The battlefield was a stark contrast to the serene white space Sam had just left. The air was thick with the aftermath of destruction, the ground torn apart by the sheer force of the battle that had raged between Sam and Jordan. But now, Sam stood tall, his body surrounded by a crimson aura that crackled with raw energy. He felt the power of Valkor coursing through him, his confidence unshakable.
Jordan, still in his monstrous sand golem form, hesitated for the first time since the fight had begun. The sight of Sam, fully revitalized and emanating an overwhelming aura, gave him pause. There was something different about Sam now—something far more dangerous.
Sam raised Valkor, the sword glowing with a brilliant crimson light. The air around it seemed to vibrate with the sheer intensity of the energy being channeled through the blade. Sam's eyes locked onto Jordan, his expression calm but determined.
"This ends now, Jordan," Sam said, his voice steady and filled with purpose. "No more games."
Jordan growled, trying to mask his uncertainty with bravado. "You think you can defeat me with a single strike? You're delusional!"
Sam didn't respond with words. Instead, he focused all of his energy into Valkor, the blade now humming with an almost palpable force. The ground beneath him began to crack, unable to withstand the immense power being concentrated into the sword.
With a deep breath, Sam swung Valkor in a wide arc, channeling every ounce of his newfound strength into the blow. The crimson energy erupted from the blade in a blinding flash, surging toward Jordan with the force of a tidal wave.
The golem barely had time to react. The crimson energy struck Jordan with devastating precision, cutting through his massive form as if it were nothing. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, and for a brief moment, the entire battlefield was bathed in red light.
When the light faded, Jordan's golem form was no more. The sand that had made up his colossal body crumbled and dispersed into the wind, leaving behind only the broken figure of Jordan himself. He staggered backward, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief as he looked down at the wound that had cleaved through his chest.
"How… how is this possible?" Jordan gasped, his voice weak.
Sam stepped forward, his expression resolute. "Because you underestimated me. You underestimated Valkor. And now, you've paid the price."
With those final words, Jordan collapsed to the ground, his body lifeless. The once-feared vice captain of Squad 11 was no more.
Sam stood over Jordan's fallen form, taking a moment to catch his breath. The power coursing through him was still intense, but he could feel it beginning to settle, the crimson aura slowly fading. Valkor's energy was still with him, but it was now more controlled, more focused.
As the dust settled, Sam heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see Lyla and her soldiers emerging from the edge of the battlefield, their expressions a mix of relief and disbelief. They had been searching for him, fearing the worst after the brutal battle that had taken place.
When Lyla saw Sam standing there, unharmed and victorious, her eyes widened in surprise. "Sam… are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Sam looked at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "But there's no time to waste."
Lyla blinked, still processing the fact that Sam had not only survived but had completely overpowered one of the most formidable enemies they had ever faced. "What do you mean?"
Sam's gaze shifted to the horizon, his mind already focused on the next task. "Can you tell me which direction the city is?