The first explosion shook the city to its core. Buildings trembled, their foundations rattling under the immense force of the attack. The sky above Shizumi darkened, not from the night, but from the shadows of massive dragons descending upon the battlefield. Their roars echoed through the air, shaking the very spirit of the warriors below. Flames erupted, consuming structures in an inferno of destruction. Screams mixed with the clash of steel as the defenders fought desperately to hold their ground.
Hakan stood amidst the chaos, his cloak billowing in the heated wind. His gaze darted across the battlefield, analyzing every movement, every collapse, every push from both sides. The dragons were more devastating than anticipated. Even with the combined might of the guilds, the battlefield was turning into a graveyard far too quickly.
Alaric was already in motion, directing the Black Dragons as they worked to counter the aerial threat. Sylvia's illusions flickered through the streets, disorienting enemy forces, while Torren's flames clashed against the dragons' fire in an elemental battle of destruction. Rina's barriers held firm, shielding civilians and soldiers alike from the falling debris.
Yet it wasn't enough.
Aria's guild moved like shadows. "Lucian, Nera, take the rooftops! Strike them before they reach the civilian zones!" she ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
Lucian Stride, her vice commander, vanished into the darkness with a flicker, appearing moments later above an unsuspecting ogre. His ethereal blade shimmered as it slashed through the beast's thick hide, cutting it down in one fluid motion.
Dante Cross, his molten gauntlets pulsing with infernal energy, clenched his fists. "Infernal Aegis, hold the western line! Vera, take Bran and Talia to the barricades—melt down anything that tries to breach!"
The ground rumbled as Bran Bloodfire slammed his fists into the earth, triggering an eruption of molten rock that swallowed a charging horde of orcs. Talia Emberstone followed up, her fire wave igniting the remaining stragglers.
Hakan moved through the battlefield like a storm, his body a blur of motion as he tore through enemies with sheer physical strength. A massive ogre raised its club to crush him, but he dodged at the last second, using the momentum to deliver a brutal kick that sent the beast flying into a row of charging orcs.
Alaric was at his side in an instant, kinetic energy rippling from his hands. "We can't hold them like this forever! There are too many!"
Hakan's gaze snapped to the skies, where the dragons circled ominously. "Then we take out their aerial advantage first."
Kaede, already airborne, called down a bolt of lightning that struck a wyvern mid-flight, sending its smoldering body crashing into the city streets. "I can hold them off, but we need reinforcements!"
Raiden appeared next to her in a burst of void energy. "Then let's give them something to fear."
Channeling his power, Raiden extended his hand toward the largest dragon in the sky. A swirling vortex of void energy formed around it, distorting space itself. The dragon roared in agony as it was pulled into the abyssal rift, vanishing in an instant.
"Alaric!" Hakan's voice cut through the battle's chaos, firm and commanding. Alaric turned from his fight, eyes sharp with focus. "Hold the city. Defend it at all costs. Do not let them advance further."
Alaric's brow furrowed. "What are you planning?"
"I'm going to the High Tower," Hakan declared. "With Aria, Ezekiel, and their seconds."
Alaric hesitated for only a second before nodding. He knew better than to argue when Hakan had already made up his mind. "Then go. We'll keep them at bay."
Without another word, Hakan turned to Aria and Ezekiel. "We leave now."
Aria gave a quick nod, her phantom-like presence already shifting as she prepared to move. Ezekiel smirked, his shadows coiling around him like living entities. "Finally. I was getting bored of waiting."
Their second-in-commands, Lucian Stride and Maris Dusk, appeared by their sides, ready and waiting.
The five of them sprinted through the burning streets, cutting through enemy lines with swift precision. Aria phased through the rubble, striking down any foe that dared to stand in their way. Lucian's ethereal weapons slashed through armored beasts, leaving them crippled in mere moments. Ezekiel's shadows wove a deadly path, consuming threats in darkness, while Maris ensured no pursuers followed.
Hakan led them forward, each movement precise, each step unwavering.
