The clash of stars and stone split the heavens.
Kori's breath came ragged as his Star Nexus claw collided against Hono's massive arm. The impact cracked the air like thunder, sending shockwaves through the sky. The giant guardian pushed forward, its runes glowing hotter with every strike.
"You fight with fire," Hono's voice bellowed, "but your flame cannot consume the sun!"
The guardian slammed its fist into the ground, and a surge of molten light burst outward. The shockwave tore through the sky, scattering fragments of starlight across the battlefield. Kori raised both Nexus at once, crossing them before him, but the blast still sent him flying back. His body tumbled through the air before he caught himself, panting, his arms trembling.
"I… won't fall," Kori whispered through clenched teeth. "Not here."
Stars flared around him, forming trails of light that circled his body like orbiting moons. With a roar, he shot forward again, his claw glowing with condensed celestial energy. He slashed at Hono, but the giant caught the attack in one hand, its runes flaring.
"Your power is great," Hono said, his voice calm but wrathful, "but you are not him. And yet… you carry the same arrogance."
With that, the guardian hurled Kori through the sky, the heavens quaking from its might.
Far inside the kingdom, Kaosu, Supira, and Kaiyo split paths among the radiant streets. The Kingdom of Light was breathtaking—floating gardens, crystal towers, and rivers of pure light—but the stares they drew were heavy.
Kaosu paused when he felt it. Villagers stopped what they were doing, staring at him with wide, fearful eyes. One woman screamed, dropping her basket. The sound echoed, and soon the whispers spread like wildfire.
"It's him…"
"He returned…"
"No… it can't be…"
Kaosu froze, his blood running cold. Every glance he met reminded him not of himself—but of Kudo.
Supira kept his focus, cornering a villager who trembled under his gaze. "We seek the Castle of Kings," he demanded.
The villager pointed shakily to the horizon. "Follow the ray of light. It shines brightest at dawn… it will lead you where you wish to go."
Supira narrowed his eyes but nodded. "Good enough."
Meanwhile, Kaiyo pulled another villager aside, his tone softer but firm. "Tell me about Kudo. What happened here?"
The villager's face went pale. He pulled Kaiyo into a narrow alleyway, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"He came. A boy who looked just like your friend. He fought Hono at the gates, defeated him… and then broke through. What followed was slaughter. Cities burned. Millions died under his hand. The Guardians descended and finally subdued him… but not before this kingdom drowned in blood. They took him away… no one knows where."
Kaiyo's eyes widened. His chest tightened at the weight of the words. "So that's what he did here…"
The villager nodded, fear in his eyes. "If your friend carries his face, then this kingdom will never forgive him."
Kaiyo bowed slightly. "Thank you."
He turned and called softly, "Supira. We need to move."
Kaosu's heart pounded as he turned from the villagers' stares. His feet moved on instinct, carrying him down the shining streets until—
He slammed into a wall of golden light.
A soldier stood before him, clad in armor that gleamed like the sun. His eyes, piercing and radiant, locked onto Kaosu's soul. He raised his spear of light, the aura around it burning hotter than fire.
"You…" the soldier said coldly. "You cannot be allowed to walk these streets."
Kaosu stumbled back, frozen in place.
"Kaosu!"
Kaiyo grabbed his arm and yanked him away just as the spear thrust forward. Supira appeared behind them, his voice sharp. "Run! Follow the light path!"
The three sprinted through the radiant streets as golden soldiers poured from alleys and rooftops, their armor blazing, their shouts shaking the kingdom.
The ground beneath them lit up, the ray of light stretching into the distance like a divine road. Supira pointed forward, his teeth clenched.
"This way! Don't stop!"
As their footsteps pounded against the shining path, the soldiers' voices grew louder, closer, merciless.
The chapter ended with Kaosu, Kaiyo, and Supira racing through the Kingdom of Light, hunted by an army of radiant soldiers—while far above, Kori still fought for his life against Hono, the Guardian of the Gate.