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Chapter 16 - Ruins and Reunion

When Kaosu arrived, the air smelled of ash. Standing among the ruins were familiar faces — and new ones.

Supira stepped forward proudly, his fresh dojo uniform glowing faintly with Spiral energy.

"Brother," he said, smirking. "We've been busy."

At his side stood Kaiyo, staff in hand, and behind him Rai and Mizu, the Aquanientes, their eyes sharp with resolve.

Doraibu came next, lightning dancing faintly at his heels. He gestured to a calm boy beside him.

"This is Kori. He's… fast. Faster than me, for now."

Kaosu chuckled. "Looks like you've all made friends." His tone hardened. "Good. We'll need them."

Kaosu's eyes scanned the horizon, where the looming Dark Nexus Headquarters rose like a wound on the land.

"Doraibu, Kori — you'll be the distraction. Break their lines, force the guards to swarm you."

Both boys nodded eagerly, lightning sparking in their hands.

"Supira, Kaiyo, Rai, Mizu — flush the remaining soldiers out. Keep the battlefield clean. No one slips through."

"And me?" Supira asked.

Kaosu's gaze sharpened. "I'm going straight for Zankoku. And I'm bringing Shimo back."

The group nodded, no hesitation in their eyes. Their bonds were unspoken, but unshakable.

The plan unfolded flawlessly. Doraibu and Kori blurred through the enemy lines, their speed turning the guards into nothing but scattered shadows. Supira's team followed up, Spiral and Aquaniente power tearing apart the Self-Void soldiers.

Kaosu strode into the heart of the fortress. And there, in the throne hall of ruin, he found him — Zankoku, grinning, and beside him… Shimo, her body bound in shadows.

"Brother!" Kaosu called out, stepping forward. But even before he reached her, he knew. Something was wrong.

He summoned the Dimension Blade, its edge humming with impossible weight. "Kudo. I'll need you."

With a swirl of light and shadow, Kudo materialized, grinning at Zankoku.

"Well, well. Look at you. Still drunk on my gift, huh?"

Zankoku's smirk faltered. "K-Kudo…"

Kaosu glanced at Kudo. "Nice entrance."

The two chuckled in sync — then lunged together.

Their strikes rained like storms, Dimension and Chaos weaving perfectly, driving Zankoku back. Shadows cracked under the weight of their power.

The rest of the team stormed in behind them. Shimo collapsed, Kaosu ordering:

"Supira! Heal her — bring her back to her senses!"

Supira knelt, chanting, Spiral energy flowing into her body. Shimo's breathing steadied. Mizu looked away, her jaw clenched, while Rai simply laughed.

Pinned down, Zankoku sneered. "If you think killing me will stop the Dark Nexus… you're gravely mistaken. I am just the head of an unstoppable force!"

The team exchanged doubtful glances, almost laughing — until Kudo's expression darkened.

"He's not lying."

Kaosu's eyes narrowed. "Then we end this now."

Zankoku turned to flee. But Kudo whispered one word:

"Chaos Counter."

The air grew heavy. Zankoku's body convulsed, crushed beneath an invisible weight, his screams cut short as he was reduced to dust on the winds.

Silence fell. Kori whistled in awe. "You… really just erased him. Can I destroy the base too?"

Kudo shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

With a wild grin, Kori raised his hand. A storm split the skies, lightning crashing down, obliterating the Dark Nexus headquarters into rubble.

Kaiyo blinked. "What's your Nexus, exactly?"

Kori smirked, electricity still crackling on his skin. "Thunder."

The crew regrouped, Kaosu lifting Shimo gently into his arms. For the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to breathe easy.

But in the silence that followed, they all felt it — the storm wasn't over. Zankoku was gone, yes… but the Dark Nexus had many more heads waiting in the shadows.

And this was only the beginning.

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