Chapter 4: Breakout

The next morning, Sen and Dain were back at the military base, training as usual like they would at the Clyden Training Center. As they sparred, light and flames clashed, with both dodging and deflecting each other's strikes. After an intense session, they finished their practice and made their way to a nearby bench, wiping away sweat and sipping water to recover.

Dain: Honestly, good stuff.

Sen: Yeah, man. You too.

Dain: Especially you. Your light is really unfolding.

Sen: Not trying to be super sad or anything, but sometimes I really do wish I had my dad to show me how to use this power.

Dain: You’re good. Yeah, it must be frustrating to have to figure it all out on your own. Practically nobody can use light. It’s not like mine where it’s so common I can study it whenever.

Sen: Yeah, but you took off with it. You’re not an average fire user.

Dain: True. I know I’m cool.

Sen rolls his eyes with a slight smile.

Yerah walks in.

Dain: Oh, Yerah!

Yerah: Hey guys. You just finished?

Dain: Yeah, pretty much. What’s up?

Yerah: Oh, just wanted to see if how things were going.

Dain: You wanted to hang out?

Yerah: Is that fine?

Dain: Yeah, no worries.

Yerah came to stand with Sen and Dain.

Sen: How’s it going?

Yerah: I was going to do a training session with Shera, but she cancelled last minute to be with Makota.

Sen: Ah.

Dain: They’re a couple, right?

Yerah: Yeah.

Dain: So, how did Zarnem find you?

Yerah: Probably the same as you guys. Shera, Makota, and I were in the place when those Zagons invaded as you already know. We were able to kill it. Got brought in for questioning, and then here we are.

Dain: Yeah, same with us.

Sen: What are your thoughts about the Zagons?

Yerah: Scary for sure. I guess the books weren’t just stories.

Sen: I might be overthinking this, but now that we know this stuff is true, why were we learning about it as fairytales in school? Like, you don’t just make this stuff up and then suddenly it’s real.

Dain: Yeah… I’m hearing others talk about it too.

Sen: Yeah.

Yerah: That’s kind of creepy actually.

Sen: Right? Almost like, it was supposed to be kept secret from us, that they’re real.

Dain: What if it was supposed to be kept secret?

Sen: Why even make books about it?

Yerah: Hmmm…

Sen: Maybe long ago, Zagons were normal? And then to erase them, turn them into storybooks, force it in the education system, and then essentially lie about their existence.

Yerah: Again, kinda weird…

Dain: So like, rewriting history?

Sen: Yeah… but, I might just be overthinking.

Dain: No, I think that’s a legit question, because now they’re actually here.

Yerah: Perhaps the higher ups have known something this entire time, so now they’re gathering people like us to fight?

Sen: Yeah, exactly. Like, why now? Why are they recruiting so many of us. If you went to the lobby this morning, you’d see that there are even more people joining the military.

Dain: There might be a part of history we never learned.

Sen: Could be.

Yerah: And who’s even responsible for the Zagons?

Sen: That, I’m not too sure.

Dain: Well, there have been bombings in other countries too. Krutone is the only place that has access to that kind of weaponry.

Sen: Right, but as we talked about, Krutone was attacked by the same thing, their own weapon.

Dain: But even Krutone’s enemies were bombed too.

Sen: So, there’s a traitor amongst the allied forces… and they’re using Zagons as weapon of destruction… I think…

Yerah: Now, it’s just a matter of finding out who could be.

Dain: For some time, I thought it was Revano. Hell, even Luria. But then the reports of Eztan getting attacked with Zagon made me rethink all of this…

Yerah: And then there’s us too. We’re allies with Krutone, so why are we also getting attacked?

Sen: Yeah, I really don’t get it.

Dain: What I want to know is how long this has been going on for?

Yerah: What do you mean?

Dain: Our parents, hell even grandparents didn’t even know Zagons were real. How long have we been reading that Zagons are just monsters in stories?

Sen: Damn… didn’t think about that part…

The door opens. Sen, Dain, and Yerah look up to see Ira.

Ira: Oh, there you are! Sen, Zarnem would like to have a word with you.

Sen: Uh, sure. Where is he?

Ira: Head office with Virem. They’d like to see you right now.

Sen: Can I ask what for?

