Xers and Gein continued on their path after defeating Forvex. The wind rustled Xers's light-brown hair as he walked. His sword rested in the sheath strapped to his back. Gein had placed his own blade at his waist. Behind them followed a team of fourteen people. They had suffered no casualties in the previous battle, but they still had no idea who they would encounter next. Night had fallen, and darkness had swallowed the surroundings. The group lit a fire, gathered around it, and chatted among themselves.
"...Hahaha! And then I told him, 'Are you stupid or what?' Hahahaha!"
The whole group burst into laughter:
"Hahahahahaha!"
Gein stepped in:
"Alright team, it's time to sleep! We'll continue our mission at first light tomorrow! According to what I heard from the other squad, they've succeeded as well. Still no casualties."
The group entered their tents and drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the twilight, an overwhelmingly heavy spiritual pressure suddenly filled the air. One of the first to wake was Xers:
"Ahhh! WHAT'S HAPPENING?! I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING CRUSHED!"
Gein also woke up:
"T-THIS POWER?! I-I CAN'T EVEN SPEAK!"
Xers:
"I need to see what's going on! Gomerai! Get me outside!"
Gomerai emerged from underground and pulled Xers out of the tent.
From a distance, Xers saw a man approaching—about two meters tall, with a refined face and a calm grip on his sword.
"Who is this guy? Is he the source of this power?"
The man spotted Xers:
"So you're the traitors causing trouble on our land? I've come to end you."
"And who the hell are you?!"
"I am the Prince of the Legion. My name is Izo Nyxveil. I'll start with you, boy!"
Gein, crushed by the spiritual pressure, could barely stand. But Xers managed to resist—just barely.
"What is this power of yours, Prince?!"
"My Star Ruler holds overwhelming Spiritual Pressure. Most people can't even stand under it, but it seems you're a bit sturdier than the others. So I'll start with you."
Nyxveil drew his sword and dashed toward Xers.
"TAKE THIS!"
"Gomerai!"
Gomerai instantly intercepted Nyxveil's strike, deflecting it and sending him flying.
"Ah! Is this your power? HAHAHA! I expected something stronger!"
Nyxveil got up and lunged again.
"Gomerai!"
For the second time, Gomerai attacked Nyxveil, but this time Nyxveil blocked the strike with ease. Then he focused on Xers's chest and charged straight at him.
"Seems you forgot this technique! Ghost Step!"
Xers leapt two meters forward, and their blades clashed midair, creating a gust of wind.
"You're strong indeed! Star Ruler!"
The Star Ruler materialized a second sword in Nyxveil's hand.
"Let's see how long you last now!"
Nyxveil intensified his attacks.
(Thinking) "How am I supposed to counter this guy? I can't hold on much longer!"
Xers failed to block one strike and was thrown to the ground.
"We're screwed!"
Gein shouted from the tents:
"NOT YET! RED!"
"W-WHAT?! AHH!"
Gein's Red ability struck near Nyxveil—not directly on him, but close enough to deal heavy damage—and sent him crashing into the bushes with a scream.
"AHHHH!"
"You saved me, Gein! Looks like his technique shut off by itself. Hurry, everyone help! We need to finish him before he recovers!"
"I'm coming!"
Gein and the remaining team drew their swords and charged at Nyxveil.
"Hahaha! T-THIS ISN'T OVER! STAR RULER! FINAL FORM!"
Nyxveil's two swords evolved into four razor-shaped fragments—now equivalent to eight blades in total.
"COME THEN! (Thinking) I'll disable my spiritual pressure for now so I don't drain my stamina."
Nyxveil fought all sixteen at once. He began taking down the group members one by one. Gein panicked.
"WHAT DO WE DO XERS?! THIS GUY IS TOO STRONG!"
"First, calm down! Is your Chroma ready?"
"Not yet! I haven't even managed to fight properly!"
"ALRIGHT EVERYONE FALL BACK! I'LL TAKE THIS ONE!"
Xers was preparing to use Dragon's Destruction. Everyone retreated in a hurry. Nyxveil was stunned.
"WHAT? YOU'RE FIGHTING ME ONE-ON-ONE?!"
"I didn't want to use this technique on you, but the situation is dire."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Calm, calm… I'll let you taste the fires of heaven…"
Purple sparks began glowing around Xers. His eyes turned violet. His light-brown hair swayed wildly as if caught in a storm.
"Dragon's Destruction!"
Under the immense spiritual pressure, Xers began levitating. Gomerai wrapped itself around him. They rose 40 meters into the air. Gomerai let out a roar.
Gein, shocked:
"T-THIS POWER?!"
Everyone except Nyxveil and Gein fainted under the crushing spiritual pressure.
Nyxveil, desperate:
"N-NO WAY! STAR RULER! FINAL FORM! ATTACK!"
Gomerai prepared itself.
"Good grief. BLAZE!"
Gomerai unleashed the fires of heaven onto Nyxveil.
Nyxveil's body evaporated from existence. The trees behind him ignited instantly. The heavenly flames spread through the forest—but instead of destroying it, they caused fruits to bloom on every tree. Such was the blessing of the heavens.
Gein stared at Xers in awe. The others lay unconscious; casualties had risen to four.
Xers descended back to the ground.
"We dealt with your Star Ruler, Gein. Dawn is about to break."
"You were incredible, Xers! I think we just defeated one of the strongest enemies we'll ever face. Things might get easier from here… but we still lost four people."
"I know. But they died for a noble mission. Go and gather information from the other groups—find out the total casualties so we can handle the burials properly."
"Alright, my friend."
As dawn approached, daylight began tearing through the darkness.