Haegar was the first to move. His leap was so powerful that the floor beneath him cracked into a spiderweb of shattered marble and smoke.
"What are you doing, Kronoran?!" he roared, unleashing a flurry of punches. "You traitor… I hate you!"
Each blow was filled with fury, but Kronoran deflected them with cold precision. He was about to counter with a crushing strike, when suddenly—
"Step back."
A quiet voice echoed.
Lamênt yanked Haegar back in one smooth motion—and in the same breath, passed through him, slamming an open palm straight into Kronoran's stomach. A pulse of energy exploded, and Kronoran slid backward, his heels gouging deep lines through the marble floor.
"I pity you…" Lamênt whispered, his blindfold trembling slightly. "You went against the Creator's will.
Which means… you must be destroyed."
Kronoran stood tall, gritting his teeth.
"You've grown stronger… But you're still no match for me."
He raised his right hand—and from his palm burst hundreds of rays of light. They didn't just fly—they tore through the air at a speed beyond anything the Guardians had ever seen.
But then—
SHHH-SHHHAAHH!
All the beams shattered against a radiant triangular barrier made of the purest water. At each corner of the barrier floated a white bowl.
"I'll cover you," said Kianir calmly, stepping forward. His half-closed eyes showed no fear or concern. "Stand down, Kronoran."
At that very moment, like a whirlwind tearing through space itself, Viras appeared. His leap was incomprehensibly fast—he blurred past the others like a tear in reality.
An upward kick—Kronoran dodged, but Viras had expected it. A second move—a punch to the face.
Kronoran struck first, but Viras willingly took the hit. His face twisted in pain—
And then bloomed into a wide, terrifying smile of madness.
"HA-HA-HA! YES!" he shouted, grabbing Kronoran's cloak.
He twisted with all his strength and hurled Kronoran across the entire hall like a missile.
Akito opened his eyes. In front of him stood four Guardians, like an unbreakable wall—each in a battle stance, ready to engage Kronoran again.
"Hey, you okay?" came a familiar voice beside him. Lumen, slightly worried, leaned over him. "Get up. This place is dangerous."
Akito stood, still aching from the earlier blow, and looked ahead.
The first he saw was Kianir. He stood motionless, like silence itself had taken form. His long, pale blue hair flowed to his waist like a waterfall. The three white bowls orbited him, transferring crystal-clear water between each other. On his face—serenity, almost indifference, as if everything was part of a long-predicted dream.
Then Akito's gaze found Haegar—his chest was covered in cracks leaking dark red energy. His crimson eyes didn't just see—they burned through, filled with fury gathered over centuries. His four massive fists were clenched, each one ready to reduce anything in its path to dust.
Next was the shortest among them—Lamênt. His skin was dark, but beneath it pulsed a lean, muscular strength. Despite his height, he radiated a quiet power, blending sympathy with unshakable resolve.
And finally—Viras. That crazed smile, his body covered in scars, a swirling orb of energy in his fist. He had just thrown Kronoran across the hall, and judging by his expression, he was enjoying every second of it.
"Why are they only wearing cloaks and pants?" Akito whispered. "Not like you, Lumen?"
Lumen smiled.
"It depends on status. Everyone you see without a shirt beneath their cloak—those are the ones whose skin is tougher than armor.
They haven't been replaced in thousands of years.
They are the eldest Guardians, and each of them has proven their strength in countless battles."
He paused for a moment, then nodded toward the tall, calm man with half-lidded eyes.
"Kianir and I—we're the new generation.
Despite his calm, Kianir is said to be one of the most potentially powerful Guardians.
They say that if he ever unleashes his full power… even the Creator will have to take notice."
Akito gripped the hilts of the Blades of Chaos. He could feel it—
The battle was only beginning.
"You shouldn't join the fight, Akito," Lumen said gently. "You're too valuable to the Creator."
Akito was about to respond—but didn't get the chance.
All four Guardians launched forward like lightning in a storm.
Haegar and Viras struck first—barraging Kronoran with punches from all sides—right, left, above—but Kronoran, like he had ascended to another level, blocked every hit, even as beams of light shot from him toward Kianir and Lamênt. One raised his triple-bowl barrier, the other didn't even blink—the beams passed straight through his body, leaving no trace.
"They're… incredible," Akito whispered, watching the battle unfold.
"That's not even half their strength. Don't worry, we'll stop him," Lumen replied calmly, eyes locked on the fight.
"But there are still too few of you… Where are the others?" Akito asked, concern creeping into his voice.
"They had unfinished business. But I'm sure… they're already on their way."
Their conversation was cut short—Kronoran had countered, soaring into the air and landing a devastating kick into Haegar's chest. Twisting mid-air, he launched Viras across the room with a second kick. A blink later, Kronoran was already speeding toward him—but Viras raised his hands and blasted a wave of energy that forced Kronoran back.
"HA! KRONORAN!" Viras shouted, grinning wildly. "Don't you DARE hold back! I want to go all out!"
Kronoran skidded across the ground, covering his face—
And suddenly, Lamênt appeared before him.
A punch. Then another. Kronoran parried both—but his counterattack passed clean through Lamênt, like through a ghost.
"What…?" he muttered in surprise.
In that moment, Lamênt was already airborne—kneeing Kronoran in the face.
Kronoran shot upward—
But someone was waiting for him.
Kianir.
He raised his arms—and the three white bowls flared.
Streams of water burst out like waterfalls, striking Kronoran mid-air.
He was slammed into two marble columns, crashed through a wall—
And vanished into a cloud of rising dust.
Akito stood frozen, holding his breath.
"They might… actually be able to stop him."
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!