Ira: I have no clue, but if Virem is involved, I imagine it’s important, so you should probably go now. Just letting you know.

Ira leaves.

Yerah: I wonder what Virem wants with you.

Dain: Probably has a task.

Sen: Yeah, maybe. Alright, well, I guess it’s time for me to go now.

Dain: Cool. We’ll just wait here until you come back.

Sen: Alright.

Sen leaves still thinking about the conversation.

At a bar in Clyden, a man wearing a black jacket strode in. Lowering his hood, Zan revealed himself and casually took a seat at the bar between two other men, who exchanged curious, uneasy glances in his direction.

Zan: Two corpses.

The bartender went straight to making the drinks.

Man 1 (to Zan): Hey, someone is already sitting there.

Zan doesn’t reply.

Man 1: Dude, you’re gonna get rocked when T comes back.

Zan doesn’t reply. The bartender finished making the drinks and gave them to Zan. Zan started drinking right away.

Man 2: I really suggest you move.

Zan: I really suggest you both shut the fuck up and just let me enjoy some acid.

T (behind Zan): Hey buddy. You’re in my seat.

Zan doesn’t reply and starts on the second drink.

Bartender: No fighting, please.

T: Who the hell is this guy?

Man 1: Beats me. He just came here acting like he owns the place.

T: Look dude, if you don’t get out of my seat, I’m going to have to throw you out. I don’t wanna fight, but if I have to I will.

Zan didn’t finish his drink and spun his chair around to see a large man. Zan looked T in the eye with a slight glare then immediately spat in T’s face.

T: AHHHHH! ARGGHH!! MY FACE!!!!

The two men on each side of Zan backed out right away. T looked up at Zan, showing that the spit from Zan burned through his left eye and melted into his nose.

Man 1: What the fu—

Zan generated some liquid and blew it into the man’s head before he could finish speaking. The liquid melted his entire head immediately.

Man 2: Oh shit!

The bartender tried deescalating the situation by generating ice, hoping to freeze Zan. The back of Zan’s neck liquified and ran through the bartender’s neck, decapitating him instantly.

T: Call for help!

As another man tried to flee the bar, Zan moved with blinding speed with a trail of steam, appearing beside him and grabbing the back of his head. In an instant, Zan’s hand liquefied and melted through the man’s skull. Another patron seized the opportunity to attack, landing a punch while Zan was seemingly distracted. However, Zan’s body turned to liquid on impact, the corrosive substance dissolving the man’s arm entirely, leaving him screaming in agony as blood poured from the stump.

T, attempting to intervene, summoned fire in his hands, but before he could act, both his arms suddenly dropped to the floor. Zan had already liquefied parts of himself, the liquid substance severing T’s arms and quickly consuming his legs. Panic erupted in the room, some men readying themselves to fight while others froze in terror.

With a cold, calculating motion, Zan raised his right arm, forming a large net of the same liquid. He cast it over the remaining patrons, the corrosive mesh dissolving their bodies into pieces. Blood splattered everywhere in a grotesque scene of carnage. Unbothered by the chaos, Zan calmly stepped over the mangled remains, finishing his drink. Remarkably, not a single drop of liquid from the bar glass spilled as he placed it down.

Zan: Tastes like nothing…

Zan leaves the bar.

Back at the military base, Sen walked down a hallway and pushed open a door, stepping outside. On a nearby rooftop, Aetrem and Lilan stood, their eyes locking onto him as they took notice.

Lilan: Wait, is that Sen?

Aetrem: Target found. They really do look alike.

Lilan: Let’s do it quick!

Aetrem reaches in his pocket and pulls out a black and white stone, then crushing it with his fingers. Suddenly, a loud explosion came about from far away, and the alarms began to blare.

Sen: What the—?

Aetrem and Lilan leaped down from the rooftop, landing effortlessly on their feet. Sen turned his head, spotting the pair. Instinctively, he began generating light energy in his hands, recognizing them as a threat and preparing to strike.

Aetrem (to Lilan): Remember, we’re not here to kill him.

Lilan: Yeah, just hold him down.

Throughout the military base, the sounds of battle echoed as soldiers fought valiantly against the invading Zagons. The monstrous creatures tore through the ranks, claiming the lives of several soldiers. Amid the chaos, Fex unleashed bolts of lightning, Bayz wielded fiery blasts, Ira manipulated powerful gusts of wind, and Analee commanded torrents of water, each using their abilities to hold the line.

