Hook and Bin stood face to face with Malakar and Rigor, the wind howling through the ruined outskirts of Argos City. Dark clouds twisted above as the power of two descendants—Light and Dark—prepared to clash.
"This is the end, brother!" Bin yelled, eyes blazing with determination. "Your assault ends now! I won't let you harm Aetheris!"
Malakar chuckled, stepping forward with his aura pulsing in corrupted black and crimson. "Brother?" he scoffed. "Don't you dare call me that, Bin. I'm no longer the Malakar that was your brother... That Malakar died the moment the light chose you instead of me."
(Flashback)
A young Malakar stood by a crib, staring at his newborn brother. Their father—the 7th Light Descendant—placed a hand on his shoulder. "Malakar, you'll protect your little brother no matter what. You both are the future of our bloodline."
Malakar nodded with pride. Their family had always passed the Light power down by blood—generation to generation. Everyone whispered the same prophecy: Malakar will be the next light descendant. He was born for it.
For years, Malakar lived in the warmth of that promise, trained harder than anyone, helped their people, fought for good. The Light would be his.
But when the time came... their father, old and dying, called them both in.
"It is time... I must pass on the Light," he said, barely able to sit.
Malakar smiled, sure of what was coming.
"I choose... Bin."
Everyone froze. Gasps filled the room.
Malakar's heart cracked. He stood, stunned, as the glow of the Light transferred to his little brother. Why? he screamed in silence. He had done everything right. He was the firstborn. He was the rightful heir.
No one explained. No one fought for him. Everyone had been wrong.
That night, Malakar disappeared.
No one saw him again until years later—when he returned, cloaked in darkness, with the power of the Dark Descendant burning inside him.
"You betrayed me, Bin!" Malakar screamed the day they met again. "You stole what was meant to be mine!"
Bin had tried to explain. "I never wanted this! I just wanted you to stay with us... as my brother."
But Malakar refused peace.
"You're not my brother! You're just the thief who ruined my destiny!"
(Back to Present)
"And with this battle, Bin..." Malakar snarled, black fire igniting in his palm, "...I'll get my revenge. I'll kill you—and take the Light I deserved!"
He launched forward, dark fire roaring toward Bin's chest. Bin drew the Sword of Light, blocking just in time.
BOOM!
The impact shook the ground, light and dark clashing like a miniature sunburst. The explosion of energy cracked the pavement beneath them, sending shockwaves into the nearby trees.
Meanwhile, Rigor cracked his neck. His wrist blades extended, glowing with pressure and wind.
In a flash, he disappeared.
Hook's eyes widened. "Where—?"
A burning slash ripped across his shoulder. Hook tumbled back, rolling through dirt and grass. Blood dripped from the wound as he staggered behind a large tree for cover.
"He's too fast... I can't even see him..." Hook whispered, panting.
Rigor's voice echoed coldly. "Hiding won't save you."
His wrist blades glowed again—this time with wind energy—then he slashed in a wide arc. A blade of wind shot out, slicing clean through the tree. The top half slammed to the ground behind Hook, who barely dove aside in time.
Hook gritted his teeth, then focused. He raised both hands, drawing blades from the ground and flinging them with telekinesis.
The blades flew like missiles.
But Rigor—too fast—dodged them all. Then he snatched one mid-air and hurled it back. The blade tore Hook's cheek, drawing a red line across his face.
Hook dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
"Stand your ground, Hook!" Bin shouted, blocking another of Malakar's fire strikes. "Don't let your defenses down!"
Bin clenched his fist. It was time.
A glowing shadow rose behind him—his Shadow Susanoo—made from the fusion of his light and raw determination. The spectral warrior towered over him, mirroring his stance, its blade drawn.
Malakar stepped back, recognizing the form. "So you've awakened it... the power of our family"....
Bin's voice was cold. "You should've been by my side when I awakened it... as my brother."
"Don't say that word!" Malakar roared. "I don't need your pity. I don't need your light!"
Their shadows clashed again, Malakar's dark fire roaring against the radiant sword of light. The clash lit the sky in alternating flashes of black and gold.
Not far from them, Rigor moved to finish Hook. He charged, blades ready—but this time, Hook gritted his teeth and raised his arms. His clones with sword activated, surrounding him in a web of illusions. Rigor slashed through one—then two—but couldn't find the real Hook.
One of the clones exploded into sticky glue.
It was a trick—Hook had created a sticky clone.
Hook leapt from the side and kicked him in the ribs. "I'm not done yet...!"
The brothers' battle raged on. The ground cracked. The wind screamed. Flames and light clashed across the skies.
Once, Bin and Malakar were the closest of siblings—born from the same light, raised by the same hands.
Now, one bore the hope of their ancestors.
The other, the curse of betrayal.
And neither was willing to back down.