The High Tower loomed ahead, an unshaken monolith amidst the chaos. It was their destination. Their battleground. The place where the fate of this war would be decided.
As they reached the base of the tower, Hakan cast one final glance at the burning city behind him.
'Hold on, Alaric. We will finish this.'
Then, without hesitation, he pushed forward. The real battle had only just begun.
Hakan and his squad moved swiftly through the war-torn streets of Shizumi. The closer they got to the High Tower, the thicker the enemy presence became. Aberrations of all forms—mutated beasts, armored orcs, and even rogue warriors—emerged from the shadows to stop them.
Aria flickered in and out of sight, her phantom strikes slicing through enemies before they could react. Ezekiel melted into the darkness, dragging adversaries into the abyss with shadow tendrils. Lucian's ethereal blades cut through monstrous flesh, while Maris's shadows concealed their movements, making them ghosts in the battlefield.
The opposition barely lasted a minute before their bodies fell limp, painting the streets crimson.
As they took a moment to gather themselves, Aria turned to Hakan, her tone sharp. "You're leading us straight into the lion's den. What's the plan?"
Ezekiel smirked, flicking away excess blood from his dagger. "Yeah, because right now, it just looks like we're walking into a slaughterhouse."
Hakan's expression remained unreadable, but his voice was firm. "We infiltrate the High Tower in phases. I'll be the distraction—draw their strongest warriors to me. Aria, you and Lucian will phase through the upper floors, eliminating the commanders in charge of their formations. Ezekiel, you and Maris handle sabotage—shut down their internal defenses, disrupt their communication."
Lucian frowned. "That's assuming we can even reach the upper floors without being overwhelmed."
Hakan locked eyes with him. "That's why I'll be drawing all the attention. You won't be overwhelmed, because they'll all be too focused on me."
Aria and Ezekiel exchanged glances. The plan was bold—borderline suicidal—but the confidence in Hakan's voice left no room for doubt.
Ezekiel chuckled. "You're either a genius or a madman."
Hakan cracked a rare smirk. "Maybe both. Now move."
Back at the Hero Accord Headquarters, chaos reigned. The once-strategic war council had devolved into panic. Reports flooded in from all corners of Shizumi—the city was losing ground, the dragons were razing entire districts, and the High Tower's forces were proving far stronger than anticipated.
Chief Tanaka stood in the center of it all, sweat beading on his forehead. His hands gripped the comms table as he barked orders. "We need reinforcements—now! Get me a direct line to Pakistan, China, and India. We're running out of time!"
The officials scrambled, making emergency calls to their respective foreign divisions. The weight of an entire nation's survival rested on their shoulders.
Pakistan's line connected first. An officer answered, his voice heavy with concern. "This is Commander Iqbal of the Pakistani Hero Accord. How may I help you ?"
"This is Chief Shiro Tanaka from the Japanese Hero Accord!" Tanaka's voice trembled with urgency. "We are facing a dire situation and need the assistance of the Seven-Star Dragon Prince. Please, help us!"
On the other end of the call, Iqbal responded calmly, his tone unwavering. "Mr. Tanaka, I'm truly sorry, but we've also had a tower break here in Pakistan. Soren is currently occupied dealing with it."
Tanaka's eyes widened in shock. "A break in Pakistan as well?"
"Yes," Iqbal confirmed, his voice steady. "But Soren alone will be enough to handle it. Let me check with the other heroes and see if we can spare some reinforcements."
Despite the severity of the situation, Iqbal's composed demeanor made it clear—when you had a Seven-Star hero like Soren, even a crisis of this scale didn't shake you.
Tanaka took a deep breath before dialing his next call. The line connected with a quiet chime, and soon a deep, measured voice spoke on the other end.
"This is Ren Tianlong, leader of Celestial Dominion," the voice carried an air of absolute authority.
"Master Ren, this is Chief Shiro Tanaka of the Japanese Hero Accord," Tanaka began, trying to steady his voice. "We are in urgent need of reinforcements. The tower break in Shizumi is worse than we anticipated. We request your aid."
