The battlefield roars with chaos as Vex channels an overwhelming surge of magic. Massive energy lasers erupt from his aura, carving through the far away oncoming zombie horde with devastating precision. Explosions ripple across the land, incinerating thousands of the undead and shaking the very earth.
Rune acts quickly, conjuring a protective magic barrier around himself and Simbad, shielding them from the destructive barrage. As the smoke clears, both Rune and Simbad lie heavily wounded. Vex notices their injuries and, without hesitation, pours his magic into them. A warm, glowing light envelops them, closing their wounds almost instantly.
Breathing heavily, Vex surveys the destruction wrought by his power. The vast fields are littered with the remains of the horde, the air thick with the stench of scorched earth. "This... this is what my magic can do," he murmurs, a mix of awe and horror in his voice. His aura flares as he regains focus, intensifying with renewed determination.
Crow, recovering slowly, grits his teeth as he watches from a distance. His wounds mend themselves with the aid of his magic, but frustration clouds his features. "The power I took from that boy... it was only a fraction of his true potential," he mutters, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can't avenge my people with the little power I have. No... I'll wait. Let them weaken each other, and I'll strike when the time is right."
Gavin, meanwhile, rises to his feet, his body grotesquely stitching itself back together through sheer force of magic. His aura explodes outward with newfound intensity, crackling like a storm. He lets out a booming laugh. "Your power continues to rise, Son! At this rate, you might even reach Azeal's level!"
Ignoring Gavin's taunts, Vex channels his focus inward. His magic condenses into glowing blue circles that manifest around his wrists. The circles tighten and fuse with his skin, leaving intricate tattoo-like marks that pulse with energy. "It's not enough," he declares through gritted teeth. Another magic circle forms around his neck, and with a flash of light, it too fuses with his skin, completing a set of glowing, blue tattoos.
Suddenly, Gavin appears in front of Vex, swinging his magic-infused sword with deadly intent. Before the blade can land, Rune's sword flies through the air and intercepts it, but Gavin's sword sends shockwaves outward. The shockwaves, hurtles toward Vex.
Rune leaps into action, using his bare fist to deflect the incoming shockwave. The impact tears his knuckles apart, blood spraying across Vex's face. "Get up, Vex!" Rune shouts, his voice full of resolve. "Fight for your freedom!"
Gavin snarls and unleashes a powerful energy blast from his hand, sending Rune flying backward. Simbad rushes to intercept, using his magic to pull Rune away from the blast just in time. The energy collides with the horde behind them, erupting in a massive explosion that shakes the ground.
As Rune lands, coughing and battered, Simbad draws his weapon and positions himself between Rune and the approaching horde. "We're running out of time!" Simbad declares.
The battlefield is a cacophony of magic, blood, and chaos. Rune glances toward Vex and Gavin's duel, his expression a mix of concern and admiration. Explosions ripple through the land as the two clash, their power shaking the earth beneath Rune's feet. Rune mutters to himself, "Vex... I can feel it. He's adapting to his magic. He's finding his own way."
Turning his focus back to the encroaching horde, Rune joins Simbad in holding the line. Their weapons flash as they cut through the endless swarm of zombies, but exhaustion weighs heavily onto them.
Meanwhile, Vex and Gavin's battle escalates. Vex's lasers strike Gavin with unrelenting force, blasting him into the ground. The attack culminates in a violent series of detonations that tear Gavin's body apart. But Gavin's magic regenerates him, his body reassembling before Vex's eyes.
Gavin retaliates, slashing across Vex's chest with his sword. Blood splatters as a shockwave emanates from the blade, sending Vex hurtling across the battlefield. He crashes into a dense pack of zombies, their bodies erupting in a gory explosion. Vex's magic rapidly heals his wounds as he stands, his aura creating an intense pressure that repels the incoming zombies.
