"I believe we have something in common, Exca. You're trying to awaken your Twin Dragon Bloodline, aren't you?"
Exca froze.
What? Who the hell are these people? I've only told Lyon and my son about my bloodline. How did this man find out?
The giant smiled at his reaction.
"Don't look so surprised. I'm offering to help you awaken it, but nothing comes for free. We'll have to make a deal."
He rose from his chair and began walking toward Exca.
Exca turned to face him fully, his expression cold.
"Listen carefully. I don't care whether you're part of the Reinforcement or not. Don't underestimate me just because I haven't awakened my bloodline's power. I'm still the Special Darkside Knight of this kingdom. Try anything stupid, and I'll have you thrown into a cell."
The man burst into laughter.
"Hahaha. Don't get ahead of yourself, moron. We're here to make a deal, not start a war with your kingdom or anyone else."
His smile faded slightly.
"And that's only because of that damn Golden Katana. Without his involvement, we wouldn't even bother with this nonsense."
He folded his arms.
"Now, listen carefully. I possess the Twin Dragon Bloodline, just like you. My family is the second strongest Twin Dragon family in history. I awakened my bloodline a long time ago, and later, I managed to awaken it again."
He pointed toward Exca.
"I can teach you how to do the same, but you'll have to give me something in return."
A chill ran down Exca's spine. Sweat gathered along his temples.
Another person with the Twin Dragon Bloodline? No, this has to be a trick.
"I don't know where you got your information," Exca replied, his voice low and firm, "but your little tricks won't work on me. I'm not interested."
He turned toward the door again.
"And as for your so-called hard way, you're clearly afraid of the Golden Katana. Touch my Shinras or interfere with my plans, and I'll make sure you're blamed for every crime you've committed, along with a few you haven't."
The man sighed.
"What a pain in the ass. I knew you wouldn't make this easy."
In the next instant, purple flames erupted beneath his feet.
A Renshi circle spread across the floor, glowing with strange symbols. Before Exca could react, an overwhelming force pressed down on his entire body.
BOOM!
His knees buckled, and he crashed to the floor. The pressure was so intense that even lifting his head became a struggle.
What the hell is this? I can't move!
The giant stood over him, his expression calm.
"It's a reaction between our bloodlines. My dragons can sense yours, and they're ready to be born."
He lowered his gaze toward Exca.
"Stop wasting your time chasing that boy. Your current plan won't work."
The crushing pressure suddenly disappeared.
Exca remained on the floor for a moment, gasping for breath before slowly forcing himself to his feet.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
"I never imagined another member of my family was still out there."
He brushed the dust from his clothes, trying to conceal his uneasiness.
"Tell me something. What do you want with that boy, and why are you doing all this behind the Golden Katana's back?"
The man said nothing.
Instead, he activated Switch Mode and reappeared in his seat.
He leaned back, watching Exca with an unreadable smile.
"Now we're finally asking the right questions."
---
MEANWHILE, AT THE BORDER BETWEEN EMINENCE AND SUNFLOWER
The crimson aura surrounding Sasaki had disappeared.
His enormous body had returned to an ordinary human form, and the giant sword in his hand had become a sleek, elongated blade.
Yet the pressure radiating from him felt more dangerous than before.
He raised his head, his sharp eyes fixed on Lucy.
"Hey, woman. Who do you think you're talking to?"
Lucy's eyes widened slightly.
That voice, that expression, and the murderous look in his eyes were unmistakable.
"Sasaki..."
A faint smile crossed her face.
"So you've finally returned to your senses. I've been waiting a long time for this day."
Two swords formed in her hands, their blades glowing with white Renshi.
Sasaki tilted his head, studying her.
"You've been looking forward to fighting me? Not bad."
He ran his tongue along the edge of his blade before grinning.
"Fine. I'll entertain you for a while."
Neither moved for a brief moment.
Then both vanished with Switch Mode.
CLANG!
Their swords collided in the middle of the clearing, sending sparks flying between them.
Before Lucy could follow up, Sasaki retreated and glanced toward the sky.
