The battlefield lay in ruins. BOOM! Smoke from ashes and debris choked the air. CRACK... The ground still split open with steaming fissures. The devastation left by the fight had thrown everything into brutal chaos.
Danes looked like the victor of the clash—yet three opponents still stood, and he was already at his limit. The constant use of his techniques had drained him almost completely. He knew that if he used even one more, he'd be at the mercy of the enemy.
Only one option remained... but it came at a high price.
—You're strong, Supreme Guardian. What they say about you is true—your power seems limitless. But you and I both know that's a lie. Right now, you're at the edge of your abilities. Do you really think you can still be my match? —the masked man said, his tone confident.
—Hmm... —Danes closed his eyes, swaying on his feet—. You're right. However, I know exactly where your strength comes from. And I also know you've burned through a lot of energy yourself... am I wrong?
—What a keen observer —the masked man replied, smiling behind his mask—. But I can swear to you, if I wanted, I could end your life with a flick of my finger.
Danes could feel his enemy's power surging. SWOOSH! His energy swelled like a rising tide, impossible to hold back. Danes couldn't understand how he was recovering so quickly.
—Looks like I'll have to use that technique —he thought, clenching his teeth.
—I know what you're thinking. You want to use the Death Reversal...
Danes froze.
—How do you know about that technique? That means...
—Exactly. I'm also a Supreme Guardian.
—If you're a Supreme Guardian, then you know perfectly well our mission is to protect humanity, not destroy it. What's your purpose in doing all this?
—I already told you... but let me show you.
FLASH! The purple-haired masked man closed the distance so fast that Danes never even sensed him. A strange calm washed over him as the man stood before him. He placed a hand on Danes' head.
BANG!
An endless torrent of images flooded Danes' mind—screams, explosions, war, destruction, children crying, leaders laughing over mountains of corpses... total chaos engulfed him. His consciousness faded away.
When he awoke, he was lying in a bed. He recognized that ceiling. His eyes scanned the room—he was home.
He sat up, confused, his head throbbing. As he stepped out of the room, a young woman spotted him.
—Brother, you're awake! —she ran to hug him.
—What happened to me? —he asked, his voice unsteady.
—You came back a week ago, looking lost. You kept saying things like "peace is necessary"... then you collapsed. The officers brought you home, and you've been out cold until now.
—I can't remember anything... Dalia.
—It's okay, you're still weak —she guided him to a chair—. I'll bring you some water.
Danes sank into the seat, trying to recall what had happened... but nothing came. It was as if the memory had been torn from his mind.
Later, he left the house. Though his body bore few wounds, he could feel the weakness deep inside him. Barefoot, shirtless, he walked across the grass. The wind struck his skin as if trying to rouse him from his daze. On this island, the wind was constant—more so near the sea.
He felt a presence. Before he could speak, a voice cut in:
—How is it you almost got yourself killed, Second? —the voice was deep, arrogant, dripping with ego.
—What are you doing here, Garu? —Danes asked without turning around. The man crouched on the rooftop.
—I want to know who had the guts to nearly take down one of the kingdom's strongest men. Who was it?
—You'll find out when you face them yourself —Danes replied, then paused—. Though honestly... I doubt any of us could.
The silence between them was heavy.
—I get it. You don't want to talk. Must be hard on your Supreme Guardian pride. From what I know, you've never lost a fight before. Makes me wonder why they let you live —Garu said with a mocking grin.
THUD! He jumped from the roof, landing before Danes. His massive frame dwarfed the Second Supreme.
—I don't have to tell you anything. I'll only answer to the king —Danes said, raising his voice.
—Hey now, no need to get mad. I just wanted to know a little. Lately, new threats have been popping up every day —Garu said, still radiating arrogance.
—What do you mean? —Danes asked.
—You'll find out soon. The king will summon us. We'll have to report on our missions.
—If you've been out exploring too... then something big is coming.
—I'm afraid so. Doesn't it excite you? New challenges, new battles... I'm sick of monotony.
—Whatever you say —Danes replied more calmly. He knew Garu's power well—a beast, a war animal.
—Well, that's all. See you at court.
WHOOSH! Garu vanished in an instant. Danes kept his eyes on the horizon. The wind still blew strong... but different. As if it carried the scent of an even greater war to come.