Gavin lunges forward, his sword and Vex's magic clashing with a thunderous roar. "What's this, son? You're weaker than before!" Gavin taunts, his eyes narrowing. "Ah, I see it now. You've created limiters on yourself. What's the point of that? Unleash your true potential!"
Vex grits his teeth, his voice steady. "These limiters keep my power in check, so I won't harm those I love. And this much power is more than enough to defeat you, Father!"
For the first time, Gavin's confidence wavers. Vex's magic surges, overwhelming Gavin's own. "I've come too far to fall now!" Gavin bellows. "All of your powers belongs to me!" Gavin thrusts his sword forward, releasing a powerful energy blast.
Vex meets the attack head-on, grabbing the energy with his bare hands. He tears it apart, splitting it into two massive beams that shoot into the sky. Their magic intensifies, the collision of their magic aura generates magic lightning that randomly strikes the land. Zombies and dirt are hurled into the air as the magic lightning wreaks havoc.
Nearby, Simbad narrowly avoids a bolt of magic lightning as he cuts down another zombie. Collapsing to his knees, he gasps, "This is too much for us to handle!"
Rune, still fighting with unrelenting determination, calls out, "Then I'll fight to the very end! For too long, I've run from my past. No more giving up!" He slices through a dozen more zombies, his resolve shining through his sweat and blood.
Simbad looks up into the sky and smiles faintly. "With every fight, you're starting to feel like the Rune I knew back then."
Above them, the hum of a helicopter fills the air. Nhia pilots it expertly, with Jasee by his side. Nhia peers down at the battle below, spotting Vex and Gavin. "With that kind of power, I thought it'd be Adam and the others... but it's someone else!"
Jasee scans the ground, her eyes widening. "Isn't that your friends fighting down there?"
Nhia follows her gaze, recognizing Rune and Simbad. "Yeah, that's Rune and Simbad! Jasee, save them!"
Jasee focuses her magic, extending her hand toward Rune and Simbad. A few seconds later, the two of them, along with several zombies, are teleported into the helicopter's back seats.
As the zombies scramble, Rune and Simbad react instantly, kicking them out of the helicopter. Simbad collapses in relief, his eyes welling up as he sees Nhia and Jasee. "You're alive! I can't believe it!"
Rune, however, doesn't pause. He moves to the edge of the helicopter, his gaze locked on the battle below. Vex and Gavin's clashing magic lights up the landscape, a fierce storm of power.
Nearby below, Crow channels his black magic, tearing through the zombies surrounding him while keeping a watchful eye on the intense battle nearby. Gavin unleashes a flurry of sword swings, each one sending powerful shockwaves rippling through the air. Vex's magic aura swirls fiercely around him as he strides forward, undeterred by the shockwave attacks.
Gavin lets out a thunderous roar, magic energy surging from his mouth, eyes, and the holes in his decayed body. The energy erupts into a massive magical storm, crackling with fury. Vex counters by summoning his own magic storm, and as the two collide, the sky flashes with blinding colors while the ground beneath them shatters.
Amid the chaos, their bodies begin to tear apart under the strain of the clashing storms, but their magic relentlessly knits them back together. They move closer to each other, magic pouring from their eyes, mouths, and the cracks in their forms.
"Enough, Father!" Vex declares, his voice filled with defiance. "Your time has passed. It is now my time to create a future full of life without you!"
Vex summons a glowing magic sword into his hand, and the two engage in a ferocious clash of blades. However, Vex's magic proves to be superior—his sword shatters Gavin's weapon and slices his body in half. As Gavin's severed body falls apart, his soul emerges.
Vex seizes the soul with his hand and crushes it. Instantly, the raging storms vanish, leaving behind an eerie silence. Exhausted, Vex drops to his knees, staring at the destruction around him.
"It's finally over," he whispers. "I'm free..."
But the moment of relief is short-lived. Zombies begin pouring into the massive crater, drawn by the lingering magic. As Vex collapses face-first to the ground, unconscious, a dark force rises to protect him. Black magic emanates from his body, forming a barrier that keeps the zombies at bay.
