Hawk had finally reached the top, but when he spotted Kai at the base of the tower, he didn't bother reacting. Instead, his eyes scanned the arena.
Zeru lay on the ground, struggling to remain conscious, blood pooling beneath him.
But Hawk's focus shifted again, locking onto something far more urgent, the brutal clash between Vin and Void on the far side of the arena.
In an instant, Hawk vanished. When the dust settled, he stood between Vin and Void, splitting them apart with a blast of wind pressure.
Vin's jaw tightened as his eyes flashed with shock. The blast pushed him back, but he held his ground.
'That speed... impossible.'
A cold knot formed in his stomach as his eyes flicked between Hawk and Void.
'I can't fight these two monsters on my own.'
Meanwhile, Hawk stood tall, feeding off the energy of the battle with a fierce grin.
"Is this really all you've got, intruder?"
Blow after blow landed, each heavier than the last, forcing Vin to shield himself. Just as he was about to collapse, Void reappeared, breaking the rhythm.
Hawk turned just in time, catching Void's blade as sparks flew. For a brief instant, Vin and Void fought as one, attacking to bring Hawk down. But none of their blows connected.
Hawk laughed through it all, weaving between their attacks with confident poise, unyielding and calm.
"Pathetic. The both of you."
Vin looked over at Void. He moved with purpose, but something felt empty, like he wasn't fully there.
'Something's off with this guy.'
A distant sound made Vin glance toward the tower. Kai was almost there. Just a little further.
'Come on, Kai. Just a little more.'
Vin activated his stone armor, encasing himself in layered defense.
"Alright. No more playing around."
Hawk smiled menacingly.
"Finally, you're ready to die."
Everything shifted as the air grew heavy. Violent wind pressure spiraled outward from Hawk's weapon, making the arena tremble.
Even through his armor, Vin felt the crushing force settle on his chest like a weight.
Void stood close to Hawk, completely unfazed. He didn't block the wind pressure or flinch. Instead, he walked forward with slow, purposeful steps, and Hawk couldn't help but notice.
"You're approaching me... and I'm barely even..."
CRACK!
Void's fist struck Hawk clean in the jaw, sending him crashing through the air, smashing into the base of the tower. The structure groaned from the impact.
Hawk staggered, coughing blood. He looked up, and for the first time, his eyes showed fear.
Void made his way to the base of the tower where Hawk lay. His cloak was tattered, armor fractured, and a section of his shattered mask exposed an orange-red undercut and a gaze too calm to be human.
Hawk lifted himself from the rubble, dust swirling around him as he stood face to face with Void again.
The atmosphere grew heavy as Hawk reconnected with Eclipse, preparing for another fierce clash.
As the intense fight raged and Kai pushed upward toward the tower, the king observed with intense focus, his expression unreadable and his mind heavy with thought.
Thomas stepped closer.
"Your Majesty, say the word, and we'll intervene."
The king's gaze never left the tower.
"Not yet... not yet."
***
"Gasp... gasp... gasp."
Taro gasped as he pushed himself up from the floor, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.
The room lay in ruins, walls cracked and shattered from Void's attack, flickering light casting uneven shadows across the wreckage.
He staggered but held his footing, then his eyes flicked downward.
A deep cut ran across Taro's chest narrowly missing his heart.
'A few inches higher... and I'd be dead.'
His expression darkened as the memory hit him.
'Void... He knocked me out cold. How long have I been down?'
Taro looked around, but the wreckage offered no answer.
'If he's still up there, lashing out like before... I have to move fast before the mission collapses entirely.'
As Taro was lost in thought, May burst into the room, breathless from running. She froze the moment their eyes met.
Taro's gaze fell on the weapon she carried, the legendary chain knife, Inferno.
"You... hand that over."
Taro's voice was low and sharp.
May's fists trembled at her sides as Taro's bloodlust pressed down on her like a heavy shadow.
'What does he want with Inferno? Isn't he part of the royal guard?'
May kept her distance from Taro, tense and watchful. Suddenly, the stone beneath them moved, and the maze turned, causing them to lose their footing.
May took the chance, jumped over a boulder, and disappeared into the next room.
"That was close..."
She was slammed against the wall by a crushing force. Her lungs gave out, and she choked, struggling to breathe.
Taro pinned her to the wall, his grip firm and unshaking, then tore Inferno from her grip.
"You should be grateful... I spared your life."
Taro realized his grip. May collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
He raised his hand and punched the wall hard enough to break through, then vanished into one of the rooms inside the maze, leaving May alone.
YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn this world where people have crystal powers, fate chose Kai to once again reunite the seven clans, who are in a constant civil war with each other for centuries. Although Kai were chosen, his path is full of despair and pain, but a voice keeps te...