There was a brief silence before Ren Tianlong responded, his tone unshaken. "I understand your situation, Chief Tanaka. However, China faces its own crisis. A disturbance in our domain requires my full attention."
Tanaka clenched his fists. "A disturbance? Is there another break?"
Ren Tianlong exhaled, the faintest trace of irritation in his voice. "Not a break—something worse. The balance of our territory is shifting. If I leave now, it may spiral beyond our control. I cannot risk it."
Tanaka hesitated. Ren Tianlong's ability, Absolute Dominion, made him one of the most formidable heroes in the world. If he refused to come, there had to be a reason.
"What about your second-in-command, Xian Fei? Could he—?"
"No," Ren Tianlong interrupted. "Xian Fei is already deployed elsewhere. We cannot spare anyone at this time."
Tanaka felt the weight of those words sink in. First Pakistan, now China—no one could send help. Shizumi was on its own.
"I understand," Tanaka finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for your time, Master Ren."
The call ended with a quiet click, leaving Tanaka gripping his forehead. The situation was getting worse by the second.
As Tanaka slumped back into his chair, despair creeping into his expression, the weight of the situation threatened to crush him. The Japanese Hero Accord had reached out to the world's strongest guilds, yet every call had ended in disappointment. The Dragon Prince was occupied. Celestial Dominion had their hands full. The strongest powers in the world were too entangled in their own battles to aid Japan.
A heavy silence filled the war room, broken only by the flickering screen of the news broadcast. The people of Japan were watching, waiting—praying—for salvation.
Then, Tanaka's phone buzzed. A call from Iqbal.
With a hesitant breath, he answered. "Iqbal, if this is more bad news, I—"
"The Silver Valkyries are deploying to Japan," Iqbal interrupted. His voice, though calm as ever, carried a weight of finality. "They will reach you soon."
For a moment, Tanaka simply sat there, stunned. Then, a sharp inhale. His grip on the phone tightened. "The Silver Valkyries? Iffah's guild?"
"The very same."
A murmur rippled through the war room. The Silver Valkyries—an elite, all-female guild known for their precision, discipline, and unwavering determination—were legends in their own right. Their leader, Iffah, the Valkyrie of Dawn, was renowned for turning the tide of battle with her devastating Solar Spear, a projectile of concentrated solar energy capable of piercing even the strongest defenses. They were the guardians of the Indus, a force feared and revered in equal measure.
"They are on their way," Iqbal continued. "Japan will not stand alone."
The room remained still for a moment longer before a wave of relief crashed over them. Some of the officers exhaled sharply. Others exchanged glances of cautious optimism. But Tanaka—Tanaka felt something he had not dared to hope for in the last twelve hours.
Hope.
"We will prepare for their arrival," he finally said, his voice steadier now. "And this time… we will push back."
As the broadcast continued, the world now knew: the Silver Valkyries had entered the fray.
And with them, dawn was breaking over Japan's darkest night.
Hakan and his squad stood at the entrance to the High Tower, staring up at its towering form. The dark stone structure pulsed with an ominous energy, the very air around it thick with power.
"Stay sharp," Hakan murmured. "The moment we step inside, there's no turning back."
Aria narrowed her eyes, sensing something ahead. "Something's waiting for us."
The massive doors creaked open as if beckoning them forward. The moment they stepped inside, torches along the walls ignited, revealing a vast chamber. A figure stood at the far end—a warrior clad in dark armor, a jagged greatsword resting in his grasp. His crimson eyes locked onto them with cold amusement.
"Welcome," the warrior said, his voice like grinding steel. "I am Darius, Guardian of the First Gate. If you wish to proceed, you must defeat me."
Hakan stepped forward, his stance unwavering. "Then let's get this over with."
Without another word, Darius lunged.
Darius moved with startling speed, his massive frame a blur as he lunged forward. The jagged greatsword whistled through the air, cutting a deadly arc toward Hakan's head.