Crow approaches, breathing heavily from his earlier fight. A wicked smile crosses his face as he observes the fallen Vex.
"This is the time for me to strike and get what I want," Crow mutters. "Your power!"
With a wave of his hand, Crow's black magic engulfs Vex, transforming into a towering black magic tree. The tree's dark tendrils begin siphoning Vex's magic, channeling it into Crow's body.
From the helicopter, the team watches as more and more zombies swarm into the craters, with even more joining from the distance. The scene below looks like an endless army of ants. Nhia glances around and suggests, "We need to get out of here. The battle is already over!"
Rune, gripping the edge of the helicopter, shakes his head firmly. "No! My student is still down there!" Without another word, he leaps out, diving straight toward the chaos below.
Nhia shouts, "Is he crazy?! Jasee, do something—get him back!"
Jasee focuses on the scene below, her eyes narrowing. "He's trying to save the boy!" she says, gripping the side of the helicopter as they all watch Rune descend.
As Rune skydives toward the crater, he summons his sword mid-air, breaking through the black magic barrier with a powerful slash. He lands in the crater and immediately sprints toward the massive black tree, slashing at it with his sword, causing it to splinter slightly. Crow emerges, attacking with a wave of black magic that cuts Rune across his body. Rune screams in pain, his magic aura exploding outward and repelling the dark energy.
"Stop trying to take his power!" Rune yells, charging forward and cutting down the black magic in his path.
Crow snarls in frustration. "You stop getting in the way!" he retorts, summoning black vines that lash out toward Rune, binding him tightly.
Back on the helicopter, Nhia speaks up urgently. "I've got a plan, but we have to act fast, or we're all going to die!"
He summons his magic book, which flips open to a glowing picture of Jasee. Before anyone can react, Nhia, Jasee, and Simbad vanish, teleporting out of the helicopter. Their sudden departure leaves the helicopter to fall slowly toward the zombie-filled ground below.
The trio appears inside the black magic barrier. Simbad, pushing himself beyond his limits, unleashes his magic, blood dripping from his nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. With immense effort, he rips the black vines binding Rune. Rune then throws his sword into the black tree, causing it to crack even more.
Crow roars in fury, rushing toward Rune and preparing to unleash a massive energy blast. Nhia teleports in front of Crow at the last moment, punching him squarely in the face.
Rune takes advantage of the opening, lunging for his sword and swinging it with all his might. The black tree crumbles under the blow, splintering into pieces.
Crow stumbles back, dark magic flaring around him. He growls, "Damn you!" His attack is interrupted as a magic dober lunges out of Nhia's chest and bites into Crow's shoulder, causing blood to splatter.
Jasee and Simbad appear in front of Crow with Jasee's magic. Simbad thrusts his broken katana into Crow's stomach.
Crow glares at them, his voice filled with venom. "There's no way these weaklings will be the end of me!"
As Crow falls to his back, Rune seizes Vex and prepares to retreat. Nhia looks up and notices the helicopter falling toward the crater. "Jasee, we're out of time!" he shouts.
Rune glances at Crow, who is already beginning to rise again. He can also see that they are out of Jasee's magic range so he hurls Vex toward Jasee's magic circle, where Simbad catches him. At the same moment, Rune throws his butcher blade, embedding it in Crow's chest and stunning him.
The group teleports back to the helicopter just as Nhia jumps into the pilot seat. Grabbing the controls, he yanks the helicopter upward, narrowly avoiding a crash into the zombie-filled ground. As the helicopter stabilizes in the air, Simbad scans the cabin, his expression frantic.
"Where's Rune?!" he demands.
Jasee, breathing heavily, shakes her head. "I don't have enough magic left for another full trip," she says, her voice weak.
Nhia looks at his magic book and sees that Jasee's picture has turned gray, indicating that he can't also use Jasee's magic. He exhales heavily, his face grim. "Rune is strong," he says. "He'll make it out."
