Lightning tore the sky apart as the first Grinder landed with a deafening crash.
A towering creature with bones laced in obsidian and tendrils of corrupted divine energy snaking across its skin. It let out a guttural screech that fractured glass across the city.
Akira stood firm.
> Akira: "Formation Alpha. Nobody breaks rank."
His team—Rei, Jin, Aria, and Kael—nodded. They spread out, ready to face the abomination before them.
> Rei (drawing her glaive): "This thing... it's not just powerful. It's ancient."
> Kael: "Then let's remind it that we're the future."
With a blinding flash, Akira launched forward, sword glowing with the energy of the Light God.
---
Meanwhile – Kuroo's Battlefield
The second Grinder had chosen the darker hunting ground—Kuroo's dominion.
Unlike Akira, Kuroo didn't hesitate.
> Kuroo (grinning): "You look like you eat gods for breakfast. Let's see if you can digest me."
With a sweep of his shadow-forged blade, he vanished—reappearing behind the Grinder and landing a clean slash across its back.
It didn't flinch.
It turned slowly, grinning with three jaws.
> Grinder: "Delicious... fear."
> Kuroo: "Then starve. I don't serve fear."
---
Back to Akira – The Clash Begins
The first Grinder swiped with devastating force, sending Aria and Jin crashing into buildings. Kael summoned a storm of fire to push it back, but its hide resisted the flames.
> Akira (channeling): "Light Ignition: Heavenfall!"
He soared upward, sword glowing like a second sun. Then—he descended.
One strike.
The land beneath the Grinder cracked like a spiderweb.
It stumbled. But it didn't fall.
> Grinder: "Light... will burn out."
> Akira (smirking): "Let's test that."
---
Kuroo vs Grinder: Round Two
The second Grinder charged with a burst of abyssal energy. Kuroo blocked, then unleashed a flurry of cursed slashes—every one of them slicing through space.
> Kuroo (low voice): "I'm not just fighting you... I'm sharpening myself."
He twisted mid-air, planting his blade into the creature's throat.
> Kuroo: "Black Spiral: Annihilation Fang."
With a screech, the Grinder recoiled, bleeding ethereal mist.
---
Ending Scene
Both battles raged. The world trembled.
Two warriors. Two styles.
One burning with divine light. One dancing in darkness.
Above them, high in the fractured sky, the Observer watched silently.
And somewhere deeper within the dimension, the third Grinder opened its eyes.
---
End of Chapter 22