As Aeri and Junk Dog's clash grew fiercer above, the battlefield below raged just as violently. Though the Shikkoku and Ashes had numbers on their side, ZEAL's fighters proved far superior in skill, their mastery of abilities and combat discipline giving them the edge.
At the heart of the battlefield, Kaela and Minato shone brightest. Their coordination seamlessly balanced offense and defense, striking heavy blows while shielding their allies, making them the true anchors of the fight.
But momentum never lasts forever. Just as ZEAL pressed their advantage, the atmosphere shifted. It was ominous and suffocating. After all, the Messengers had arrived.
The first appeared atop a crumbling rooftop, a man in his mid twenties with golden braided hair that caught the light like fire. In his hand was no ordinary weapon, but a branch like bow with no string nor arrows. Calmly, he drew it back, mimicking the act of a shot.
