Inside the ruined hall of the Sunflower Kingdom's inner castle, the dust slowly began to clear.
"Rhino, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you've misunderstood something. Allow me to clear things up, even though it won't make any difference. You're going to die here anyway."
Pascal raised his chin, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
"Whatever I'm doing, whatever we're doing, it isn't for our own benefit. We're simply carrying out our Lady's will. You don't know who she is, so don't waste your time asking. That's all you need to know before you die."
He lowered his gaze toward Rhino.
"Now, I've wasted enough time here, you're already taken care of,you won't cause us any trouble after I end you. It's time to collect our package, without any disturbance."
Pascal raised one hand, and his Renshi surged around him. The energy gathered into a shining sword of pale light.
Rhino struggled to stand upright, his breathing heavy. His horn disappeared, and the hardened plates covering his body gradually receded, revealing his normal human skin.
Suddenly, the ground shook.
The Twin Hammers he had embedded earlier burst free and flew straight into his hands.
Despite his injuries, Rhino tightened his grip around the weapons.
"I can't die here, Pascal. I only wanted to get some information out of you, but it looks like I've failed. Still, if you want me dead, you'll have to cut me into pieces first."
Pascal smirked and raised his sword.
"I knew you weren't finished yet. Don't think you've fooled me. I've been the one playing around this entire time. And now, the game is over."
In an instant, Pascal's right arm and leg began to transform.
They grew larger, taking on the powerful shape of a wolf's limbs. Thick muscles formed beneath his skin as a golden Renshi aura surrounded his arm and leg.
The entire hall trembled beneath the pressure.
Rhino's eyes widened.
Impossible... That aura... Has he been holding back this entire time?
Even in my complete form, I wouldn't stand a chance against this kind of strength.
Before he could think any further, Pascal vanished.
Switch Mode.
In less than a blink, Pascal appeared directly in front of him, swinging his sword down with terrifying speed.
BOOOOM!
The impact shook the entire hall.
The floor cracked, and chunks of stone flew in every direction as Rhino was blasted backward.
Blood spilled from his chest, but his body remained in one piece. At the last possible moment, his instincts had forced his Renshi to form a protective barrier around him, preventing the attack from cutting him apart.
Pascal clicked his tongue.
"Impressive. You actually survived a serious strike. You're tougher than I thought."
Rhino staggered, coughing up blood. Despite his injuries, he forced himself to raise his hammers again.
Pascal activated Switch Mode once more, appearing before Rhino with his sword raised.
This time, his blade descended with enough force to split Rhino in half.
CLAAAANG!
Rhino crossed his Twin Hammers and blocked the attack.
The collision sent sparks of Renshi flying as the ground shook beneath their feet.
He roared and poured everything he had into holding Pascal back.
But the difference in their strength was simply too great.
Pascal's blade sliced through one of the hammers as though it were made of paper. The weapon shattered, and the attack continued through Rhino's guard, severing half of his arm along with the broken hammer.
"DAMN IT!"
Rhino stumbled backward, pain shooting through his body.
With his remaining hand, he desperately reached for the chain around his neck and grabbed the glowing Renshical orb attached to it.
Without hesitation, he smashed it against the ground.
FLASH!
A blinding light burst from the orb, swallowing the entire hall.
Pascal cursed and stumbled backward, raising an arm to shield his eyes as the sudden brightness overwhelmed his vision.
By the time the light faded, Rhino was gone.
Pascal slowly lowered his arm and surveyed the ruined chamber. His sword hummed with Renshi.
The injured Rhino had escaped through teleportation, reappearing far beyond the castle, near the borders of the Sunflower Kingdom.
"Tch..."
Pascal's face twisted with frustration.
Every time. I keep playing with my prey, and somehow, they always manage to escape.
He clicked his tongue and glanced toward the destroyed hall.
If I hadn't created that sand tornado domain around the outer castle, those Shinra dogs would have already stormed the place.
He sighed.
"Whatever. I've completed half the assignment,he won't butt in with that injury. Time to regroup with the others."
Pascal swung his sword through the air, creating a teleportation circle without uttering a single word. His control over Renshi was precise enough to form one without speaking an incantation.
A moment later, he vanished.
---
OUTSIDE THE SUNFLOWER KINGDOM'S INNER CASTLE
Across the castle grounds, Shinras rushed around in confusion, desperately trying to understand what was happening.
A massive tornado of sand surrounded the inner castle, blocking every entrance. The raging storm covered the entire area, making it impossible for anyone to get through.
The Shinras tried again and again to break through the barrier, but every attempt ended in failure.
All they could do was watch helplessly as the castle continued to crumble behind the enormous sand tornado.
---
NEAR THE BORDER BETWEEN SUNFLOWER AND EMINENCE
Zanagi and Fladigo continued walking toward the border, their eyes fixed on the road ahead.
After a while, Zanagi broke the silence.
"Hey, Fladigo... do you think Rhino's okay?"
Fladigo immediately shot him an annoyed look.
"Don't ask me stupid questions, you idiotic moron. We're both here. How the hell am I supposed to know?"
Zanagi let out a dry chuckle.
"Relax, dickhead. I know you're worried about him too. You don't have to pretend you don't care. Showing a little concern won't make you lose a finger."
Fladigo's expression hardened.
"I don't have time for your nonsense."
"Fine, have it your way."
Zanagi's smile faded slightly.
"Still, I hope Rhino's okay. And I know you hope so too. Stop acting like you don't care when I know you do."
Fladigo suddenly turned toward him, his anger finally spilling over.
"What the hell is your problem, Zanagi?"
He clenched his fists.
"We lost Towondo because of that impostor, a bastard from the Reinforcement who infiltrated our ranks, deceived us, and then killed him. And you were the one who let that Towondo follow the bastard in the first place. That was your decision."
His voice grew louder.
"Now Towondo is dead, and we've had to cover up his death just to stop the other kingdoms, especially Eminence, from finding out that a Pro Darkside Knight was killed. Do you understand how serious that is?"
Fladigo glared at Zanagi, his anger evident in every word.
"And after all that, you expect me to care about anyone else? Rhino, you, or anybody? I can't do it anymore. I don't have it in me."
Zanagi didn't argue or raise his voice.
He simply looked at Fladigo with a faint, sad smile.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Fladigo frowned.
"What?"
"You keep pretending you're fine, but you're clearly not. You've been holding all that anger inside for too long."
Zanagi's expression grew serious.
"Hatred is poison, Fladigo. And right now, you're drinking it yourself."
Fladigo said nothing.