Meanwhile, Dain and Yerah heard the deafening explosion reverberate through the air. Dain’s expression darkened as he immediately recognized the situation, memories of the devastating explosion at his workplace flooding back.

Dain: Damn! Again!?

Yerah: Let’s get out!

Before they could reach the door, the wall suddenly crumbled, revealing three towering Zagons. Among them was a Scythe Zagon, identical to the one Dain had previously defeated, an Aeris Zagon with massive wings, and a snake-like Viper Zagon. Each creature loomed over them, standing no less than seven feet tall, radiating a menacing presence.

Dain: Yerah, we’re going to have to fight these.

Yerah: Yeah.

The Viper lunged first, snapping its jaws in a vicious attempt to strike. Both Dain and Yerah swiftly leaped out of its path. The Scythe charged toward Dain, claws poised for an attack, but Dain propelled himself into the air with flames beneath his feet, firing a series of fireballs at the Scythe’s head as he soared overhead. Meanwhile, the Aeris dove at Yerah, talons extended to slash. Yerah reacted quickly, summoning a surge of water that crashed into the Aeris, slamming it against the wall.

The Viper, lurking behind Yerah, coiled for another attack, but Dain intervened, leaping onto its head and driving a fiery sword into its eye. The Viper roared in agony, thrashing violently until it threw Dain off its back. As the Scythe recovered from its burns and charged at Dain again, Yerah sent razor-sharp ice blades slicing through its legs, halting its advance. Taking advantage of the water soaking the Aeris, Yerah froze it in place, encasing the creature in ice.

The Viper, regaining its balance, hissed and prepared to strike once more, but Dain raised his arm and unleashed a concentrated beam of fire, burning a clean hole through the Zagon’s head. The Viper let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing, its oozing brown blood pooling as its body began to evaporate.

The Aeris shattered its icy restraints and flew at Yerah, talons poised for a deadly strike. Yerah retaliated with a barrage of icy projectiles, piercing the Aeris’s throat. With a swift motion, she conjured an ice blade and severed its head in a single stroke. The Aeris’s lifeless body began to evaporate, confirming its defeat.

Finally, the Scythe made one last desperate attempt to attack Dain. Yerah quickly manipulated water over its body, freezing the creature solid. Dain stepped forward, conjuring a fiery sword, and slashed across the Scythe’s frozen form, destroying it completely.As the last Zagon evaporated into nothingness, Dain turned to Yerah.

Dain: Are you good?

Yerah: Yeah, untouched. You?

Dain: I’m good too.

Yerah: We gotta go.

Dain: Yeah, let’s get out of here.

They leave the room only to see there are more Zagons running about and fighting soldiers. Dain and Yerah realize they have to help fight.

Dain: We gotta stay close. I hope Sen’s okay.

Yerah: Where exactly did he go?

Dain: I don’t know.

Makota: Dain! Yerah!

Shera and Makota arrive, approaching Dain and Yerah.

Shera: You two are still alive.

Dain: Yeah. Have you seen Sen?

Makota: No. Just you two, now.

Dain: Damn it.

Yerah: Any idea where Virem’s office is at?

Shera: Yeah, it’s over here—

Zagons came crashing.

Makota: Oh shit! We need to kill them off!

Dain: Let’s stick together!

The four of them couldn’t spare the time to search for Sen. With Zagons swarming the area, they were forced to stay and fight, their focus locked on survival as more creatures closed in.

Elsewhere, Zarnem found himself surrounded by at least twenty Zagons of varying types. Realizing there was no chance of escape, he braced himself for the inevitable battle. Without hesitation, the Zagons attacked, and Zarnem met them head-on.

One by one, he crushed his enemies with massive stones, hurled boulders with devastating force, and blocked incoming strikes with towering walls of sand. His body hardened to stone as he absorbed blows and retaliated with brutal precision. Wielding a sword of solid rock, he slashed through his foes while spikes erupted from the ground, impaling any creature in his path. Zarnem moved with calculated agility, gliding across the dirt to evade attacks and landing devastating punches with his stone-hardened fists, smashing through the heads of the monstrous Zagons.By the end of the battle, Zarnem stood victorious, unscathed save for some torn clothing, while the area filled with smoke from the evaporating remains of his defeated foes. Assuming the fight was over, he turned to leave.