Countless fireballs appeared above the forest.
Lucy's expression changed.
The fireballs descended almost immediately, spreading across the battlefield and forcing her to break away from their clash.
She activated Switch Mode repeatedly, dodging between the falling projectiles. Each fireball struck the ground with an explosion, throwing dirt and burning branches into the air.
But Sasaki had anticipated her movements.
He appeared behind her, his blade expanding into a massive sword as he swung toward her back.
Lucy's wings snapped open.
CLANG!
The blade struck her feathers, forcing her upward. She used the impact to gain distance, beating her wings to stabilize herself in the air.
This won't be easy if I keep trying to...
She glanced at Sasaki, who was already preparing another attack.
His body is free from Exca's control, but the darkness inside him remains. My light Renshi should be able to suppress it, but I'll need a clear opening to reach him.
Sasaki raised his free hand.
The fireballs above the forest grew larger, their flames burning brighter as he poured more Renshi into them.
Then he launched another barrage.
Lucy dodged the first few, but the explosions forced her to change direction repeatedly. Before she could create enough distance, Sasaki rose after her on a swirling tornado beneath his feet.
"Where are you looking?"
He swung his sword.
Lucy barely managed to block.
CLANG!
The impact drove her backward through the air. She twisted her body, bringing her second sword around in a counterattack, but Sasaki used Switch Mode to appear above her.
Their blades collided again.
CLANG! CLANG!
They exchanged strikes at close range, each using Switch Mode to change positions whenever the other gained an advantage.
Sasaki's longer blade gave him greater reach, while Lucy relied on her twin swords and wings to defend herself from multiple angles.
Neither could land a decisive blow.
Below them, the falling fireballs continued to strike the forest.
BOOM! BOOM!
Trees caught fire, and thick smoke began rising between the branches. The heat from the burning forest reached the fighters above, making the air shimmer.
Lucy glanced down.
At this rate, the entire forest will burn.
She tightened her grip on her swords and returned her attention to Sasaki.
But he showed no intention of stopping.
"Come on... Don't tell me you're already running out of strength."
He swung his massive blade again.
Lucy crossed her swords and caught the strike, but the impact forced her lower, toward the burning canopy.
She spread her wings and pushed against his weapon, creating just enough space to escape.
Then she shot sideways with Switch Mode.
Sasaki followed immediately.
Their battle continued above the forest, leaving trails of white and crimson Renshi across the smoky sky.
---
ON THE GROUND
Alfie stood facing the upgraded Alpha Darkside Spirit that had emerged from Sasaki's blood-infused tornado.
The creature's crimson body twisted as it advanced, its sharp limbs scraping against the ground.
Alfie tightened his fist.
I have to defeat this thing before Master finishes her fight.
Suddenly, a fireball crashed into the forest nearby.
BOOM!
The explosion sent burning branches flying toward him.
Alfie leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the debris.
Are you kidding me? Now we have to deal with this too?
Rebekah ducked behind a fallen tree as another fireball struck the ground.
"Alfie, watch out. The fire is spreading!"
Jackson pulled Marcel away from a burning branch just before it crashed where they had been standing.
"Forget the forest. We need to get out of the way before one of those things lands on us."
Marcel coughed as smoke filled the air.
"And what about that monster? We can't just leave Alfie alone with it!"
Nearby, Bash looked up at the two fighters clashing above the trees far away.
His expression darkened.
"This is getting out of hand."
Lyon stepped back from the spreading flames, keeping his eyes on Lucy and Sasaki.
"If they keep fighting like this, the entire area will become a death trap."
Another fireball descended toward them.
"Move!"
Everyone scattered just before the projectile struck the ground, sending a wave of heat and debris across the clearing.
Alfie regained his footing and turned toward the Alpha Darkside Spirit.
The creature had survived the explosions. Now, with the forest burning around them, it advanced toward him once more.
Alfie swallowed his uneasiness and raised his weapon.
Master told me to defeat it. I won't let her down.
Above him, Lucy and Sasaki clashed again and again, their Renshi illuminating the smoke-filled sky.