Castiel and his team advanced towards the barracks door, with an urgent sense of purpose propelling their steps. However, as they approached, a dreadful sight greeted them. Charred bodies lay on the ground, grim testimonies to a devastating event that had taken place there.
"Oh! What is the identity of these individuals, Nana?"
"I'll check, Sir Castiel."
Nana, moving cautiously, approached the unconscious bodies scattered on the ground. Her expression reflected a mixture of concern and focus as she approached each fallen person. With skilled hands, she checked their vital signs and assessed their conditions, seeking to understand the extent of the damage they had suffered.
"Reporting. There are a total of eleven bodies, four men and seven women. Nine of them are lifeless, and the only survivors are a couple. From the characteristics of their bodies, it's evident that they belong to the Zura clan, and the burns indicate that they were victims of members of their own clan."
"I'm not even surprised by that old woman's methods. Nita, your turn."
"Yes, Master."
Nita approached one of the men lying on the ground, her presence radiating an aura of concentration and power. With a determined gesture, she began to summon her healing flames, a fire that carried a unique regenerative power. The flames danced in her hands, emitting a comforting warmth and a golden light that contrasted with the dark scene.
As Nita channeled her abilities, the unconscious man began to show signs of recovery. His eyes slowly opened, confusion giving way to recognition as he regained consciousness. His body seemed to respond to the healing touch of Nita's flames, a gradual transformation taking place before everyone's eyes.
While Nita performed her task with unwavering focus, the man's lack of reaction to being approached by him might convey a mix of concentration and determination. Nita was fully immersed in her role as a healer, entirely focused on aiding the man's recovery and restoring his health.
"Master, the man has awakened."
"Understand. Ask him what happened."
"Yes, Master. Tell us what happened."
"The twins attacked us."
"Twins?," Castiel asked.
"Yes, Master. I've never seen them, but they're the elite of the Zura clan."
"I see. Nita, heal the other one, and let's proceed"
"Yes, Master."
With Nita's healing ability, she was able to bring relief and recovery to another fallen person, once again demonstrating her vital role in the team. After this moment of care, they all headed towards the barracks, where a distressing scene was unfolding before them.
Lifeless bodies lay on the ground, some dead and others injured and unconscious. The sight was a somber reminder of the battles that had taken place and the lives affected by violence.
As Castiel and his companions pressed on, the distant sounds of the battle echoed around them. The sound of conflict, mixed with the heavy and tense silence, created an atmosphere charged with expectation and anticipation. It was as if they were tracing the path of the war, walking towards its climax.
The scene conveyed a sense of imminence as Castiel and his companions approached the epicenter of the battle. The combination of war sounds and the backdrop of destruction reinforced the gravity of the situation.
"Stop, Miguel!," Castiel shouted.
Castiel's arrival and his team caught Miguel off guard, causing a mixture of surprise and fear that were clearly reflected in his expression.
Castiel's unexpected presence on the battlefield was a twist that Miguel hadn't anticipated, and this revelation triggered a series of tumultuous emotions within him.
However, as Castiel and his companions approached, Miguel began to grasp the reason behind their presence. A brief moment of understanding passed through his eyes, and he began to connect the dots between the current situation and Castiel's motives for being there.
"Miguel. Who are these?"
"Ah! Uh! Leader. This one is called Nena, and the one over there in the back is called Nina, and they said they are sisters."
"I see. So, it was them. Nita, heal them."
"But Master, they're my enemies."
"Nita, don't make me repeat myself." Castiel said, looking sternly at Nita.
"Wait! They're my prey. Even though I'm the Leader, I can't allow it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You don't understand. Are you sure, Miguel?"
When Miguel's name echoed in his ears, a sensation of immediate weight descended upon him, as if an internal alert was sounding loudly in his mind.
It was as if an invisible voice was whispering to him, a silent warning not to engage with this man. This subtle pressure, almost like intuition, triggered a deep sense of caution within Miguel.
This warning signal was familiar to Miguel, an inner voice that he had learned to respect in the past. It was a reflection of his sharp intuition, a warning that he shouldn't ignore.
"Understood. Do as you wish."
"Hahaha! That's right."
Nita focused her energy and healing abilities on Nena.
"Please, heal my sister first," Nena whispered.
"Do as she said, but don't fully heal them. Leave them incapacitated."
"Yes."
As Nita continued her healing mission, her steps guided her toward another person in need.
Meanwhile, Miguel was immersed in his own thoughts, his mind wandering through a labyrinth of reflections and emotions. His distraction was evident in his posture and expression.
'Why do I have to keep bowing down to this man? Now I am stronger, that pressure I felt before him is gone. I feel like I can win.'
Miguel, lost in his own tumultuous thoughts, felt a spark of impulsiveness rise within him.
The idea of attacking Castiel from behind took shape in his mind, fueled by his emotions and the complex web of conflicts surrounding him. He could sense the allure of the element of surprise and the possibility of gaining a momentary advantage. But...
"Miguel"
"Huh!"
"If I engage in this combat," Castiel's gaze turned towards Miguel, an eye contact that seemed to convey a series of unspoken messages. — I will explode you!
"What?"
Explosions began to come to life in Castiel's hands, a display of energy and power that illuminated the area around him. His gesture of raising his hands was a dominant exhibition, a silent command that resonated with authority and determination. The explosions seemed to dance in his palms, fiery sparks that echoed his imposing presence.
As energy accumulated in his hands, Castiel raised his voice, his words echoing through the tense and charged air:
"I'll blow up your arm and make it perish!"
His declaration was a promise and a warning, laden with meaning and intent. Castiel exuded an aura of unwavering resolve, a determination that the battle was reaching its climax and he was ready to face it.
The realization fell heavily upon Miguel, a revelation that echoed deeply within his consciousness. He understood the mistake he had made, facing someone of a much higher level of power than his own. A sense of humility invaded his mind as he recognized the difference between his previous self-confidence and the relentless reality before him.
"I'm sorry. This newfound power made me overly confident," Miguel spoke with a voice full of humility and reflection, his words echoing in the tense air around him.
His prostrated posture reflected his acknowledgment of the situation and his willingness to accept the consequences of his actions. It was as if his words carried an emotional weight, a sincere expression of regret and learning.
"I hope so."
While remaining prostrated, Miguel allowed his mind to wander through the recesses of his reflections. He began to contemplate the people who could surpass his own strength and abilities.
Images of the most powerful and formidable figures appeared before his eyes, a gallery of potential adversaries that rivaled his own potential.
'How could I have been so naive? Besides the leader, we have the former and current commanders, who are likely much more powerful than I am. How foolish I was, allowing power to go to my head. How could I have believed I was the strongest of all when there are geniuses like Max and true monsters like Izumi?'
These thoughts were like an exercise in self-discovery and critical analysis. Miguel recognized that the world was full of exceptional individuals, each with their own capabilities and extraordinary talents.
He understood that his own path of growth involved acknowledging these people and striving to improve himself.
With a blend of determination and humility, Miguel began to reshape his approach and his view of himself. He was determined to become a new being, someone who could embody confidence without falling into the trap of arrogance.
His thoughts were like clay being molded as he sculpted a new mindset, one that was more balanced and self-aware.
He found himself in the midst of a process of self-transformation, a journey to develop healthy self-assurance and a clear understanding of his own limitations.
'How naive I was.' With a satisfied smile curving his lips, Miguel allowed his thoughts to flow.
His smile reflected a sense of accomplishment, a sign that he was on the right path in his journey of self-discovery and transformation.