronger, they can break it, right?
MALEKIN: ...That still doesn't explain how you broke them.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Simple. When you activate the red one, I just imbue my fist with magic. When you raise the green one, I rely purely on physical force. Now I only need to overpower the purple one; the rest are garbage easily shattered, hehe.
MALEKIN is stunned that his weakness was deciphered so quickly. Springing back to his feet, he covers his entire body in a purple barrier and rushes TIACAUH. They trade countless blows, but MALEKIN's barrier begins to crack under the strain.
MALEKIN: (in his mind while fighting) Dammit, this guy's power is increasing by the second! My shield won't hold out—he's slowly overpowering me!
After a few more heavy exchanges, MALEKIN's shield shatters completely. TIACAUH sweeps a low kick that knocks MALEKIN off his feet. As he lies prone on the ground, a devastating punch crushes down upon him, shattering the earth beneath them and causing the remaining shields holding back the enemy army to collapse. MALEKIN lies unconscious on the ground, while TIACAUH stands over him with a smile.
GENERAL TIACAUH: ...Wahahahahahaha! This demon was your savior, you insolent mortals?! (addressing the tiny remaining force) Now there is no one left to save you.
MALEKIN's army slowly backs away upon seeing their commander lying motionlessly on the ground, yet they hesitate to flee. They cannot afford to let the enemy advance, for if they do, their people back home will perish.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Hm... it appears you lot refuse to surrender. This demon is already finished—what more could you possibly hope to accomplish?
While the allies tremble in fear before the overwhelming presence of the jaguar general, the enemy forces advance slowly, treading over MALEKIN's body. Only thirty jaguars remain, facing the exact same fifteen soldiers on MALEKIN's side; thus far, not a single member of MALEKIN's vanguard has fallen. The entire enemy contingent stands face-to-face with the fifteen soldiers, leaving MALEKIN behind them. The general oozes confidence, glaring down at the tiny force with towering arrogance.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Now tell me... do you truly believe you stand a chance against us?!
As he speaks, the remaining jaguars erupt into mocking laughter, trying to humiliate the small battalion. But out of nowhere, a voice booms across the clearing: "ENOUGH!"
Everyone freezes in astonishment. The voice originated from the tiny army, as a bear demi-human steps forward to the front lines.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Well, well... we have a brave one among us.
BEAR DEMI-HUMAN: Comrades, please listen! If we let them pass, they will kill us all the same. Truthfully, I would rather die fighting than let myself be humiliated by these puppets! (The enemy soldiers grow visibly agitated) And look at him... look at our lord MALEKIN! (his tone softens with grief) He fought valiantly... (his expression turns to fury) WE CANNOT LET HIS SACRIFICE BE IN VAIN! WAKE UP, PLEASE! We must fight until the very end!
A resounding shout of "YES!" echoes through the ranks of the small army. TIACAUH scowls, thoroughly annoyed by this sudden rebellion.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Jajajaja! Your struggle is utterly futile, fools. Fine... the party is over. Kill them all!
The jaguars grin wickedly, but just as they prepare to pounce, a sinister aura saturates the atmosphere, striking sheer terror into the hearts of everyone present. A cold voice resonates: "Well done."
Tracing the source of the voice, they are horrified to see MALEKIN standing upright, radiating a pitch-black aura. The enemy soldiers break out in a cold sweat under the crushing atmospheric pressure, while the jaguar general merely watches on in excitement, thrilled that his opponent has risen once more.
GENERAL TIACAUH: Yes! I knew it! I knew that single blow wouldn't be enough!
MALEKIN stands bleeding, his magical authority surging rapidly. The enemy soldiers sweat profusely from the sheer pressure. In a blink, MALEKIN vanishes at a speed never seen before, kicking up a massive dust storm that launches all thirty enemy soldiers into the air—all except TIACAUH, who narrowly dodges the initial burst and leaps aside. While airborne, all thirty jaguars are relentlessly struck in an instant, dying before they even hit the ground and leaving the jaguar general utterly flabbergasted.
In utter desperation, the general swings his fist through the air, generating a gust of wind that clears away the dense dust cloud. Standing before them is a version of MALEKIN smaller than normal—almost resembling a standard human—leaving every survivor stunned.