Simbad slams his fist against the side of the cockpit. "No!" he shouts, pushing past Nhia and grabbing the helicopter's controls. The aircraft shudders under the sudden movement.
Before they can react, the helicopter jolts violently. Nhia looks out the window and sees a massive black magic vine latched onto the helicopter.
Simbad's eyes widen in horror as Crow emerges, flying up the vine. Crow's face is twisted in rage, while both Rune's weapon and Simbad's katana remain embedded in his body, glowing with lingering magic energy.
Simbad roars with determination and leaps off the helicopter, dodging mid-air as black magic attacks streak past him. Nhia expertly maneuvers the helicopter, narrowly avoiding the incoming blasts.
Simbad crashes into Crow mid-fall, driving Rune's sword deeper into Crow's chest. The force of the impact sends both of them plummeting downward. As they fall, Simbad yanks his broken katana from Crow's body and, using every ounce of his strength, slashes through the black magic vine. The vine begins to wither and decay, severing its hold on the helicopter.
From above, Nhia yells, "Simbad! No!"
Simbad glances up and meets Nhia's gaze, giving him an emotional, almost knowing look as he falls with Crow. Both of them crash through the black magic barrier and into the chaotic crater below.
Simbad's vision flickers as he fades in and out of consciousness. Around him, the groans and snarls of the zombies grow louder. Through the haze, he sees the undead clawing through cracks in the black barrier, their numbers overwhelming.
Nearby, Crow lies on the ground, his bloodied face turned toward Simbad, eyes filled with fury. Simbad coughs up blood, struggling to move. Suddenly, Rune's sword vanishes from Crow's chest. Simbad's blurry vision catches sight of Rune, alive and fighting, punching a zombie across the face before summoning his weapon back into his hand. Rune cuts down the zombies in front of him with precision, then turns and shoots an energy ball, obliterating another zombie rushing at Simbad.
Rune stumbles, clearly exhausted, his breath heavy. Memories of his entire life flash before his eyes. He lets out a primal roar, swinging his blade in a wide, 360-degree arc. A wave of energy surges outward, cutting down nearby zombies and shattering the remains of the black magic barrier.
The destruction sends a cascade of zombies tumbling in, the sheer volume causing them to trip and fall over one another. Amid the chaos, Crow rises with his wounds slowly healing, his eyes blazing with rage. He lunges at Simbad, wrapping his hands around his throat.
Before Crow can finish him, Rune kicks Crow off. He stumbles toward Simbad, extending a hand. Simbad's vision begins to blur again, but he sees something surreal. Crag and Bell appear beside Rune, their hands outstretched toward him. Simbad blinks, and suddenly he's hallucinating—he sees a younger version of Rune and both Alices reaching for him. Memories of old friends from Nemura City and Old Berry Town flash before his eyes, their voices chanting in unison:
"Go!"
As Rune puts Simbad onto his shoulders he growls, pushing past his limits. Massive magic erupts from his feet, launching him and Simbad upward with explosive force. The helicopter looms closer, but Rune's magic fades just as they near it.
Nhia, watching intently, shouts, "Jasee, take the controls!" He climbs out of the helicopter and leaps into the air, grabbing Rune's hand.
Nhia reaches for the helicopter's landing skid with his free hand but barely misses it. The trio begins to fall downwards. Just before they plummet into the chaos below, the magic dober bursts from Nhia's chest, its massive jaws clamping onto the landing skid. Its magic tail extends, and Nhia grabs hold of it with one hand, still gripping Rune with the other.
Nhia starts laughing, exhilaration filling his voice. "As you can see I'm not weak anymore!"
The magic dober pulls them upward and into the helicopter. As the aircraft stabilizes, it ascends higher, leaving the battlefield behind with Crow fighting against the 100,000 zombies below. The helicopter soars toward the sunset.