CHAPTER 31: CONFRONTATION AND NEW ALLIANCES
"DIE!"
Morde's fist, coiled with dark energy, shot towards Arthur's chest. At the moment of impact, a sudden, intense shockwave erupted, blasting Morde backward and sending him skidding across the rubble.
Morde pushed himself up, blinking away the disorientation. His gaze focused on the figure standing between him and the fallen king. His eyes widened.
"Y-YOU... KAAAIII?"
Before him, standing tall amidst the devastation, was Kai. Flanked by the imposing Po and the two Nexan soldiers.
"Morde," Kai's voice was a tremor of anger and profound disappointment. "You... What are you doing here? These actions... they're not you. You weren't like this. Why? Why all this slaughter? Give me an answer. Otherwise... I won't listen to 'brother.' I'll fight you to the death."
Morde shook off his shock, a dark smirk twisting his features. "Kai. You are my friend. Come, join me. Together we can rule this entire world. What do you say?"
Po's voice boomed as he stepped forward, interposing himself. "Morde, is it? You are a destroyer. Kai is nothing like you. You cannot get into his head. If you try, you will find me in your way, you... inhuman creature."
Morde's smirk widened. "Aah, I see... Then we have no choice but to fight. Sorry, Kai."
"Shadow Fist!" He tried to lunge forward but staggered instantly. "Agh! This damn wound... It's limiting me. Damn it... If I fight now, I'll die. I know it. I have to retreat."
He locked eyes with Kai. "Kai. You are my friend. So... I won't fight you this time. But if you cross my path again, I will destroy you and all your friends."
Those words were the last straw for Po. "Enough!" he roared. "Ocean's Abyssal Curse!" The tip of his spear began to weep the same lethal black energy as before, lancing towards Morde.
Morde was at his limit, but he wouldn't go down without a defense. That attack is fatal. If it hits me, it's over. A defense, now! He strained his last reserves of shadow energy, forming a shimmering, thin layer of Shadow Armor around himself.
The two deadly forces were about to collide when a flash of light exploded between them. Another shockwave pulsed out, forcing both back. The one who had interfered was Flower, materializing in a blur.
After the flash, everyone looked at Morde. The Shadow Armor still flickered, protecting him. Po had been pushed back two steps, regaining his footing.
And then, a second attack came for Po. Flower moved like a bolt of glacial lightning. "Glacial Speed!" Po thrust his spear towards her heart, but Flower performed an impossible mid-air pivot, changing direction.
"Wha—? How did she do that?" gasped one of the soldiers.
"She's not normal," Kai whispered, his instincts screaming.
Po, unflappable, spun to face the empty space where he'd swung. And in that instant, Flower reappeared, her hand aimed at Po's heart. This time, Kai intervened, leaping between them.
Flower aborted her strike at the last second, springing back with an agile flip. "Hey, relax! I was just having fun with you," she said, a playful smirk on her lips. "Morde, come on. We have to go. Our business here is done."
She scooped up Morde and vanished into a back alley with incredible speed. Kai gave chase, but when he reached the alley, it was empty. Only a cold wind and a sense of void remained.
When he returned, the scene was one of utter devastation. King Arthur was collapsed on the ground, breathing labored. Nearly half the city district was destroyed, countless civilians lost. As the battle's end settled, the surviving citizens began to trickle into the ruins, shocked by what they saw: Fizz dead, King Arthur at death's door.
"Hey, Kai," Po said gravely. "Can't you do something for him?"
Kai walked with heavy steps to King Arthur's side. He knelt, placed his hand over the king's grievous chest wound, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He gathered the white, purifying energy within him and channeled a trickle of it through his palm into the wound. A gentle, healing white light enveloped the injury.
Everyone, including Arthur, watched in stunned silence. The open wound began to close rapidly before their eyes, new skin and tissue forming. Within seconds, the lethal injury was replaced by only a pink, fresh scar.
Po asked in amazement, "Kai... How did you do that?"
"A small... healing portion of my spirit energy," Kai explained, looking slightly pale. "I channeled it into the wound. And it closed."