BOOM!
Hakan dodged at the last moment, the sheer force of the strike shattering the stone floor where he had stood. Shards of rock blasted outward, forcing the others to step back.
"Faster than I expected," Hakan muttered.
Darius grinned, his crimson eyes gleaming. "You'll find I am much more than a mere guardian."
He twisted, using the momentum of his failed strike to spin his greatsword in a vicious upward slash. The air trembled as the blade carved through it.
This time, Hakan didn't dodge.
CLANG!
He caught the blade with his bare hands. The impact sent a deep tremor through the chamber, dust and debris swirling like a storm. Sparks danced along the edge of the dark steel as Hakan's fingers gripped it tightly.
Darius's grin faltered for the first time.
"Impossible—"
Hakan's muscles tensed. Then, with a single motion, he wrenched the blade to the side and drove his knee into Darius's chest.
WHAM!
The orc warrior was sent flying backward, crashing into a stone pillar with an earth-shaking boom. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ancient structure, but Darius didn't stay down for long.
He pushed himself up, spitting blood onto the floor. Instead of anger, there was something else in his expression—exhilaration.
"Good," he growled, wiping his mouth. "A warrior worthy of this tower."
Dark energy pulsed around him as he raised his greatsword once more. The cracks in the blade began to glow a deep crimson, runes igniting across its length. The air grew heavier, suffused with raw killing intent.
Darius was no ordinary opponent.
"Be honored," he said. "Few have seen me at my full strength and lived to speak of it."
Hakan cracked his knuckles. "Then let's finish this."
Darius roared, the chamber shaking as he charged once more.
This time, the real fight began.
Darius charged, his crimson blade howling through the air, his sheer presence like a warlord leading an unstoppable conquest.
But to Hakan?
He was nothing.
BOOM!
Hakan moved.
One step forward—then a devastating fist to Darius's gut.
The massive orc warrior's body folded inward before being blasted backward like a cannonball, slamming into the far wall. The impact shattered stone, sending cracks racing across the chamber.
Dust filled the air. Silence followed.
Maris Dusk, standing beside Ezekiel, stiffened. Her sharp, calculating eyes narrowed as she whispered, "That wasn't even a proper punch…"
Lucian Stride, Aria's second-in-command, remained still, his usual composed demeanor faltering for the first time. His hand hovered near his ethereal daggers, but he slowly lowered them. What was the point?
Even Aria and Ezekiel, both seasoned warriors, said nothing. They had expected Hakan to be strong—but this?
Darius coughed, staggering to his feet. His dark armor was cracked, his grip on his sword unsteady. But his crimson eyes burned with disbelief.
"I…" he growled, "am the Guardian of the First Gate. I have crushed—"
Hakan appeared in front of him.
A crushing kick to the ribs sent the orc warrior flying again—this time embedding him into the ground, forming a deep crater.
Ezekiel let out a slow breath. "Damn…"
Maris crossed her arms. "Well, now we know."
Lucian's gaze remained locked on Hakan. "The gap between us… is beyond measure."
Aria exhaled, her fingers twitching slightly. "He's not just strong. He's on a completely different level."
Hakan rolled his shoulders. "You're tough," he muttered, staring at the broken warrior beneath him. "But not enough."
Darius spat blood, struggling to breathe. Yet, even now, he chuckled hoarsely.
"So this… is what it feels like… to be nothing before true strength."
Hakan didn't respond.
He turned to the group. "Move forward. I'll deal with him."
Ezekiel hesitated. "You sure?"
Hakan shot him a sharp look. "Do I look like I need help?"
Aria sighed, nodding. "Let's go."
Maris smirked slightly but followed without another word.
Lucian cast one last glance at Darius before stepping forward. "We'll wait ahead."
With that, the three left, their footsteps fading into the corridor.
Darius, still on the ground, laughed weakly. "You… you're not human…"
Hakan looked down at him, eyes cold.
"No."
