The storm still raged above the island.
Lightning tore through the sky.
Wind screamed across the dense forest.
And deep within that forest—
Lioran landed.
He steadied himself, boots skidding slightly across wet soil.
"…That tornado," he muttered, scanning the surroundings. "One of them has wind attribute."
Rain dripped from leaves overhead.
The forest was dense.
Too quiet.
Too still.
"I got separated from them," he said under his breath. "That means they'll be targeted individually."
His expression hardened.
"I need to find Sharin and Aishwarya—fast."
He moved forward.
Step by step.
His senses sharp.
His Prāṇa Vision faintly active.
Every movement.
Every disturbance.
He tracked everything.
But then—
He stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
On top of a large rock—
Someone stood.
Waiting.
"…Bheem."
The man smirked.
"You took less time than I expected."
Lioran smiled faintly.
"So you were waiting for me."
"Of course," Bheem replied. "You are my most precious target."
Lioran cracked his neck slightly.
"Don't be so formal."
He stepped forward.
"So… let's do this."
Bheem stepped down from the rock.
Rain slid down his face.
His eyes sharpened.
"Remember this moment," he said coldly. "This is the day you die."
Both of them raised their fists.
Prāṇa ignited.
Golden energy surged around Lioran.
A darker, heavier aura rose from Bheem.
Then—
They vanished.
BOOOOM—!!!
Their fists collided mid-air.
The impact created a shockwave that blasted trees apart.
Leaves scattered violently.
The ground cracked beneath them.
Lioran pushed forward—
Bheem matched him.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
BAM! BOOM! CRACK!
Their movements blurred.
Each strike carried lethal force.
Lioran swung a Prāṇa-boosted punch—
Bheem blocked and countered instantly.
A kick slammed into Lioran's side—
He slid back, then vanished again.
"Faster than before," Bheem said.
"You too," Lioran replied.
Their eyes locked.
This wasn't the same fight as before.
Both had evolved.
Elsewhere—
Aishwarya ran through the forest.
Then—
She stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…That explosion."
"The fight has started."
Her fists ignited with flames.
"I need to get there."
But suddenly—
WHOOOOOSH—!!!
A violent gust of wind slammed into her.
She skidded backward.
Two figures stood ahead.
A man.
And a woman.
Both smiling.
"What makes you think you can leave?" the woman said.
The man stepped forward.
"Before you go anywhere… you'll fight us."
Aishwarya clicked her tongue.
"…Two against one."
Flames surged around her arms.
"Fine."
"I'll burn both of you."
The woman laughed softly.
"How confident."
The man raised his hand—
Wind gathered instantly.
"Oh…" Aishwarya muttered.
"So you're the one with wind attribute."
The man smirked.
"Try surviving first."
The wind intensified.
Leaves lifted.
Dust spiraled.
A storm was forming—
Right there.
On another part of the island—
Sharin ran toward the explosion.
"That has to be Lioran," he said.
"I need to reach him—"
Suddenly—
CRACK—!!!
A massive stone wall erupted in front of him.
"What?!"
He stopped instantly.
Before he could react—
Another wall rose behind him.
Then two more—
On his left.
On his right.
He was trapped.
The walls began closing in.
Slowly.
Relentlessly.
Sharin placed his hands against one wall.
"Damn it…!"
He pushed.
But it didn't stop.
The pressure increased.
"If this continues…"
"I'll be crushed."
The walls came closer.
Closer.
His breathing tightened.
His body strained.
Then—
He smiled slightly.
"…Got it."
The walls crushed inward—
CRUNCH—!!!
Silence.
Then—
BOOOOOOM—!!!
A black spiked sphere burst outward.
Shattering the stone walls completely.
Fragments flew everywhere.
The sphere dissolved.
Sharin stepped out.
"…That was close."
"If I was one second late…"
He exhaled.
"…I'd be flat."
A voice echoed from above.
"So you survived."
Sharin turned.
Two men stood on tree branches.
Watching him.
"Who are you?" Sharin asked.
They jumped down.
Landing smoothly.
"You won't leave this island," one said.
"Unless you defeat us."
Sharin rolled his shoulders.
"…Two against one, huh?"
Black Prāṇa began forming around his hand.
"Good."
"I wanted to test something anyway."
Across the storm-covered island—
Three battles had begun.
Lioran vs Bheem.
Aishwarya vs Wind Assassin & Partner.
Sharin vs Two Earth-type Assassins.
Lightning struck the ground.
Thunder roared across the sky.
The island itself seemed to tremble under the weight of their power.
Lioran and Bheem clashed again.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
A massive explosion blasted trees apart.
Both landed at a distance.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked.
"You've grown," Bheem admitted.
"But not enough."
He raised his hand.
Prāṇa surged violently.
Something darker.
More refined.
More dangerous.
Lioran narrowed his eyes.
"…This time…" Bheem said. "I won't lose."
Lioran's golden aura flared again.
Brighter.
Sharper.
The ground beneath him cracked.
The air trembled.
The storm above seemed to respond.
Bheem smirked.
"Yes."
"That's what I wanted."
The wind howled louder.
Lightning flashed.
And the second round—
Truly began.
TO BE CONTINUED…