The air was tense as Gok stood face-to-face with Snake, the 5th Zodiac. Snake's serpentine movements and venomous smirk only added to the growing hostility between them.
"Did you really think you could challenge me, mortal?" Snake hissed, coiling his whip-like weapon around his arm.
Gok smirked, gripping the Infinite Blade tightly. "Challenge you? No, I plan to crush you."
---
Snake lunged forward, his whip slashing through the air with lightning speed. Gok dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. He countered with a swing of the Infinite Blade, the energy radiating from it causing the ground to tremble.
Snake barely avoided the attack, but the shockwave from Gok's blade shattered the terrain around them. "You're strong," Snake admitted, venom dripping from his words, "but strength alone won't save you."
Snake summoned his Zodiac power, transforming his body into a massive serpentine form. His scales glimmered with a metallic sheen, and his eyes burned with malevolent energy.
Gok leaped into the air, his blade glowing with golden light. "Let's see how tough you are!"
In one devastating slash, Gok cleaved through Snake's serpentine body. The Zodiac howled in pain, reverting to his humanoid form and collapsing to the ground.
"You... will regret this," Snake spat before fading into energy, leaving only his Zodiac crest behind.
---
The Villain's Resolve
As Gok picked up the crest, he felt a surge of power coursing through him. The battle had left him exhilarated, but something else stirred within him—a realization.
"The Zodiacs think they're untouchable," Gok muttered to himself. "But they bleed, just like anyone else. If they want to treat me like a villain, maybe it's time I start acting like one."
He began formulating a plan, a way to strike back at the Zodiacs and disrupt their control over the Ranker world. Gok would no longer play by their rules; he would become the villain they feared.
---
The Interruption
Just as Gok's resolve hardened, the familiar sound of slow, deliberate clapping filled the air. He turned to see Rat and Celestia standing a few feet away, their expressions unreadable.
"Well, well," Rat said, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "It seems our little miracle is embracing his darker side."
Celestia crossed her arms, her piercing blue eyes fixed on Gok. "You're walking a dangerous path, Gok."
Gok tightened his grip on the Infinite Blade. "What do you care? You're the ones who dragged me into this mess."
Rat's smirk widened. "True. But you're becoming... unpredictable. And we can't have that, can we?"
Before Gok could react, Rat raised his hand, and a shimmering portal appeared beneath Gok's feet.
"What the—" Gok shouted as he was pulled into the void, the Infinite Blade slipping from his grasp.
---
A New Beginning
As Gok disappeared into the void, Rat and Celestia stood in silence.
"He was getting too powerful," Celestia said softly.
Rat shrugged. "He'll survive. Miracles always do."
The scene shifted to the Hall of the Zodiacs, where the remaining members gathered. In the shadows, a new figure began to emerge—a young warrior with piercing green eyes and a mysterious aura.
"Your time has come," a deep voice echoed, addressing the newcomer. "The world needs a new hero."
The chapter ends with the 9th Zodiac, Monkey, watching from his throne, his red eyes gleaming with interest.
"To see the Rat take such drastic measures... this is getting entertaining."