Ruckus sprinted toward the main city plaza, his breath steady, his mind sharp.He was bruised, burned, partially exhausted—but nowhere near defeated.
"This cannot be my end," he muttered, wiping blood from his lip. "I refuse to be remembered as the Stefani who fell to two untrained novices. No… if the Malwai Empire wants a scar, I will carve them a wound that will never heal."
His eyes hardened.
"Stefani Codex: Corpseflare."
The words left his tongue like a verdict.
A pulse of Naritti erupted from his spine, blasting upward.The sky bled purple, clouds swirling into a vortex as if dragged by an unseen force.The wind stiffened. The air tasted metallic.The world itself seemed to recoil as Ruckus's strength returned—violent, unnatural, merciless.
He turned—only to find several masked Ajikage operatives closing in.
Ruckus didn't flinch.
"So… they sent fodder," he said calmly, almost disappointed."How insulting. To think those two brats believed common men could stop me."
His pupils tightened as a cold gleam passed through his eyes.
"Victor's Eye."
A silent flash of Naritti burst outward.Every Ajikage soldier in sight collapsed like puppets with cut strings.All but one.
One operative resisted—barely.He staggered toward Ruckus with trembling legs and threw a desperate punch.
The blow grazed Ruckus's cheek.
That single touch enraged him beyond reason.
"You filth…" Ruckus whispered, voice trembling with fury."How DARE you lay a hand on me?"
He raised a finger.
Snap.
"Burn."
In the next instant, flames—cold, blue, unnatural—devoured every unconscious body.Their screams were silent, their ashes scattered in seconds.Only smoke remained, curling around Ruckus's silhouette like mourning shrouds.
Far away, Sukheer sniffed the air.His face paled.
"That smell… Armeet—Ruckus is back at full strength."
Armeet clenched his fists. "Where is backup? Is no one going to come to Parina?!"
"We don't wait for backup," Sukheer said quietly.He held Armeet's gaze, and something fierce flickered in his eyes.They both understood—running was useless now.
Without another word, the two sprinted through the dried forest, branches cracking beneath their feet.
Meanwhile, Ruckus stepped into the heart of Parina, lifted his hands toward the dead forest, and whispered:
"Grow… Forests."
Roots convulsed beneath the dirt.The withered trees swelled with life, bark stretching, branches cracking, leaves bursting forth in seconds.The forest expanded like a living tide, swallowing roads, houses, and plazas.
Panicked citizens screamed as shadows engulfed the city.News channels scrambled helicopters into the air.Footage of the "divine catastrophe" spread across every screen in the Empire.
Sukheer and Armeet saw the treetops rising like a tsunami.
"We keep running!" Armeet urged."Our Naritti will recover soon—the forest is his trick, not his strength."
But inside, Armeet knew the truth:
This was not desperation.This was not panic.
This was preparation.Everything Ruckus had done—from retreat… to burning the operatives… to calling the storm… to resurrecting the forest—
was part of his final act.
From atop a newly grown tree, Ruckus watched the chaos below.A twisted smile carved across his face.
"I've got you now, children," he whispered.
"And this time… you will not walk away."
Meanwhile, in Diwankula, a suffocating silence fell over the marble corridors of the Pannival's citadel. The air felt heavy—charged—like the world itself was holding its breath.
Devon hurried into the chamber, pale and stern."Pannival… did you receive the intelligence report?"
The Pannival, seated beneath the ancient mural of the Malwai crest, didn't look up."What about it?" he asked, voice calm but edged with authority.
Devon swallowed."Two of our own—Sukheer and Armeet Surya of the Waffe Squad—are engaged in combat. The opponent is… a massive entity from the Union of Nations."
For the first time, the Pannival's eyes narrowed."This is bad."
Before Devon could continue, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.
"Sir—Sir!"Elva Adamus sprinted toward them, breathless, trembling. Sweat beaded on her forehead—not from running, but from what she had seen.
Pannival stood immediately."Elva, child, speak. What's wrong?"
Devon added, "Is anyone hurt?"
Elva shook her head violently. "No—not yet. But nothing is alright."Her voice cracked. "Sukheer and Armeet… they're fighting a giant—a monster—named Ruckus Stefani. He claims training under a Grand… Grand Elephanto."
The chamber fell into stillness.
Elva continued, her eyes distant—as if the vision still clung to her."They've managed to wound him… but barely. Meanwhile, he's shattered them. They're hurt—badly hurt. As I speak, they are chasing him through Parina… and he is just waiting for them."
Devon frowned."You said… a forest? That's impossible. Parina is an urban belt—there is no forest within fifty kilometers."
Elva closed her eyes."He created one."
Devon's breath hitched.
"He grew a forest out of dead soil. And he burned men—alive—by uttering a single word: burn."Her voice trembled. "This isn't a fight. It's a storm wearing the skin of a man."
Devon stepped forward. "Elva… how do yo—"
"Devon," the Pannival interrupted gently, "enough."His gaze softened toward her. "I trust the eyes of an Adamus."
He turned to Devon."What's the status of the caravan? Are they near Parina yet?"
Devon shook his head."No, sir. But the Waffe Squad… along with Maqbir… and Minaki—the Advocates of Interne and Externe—have nearly reached the outskirts."
"The Externe?" The Pannival's brows rose. "Even they are agreeing to interfere?"
A booming yet respectful voice answered from behind:"Yes. They are."
It was Angkasa Jayantaka, stepping into the room.Everyone bowed instinctively.
"I was the one who called them," Angkasa added.
The Pannival eyed him. "You mixed Interne and Externe forces deliberately?"
Angkasa nodded."Pannival… neither faction has faced a creature of such magnitude in decades. If we are to prepare for what is coming, they must learn to fight side by side. The old divisions won't help us anymore."
A long silence.Then the Pannival exhaled, serene."As you wish, Jayantaka. I trust your wisdom."
Lysette Adamus stepped from the back of the hall, palms glowing with Naritti."If needed," she offered quietly, "I can attempt to construct a portal—to teleport you and the vanguard directly to the battlefield."
"That," the Pannival smiled, "is the cherry on top."He turned. "Sifon! Prepare the armoury. We depart the moment the portal stabilizes."
Lysette bit her lip."But sir… if I pour that much Naritti into the portal, I will not be able to fight. Forgive me."
The Pannival walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder."You misunderstand, Lysette Adamus."He smiled."Fighting is not limited to blades. Even opening the path to a battlefield is a warrior's duty. Your ancestors would bow to your courage."
Her eyes glimmered.
Through the towering windows, storm clouds gathered above Diwankula—responding to the chaos miles away.The scent of war crept through the ancient palace.
Ruckus Stefani had a plan—a monstrous, calculated plan.
But the Saptavansh were not caught unprepared.
A small skirmish in Parina had now spiraled into something much greater.History was turning.
For the first time in eight hundred years, the Malwai Empire and the Union of Nations stood on the brink of a true battle.
The world was about to witness its first great showdown of the new era.
[To be Continued in Chapter 48]