The second founder drew his sword from the ground, a confident smile spreading across his lips.
"A mere explanation won't suffice… You have to see for yourself."
He enveloped himself in the energy of darkness, activating his shielding skill. His hair remained at the same level as the first: half purple, half white, billowing with the dense aura.
Saruto stepped back slightly, gripping his two swords bound by chains. His heart screamed: If I don't give it my all now, I won't leave here alive.
In a flash, he charged at the founder, his chains flashing, his blows raining down from every direction. The sounds of impact filled the air, sparks flew, and the founder's sword deflected the attacks effortlessly, as if playing with him.
"Your strength is not bad, but…" the founder said, taking only a single step back.
With a single flick of his sword, he unleashed a sharp wave of air that hurled Saruto away, sending him crashing to the ground.
He rose in pain, blood trickling from his mouth, but he roared and unleashed his dark aura. The ground around him trembled, and his chains slithered like snakes stalking prey.
He lunged again, this time attacking from both above and below simultaneously. But the Founder moved swiftly, dodging the assault, and darted toward Saruto, kicking him in the stomach before he could react.
The air caught in his throat, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping, but his eyes still burned with determination.
The Second Founder smiled.
"Your determination reminds me of myself… but you are still far from over. You have only just begun."
He raised his sword, infusing it with immense power, then brought it down with a devastating blow. The ground shook, and a surge of energy propelled Saruto so far that his body reeled before he collapsed without resistance.
He fell to the ground, and the world around him began to fade. His inner voice screamed: Not yet… I haven't arrived yet…!
The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the Founder's smile as he said:
"Return to me when you can stand, when you've mastered armor."
…And in an instant, he found himself expelled from the Second Founder's world, his body sprawling in the Time Chamber, drenched in sweat and exhaustion, but his heart burning brighter than ever.