Daimo overwhelmed Bash with a relentless flurry of strikes from his twin swords, forcing him into full defense.
"Come on, Bash! Weren't you the one who said you were going to eliminate me?" Daimo taunted, grinning wildly as their swords clashed with brutal speed.
Bash attempted to gain distance, using Switch Mode to teleport a few feet away. But Daimo gave him no breathing room, instantly switching to the same spot and continuing his savage assault. Bash couldn't keep up—he was too slow. The blows landed, cutting him repeatedly.
Daimo laughed maniacally as he fought. With one hand, he withdrew a sword back into his arm and slammed his fist into Bash's face, sending him flying across the ruined forest. Trees collapsed all around as the terrain twisted into a battlefield.
Bash struggled to rise, blood dripping from his chin. But Daimo appeared before him in an instant, smashing his head into the ground with a powerful stomp. The ground cracked under the force, burying Bash's face in the dirt.
"What's the matter?" Daimo mocked, standing over him. "Is that all you've got? I thought you came to eliminate me!"
Bash vanished behind Daimo in a desperate move, swinging a punch. But Daimo, anticipating the attack, blocked it without turning around.
"I knew you'd try something like that. You're so predictable, Bash."
He spun, aiming a punch toward Bash's face. But Bash ducked and swept Daimo's legs from beneath him. Daimo fell, stunned, reaching for Bash—but Bash pulled back and drove his fist into Daimo's face, again and again, pounding him into the earth.
Daimo grunted, then suddenly smirked. "Heh… Just kidding."
He grabbed Bash's arms, then wrapped his dark tail around Bash's body as he rose from the ground. Bash struggled fiercely, but it was no use.
"You can't escape. I'm draining your Renshi, Bash. That's how special darkside spirits feed," Daimo said coldly. Then, with a vicious strike, he stabbed his tail tip into Bash's chest.
"ARGHHH!" Bash screamed in agony.
---
Up in the tree, Jackson clenched his fists, his heart racing.
"This is bad… If we don't do something now, everything—finding my dad—it'll all be for nothing! We have to help him!" Jackson shouted.
"Are you crazy?!" Marcel yelled, eyes wide. "You saw how easily he defeated that guy! We'd be throwing ourselves to death if we get involved! Let's go, Jack!"
Marcel jumped down from the tree, ready to flee.
But Jackson stood firm. "If you want to run, go. But I can't abandon the man who saved our lives. I'm going."
He jumped down and sprinted toward the battle.
"Jack! Come back! Don't do this!" Marcel shouts, but Jackson didn't stop.
---
Daimo paused mid-drain, his eyes narrowing. "Hmm… That voice… The kids are still here. Looks like today's my lucky day."
He grinned wickedly and returned to feeding on Bash's Renshi.
Jackson dashed through the shattered forest, eyes locked on the distant battle. He spotted something on the ground—Bash's sword sheath.
He scooped it up, pouring his Renshi into it. "I never thought this bow would evolve into a sword and sheath… I just hope I can use it right. If I die, I die as a Shinra on duty."
He reached the sword, picked it up with his free hand, and activated his Renshi in both the blade and sheath.
"Let go of him, you monster!" Jackson roared as he charged.
He slashed at Daimo's tail, but Daimo blocked with his arm and countered with a punch, launching Jackson backward.
"Don't interfere with my meal, kid," Daimo growled. "You're coming home with me. You'll train under me, fight me all you like....… You'll love it."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Jackson spat, steadying himself. "Why do you want me and Marcel anyway?"
Daimo smirked. "You kids don't know what you are, huh? You're just Number Ten on the List of Twelve. Your friend's Number Eleven. You shouldn't get ahead of yourself,I sent others to retrieve the rest. Don't worry—you'll be safe with us."
"That's not your call!" Jackson shouted. "We do what we want! And I'm telling you now—we're not coming!"
He shut his eyes tightly. "First Change: Limited Tentacles!"
Ten glowing Renshi tentacles of himself sprouted from his body, lashing with power.
"Here I come, old monster!" Jackson yelled, directing the tentacles to attack from all directions.
---
From the distance, Marcel watched in disbelief. "Jackson's actually fighting that thing…"
He clenched his fists. "There's no way I'm letting you get yourself killed under my watch…"
Marcel began running after him. "You always make me do things I hate. I just hope we don't regret this…"