BROOOOOM!
The five devastating attacks merged into a single wave of destructive energy that swept across everything, colliding head-on with the Hydra's apocalyptic Apocalypse Drive energy.
Their shouts merged into one unified push, "AAAAAAHHHHH!" Beams of energy pushed against each other, destroying their surroundings.
The five of them kept pushing, unwilling to let their power be defeated. Slowly but surely, their energy wave began to dominate, pushing back the Hydra's purple blast.
"DON'T LET UP!" Zephyr shouted, his sword continuously emitting lightning.
With a final push, their energy wave finally broke through and swept over the giant Hydra's body.
SSSTTARRGG! SWOOOSH!
The Hydra's nine heads were severed simultaneously in a blinding explosion of white light. Its severely wounded giant body began to shrink, reverting to the unconscious form of Kin'iro, lying weak atop the rubble. In the distance, all the mud soldiers he had created vanished like smoke.
"We... did it," murmured the fox-woman, relieved.
The five of them, breathing heavily and covered in wounds, began walking towards the helpless Kin'iro. But after only a few steps, Leon suddenly slumped to his knees.
A harsh cough wracked his body, and blood poured from his mouth. The purple symbols on his body faded, his hair turned black again, and his eyes were no longer glowing red—he had returned to his original form, but with an extremely pale face.
"Leon!" Zephyr and Kazan hurried to help him stand.
"What happened?" Zephyr asked worriedly.
Leon tried to offer a weak smile. "The aftereffect... of my Ragnarok attack. It was too... draining on my mana and energy."
Nix immediately approached and placed his hand on Leon's back. Healing energy flowed, providing some stability. "You pushed yourself far too hard, Leon," Nix said.
"Thank... you, Nix," Leon replied, his breathing starting to regulate.
They continued their steps, now more cautiously, approaching the powerless Kin'iro. The intent to end the Hydra threat once and for all was clear in their eyes.
Suddenly, the air in front of them shimmered. A dark purple teleportation magic circle appeared, and from it stepped a woman. Her skin was pale as the moon, her snow-white hair reached the ground, and her eyes—completely pitch-black without a hint of white—seemed to swallow all light. She looked elegant and calm, but the aura she radiated was immensely powerful and oppressive.
Leon and Zephyr, feeling the woman's aura, broke out in a cold sweat. Their hearts pounded wildly, as if being choked by an invisible pressure. Nix, Kazan, and the fox-woman immediately assumed defensive stances.
The woman didn't speak, only glanced to the side. Simultaneously, a dark gate opened in the air, but nothing emerged from it.
Everyone, on high alert, looked around. Suddenly—
WHOOSH!
A thin, tall humanoid creature appeared soundlessly beside Zephyr. It was so fast that Zephyr had no time to react. A solid kick landed in his stomach, hurling him into the rubble.
ZZZT! The creature then vanished and reappeared beside the white-haired woman, bowing respectfully.
"That speed... is terrifying," Leon gritted his teeth. "Who are you?!"
Before the woman could answer, a second teleportation circle opened. A silver-haired man with sharp purple eyes stepped out. In his hand, he held a long nagamaki sword casually.
The moment he saw this man, Kazan's expression changed drastically—his face flushed red with rage and hatred.
"SO YOU FINALLY SHOW YOURSELF, KAZE THE TRAITOR!" Kazan yelled, drawing his katana and charging forward.
With a motion so smooth and swift, the silver-haired man drew his nagamaki from its sheath and effortlessly parried Kazan's attack.
"Hmph," he snorted, a arrogant smile spreading. "How have you been, little brother... Kazan."
Everyone present was stunned, unable to believe what they were hearing.
"TSK! A MONSTER LIKE YOU DOESN'T DESERVE TO CALL YOURSELF MY BROTHER!" Kazan retorted, his eyes glistening.
Hearing this, the man's face soured. Without warning, the sword scabbard in his hand struck Kazan's stomach hard. THUD! Kazan staggered and collapsed, instantly unconscious.
Nix immediately moved, carrying Kazan's unconscious body back to their line.
"Kaze," the white-haired woman addressed him in a flat tone. "Is that your weak little brother?"
"That's none of your business, Morvana," Kaze interrupted sharply. "Isn't our business here finished?"
Morvana sighed. "Fine, that's up to you." She then turned to the humanoid creature beside her. "Bring the Hydra."
"Yes, Mama," the creature replied in a hoarse voice, then easily lifted the powerless Kin'iro.
Kaze glanced in their direction. "Let's return."
The teleportation circle appeared once more, and in an instant, Kaze, Morvana, and her servant creature vanished, leaving behind a piercing silence.
Leon, Nix, and the fox-woman could only remain silent, still stunned by the power and terrifying aura they had just witnessed.
Nix immediately knelt beside Zephyr, his hands glowing with golden energy as he tried to heal his wounds.
"NIX... who... who were they?" Zephyr asked weakly.
Nix let out a heavy sigh, his face serious. "The silver-haired man... his description matches what we've heard. He is Kaze Ryusei, Kazan's elder brother, who is considered a traitor to the clan for seeking power. And the woman beside him..." Nix paused, his tone turning grim.
"She seems to be the Abyssal Mother, also known as Morvana, the Mother of Monsters. We all thought she died in the Great War long ago. It turns out she's still alive... and it seems she and Kaze are now allied."
He stared intently at the spot where they had disappeared. "This will be a major disaster if powers like them have united. We must return to headquarters immediately and report all of this to Arthur."
Leon nodded, his face filled with determination and worry. "Yes. We must return at once."
=== CHAPTER 46 END ===