Xeno moved his leg and kicked forward, thrusting his katana at Wolot. His speed was blinding, his movements precise. Wolot sidestepped, dodging the attack, and lunged his hand at Xeno, who blocked with the side of his katana.
Wolot threw more blows, and Xeno countered each with precise swings of his katana. Xeno chose to dodge the next punch rather than counter it. He bent down, moved forward, and, with a single swing, sliced off Wolot's right hand. Twisting his body, he aimed for Wolot's core, but Wolot caught the blade with his left hand.
"This is more like it, Xeno. Entertain me, but don't let your guard down."
The severed hand generated two clones, both preparing to attack from behind.
Xeno's blade was tightly gripped in Wolot's hand. It seemed he was cornered.
Immediately, two tentacles shot out from Xeno's back, blocking the attacks from behind. Branching tentacles extended and quickly sliced through both Nephilim clones, dicing them into pieces.
The tentacles then shot forward at Wolot, who released Xeno's katana and leaped backward, evading the attack.
"Nice," Wolot exclaimed.
From the scattered flesh on the ground, multiple clones emerged.
"Maybe you've forgotten how my power works, you're only making things worse," Wolot said.
"I always do my research. The more clones you make, the less efficient they become, and the same goes for you. Strength, speed, reaction time… all of it diminishes, doesn't it?" Xeno taunted.
"Let's see about that, then," Wolot smirked as all the clones rushed at Xeno.
Xeno crouched in a fighting stance, swinging his katana in precise arcs, swiftly cutting down the advancing clones.
"Awesome! Their movements are fast, even given their size," Hinetsu commented.
"The one with the katana is the most terrifying. He might win, but it won't be easy," Reiko added.
"Instead of analyzing their combat, maybe we should think about why they're fighting and what the winner intends to do next. We might even be the reason they're fighting," Soyo suggested.
Some watched the battle for entertainment, others with wary anticipation, and some with full knowledge of who was fighting. But the true reason remained unknown.
"Nnn! Where are we… what's happening?" Aya, still alive and in pain, groaned. Kitetsu had stayed by her side.
"We're on top of the walls. The helicopter will be here soon, just hold on," Kitetsu said, gripping her hand tightly.
"How is she, dude?" Haruchi walked over, crouching down to take a closer look.
"Nothing's changed, her condition isn't getting out of hand either," Kitetsu explained, and Haruchi patted his shoulder.
"It'll be alright, dude," he reassured and then walked away.
At the far end, Saiya was making final preparations, checking her suit and weapons. Everything was intact, and she was ready to go. She walked up to Leonard.
"Captain, I'm ready to go," she said.
"To where?" Leonard asked.
"To look for Ryuma. Have you already forgotten?"
"I haven't forgotten, but it's too dangerous to go back now," Leonard replied firmly. "It's too risky."
"But if we don't go—"
Leonard turned to her, his expression hard. "Lieutenant Saiya, stand down. We'll go back once things settle between those two. For now, it's just too dangerous…" He looked back toward the base. "...We just have to pray Lieutenant Nagato reaches the South Gate safely."
Saiya relented, dropping her argument. She had no choice but to watch. Even if she went back, there was little she could do.
She turned her attention back to the battle, which seemed close to a conclusion.
Over ten Wolot clones surrounded Xeno, with the original Wolot keeping his distance.
Wolot looked as if he were being pushed to the edge, though he didn't show it. On the other hand, Xeno appeared entirely unfazed, calm, composed, and showing no signs of exhaustion.
"I've always wanted to ask you… why did you kill Luric? She was fond of you. Why did you betray her?" Wolot asked.
"I didn't kill her. She's inside me. We are one," Xeno replied.
"What do you mean? You took her core; you devoured her—"
"Does that mean she's dead?" Xeno interrupted, his question bewildering.
"What are you saying… she's not dead?" Wolot asked.
"Even though you were designed to be the smartest among us, there are things you'll never comprehend." Xeno shifted his katana into a long spear and thrust it at Wolot. Wolot caught it just inches from his core, the force pushing him back, but he held his ground.
Xeno then created two blades, one in each hand. He sped forward, beheading the surrounding clones, then appeared in front of Wolot and swung in twin arcs, severing both his hands.
"This is the end, Wolot. You can't beat me." Xeno raised his blade, ready to pierce Wolot's chest, but froze midway. His body went rigid, the tentacles on his back falling limp, and then he began to tremble violently. In an instant, his transformation reversed, and Ryuma unconscious fell from the height, landing on the ground.
***
"It's finally over," Soyo exclaimed, as everyone drew closer to the edge of the wall to take a look.
"Ryuma…" Saiya murmured, loud enough for Leonard to hear.
"What is it, did you see him?" Leonard asked.
"Yes, I see him… Ryuma!" She leapt from the wall, running down its side at an insane speed.
"Saiya!" Leonard shouted.
"Mrs. Saiya! Where the hell is she going? Should I go after her, Captain?" Haruchi asked.
Leonard's calm expression now held a trace of bitterness. "Don't go after her. She chose to disobey my command."
Haruchi hesitated but eventually obeyed.
"That's insane! Are we just going to let her go on her own?" Hinetsu barked.
"I'm not your commander. Do as your captain deems right," Leonard replied.
Hinetsu clicked her tongue and glanced at Reiko, who shook her head, rejecting the idea of following Saiya.
***
"For a moment, you almost had me worried…" Wolot sighed in relief. He looked down at Ryuma on the ground, reaching out his hand to pick him up. "...playtime is over; I should retrieve—"
A gust of wind sliced past, and his hand dropped to the ground.
"What was that?" Wolot muttered, scanning his surroundings until his gaze locked onto Nagato, standing protectively in front of the unconscious Ryuma, his Quincy weapon strapped to his right hand.