Unbeknownst to him, high above on a nearby building, Sicrus had been silently observing the battle. Hidden from view, he watched as Zarnem dispatched the Zagons with ease. With a deliberate motion, Sicrus crushed two identical stones to those Aetrem had destroyed earlier. Almost instantly, more Zagons materialized, swarming the area and charging toward Zarnem.Realizing he wasn’t done yet, Zarnem prepared to fight once more.

Afar, Sen stood firmly facing Aetrem and Lilan. Sen’s hands began to glow with radiant light as he assumed a defensive stance. Across from him, Aetrem unsheathed two blades, their edges gleaming, while Lilan crackled with electricity that danced between her fingers.

Aetrem: I’ll go first.

Lilan: Usual.

In an instant, Aetrem hurled one of his blades toward Sen while charging forward. Sen reacted swiftly, firing a concentrated ball of light that deflected the blade to the side. As Aetrem closed the gap, he swung his another blade in a calculated strike, but Sen blocked it with his forearm wrapped in light Intergy and countered with a sharp punch to Aetrem’s face. Sen followed up with a spinning back kick to Aetrem’s midsection, forcing him to stagger backward, visibly surprised by Sen’s speed and precision.

Aetrem recovered quickly, throwing his second blade. Sen sidestepped to avoid it, only to feel a sharp sting across his back. The first blade had circled around, slicing into him before returning to Aetrem. Sen barely had time to dodge as the second blade flew back toward him, narrowly missing once more. Both blades rejoined Aetrem’s grip, hovering unnaturally in the air before snapping back into his hands.

Aetrem hurled one blade again, but this time, as his arm extended forward, five more blades shot out from his sleeve, streaking toward Sen. Thinking quickly, Sen summoned a glowing shield of light, intercepting the blades. As the shield held firm, Aetrem suddenly lunged forward, propelled unnaturally by some unseen force. His fist collided with the shield, shattering it, and his punch landed squarely on Sen’s jaw, sending him stumbling back.

Sen caught himself, light energy flaring in his fists, and charged forward, meeting Aetrem in a rapid exchange of blows in hand-to-hand combat. Their fight was evenly matched, but Sen seized an opening, unleashing a powerful beam of light that sent Aetrem hurtling backward. Before Sen could press his advantage, a chain shot out from Aetrem’s sleeve, wrapping tightly around Sen’s arm. Aetrem, recovering from the blast, landed beside Lilan and handed her the chain.

Lilan grinned maliciously, channeling electricity down the chain. The current surged into Sen, causing him to yell in pain. Summoning his strength, Sen blasted the chain apart with a focused beam of light, severing the electrical connection. He ripped the remnants of the chain from his wrist, his breathing heavy.

Lilan wasted no time. She leapt toward Sen, a small knife flashing in her hand. The two engaged in close-quarters combat, exchanging punches and dodging strikes. Lilan’s agility kept Sen on edge, and she feinted, slipping low to stab him in the calf with the knife. The blade sank deep, and Sen grunted in pain, but he retaliated instantly, driving his glowing knee into her face. Lilan’s head snapped back, and as her body reeled from the impact, Sen grabbed her by the hair, pulling her back. With his free hand, he delivered a light-infused punch to her jaw, sending her flying across the battlefield.

Before Sen could recover, the knife embedded in his leg jerked violently, pulling him toward Aetrem. The searing pain was nearly unbearable. Midair, Sen summoned a glowing sword of pure light and swung as he reached Aetrem. The blade connected with Aetrem’s arm, causing an explosion that sent both combatants flying apart.

Sen landed hard, yanking the knife from his leg, blood spilling onto the ground but quickly blocking anymore spilling with light energy. Gritting his teeth, he looked up to see Lilan unleashing a bolt of lightning. The attack struck Sen directly, but he had already cloaked himself in Intergy, reducing the damage. Still, the pain lingered.

As the smoke from the explosion cleared, Sen noticed Aetrem’s arm—damaged but revealing a metallic structure beneath the skin. Lilan stood ready, electricity crackling dangerously in her hands, her gaze fixed on Sen, prepared for another round. Sen realized what he was up against.

