Jingwei hovered in the sky, his left arm throbbing with pain as the venom from Shade's dagger coursed through his veins. Blackened lines crept along his skin, and his breathing grew labored, but his resolve remained unbroken. His sharp eyes scanned the chaos below, locking onto Shade and Viper as they regrouped on a nearby rooftop.
Shade stood beside Viper, venom dripping from his daggers as he sheathed them. "He's already done for," Shade said coolly. "The venom will take over soon. His senses will dull, and his strength will fail. It's only a matter of time."
Viper nodded, his smirk widening as he aimed his sleek, long-range firearm at Jingwei. "Makes my job easier. Let's see how well the great Sentinel Commander fights when he can't even stand."
Shade chuckled, his tone mocking. "Just don't miss."
Jingwei's sharp gaze flicked between the two as he fought the growing fatigue in his body. His All-Seeing ability flared once more, allowing him to trace Viper's aim and Shade's position in perfect clarity. The venom was weakening him, but he wasn't done yet.
Madagascar's Charge Toward the Palace
Meanwhile, Madagascar raced through the burning streets of the city. Two demon monkeys perched on his shoulders, their glowing eyes scanning for threats as they howled warnings to their master.
Explosions echoed in the distance, and smoke choked the air, but Madagascar's focus was unwavering. His golden eyes gleamed as he scanned the chaos. His massive frame thundered through the streets, his every step shaking the ground as civilians scrambled to flee from the destruction.
His orders were clear: protect the King's Palace at all costs. An unknown figure had been sighted moving toward the palace, and Madagascar's duty was to stop them before they could bring harm to the heart of the Free World.
As he approached the palace gates, he slowed, his sharp gaze darting across the battlefield. The smoke and flames distorted his vision, but his instincts told him the threat was near. The two demon monkeys screeched, leaping from his shoulders to scout the area ahead.
"Show yourselves," Madagascar growled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "If you think you'll breach these walls, you've made your last mistake."
On the eastern side of the city, the battle between Renik, Saria, and the lone Gold Brother raged on. The clash had been brutal, the ground littered with scorch marks, shattered chains, and debris. The Gold Brother stood battered but defiant, his golden aura flickering like a flame in the wind. His once-gleaming armor was cracked, blood dripping from several wounds, but his presence was still commanding.
Renik wiped a trail of blood from his chin, smirking through the pain. "You're tough, I'll give you that," he said, his tone half-admiring. "But even a golden knight bleeds."
Saria's chains writhed around her like living serpents, their dark energy crackling in the air. She tightened her grip, her voice calm but deadly. "You're outnumbered, outmatched, and out of time. Just fall already."
The Gold Brother raised his fists, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "I was forged to stand alone, to protect the Free World against all threats. If you think two traitors will be my end, you're mistaken."
Renik chuckled, stepping forward with a surge of energy sparking between his hands. "Then let's make this quick. I'm getting bored."
The three fighters clashed again, the sound of chains snapping and energy crackling echoing through the ruined streets. The Gold Brother's movements were slower now, his strikes powerful but less precise as fatigue set in. Saria's chains lashed out like whips, forcing him on the defensive, while Renik moved in for close-quarters attacks.
Despite their efforts, the Gold Brother refused to fall. Each blow he took seemed to fuel his determination, his golden aura flaring brighter as he pushed back against the overwhelming odds.