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Chapter 22 - MIONARA VERSUS ZENO

After witnessing Sara's brutal murder, a fire ignited in the hearts of the agents, burning hotter than any fear they had ever known. The desire for vengeance surged through them, but the task ahead was daunting. Their enemies were not only powerful, but numerous—an army of shadows, ready to extinguish their lives at any moment.

Mionara found himself face-to-face with Zeno, a hulking brute of a man with a scar slashed across his face, wielding a sword as massive as he was. Zeno exuded a raw, intimidating strength, each movement deliberate and menacing. Mionara, however, was calm, his twin katanas gleaming under the dim light of the cavern. His eyes locked with Zeno's, unflinching.

Without warning, they charged at each other, their swords clashing in a burst of sparks. Zeno swung his enormous blade with terrifying force, each strike thundering through the cave like the roar of a beast. But Mionara, swift and agile, danced around the attacks, deflecting each with precision. His katanas sliced the air with surgical efficiency, landing shallow cuts on Zeno's armor.

The battle was fierce, blood spraying into the air as their blades met again and again. Zeno's sheer strength sent tremors through Mionara's arms with each block, but Mionara's speed kept him one step ahead, countering each strike with nimble footwork and deadly grace. Around them, the other agents fought their own battles, but all eyes were drawn to the titanic struggle unfolding between the two warriors.

Suddenly, Zeno dropped his sword, the heavy weapon clattering to the ground. He charged at Mionara with his fists, his face twisted into a snarl. But Mionara was quicker still, dodging the brute's punches and slashing at his arms with precision. The clash of steel against flesh rang out, and Zeno's growls filled the cave as blood trickled down his forearms.

"Who are you?" Mionara demanded, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

"I am Zeno, one of Father's most loyal followers," the giant snarled, lunging at Mionara once more.

Mionara sidestepped, his katanas flashing as they cut into Zeno's side. Zeno grunted in pain but responded with a swift, devastating kick that Mionara barely blocked, the impact sending him skidding back across the rocky ground.

The fight grew more vicious. Zeno's attacks became wilder, fueled by fury, but Mionara was beginning to tire. His breathing grew ragged, his movements less fluid as fatigue set in. Zeno capitalized on this, landing a brutal punch to Mionara's ribs, the force of it sending him crashing into the cave wall. Mionara gasped, the wind knocked out of him, but he wasn't finished yet.

In a sudden surge of inner strength, Mionara's katanas ignited, flames licking up the blades as the heat of his hidden power erupted from within. The cave around him glowed with the fiery light, and Zeno's eyes widened in shock. Mionara rose, his body now emanating an aura of raw energy, and charged. His steps were no longer weary—he moved with the fluidity of a predator closing in on its prey.

Zeno, momentarily stunned by the sudden transformation, raised his arms to defend himself, but Mionara's fiery blades made quick work of the armor that once protected him. The flames seared through metal and flesh alike, leaving Zeno exposed and vulnerable. Each strike came faster than the last, Mionara's fury manifesting in a relentless onslaught.

Zeno swung wildly, trying to catch Mionara off guard, but his strength no longer matched Mionara's precision. The fire in Mionara's katanas burned brighter with every passing second, and it was clear who was the superior fighter now.

Even as defeat loomed over him, Zeno refused to surrender. With one last desperate roar, he lunged at Mionara, fists raised for a final strike. Mionara was momentarily caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack and took a hit, the force sending him stumbling back. But he quickly regained his footing, his eyes burning with determination.

With a swift, final motion, Mionara swung his flaming katanas in a deadly arc, slicing clean through Zeno's defenses. Sparks flew, and in a flash of fire, Zeno fell to his knees, defeated. Mionara, his breath heavy but victorious, stood over the fallen warrior, his blades still burning with the remnants of his unleashed power.

He looked around, scanning the battlefield. His comrades were still locked in combat, but the loss of Sara had only sharpened their resolve. Mionara, his resolve stronger than ever, rejoined the fray without hesitation.

Taizen, meanwhile, found himself surrounded by two agile, acrobatic enemies. Their movements were fluid, graceful—almost like a dance, making them difficult targets. Taizen, known for his speed and endurance, darted between them, his katana flashing as he tried to land a hit. But the enemies were fast, too fast. Their flips and spins made them elusive, and Taizen was starting to tire.

But Taizen was nothing if not adaptable. His years of training had honed his instincts, and he began to anticipate their movements. With a swift slash, he caught one of his opponents off guard, his katana slicing through the enemy's arm. The scream of pain was all Taizen needed to press his advantage, his blade flashing as he delivered a series of devastating strikes.

The other enemy hesitated for a moment, distracted by their comrade's fall. That was the opening Taizen needed. He lunged forward, his katana aimed at the enemy's heart, but they twisted away at the last second. Taizen gritted his teeth, determined to finish this fight, even as exhaustion tugged at his limbs.

The two acrobats, sensing their advantage slipping away, charged at him in unison, their movements a blur of speed. But Taizen was ready. He dodged their attacks with precision and countered with a flurry of strikes so swift they couldn't keep up. With a final, decisive slash, Taizen ended the fight, his enemies crumpling to the ground at his feet.

He took a moment to catch his breath, scanning the battlefield. His team still fought valiantly, but the battle was far from over. Seventeen enemies remained. Taizen's grip on his sword tightened. There was no time to rest.

On the far side of the cave, Rico was locked in a brutal struggle against the Father. The villain unleashed magical blasts with frightening speed, each one forcing Rico to stay on the defensive. Despite his best efforts, Rico could only dodge for so long. He needed to close the distance—and fast.

Finally, with a surge of adrenaline, Rico broke through the Father's defenses, landing several powerful blows. But the Father retaliated with a barrage of magical energy, hitting Rico in the arm and forcing him to retreat. The pain was excruciating, but Rico's resolve was stronger than ever. He charged again, pushing through the agony, determined to end the fight once and for all.

As the Father unleashed another wave of blasts, Rico saw his opportunity. He dodged the incoming attack and lunged forward, landing a devastating blow to the Father's gut. For a moment, the Father appeared defeated, his body collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

But as Rico turned his back to face the other enemies, a sudden movement caught his eye. The Father wasn't dead. He rose with a speed fueled by rage, pulled a short sword from his robe, and in one swift motion, he sliced Rico's head clean off.

The agents froze in horror as Rico's body crumpled to the ground, his blood pooling around him. The Father stood over his fallen opponent, a wicked smile on his lips. His maniacal laughter echoed through the cave as he raised his sword high, ready to finish what he had started.