Sen (thinking): He’s controlling magnetic forces. The blades, the knife, the chain…

Sen’s gaze shifted to Lilan.

Sen (thinking): And she’s sending electricity, using the metal as a conductor. That’s how the knife pulled me toward him earlier.

Aetrem activated his magnetic ability, wrenching the metal poles supporting a nearby building into the air. The structure collapsed in a thunderous cascade of debris, and Aetrem launched the poles like missiles toward Sen.

Sen again quickly wrapped his injured leg in light energy, stabilizing the wound enough to move. He dodged each pole with precision, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles. Suddenly, Lilan unleashed a surge of lightning, which arced from pole to pole, racing toward Sen. Reacting swiftly, Sen fired a ball of light into the oncoming electricity, the resulting explosion neutralizing the attack.

As the smoke cleared, Aetrem propelled himself forward at incredible speed, using his magnetic ability to pull his arm toward Sen like a battering ram. In his other hand, a gleaming chain uncoiled, ready to strike. Struggling to maintain balance, Sen conjured another wall of light to block the assault. Aetrem smashed through it effortlessly, but he didn’t anticipate the trap—Sen’s wall detonated in a brilliant blast, catching Aetrem off guard.

Aetrem (thinking): Damn it! It wasn’t a shield. He only shaped it like a shield.

Lilan hurled lightning-infused needles at Sen, who swiftly launched himself into the air using light energy to evade the attack. As he ascended, he fired a focused beam of light that struck Lilan directly, knocking her back.

Midair, Aetrem closed the distance in an instant, using his magnetic abilities to propel himself toward Sen. He grabbed Sen by the neck, locking him in a firm chokehold as they both plummeted toward the ground.

Struggling to break free, Sen’s energy flared uncontrollably. Suddenly, a surge of dark energy erupted from his body, blasting Aetrem backward with immense force. Aetrem collided with a metal pole, crumpling to the ground below. Sen, caught in the aftershock of his own release, was flung into a nearby brick wall, his body hitting it with a heavy impact before slumping to the ground.

Lilan (thinking): Dark Intergy!?

Aetrem (thinking): They never mentioned this!

A man emerged seemingly out of nowhere, standing over Aetrem, who lay sprawled on the ground. It was Zan. His sharp eyes quickly locked onto Sen, slumped against the wall, his injured leg evident. Aetrem glanced up at Zan, a wave of relief washing over him—reinforcements had arrived to finish the job.

Sen (thinking): Damn it. I’m outnumbered even more…

Aetrem: Zan! There he is, Sen!

Zan stared down at Aetrem with a blank, unimpressed expression before rolling his eyes. Without hesitation, he raised a finger, liquefied it into a sharp projectile, and fired it straight through Aetrem’s skull, killing him instantly.

Sen’s jaw dropped slightly, his mind reeling in shock and confusion. Just moments ago, he was certain he was outnumbered— and now, he sat frozen, unsure how to process the sight of Zan mercilessly killing his own ally.

Lilan: AETREM!!!

Zan dug into Aetrem’s pockets and picked up a container, inspecting the swirling black-and-white Intergy within. As he examined it, faint crackles of electricity sparked to life in Lilan’s hands, building in intensity.

Lilan: Zan! You sadistic bastard! I swear I—

Before Lilan could finish her statement, Zan moved with blinding speed, closing the distance in an instant. His fist, transformed into a liquefied weapon, slammed into her face. The corrosive impact tore through her skull, obliterating a massive portion and leaving her with only one eye. Her mouth remained frozen mid-shout as she collapsed backward, lifeless.

Zan: Shut the fuck up… Useless bitch.

Sen remained slumped against the brick wall, his mind racing in disbelief. He couldn't fathom what he had just witnessed—Zan had killed his own allies, his own subordinates, with brutal precision. As Sen struggled to process the scene, Zan turned his gaze toward him.

Zan: Ah, you really do look like him.

Sen: What the hell? You— you… You killed your own…

Zan: Calm your shit. I just got rid of deadweight. They were always useless fuckers.

Zan looked over to Sen, seeing his stunned and feared expression.

Zan: Hahaha! Cover your face up. You look pathetic! I’m not used to seeing him like that! Why are you feeling sorry for her? She was your enemy!

