Gripping her sword, Luna charged at the apparition with incredible speed.
But, to her astonishment, her attack passed through the enemy's body without causing any harm — as if she had cut through thin air.
The creature merely smiled.
Around them, panicked civilians ran for their lives, abandoning houses engulfed in flames.
— Everything… is burning… — murmured the entity, its voice distorted and deep.
Luna furrowed her brow, stepping back. She assumed a combat stance, breathing steadily, eyes sharp and alert.
Suddenly, the ghost's mouth widened grotesquely — and a jet of fire erupted, consuming everything in front of it.
Hell had formed.
Screams. Ash. Agony.
Within seconds, everything around — except Luna — was charred to black.
— You bastard… how dare you… — Luna muttered, her voice trembling with rage.
She raised her sword and shouted:
— Neo Jutsu: Abyss Crucifixion!
Chains of demonic energy shot up from the ground, wrapping around the apparition and pulling it upward. They pulsed with black energy, trapping the enemy in an illusory abyss — an inverted dimension where the sky swirled like a vortex, and below stretched an infinite waterfall.
The creature writhed, looking around in confusion.
— This place… I've never seen anything like it. — it said, staring at the chains. — What are they made of? It's the first time something affects me… —
While speaking, Luna leapt forward, delivering a precise strike that pierced the creature's neck.
Her blade glowed red before cutting through, decapitating the enemy.
Before dying, the entity whispered with a macabre smile:
— You only won… because I allowed it. My work… is already done…
— Work? What do you mean by that? — Luna asked, confused.
But before she could get an answer, a sword flew out of nowhere, slicing through the creature's mouth — splitting its head in two.
Luna turned.
Standing amid the flames was a young man, his shadow covering half his face.
— Sebastian…? Didn't expect to find you here. — Luna said, surprised.
He walked calmly, his voice serene:
— There are things I need to settle… After all, I am still a Guardian of Light.
Luna watched as the boy disappeared into the fire. His clothes were torn, yet he walked upright, imposing — like a ghost among the flames.
---
Elsewhere in the kingdom, Luis faced the colossal dragon.
Each movement of the beast shook houses; its steps crushed entire streets. Dust rose, cloaking the sky in gray. Tiny humans ran in panic.
— Anyone who dares destroy my home… will be destroyed. — Luis said, his voice echoing with restrained fury.
He raised his hand.
— Neo Jutsu: Silent Cataclysm!
His aura took form — a small, unstable black sphere, with red and blue streaks spinning around it.
The dragon roared and unleashed a crimson fire blast.
Luis countered by launching his sphere — it sliced through the air in a straight line, hitting the dragon's right head. A silent explosion erupted, leaving a black flash.
When the smoke cleared, the dragon's right head had been severed, purple blood spilling onto the ruins.
Luis looked down at fleeing civilians, still alive. He clenched his fists.
— Neo Jutsu: Silent Abyss — Dimensional Reversal!
Black cracks opened in the sky, sucking the severed head upward. A muffled sound — almost a void — echoed.
Above him, the man in black robes watched.
— Impressive… black rifts. Tears in reality itself. When an attack passes through, there is no light… no sound… — he murmured, curious.
A new rift opened above him, and the severed head reappeared, falling — passing through the translucent man's body and striking the dragon's second head, which roared in pain.
Blood gushed in torrents.
Luis glared at him, furious.
— What brings you here?!
The hooded man smiled faintly.
— Plans. Just… plans… —
He took a silver ring from his pocket and tossed it toward Luis.
Luis caught it.
— This ring… it's identical to the one Ray gave me… — he thought. — What does it mean?!
The man laughed. — Ask the great sages of your kingdom. They will know… —
As he spoke, his body began to vanish. His final words echoed in Luis's mind:
> "Five dangerous pieces."
And then he disappeared.
The beast, writhing in pain, roared again and expelled a freezing breath, turning the surrounding streets and houses to ice — extinguishing the flames but leaving a trail of destruction.
Luis observed the chaos before him.
— I need to end this quickly… — he murmured. — It's my duty.
His body glowed with bluish energy as he floated, facing the mutilated dragon.
---
Meanwhile, Kevin arrived at the street where Ruby and Luis had been moments ago.
Destroyed houses, fire, and bodies littered the path. The air smelled of ash and iron.
— This way! Hurry! — shouted a soldier, guiding survivors.
Kevin approached. — Where are they going?
One of the guards replied without slowing down:
— To the northern protection dome! Come with us if you want to live!
Kevin smiled faintly, lowering his hood — half of his face now hidden in shadow.
— I have a new mission… — he murmured.
He walked through the debris, using four green chains that sprouted from his back to lift rubble. Beneath them, he found a woman and a child, both injured.
— Hold on tight. — he said, touching them. Green light enveloped their bodies, instantly healing their wounds.
The woman looked at him, relieved. — Thank you… young one. How old are you? You're too young to be here!
Kevin smiled, keeping his face hidden.
— Seventeen. But don't worry. I'm a warrior — apprentice-level of the light.
Her eyes widened. — Are you insane? Come with us! The royal army was defeated; even the Guardians couldn't hold them off! You'll die here!
Kevin shook his head. — If I can save the wounded and protect those who still breathe… my father will be proud of me.
The woman fell silent for a few moments.
"I can't see her face… but there's conviction in every word."
She nodded.
— Then go, young one. Protect those in need. But first, tell me… what is your name?
Kevin took a deep breath, glancing at his cloak, remembering the Second Sentinel.
— Call me… Dark Star.
— Good luck, Dark Star. — said the woman, leaving with her daughter.
Suddenly, a red explosion shook the ground. A deafening roar echoed, followed by tremors.
— That sound… — Kevin thought, widening his eyes. — A dragon!
He looked north.
— Head to the dome! Now! — he shouted.
The woman ran, disappearing amid the rubble.
Kevin stood still, wind lifting his hood.
— That power… it's Luis's. — he murmured. — Cousin… what are you facing now?
On the horizon, the fire stained the sky, and the dragon's body lay immobile, headless.
Flames and ice intertwined across the devastated field.
Luis landed atop the rubble, exhausted.
— I think… I overdid it… — he murmured, surveying the chaos he had left behind.