The battle was intense. The entire Northern Empire was in turmoil. Rin and Winter were locked in fierce combat while Aoi led the women of the Takahashi clan.
"You really have improved, Winter! Did your new wife give you some special treat or what?" Rin taunted as she chanted, "Blizzard Barrage!" She unleashed a flurry of ice shards, a relentless storm of sharp blades pelting towards Winter. Winter created an ice barrier, shielding himself from critical hits, but he still received a few wounds.
"What about you, huh? You're lucky the Frost family ended, and your clan was able to take over!" Winter sneered, kicking the women of the Takahashi clan aside and stabbing two with the shards that hit him. "But your time has ended! I'm back to rule!" Winter charged at Rin, their ice blades clashing fiercely.
Meanwhile, back with Void and Zoe...
"How are you so sure they are safe?" Zoe asked, narrowing her brows, still angry and in a fighting stance.
"You're not stained with blood yet, nor is the blade you carry," Void observed, glancing at Zoe and her weapon. "Do you know what that means, Miss Zoe?"
"What do you mean I don't have what it takes to defeat you?" Zoe retorted, confused and angry, gritting her teeth.
"Are you nuts?" Void said. At this comment, Zoe's nerves flared, and she charged at him. Their blades clashed. "It means you have no interest in others, which also means I am your sole enemy, right?"
Zoe took a step back, trying to process everything. He's not like Winter! He's naive, spoiled, and childish, yet calculating, strong, and feminine! What in the world are you hiding beneath that annoying personality of yours, Void Middletown? she thought to herself.
"Now that we're deep in the palace where no one can see us, let's end this here and now!" Void declared, summoning his katana and taking his stance. He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he chanted, "Zone!" A wide and invisible zone surrounded the entire palace.
Zoe knew about this skill and didn't take him lightly. "Come on, Void! Come at me with everything you've got! I've trained for years for this!"
They engaged in a deep battle, their blades clashing continuously, destroying everything in their path. Why do I feel like he's on my level? Maybe the natural mana he's using is helping him, but how long can he keep up with me? Zoe wondered.
As they destroyed the palace, Zoe realized something. Her eyes widened as she understood. He's not fighting me with his blade; he's just using the ice blades he created for equal footing. She took another step back. "What do you think you're doing, Void?" Zoe demanded.
"What do you expect from me, to use my special move to fight you? Have you lost your mind? I still have no interest in ending your life. I'm fighting you just to corner you!" Void said, a confident smile playing on his face. "But if you want me to, bring your strongest move. Let's see who has more strength: you, a royal blood of a dragon family, or a typical nobody and commoner who got adopted by a noble..." Void's smile turned into a devilish grin. "No, the worst noble, right? According to you!"
As Void finished speaking, the air around the palace turned heavy. Two devilish auras surrounded the palace, the land, and the walls. Everything started shaking, as if the whole palace was about to collapse. Ice crystals with symbols formed around Void, while a purple dragon-like fire emerged behind Zoe.
"I won't hesitate. I'll use everything I've got. This is for justice, for vengeance, for my father! I won't be defeated here, not after getting so close!" Zoe thought, gathering all her mana. She got a glimpse of her past, her father's final words echoing in her mind: "Don't forget who you are, Zoe! Don't lose your sight over selfish reasons!"
"I don't know who she is, nor do I have any clue why she is after my life! But I have many things and many lives counting on my survival. The game hasn't begun yet. This unexpected event, I'll clear it and survive anyhow!" Void thought to himself.
"Zoe! Show me what you've got!" Void charged with his strike.
"Void Middletown! This is the end for you!" Zoe charged with her strike and her purple dragon-like fire. As they clashed, the whole palace exploded. A huge wave of impact formed around the palace, shaking everyone outside like an earthquake.
"Will Master be alright?" Arcane asked, bleeding from her head, shocked and terrified by the scene.
"I don't know," Cassey replied, thinking, Please stay safe, Void. Even if I hate you, I don't want to lose you!
"Void…?" Aoi said, looking at the explosion.
"Please! Stay alive, boy. You're not someone I can lose like this!" Rin thought to herself.