Sen was at a loss for words. His gaze shifted to Lilan’s corpse, her skull partially melted and still smoking. Then he looked over to Aetrem’s lifeless body, dark red and black liquid pooling from the gaping wound in his head.

Sen: What did you do to them?

Zan gives a confused look.

Zan: I killed them? What does it look like?... Anyways, take this.

Zan opened the container he had taken from Aetrem, inspecting its contents with a faint smirk. Sen’s hands began to glow as he prepared to attack, but before he could act, Zan moved with blinding speed, appearing beside him in an instant. Without hesitation, Zan poured the black-and-white Intergy from the container onto Sen.

Caught off guard, Sen barely managed to fire a beam of light at Zan. The attack struck Zan’s neck, causing it to liquefy momentarily before solidifying again. In the blink of an eye, Zan was already standing over Aetrem’s lifeless body once more. The swirling black-and-white Intergy seeped into Sen, merging with his energy before he could stop it.

Sen: What did you do to me!?

Zan: That’s a little gift. Although, I’m not sure why you needed it in the first place. It seemed your dark abilities were already unfolding.

Sen: You were watching?

Zan: Every second. I had to decide if these two pieces of garbage were worth keeping around. Turns out they’re just useless sacks of shit that can’t get a simple job done. I always did say I can just do things on my own, but no. Sicrus always encourages to build some shitty team.

Sen: Sicrus?

Zan: Oh yeah. Some guy I work with. I’m Zan by the way. Remember the name.

Sen: What the hell are you?

Zan: Question after question. I really don’t know why they want you. I mean I get it, sort of. But, what the literal fuck?

Sen: I don’t know if you’re an ally or—

Zan: Definitely not ally! Maybe later. Just carrying out my—

Before he could finish, a massive stone hurtled through the air, smashing into Zan’s head with tremendous force. His head liquefied instantly but began to reform, the fluid solidifying once more. The stone that struck him landed nearby, melting and releasing thick smoke.

Zarnem emerged, wielding a sword forged from stone. With a swift strike, he cleaved Zan’s body in half before his head could fully regenerate. Zan’s body dissolved into liquid again, the corrosive substance causing Zarnem’s sword to melt and emit smoke. Without wasting a moment, Zarnem rushed to Sen’s side.

Sen: Zarnem!

Zan: He finally shows up!

Zarnem: Sen, can you get up?

Sen slowly got up, fighting through the pain of his bleeding leg and bruised knee.

Sen: I can.

Zan fired a stream of liquid directly at Zarnem, but without even glancing back, Zarnem raised a stone wall from the ground to block the attack.

Zarnem: Get out of here. I’ll hold him back as much possible.

Zan: Aww, don’t ignore me!

In a blur of speed, Zan appeared beside Zarnem, his liquified hand swinging forward in a devastating punch. Reacting instantly, Zarnem grabbed Sen by the arm and hurled him out of harm’s way. At the same time, he countered by summoning a swirling wave of sand to intercept Zan’s attack. Though the sand offered a brief barrier, Zarnem dodged, knowing it wouldn’t be enough to stop Zan’s corrosive strike.

Zarnem: Get out, Sen!

Sen used light Intergy to hold his leg back together again and started to run from the battle.

Zan: Oh, I’ve been waiting for this!

Zarnem summoned a swirling sandstorm, shaking the ground beneath them with immense force. From Zan’s back, a thick, ominous liquid began to flow, gathering into a massive, pulsating sphere. With a wicked grin, Zan detonated the substance, sending it splattering across the battlefield. The corrosive liquid ate through everything it touched—buildings, rocks, and even the ground itself.

Zarnem quickly encapsulated himself in a protective dome of stone, but as the liquid splattered onto it, holes began to form, the shield dissolving rapidly. Acting swiftly, Zarnem sent a barrage of sharp stones hurtling toward Zan, but each projectile was met with the same result—Zan’s body liquefied on impact, reforming immediately afterward.

Zan retaliated, launching a punch from a distance as his arm liquefied and stretched toward Zarnem. Recognizing the danger, Zarnem burst out of his crumbling shield, using sand to propel himself high into the air. The liquid attack twisted and curved, pursuing him relentlessly. Zarnem deflected it with a wave of sand before leaping clear of the trajectory.

Zan: Come on Zarnem! Show me your power!

