The atmosphere suddenly shifted.
As if the world itself were holding its breath, the fighting stopped the very moment Ryu appeared. Weapons fell silent. Cries faded away. Everyone understood instinctively that this duel would decide how the war would end.
Sorento dispelled his technique and landed heavily on the ground. Ryu did the same. The two men faced each other in silence as the earth began to tremble once more beneath their feet.
From the ship, Zeno and Myu watched closely.
— Looks like Ryu arrived earlier than expected, Myu said. His presence has reignited the troops' morale… but it won't be enough against Sorento.
— Sorry to disappoint you, Zeno replied without looking away. Logic has never applied to that old man.
Sorento wasted no time. A sphere of energy shot straight toward Ryu.
Ryu didn't even try to dodge.
With a casual flick of his hand, he swatted the attack aside as if brushing away dust.
That was enough.
Sorento closed the distance instantly, appearing in front of him and throwing a devastating punch. Ryu dodged effortlessly… then countered.
A brutal knee strike slammed into Sorento's stomach. He doubled over in pain, but Ryu didn't stop there. A powerful kick launched Sorento off the ground.
He flew several meters—
Then suddenly—
Ryu grabbed him midair.
With one arm, he dragged him down and smashed him into the ground. Grabbing Sorento by the face, Ryu sprinted forward, grinding his head against the battlefield before hurling him into a massive boulder.
The impact was so violent the rock shattered into fragments, sending a huge cloud of dust into the air.
The soldiers of Mekira stood frozen in disbelief.
Ryu walked calmly toward the debris, his expression confident and composed.
— Come out, kid, he said irritably. I know it'll take more than that to put you down.
The rubble exploded outward.
Sorento emerged, his clothes in tatters, his skin covered in cuts and scrapes. Yet instead of exhaustion, his face showed excitement—pure exhilaration.
He burst into laughter.
— Muahahahaha! Incredible, Ryu! You truly live up to your reputation!
— Don't get cocky, kid, Ryu replied. This isn't a game. You'll pay for what you've done. I won't show mercy.
— I'm waiting!
They charged at each other once more.
This time, Sorento's punch landed.
Ryu was hurled several meters back but recovered instantly. Sorento rushed him again without hesitation. Ryu stood his ground, unfazed.
He raised a finger, prana gathering… then sliced open his palm.
Blood flowed.
Using it, he quickly drew an incantation circle and crossed his arms.
— Level 3 Mantra: RAGNAROK.
— What?! Sorento shouted. A level 3 mantra… without an incantation?!
The sky darkened abruptly.
Dozens of energy spheres rained down on Sorento and the surrounding Mekira soldiers. Each impact shook the earth violently. A massive cloud of dust swallowed the battlefield.
The tremors were so intense that Ikku and Tenma, standing nearby, lost their footing and fell.
— That old man… he's something else, Tenma said with a grin.
— I never imagined he was this strong, Ikku admitted.
Suddenly, a colossal silhouette rose above the dust cloud.
A giant made of golden prana.
Sorento had summoned it once again.
— You're finally getting serious, huh? Ryu scoffed.
— You'll regret your insolence, you worn-out relic, Sorento replied from within the giant.
The colossus raised its glowing arm.
— He's attacking, Ryu muttered, readying himself.
A barrage of massive energy spheres was unleashed.
Ryu dodged every single one with flawless precision, though each impact devastated the ground. Nexus soldiers instinctively cleared the area, giving Ryu space to fight freely.
As he evaded the final attack, he found himself near Ikku and Tenma.
— Kids, this is getting too dangerous. Get inside the city.
— We can't! Ikku protested. What's happening here… it's partly my fault.
— And besides, Tenma added, we're Nexus soldiers too. We can't just run away.
Ryu looked at them seriously.
— You both show courage and loyalty. But don't confuse bravery with recklessness.
He turned to Ikku.
— You didn't start this conflict. Mekira did—no one else.
Then to Tenma:
— A true soldier knows when to retreat. Look around you.
They did.
Many soldiers had already fallen back.
Ikku and Tenma exchanged a glance, then nodded reluctantly. They signaled their friends and retreated toward the city.
Sorento approached Ryu.
— Looks like you've cleared space for your grave.
— I simply let the youth rest. They don't need to be dragged into this.
— You really think hiding them in the city will protect them? My soldiers will find them.
— Don't underestimate Kul-Elna, kid. We have the terrain advantage… and Nexus soldiers are far stronger than your weak troops.
— Terrain advantage, huh? Sorento smiled. That's exactly why I hired someone who can adapt to any environment.
Ryu's expression stiffened.
— What do you mean by that…? You didn't… did you?
Sorento answered only with a grim smile.
— You madman! Do you realize what you've done?! Ryu shouted.
— Muahahahaha!
Ikku and the others reached the city.
— Where do we go? Tenma asked.
— Doma evacuated this way, Ikku replied. He's injured. We should protect the wounded soldiers.
— You're right, Yumé agreed.
They stopped dead in their tracks.
Something horrifying lay before them.
— W-What is that…? Carla whispered in shock.
Dozens of Nexus soldiers lay scattered across the ground, bathed in blood.
At the center stood a man, his back turned to them.
Neither tall nor short. Short brown hair. Light armor covering his body. A red scarf wrapped around his neck. In his right hand, a sword dripping with blood.
— Who is this guy? Kenny asked. A Mekira soldier?
— None of their soldiers have reached the city yet, Fenrir replied.
— Then who is he? Nina whispered.
The man turned around.
Their gazes met.
Instinctively, they all released their spiritual energy.
The stranger observed them quietly, his eyes filled with deep melancholy.
— Children… he said calmly. I didn't expect that. How about we pretend we never met?
— Did you do all this?! Ikku shouted.
No answer.
Ikku released even more energy.
The man's interest was piqued. He released his own.
A terrifying wave, like a raging storm, burst forth, forcing them back several steps.
— It seems you're not ordinary children.
Ikku's heart tightened.
That energy… just as powerful as Sorento's and Kolio's.
But different.
No bloodlust. No violence.
Only… overwhelming sadness.
Ikku stepped into a fighting stance.
But Kenny stopped him.
— What are you doing? Ikku asked.
Then he noticed something wrong.
Kenny was shaking.
— Kenny…?
— Ikku… he whispered. We have to warn Master Ryu. Or Master Zeno. And even then… I'm not sure Master Zeno would stand a chance.
— Why? Tenma asked. Who is he?
— This man… Kenny swallowed. He must've been hired by Sorento. He's one of the Calamities.
His voice trembled.
— The second most wanted man on Earth…
He slowly raised his eyes.
— Darius. The war criminal.