[The True Black Sorcerer is looking at you.]
"Black Sorcerer again…?" Ron murmured.
He sensed a familiar Ki nearby. Following it down the stairs, he found Carter—reunited with his family.
They had been hiding here all along.
"I let them stay here," Bruce's voice came from behind.
"So?" Ron asked, glancing back.
Bruce turned away without answering, walking down the hall.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. "Hey. It's good to see you."
Carter stood there.
Ron smiled, waving casually. "You too."
Then—
"Ron."
A voice echoed in his mind.
Ron blinked. A strange interface appeared before him—a chat window.
Wulkranoth.
>"It's me, Wulkranoth. Where are you? Why haven't you come yet?"
Ron's thoughts formed into a visible message.
>"I'm busy with the Foster."
>"Foster?" Wulkranoth replied quickly. "Why? Do you know something about it?"
>"No, but I heard nine powerful beings from the Foster fought DA—and lost."
Ron's expression didn't change.
>"I know, but When did that happen?"
He sat down in a nearby chair as another message appeared.
>"When it all started—with Carter, Locki, Bruce, and Rocky. While you were away."
>"Really…" Ron replied.
>"Anyway, forget that. Come to me. There's something important we need to discuss."
> "I will," Ron replied. "After I deal with the Foster. I have questions for you too."
The screen flickered—
…and vanished.
The next second.
An alarm blared across the base.
"The base is under attack!" Bruce's voice roared. "Everyone, evacuate!"
Ron stood up and turned to Carter, who was walking towards Ron but stopped in his tracks as soon as the alarm went on, "Go. Protect your family."
Carter nodded and rushed toward the exit.
But before he could reach it, the roof split open—
Carter, just in time got out of the radius where cracks of the roof fell.
Two figures dropped down from above.
They lunged at Ron immediately. He barely teleported away in time. The two men reached him, Ron dodged one's punch and kicked him straight into the chest. The second guy jumped, Ron teleported away.
A loud explosion followed from the main doorway.
Two more intruders blew apart the gate—standing between Carter and his terrified family.
Carter activated The Dark Faith, conjuring a sword of shadow.
"You're fighting us, not them!" a voice shouted.
Ron turned—just in time to see a fist an inch from his face. He dodged, but a brutal kick slammed him into the ground.
He tried to rise—but the two attackers from above transformed their arms into blades and stabbed into his back.
Ron coughed blood.
His vision blurred.
He was still wounded from his last battle.
Through hazy sight, he saw Carter dueling one of the gate-crashers while the other advanced toward his family.
Then Bruce leapt forward—his gloved fists crackling with purple sparks.
Bruce jumped in front of the man charging toward Carter's family. A calm and terrifying expression on his face.
His hands flared with a greenish aura.
"Black Sorcery?" the man muttered, eyes narrowing.
Bruce didn't answer. He lunged forward and drove his fist through the man's stomach. Bruce's hand came out from the man's back. Blood splattered from the man's mouth.
No… this isn't Black Sorcery. Then what is it? the man thought in shock.
Bruce lifted his boot and stomped the back of the man's head, smashing him into the ground, the entire ground was shaken by Bruce's kick. He raised his palm — purple fog coalesced into a swirling Ki blast.
With a roar, Bruce slammed it into the man's back. The man's body distorted, twisting into a small purple-black hole before collapsing into itself.
Before Bruce could breathe, the one fighting Carter kicked at his head — Bruce caught the strike with his other hand, stopping it mid-air.
"You're up against me!" Carter shouted.
Bruce slammed the man in the ground repeatedly. Carter eyes widened "This is not Bruce." Carter thought.
Bruce threw the guy at Carter.
A blur flashed beside Ron—
Rocky.
He slammed the two attackers who had stabbed Ron across several walls with earth-shattering force.
"More are coming!" Rocky shouted.
Ron pushed himself up, grimacing.
"Thanks," he said hoarsely. "Take Carter's family. Get them to safety—then come back. I'll hold them off."
Blood dripped from his lips.
The two enemies rose again, glaring.
"Are you serious?" Rocky asked, eyes wide.
Ron nodded, his expression hardening.
He lunged forward.
He threw a punch—but his target vanished.
"Teleportation?" he muttered.
The man reappeared behind him, striking hard.
Ron tanked the blow, countered with a kick to the throat, and slammed the man into the floor.
Then the second attacker raised his hand—
and unleashed Black Sorcery.
Flames spiraled into humanoid shapes, forming knights made entirely of dark-purplish fire—each the size of a grown man, a wave of evil energy rippled through the air.
Bruce and Carter turned toward it — two knights made entirely of purple flames stood there, and in front of them was Ron, unmoving, unfazed.
Suddenly,
The walls of Bruce's base exploded, sending debris everywhere. Figures emerged through the cloud of dust. Even the roof tore open, revealing the dark night sky.
Outside, helicopters and armored cars had surrounded the cave west of Bruce's city.
Through the settling dust, Carter caught sight of glowing green eyes staring back at him. He froze — but chose to ignore them.