Zarnem landed hard, channeling his power to rip massive chunks of earth from the ground and hurl them at Zan. In response, Zan leapt toward the oncoming debris, using the flying chunks as stepping stones to close the distance. Zarnem quickly summoned a sharp stone spike from the ground, aiming it directly at Zan’s core. Once again, Zan’s body transformed into liquid, rendering the attack useless.

This time, Zan allowed his liquefied upper torso to surge forward toward Zarnem, reforming just in time to ready another devastating punch. Zarnem reacted instantly, using the ground beneath him to push himself away from the attack, narrowly escaping as Zan’s fist struck the earth. Zan reformed and Zarnem landed.

Zan: Penim says hi by the way.

Zarnem froze, his eyes narrowing.

Zarnem: Penim?

Zan: Yeah, he says hi.

Zarnem: Don’t bullshit me!

Zan: Ok, ok. Maybe he didn’t exactly say the word hi, but he is with us, and I know he’d like for me to give a warm greeting.

Zan’s grin widened as his patience thinned. Spreading both arms, he unleashed waves of his corrosive liquid, sending them crashing down toward Zarnem.

Zarnem, stunned by the revelation, struggled to keep up with the relentless assault. He fortified himself with layers of sand from the storm, but the liquid tore through effortlessly. Desperate, he erected several thick walls of stone, yet even they dissolved under the onslaught. With a burst of speed, Zarnem leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the encroaching tide.

Realizing the need for drastic measures, Zarnem channeled an immense amount of Intergy, shattering the ground around him and creating a chaotic cloud of debris and dust. The liquid surged upward, raining down, tearing through the debris and leaving destruction in its wake. When the chaos subsided and the dust cleared, Zarnem was nowhere to be seen. Zan scanned the battlefield, his expression shifting from focus to amusement.

Zan: Oh, he really is a coward, running away and shit! Everything they said about you was true! Hahahaha! Oh man, oh man!

The acrid smoke from Zan’s burning liquid filled the air, obscuring much of the area. He glanced over to where Aetrem’s and Lilan’s bodies had been, now melting away under the corrosive rain. Zan frowned, shaking his head in disappointment.

Zan: Can’t tell what’s worse. The shitty work you do, or the shitty smell your bodies give.

Zan leaves.

Far away, Sen continued to run, using light energy to keep himself mobile despite his injury. Behind him, Zarnem approached swiftly, riding on a floating stone. Spotting Zarnem, Sen came to a halt.

Sen: Zarnem!

Zarnem stopped by Sen and noticed his injury.

Zarnem: Sit down. Help me out.

Sen lowered himself onto a nearby rock as Zarnem began tending to his injury. Working together, they combined their abilities to accelerate the healing process.Fifteen minutes later, Sen’s leg was fully healed, and he stood up, testing his movement with relief.

Sen: Zarnem. That guy.

Zarnem: I know. Sorry you had to deal with him. I wish I got there sooner.

Sen: You know him?

Zarnem: Zan. I know of him, but this was my first time ever encountering him.

Sen: He killed his own people.

Zarnem: He’s a monster, a high-profile target that no one wants to hunt.

Sen: He’s a target?

Zarnem: In Krutone, there’s a bounty on Zan.

Sen: What was his ability? He was melting everything around him.

Zarnem: Acid.

Sen looked stunned.

Sen: Acid?...

Zarnem: He can turn into acid and resolidify himself. He’s a walking biohazard.

Sen: Well, you’re here, so did you kill him?

Zarnem: Never. I just managed to escape, but it took almost everything I had to distract him. I had no idea he could send waves or rain of acid.

Sen didn’t know how to respond.

Zarnem: Zan didn’t try killing you. He could’ve in an instant if he wanted to. What did he want?

Sen: I don’t know. He poured this Intergy on me.

Zarnem: And it didn’t melt you?

Sen: It wasn’t acid. It was just Intergy and it went inside of me. It like went through my skin.

Zarnem: Did he say anything?

Sen: Something like awakening my dark abilities, but they were awakening anyways… And something about Sicrus having interest in me.

Zarnem: Sicrus… are you sure that was the name?

Sen: Yeah, he said Sicrus.

Zarnem: Sicrus and Zan are working together?... And then, Penim… Penim… They’re behind it all. It can only be them.

Sen: What do you mean?

Zarnem: The Zagons… More importantly, The Orb.