King Arthur coughed, pushing himself to his feet. He looked at his chest, then at Kai. Shock and deep gratitude warred in his eyes. "Your name is Kai, isn't it? I know of you. The World Government wants you. But it doesn't matter." He stood straight, his royal authority returning. "You saved me, and perhaps my entire kingdom, my capital, my people's lives. You may come here whenever you wish. Ask anything of me. We are allies now. Know this."
Kai nodded with a genuine, weary smile. A king's alliance was priceless, but he knew they had to move. "Thank you, King...?"
"Arthur. King Arthur."
"King Arthur. Thank you for your generous words. Perhaps we can discuss details later. We have an urgent destination."
"Of course, Kai. Come anytime. We will talk."
Just then, Commander Dragon arrived with a squad of soldiers at a run. "M-My King! Your condition! What happened?"
Arthur turned with anger. "Dragon! Where have you been all this time?"
"My King, the palace walls are thick... We heard nothing, understood nothing."
"And the massive light explosions? The sounds of destruction? You didn't hear those either?" Arthur thundered.
Dragon looked abashed. "My King, we thought... you and Lord Fizz were just... training as usual. We didn't take it seriously. Forgive us."
Arthur waved a tired hand. "Enough. Dragon, begin repairs in the destroyed sectors immediately. Provide all necessary aid to the people. Treat the wounded."
"At once, My King!" Dragon bowed respectfully and began barking orders.
"Then, with your leave, we will depart, King Arthur," said Kai.
"Safe travels," Arthur replied.
Kai, Po, and the soldiers quickly set off to find Terex.
"Where will we find him?" Kai asked.
Po answered with a knowing look. "Have you forgotten what Rayen said? 'Terex is nearly at Ashura.' So, even if we use the Passage, he's a well-known pirate. He wouldn't come directly here, to the heart of the ruins. The Passage exits at a port not too far from here. We must go there."
With that, the team set off at a brisk pace towards their new target.
Ice Kingdom, Border Outpost
Flower and Morde materialized amidst the glaciers following a teleportation burst. Morde's wounds were still severe. They quickly made their way towards the entrance of a hidden cave.
Their distant watcher, Crown, had already returned to the outpost. Four guards stood before the main command tent.
One guard, Rayn, frowned at Crown's approach. "Hey, Crown! What's your business here? Why did you abandon your scout post?"
Crown, panting from his run, pushed past. "Rayn, step aside! I have... vital news for Master Ampilo!"
The guards eyed him suspiciously but opened the tent flap. Crown rushed inside. Within, the cold-eyed commander Ampilo was at his table with maps, flanked by four loyal soldiers.
Ampilo looked up. "Crown. What is it?"
"Master... I have major news."
Ampilo gave a slight smile. "Hah, let's hear it. Your reports are always interesting."
"M-Master... Flower..."
Ampilo's eyes sharpened instantly. "Flower? Go on."
"Yes, master. She... she opened a portal with someone and disappeared. They emerged from a cave, traveled a distance. I followed them, then they just vanished into a portal."
Ampilo leaned forward, intrigued. "Do you know where they went?"
"No, master. It was too fast."
Ampilo leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. "No matter, Crown. We have eyes in every kingdom already. If anything unusual happens, we'll know." He offered a cold smile. "Good work. I'll see about a promotion for you soon. The least I can do."
Crown's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, master!" He bowed and exited the tent.
Ice Kingdom, Hidden Refuge
Flower and Morde entered the ice-covered cave. Inside, King Task awaited them with palpable excitement.
"Flower! Morde!" Task called out, hope for victory blazing in his eyes. "You've returned. Good. I trust the news you bring is equally good."
Flower stepped forward with a proud demeanor. "Your Majesty. The mission was a success. Fizz is dead. King Arthur is critically wounded. If they lack a good healer, he will soon follow."
A wild, unrestrained grin of triumph spread across King Task's face. He slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing off the icy walls.
"THEN... LET THE WAR BEGIN!"