Kaelen's presence settled.
The battlefield—silent.
Controlled.
Absolute.
His voice dropped.
Calm.
Commanding.
"…Time Barrier."
SHHHHMMM—
Reality warped.
The entire grounds of the Hero's Association—
Along with the shattered remains of the black cocoon—
Were enveloped.
Time… slowed.
Not stopped.
But dragged into a near standstill.
Movements became heavy.
Energy lingered in the air longer than it should.
Even thought itself felt… delayed.
At the center of it—
Gina's body twitched.
Her glowing, unstable energy began to fade.
Then—
She laughed.
Not loudly.
Not wildly.
But deeply.
Like something ancient had just realized it was finally free.
Her body shifted.
Black wings unfurled slowly behind her.
Long.
Sharp.
Heavy with darkness.
A tail extended behind her—
Black.
Faint red veins pulsing through it.
Her hair turned—
White.
Her eyes—
Black.
Her skin—
A distorted blend of red and black.
She tilted her head slightly.
"…So Hades escaped without us…"
A pause.
"…Well…"
Her smile widened.
"…he foresaw this outcome."
Her gaze moved across the battlefield.
Jess.
Faith.
Gene.
Kimotsu.
Denma.
Kaelven.
June.
"…Fight me…"
Her voice echoed.
"…and die."
A beat.
"…Or walk away."
Jess didn't hesitate.
Her wings shifted slightly.
Her voice steady.
"I'd rather die than walk away."
Silence followed.
Gina's gaze scanned them all.
They weren't bluffing.
They were ready.
But then—
Kaelen moved.
Not rushed.
Not aggressive.
Just… walking.
Straight toward her.
Dragon bearer form.
Axiomfall glowing in his right hand.
Each step echoed.
Controlled.
Heavy.
"I'll take her head."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Absolute.
"…If I didn't intervene…"
He continued walking.
"…civilians would've been hurt."
"…or dead."
Gina's smile widened.
Then—
She laughed.
Eerie.
Distorted.
Unnatural.
"…Do you think this time barrier can stop me from escaping?"
Her eyes sharpened.
"You're delusional."
Then—
Everything changed.
A pressure dropped.
Not from her.
From elsewhere.
Something vast.
Something overwhelming.
Everyone—
Everyone except Kaelen and Kaelven—
Felt it.
Their bodies strained.
Their instincts screamed.
Then—
Gina froze.
Her gaze slowly lifted.
To the sky.
There—
A man stood.
Tall.
Regal.
Golden hair flowing slightly despite the still air.
Golden eyes.
Sharp.
Judging.
Looking down at her.
With disgust.
Gina's body stiffened.
For the first time—
She felt it.
Insignificant.
Her instincts didn't scream fight.
They screamed—
BOW.
And receive death.
Because trying to escape—
Was futile.
The man in the sky spoke.
"…It's getting annoying."
His voice carried.
Not loud.
But absolute.
"…This is the second time I'm sensing this…"
A pause.
"…unpleasant."
"…and inferior energy."
Kaelen didn't look away from Gina.
But he spoke.
"…Hey."
"…Alzwalt."
The man in the sky glanced down slightly.
"…Can you create a barrier outside my time barrier?"
Without hesitation—
Alzwalt's voice echoed calmly.
"…Sure, kid."
A pause.
"I'm leaving."
His gaze shifted slightly.
"…Make sure you get rid of it."
Kaelen nodded once.
Then turned his focus forward.
"…Jess."
"…Faith."
"…Gene."
"…Kimotsu."
"…Kaelven."
His voice sharpened.
"…Kill June."
Silence.
"He has an artificial circuit too."
His grip on Axiomfall tightened.
"…The barrier Alzwalt set…"
"…cannot be escaped."
A pause.
"…until they are dead."
The group didn't hesitate.
"…With pleasure."
Jess stepped forward.
Faith followed.
Gene cracked his neck.
Kimotsu drew his blade fully.
Denma's aura flared.
Kaelven smirked slightly.
June raised his hand slowly.
A calm smile returned to his face.
But his eyes—
Were calculating.
Kaelven took a few steps back.
The distance opened.
The tension—
Peaked.
June's voice dropped.
"…Circuit sequence zero…"
The air shifted.
Dark.
Heavy.
The moment froze.