Sen: The Orb…

Zarnem: It’s exactly what I suspected… shit…

Sen: I’m so lost…

Zarnem: He gave you Intergy and kept you alive. Did he mention anything else?

Sen: Zan also said something about how I look like someone.

Zarnem: Who?

Sen: He didn’t give a name. Just that I looked like him, whoever him is. Maybe he meant Sicrus?

Zarnem stood there thinking a while longer.

Zarnem: We really need to get to Krutone.

Sen: Wait, what?

Zarnem: We need Krutone’s help. I need to tell Virem.

Sen: I— what— what’s going on?

Zarnem: If names like Zan and Sicrus are working together, we have a very serious problem... And if they have The Orb, we’re up against a threat bigger than any war we’ve had in history, and I’m not overexaggerating…

Sen: What is happening?...

Zarnem: Years ago, Sicrus also reigned destruction over Troita. He left a note saying something like “President Kyto, we’re after you” and then attached his name. None of us know what he looks like. There’s only some information about him being in an orphanage in the place that he destroyed.

Sen: You mean Troita?

Zarnem: Yes, Troita. Krutone might be the only way we’re going to settle this… Zan and Sicrus want something to do with you… I have no idea what, but there’s something about you that they want.

Sen: What… are you saying?

A moment of silence.

Zarnem: Sen… I’m going to need you to come to Krutone with me.

Sen: Me? I’m not leaving everything behind for this. I’m just a recruit.

Zarnem: Sen, you have something they want.

Sen: Then Krutone can come here.

Zarnem: That’s not how they work. Besides, there seems to be something bigger going on here, and for whatever reason, you play a role here.

Sen doesn’t know how to answer.

Zarnem: We need to head back now.

Sen stepped onto the gliding stone alongside Zarnem, and together they sped off toward the military center of Clyden. As they approached the city, the extent of the destruction came into view. Fires raged in scattered pockets, with water users working tirelessly to extinguish the flames.

Along the way, Sen’s gaze fell on the grim aftermath— bodies lying lifeless across the streets, slowly being covered with white sheets by somber soldiers. The devastation was everywhere, a stark reminder of the chaos they had just escaped.

Finally, they arrived at the military base, only to find it partially destroyed, its walls crumbled and smoke rising from the ruins. Without hesitation, Sen and Zarnem disembarked and made their way toward Virem’s office.

On a high rooftop, Sicrus and Zan stood together.

Sicrus: Is it done, finally?

Zan: Yeah, I gave it to him.

Sicrus: Took long enough.

Zan: Would’ve been faster if we stopped giving those two a chance.

Sicrus: Where are they?

Zan: They lost their fight.

Sicrus: You killed them, didn’t you?

Zan (smiling): Maybe.

Sicrus: Of course…

Sicrus feels disgusted inside but gives no change in expression.

Zan: So, what now?

Sicrus: Mayzen and Penim figured out how to get inside Krutone.

Zan: Oh? That was fast. All I did was provide the body.

Sicrus: And that was enough.

Zan: So, are we heading to Krutone?

Sicrus: Sen.

Zan: Sen? Really? What is it about him that you really want? I get it that he—

Sicrus: It’s not me.

Zan: Oh… Ohhhhh, I see.

Sicrus: But it’s going to be hard to get to him with Zarnem in the way.

Zan: I told him about Penim by the way.

Sicrus: Without Penim’s permission?

Zan: The hell is Penim going to do to me? Hahahaha.

Sicrus gives Zan a glaring look.

Zan: Ok, ok, ok. I just thought it’d be a good way to get Zarnem lost and confused.

Sicrus: Zarnem is not your job, and you know it.

Zan: Yeah, yeah. He ran away from me in our battle. You weren’t joking about him being a coward at heart.

Sicrus: When have you ever caught me joking?

Zan: You’re right. Hahaha. Always so serious, you.

Sicrus: We’ll have to find a time or an opportunity to catch Sen alone… But now that Zarnem knows about us and Penim, he’s going to keep a careful watch on him. I wouldn’t be surprised if others get involved.

Sicrus stands looking at the destruction over Clyden.

Sicrus: You ready to go?

Zan: Sure thing.

Sicrus and Zan leave, opening a portal out of thin air and walking through, then suddenly disappearing.