Kurayami sat cross-legged at the edge of the dojo, eyes sharp. Every clash of fists, every spark of Nexus energy, he recorded like a scholar studying prey.
Kori… unstoppable. No weakness. No fear. Only raw thunder.
But the others? Cracks revealed themselves.
Doraibu: fast, but speed has limits. His body cannot sustain it forever.
Kaiyo: strong, but tires quickly. His stamina collapses.
Supira: teamwork is his weakness. He fights only beside his brothers.
Shimo: vulnerable at range, too slow to defend against rapid strikes.
Kurayami's lips curled into a faint grin. "Noted."
Seishin stepped forward, his gaze unreadable.
"Next match—Kaosu and Kudo… against Kori and Kaiyo."
The dojo fell silent.
Kaosu and Kudo moved as one, their bond like twin shadows of a single blade. But Kori's sharp eye pierced their rhythm. With a grin, he slammed Kudo aside, breaking their formation.
Kaiyo charged Kaosu, fists like hammers. Kaosu's dimension blade shimmered as his Nexus flared—altering the flow of speed itself.
"What…?!" Kaiyo gasped as his movements dragged like molasses. Each punch slowed, his body collapsing under Kaosu's strike. He hit the ground, unconscious.
Meanwhile, Kudo and Kori clashed like beasts. Sparks and distortions tore the dojo apart. Their battle wasn't a spar—it was war.
Kaosu turned to aid his brother, but Kori's thunder ripped through Kaosu's trick. Even slowed, he didn't care. In a sudden burst, he moved faster than lightning, knocking Kaosu unconscious with a brutal strike.
Only Kudo remained.
Kudo's scream ripped through the air, his Nexus surging wildly. The dojo warped, reality bending as shadows stretched and twisted. For the first time, Kurayami's chest tightened. Fear.
Kori roared back, thunder exploding from his body, arcs of lightning shaking the dojo. Both warriors charged. The impact blinded everyone in a storm of light and chaos.
When the dust settled, Seishin stood between them, his voice calm yet firm.
"Draw."
Kaosu stirred awake, eyes locking on Kudo. He raised a hand, and with a single look, Kudo calmed—returning to his king's side, loyal and unshaken.
Kori smirked, resting his crackling fists on his shoulders.
"You're strong, Kudo. Stronger than I thought."
Kudo only nodded, his voice low.
"And so are you."
For the first time, mutual respect was born.
Kurayami's thoughts churned. This dojo… these Vanguards… dangerous. He forced a smile, bowing slightly.
"I must go. I'll return soon."
He left swiftly, shadows cloaking his path. Hours later, he stood again before the Shadowed Master and the dark assembly of La Orden Oscura.
"My lord," Kurayami said, kneeling. "I have gathered all the information we need."
The shadows murmured in approval. Even the Master nodded.
"You have done well, my son."
Kurayami's eyes gleamed with ambition.
"Then… allow me to lead La Orden Oscura."
Kawa's voice erupted in fury.
"WHAT?! You dare?! You're nothing but a replacement for our fallen brother!"
The Master said nothing. The room grew silent.
Kurayami tilted his head, smiling.
"Then prove me wrong."
The spar began.
In seconds, Kurayami's shadow Nexus cut Kawa apart—slicing him into pieces, then stitching him back together again with the same shadows, only to tear him apart once more. Again. And again. Until Kawa's screams filled the chamber, until his defiance broke.
Bloodied, trembling, Kawa bowed his head.
"…Forgive me… Leader."
The chamber fell silent. Then the shadows erupted in praise, voices echoing like a hymn of darkness.
Kurayami stood tall, the new Commander of La Orden Oscura.
The Shadowed Master's smile lingered in the dark.
"So it begins."