Mearlion descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the cruise. He walked among the people, his eyes gleaming as he observed their sadness. A voice cut through the despair. "HEY, LOW-LEVEL CREATURE!"
Mearlion turned sharply, only to be met by a hand that struck his face. He staggered back, surprised. Standing there was Khusi, his expression defiant.
"Can't you do anything better than this?" Khusi taunted.
Fury burned in Mearlion's eyes. His fists clenched tightly, and without a word, he vanished, reappearing behind Khusi in an instant.
Khusi's heart raced, and he took two steps back, fear flashing in his eyes. But he didn't hesitate. He lunged at Mearlion, throwing a punch. Mearlion easily dodged it and countered with swift strikes of his own, pushing Khusi on the defensive.
Khusi rolled back, his mind racing. He glanced around and saw his brother, Aryan, in a deep state of despair. His heart sank. He dashed toward him, trying to pull Aryan out of his tortured imagination.
But Aryan couldn't break free.
Mearlion's fury intensified. He stormed forward, delivering a brutal punch. Khusi's protective instincts kicked in, and he shielded his brother, taking the hit instead. He staggered, barely keeping his footing. Khusi fell to the ground, winded.
Mearlion raised his hand, summoning a blazing fireball. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it toward Khusi.
Just as it was about to strike, Aryan appeared from behind his brother, his expression filled with determination. He raised his arms, blocking the fiery attack.
Khusi's breath caught in relief.
Khusi wiped the sweat from his brow. "He's too much for me to handle alone, Aryan. Give me a hand!"
Aryan stepped forward, his resolve hardening as he joined his brother.
The two locked hands briefly, drawing strength from each other before turning to face Mearlion. The air crackled with tension as the battle resumed.
Mearlion unleashed a barrage of magic, flames and energy swirling around him, his power overwhelming. Aryan and Khusi fought back with raw, brute strength, their punches and kicks connecting with precision. The ship trembled under the intensity of their clash, but neither side relented.
Mearlion smirked, his movements fluid and confident. "Is this all you've got?" he taunted, casting another wave of fire toward them.
Aryan and Khusi dodged in unison, their focus unbroken. They worked together seamlessly, attacking from both sides to overwhelm Mearlion. Blow after blow landed, but every injury Mearlion sustained regenerated within moments.
On the other hand, Aryan and Khusi were tiring. Cuts and bruises covered their bodies, blood dripping from their wounds. Their breaths grew heavier, their movements slower.
Despite the pain, they kept fighting, pushing themselves beyond their limits. Their strikes landed with increasing desperation, but Mearlion's laughter echoed through the chaos.
"You humans amuse me," Mearlion sneered. "No matter how hard you try, you cannot win."
Finally, the two brothers collapsed to their knees, their energy nearly drained. Khusi looked at Aryan, his voice weak but defiant. "We can't let him win... We just can't."
Mearlion loomed over them, his eyes glowing with victory. "You've fought well for mortals," he said mockingly, "but this is where it ends."
"I already told you both—you are far beneath me," he sneered. "Now, I'll kill everyone here, starting with you, poor weakling." His glowing eyes locked onto Khusi.
Khusi froze for a moment, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Aryan… I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice filled with guilt and despair.
Aryan's heart sank. He had never seen Khusi like this before—defeated, his usual fire dimmed.
But then, Khusi's hand clenched into a fist. He raised it above his head and took a deep, deliberate breath.
The air around him shifted.
The ocean rippled, and droplets of water began to rise, shimmering like tiny crystals in the air. The atmosphere grew heavy, the wind swirling faster. Aryan stared in disbelief as the temperature seemed to drop, and the world around them became eerily quiet.
Then, a faint glow appeared on Khusi's neck, forming into a distinct Z mark.
Mearlion's smirk faltered. "What… is this?" he muttered, his voice tinged with unease.
Aryan was equally stunned, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he watched his brother transform before his eyes.
Khusi stood tall now, his eyes blazing with newfound energy. The water droplets continued to rise, forming a swirling barrier around him.
For the first time, Mearlion hesitated. "Impossible…" he whispered, his confident demeanor cracking. His voice was sharp, yet curious. "Did you… awaken the Z Cell? No mere human can summon such power."
Khusi's expression was calm but resolute. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his tone unwavering.
"But let me make one thing clear," Khusi continued, his gaze piercing through Mearlion. He stepped forward, the ground beneath him trembling. "From now on, it's one-on-one."
Aryan, still on his knees, stared at his brother in awe. Khusi's presence was different—strong, commanding, almost otherworldly.
Mearlion's lips curled into a wicked grin, his confidence returning. "Interesting. You've grown a little spine. But power alone won't save you from me."
Khusi raised his fists, the swirling energy around him surging as he prepared to face Mearlion head-on.
The battle had just taken a new turn.