The night above Argos split with storms of light and shadow. The cries of soldiers echoed through shattered streets as the Light Army clashed with Malakar's growing legion of darkness. The city was no longer simply a battleground—it was becoming a graveyard for both sides.
Jay stumbled through the broken alleys, every step heavy. His back throbbed from Julius's chains, but his stubborn heart refused to stop. Ahead, banners of white and gold fluttered—the Light Army. Their captains rushed to him at once.
"Master Jay!" one of them cried. "You live!"
"Barely," Jay muttered, leaning on his knee. His old bones felt like they would crack at any second. "The children—did they make it?"
"They're safe, sir. Teleported to Aurora. Luz and the others are protected."
Jay allowed himself a weak smile. Relief washed through him. "Good… Then we hold here."
But his eyes darkened. He knew Julius still hunted him. The man wouldn't stop. I'll need more than soldiers to buy time, Jay thought grimly.
---
At the city's heart, Bin and Malakar continued their terrible duel.
Every strike of Bin's Sword of Light sent ripples of radiance across the ruins. Every blast of Malakar's shadow-fire tore buildings apart. The two were brothers by blood, yet their bond had been twisted into a storm of hatred.
Bin's breathing grew heavier. The Sword of Light trembled in his grip. Malakar, by contrast, only grew stronger, his aura boiling like a volcanic eruption.
"You're slowing, brother," Malakar taunted, his dark claws slashing across Bin's Susanoo. Cracks spread across the shadow guardian's armor. "The light falters. It always falters."
Bin gritted his teeth, forcing another counterstrike. "You'll never understand… Light doesn't falter—it endures."
Malakar snarled and slammed both fists into the ground. Dark fire surged upward, exploding beneath Bin's feet. The blast hurled him backward, skidding across rubble. His chest heaved. His vision blurred.
Still, Bin rose. "If I fall… Aetheris falls with me. That, I will never allow."
Malakar smirked. "Then I'll take both together."
Their clash shook the heavens again, each blow louder than thunder.
---
On another battlefield, Hook fought desperately against Rigor.
Every strike of Rigor's twin wrist blades came faster than Hook could see. The air itself seemed to scream as they cut through it. Hook summoned blades from the ground with telekinesis, hurling them in swarms. But Rigor moved like lightning, deflecting, dodging, weaving through every assault.
A flash of steel—Hook's shoulder split open. Another slash—his leg nearly buckled.
"Pathetic," Rigor said coldly. "You think tricks and floating weapons can match raw speed? You were never my equal."
Hook, gasping, clenched his jaw. "Maybe not. But I don't need to match you—I just need to stall you long enough for Bin to win."
He thrust his hand forward, dozens of blades levitating at once. They formed a storm around Rigor, enclosing him. The ground quaked with the strain of Hook's telekinesis.
Rigor only smirked. His blades pulsed with wind energy, and with a single motion, he spun, cutting through the storm like paper. Hook screamed as feedback ripped through his body, sending him sprawling.
Blood ran down his chin. He could barely move. Still, he forced himself up on shaking arms. Not yet… I won't give in yet…
Rigor raised his blade for the killing strike.
---
Elsewhere, Jay found his path blocked—by Julius.
Chains coiled around the ground, glowing with fire, sealing the path. Julius stood tall, his crimson eyes burning with fury.
"You really thought you could escape me?" Julius growled. "You should have died in that prison."
Jay smirked, despite his bloodied state. "Sorry to disappoint. Old men are stubborn."
Julius's chains lashed out, but before they struck, a voice cut through the chaos:
"Enough."
From the shadows stepped Fuhkiko, his aura blazing with light's warmth. He was Den's father, a seasoned warrior, and a man who had lived long enough to understand both loyalty and sacrifice.
Jay's eyes widened. "Fuhkiko…"
Julius's face twisted. "Brother."
The word dripped with venom.
Fuhkiko's gaze was calm, almost sorrowful. "Julius. Even now, you walk the path of chains. You could still let go."
Julius snarled. "You speak of letting go? You who abandoned me? You who chose your precious son over your brother? No… You're no brother of mine."
His chains whipped forward, striking like vipers. Fuhkiko moved, fluid and precise, deflecting each with his twin light-forged blades. Sparks of radiance lit the battlefield.
Jay staggered back, watching in awe. So this is his true strength… No wonder Den inherited such fire.
Fuhkiko turned his head briefly. "Jay. Go. You've done enough. The children need you."
Jay hesitated. "You'll be overrun—"
"I'll manage." His tone was final, unyielding.
Jay clenched his fists, then nodded. "Don't die, old friend." He forced himself into motion, vanishing into the smoke, fleeing toward the Light Army lines.
Now only Julius and Fuhkiko remained.
The air between them pulsed with decades of buried pain.
"You always thought you were better," Julius spat, chains rattling. "You always had the family's favor. But I'll show you—I'll carve your name from this world and prove I was the stronger brother all along!"
Fuhkiko's eyes dimmed with sorrow. "If that is the path you choose… then I will bear the burden of ending it."
The two clashed—chains and blades colliding with thunderous force. The ground shattered, light and flame scattering into the night.
---
Back at the city's heart, Bin and Malakar's fight raged toward its peak.
Malakar's laughter echoed across the ruins. "Do you feel it, brother? The fear of losing? The despair of weakness? This is what you gave me when you took the light for yourself!"
Bin's knees buckled, his body battered, but still he stood. "I never took it. Father chose… and I bore the weight. You let it turn into hatred."
Malakar roared, his aura swelling to monstrous levels. The sky itself darkened, as though night had consumed the stars.
Bin tightened his grip on the Sword of Light. His eyes blazed, not with anger, but with resolve. "Then I will carry not just the light—but the memory of who you were. Even if I must cut you down."
Their powers collided again, sending shockwaves across Argos.
And in the distance, cloaked in shadow, unseen eyes watched both battles unfold.