GENERAL TIACAUH: What on earth is happening?! Who are you?!
MALEKIN: What... (removes the cloth covering his face) don't you recognize me anymore, little kitty?
Everyone gasps upon seeing MALEKIN's face—his physical features have completely altered. His lips have reappeared on his face, twisting into a macabre smile that stretches from ear to ear. Whispers break out among the allied soldiers: "The general used to have a more demonic face without lips... but now he has them!"
Overhearing these murmurs, TIACAUH stands bewildered, demanding an explanation.
GENERAL TIACAUH: It is you... isn't it, demon?! Can you explain to me what on earth happened to you?!
MALEKIN: I don't have time to explain, but I'll tell you this much: I am half-human and half-demon, and now I have better control over both halves. I didn't want to use this form until I reached Mictlantecuhtli, but you forced my hand. In any case... let us begin.
In a flash, MALEKIN lunges at TIACAUH, unleashing strikes so blindingly fast that the general is completely unable to block.
GENERAL TIACAUH: (in his mind while fighting) Dammit! He got way faster—he's even outmatching my own speed! He's even faster than my brother PAINALLI! Could this new form be granting him higher speed?! Because it doesn't feel like his raw physical power has increased by much...
Malekin activates his "shadow mantle" and triples his strength, giving the general even more trouble. The general quickly unleashes his full power, shattering the ground to halt MALEKIN'S advance. Malekin stumbles and escapes. The allied soldiers also jump back, remaining at the city gate. Malekin swiftly appears behind Tiacauh and, with his enhanced lightning, severely injures the jaguar general's legs, leaving him on one knee. Malekin quickly steps in front of the general and looks at him, deactivating his "shadow mantle."
MALEKIN: You are strong... but not strong enough.
GENERAL TIACAUH: (furious) Do not look down on me, you cursed demon!
MALEKIN: I told you I was half-human and half-demon, right?
GENERAL TIACAUH: (gasping in pain) What does that have to do with anything?!
MALEKIN: Right now, I am utilizing my human half, which grants me superior speed... but...
As MALEKIN speaks, his frame begins to expand rapidly. His musculature swells immensely and his facial structure reverts—his lips disappearing as his features distort far beyond their original state, revealing a true, hulking demon vastly larger and more muscular than before. TIACAUH breaks out in a cold sweat before the abhorrent entity, while even MALEKIN's allies recoil in terror at the sight of the monstrous sight.
MALEKIN: (distorted voice) I can also amplify my demonic half, granting me far greater power... and also...
Reaching his absolute peak, MALEKIN unleashes his "Shadowed Mantle" once more over his true form, multiplying his physical might to terrifying heights. The jaguar general is left paralyzed with dread. Beyond the agonizing injuries to his legs, the sheer horror radiating from MALEKIN completely freezes his movement.
MALEKIN: It is time to end this.
MALEKIN raises his massive fist and drives a strike straight toward TIACAUH. The general can only watch as the titanic fist hurtles toward his face, screaming "DAMMIT!" before being utterly crushed. The impact obliterates everything within the immediate area—the blow is so overwhelming that shockwaves shake the very ground across the entire battlefield. The main gate cracks under the sheer force, leaving the remaining allies trembling before MALEKIN's raw authority.
After delivering the devastating blow, the demon reverts to his standard form, then puts the handkerchief back over his face, turns toward his allies, and mutters, "It is over," before collapsing unconscious. The allies rush to his side. Of the jaguar general, nothing remains but a mangled mass crushed within a pool of blood—obliterated by the single strike.
Meanwhile, we shift our focus to the desperate battle involving ELENA and REX, which has reached a critical juncture. Only a handful of combatants remain on either side.
While REX and ELENA work to keep PAINALLI occupied, REX hurls fireballs in an attempt to halt his advance, but the opponent's speed remains overwhelming. ELENA reaches out, stopping REX in his tracks.
ELENA: Rex, it's time to stop this. I have something that will finish him off for good.
REX looks at ELENA in complete astonishment. What plan could she possibly have up her sleeve? We shall find out very soon... TO BE CONTINUED.