His voice was calm, absolute.
"I'm just stronger."
With that, he stepped forward, ready to end it.
Darius coughed, his battered form trembling as he tried to rise. Every movement sent fresh agony through his shattered ribs. Blood dripped from his lips, staining the stone beneath him.
Hakan stepped closer, his presence suffocating. He loomed over the fallen orc warrior, his gaze unreadable.
Darius let out a hoarse chuckle. "So… you gonna finish me?"
Hakan's expression remained cold. He lifted his foot, ready to end it with a single stomp—
Then, the ground trembled.
A deep, guttural sound rumbled through the chamber. It wasn't laughter. It wasn't pain.
It was something else.
Hakan tensed, his instincts screaming at him.
Darius's eyes gleamed with something primal, something unshaken by defeat. His crimson irises burned like molten steel as his body began to shift—his wounds knitting together.
"You think strength alone decides a battle?" he rasped. "Then let me show you… what it means to be a true Guardian."
The orc's massive frame began to expand, muscles tightening like coiled steel. His cracked armor melted into his skin, fusing with his body. The crimson glow in his eyes pulsed, growing brighter. The air around him distorted, warping from the sheer heat and pressure radiating off of him.
Hakan's eyes narrowed. "Tch. So, you're not done yet."
Ezekiel and the others had already left, but even from the corridor ahead, they felt the shift in energy.
Maris Dusk halted mid-step, turning back. "That's… not normal."
Lucian Stride frowned, gripping his ethereal blades. "Something's changed."
Aria clicked her tongue. "Darius wasn't just a brute. He was holding back."
Inside the chamber, the stone walls groaned under the immense force gathering around the orc warrior.
Darius rose to his feet, his crimson blade now fused to his arm, glowing with untamed energy. He grinned, revealing jagged teeth.
"Round two, human."
BOOM!
Darius vanished in a blur of motion, his speed suddenly monstrous. He reappeared inches from Hakan, his fist slamming forward like a meteor.
For the first time—Hakan raised his arms to block.
Impact.
A deafening shockwave erupted, blasting debris in all directions. The chamber shattered, cracks racing up the stone walls. Dust exploded outward, swallowing everything.
Lucian's eyes widened as he felt the force from the corridor. "That's—!"
Maris grinned, her blood pumping. "Oh, this just got interesting."
Aria exhaled sharply. "Hakan…"
The dust settled.
Hakan stood firm, his arms crossed where he had blocked the attack. A faint scorch mark marred his forearms. He lowered them, flexing his fingers.
Then, he grinned.
"Alright, big guy. Now you're worth my time."
He cracked his knuckles, his aura flaring.
Darius growled, tightening his grip on his fused blade.
This time, it wouldn't be a one-sided fight.
This time, the real battle began.
Hakan exhaled, rolling his shoulders. A sharp grin cut across his face as he reached for the twin weapons at his side.
SHING!
The Eclipse Fang separated—the larger blade in his right hand, the smaller blade in his left. Together, they pulsed with restrained hunger, as if they, too, craved the battle's end.
Darius clenched his jaw, his monstrous form still radiating heat, but his breath came ragged now. His newfound strength, his desperate evolution—it had only delayed the inevitable.
Even after everything, he was barely holding on.
Hakan vanished.
Darius barely had time to register the movement before—
SLASH!
A searing pain tore through his right arm. The larger blade cut through flesh and bone with merciless precision. Blood sprayed across the stone as the limb hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Darius roared, his fused blade-arm swinging wildly—
SCHING!
The smaller blade carved through his left arm in an instant. Both limbs now lay severed at his feet.
Eyes wide in disbelief, the orc stumbled back, gasping, his body now betraying him. His once-mighty hands, the weapons that had crushed countless challengers, were now nothing more than discarded remnants of a failed warrior.
But Hakan wasn't done.
A cross-slash—one diagonal cut with the smaller sword, the other with the larger—
SHRRK!
Darius dropped to his knees, both legs severed at the thigh. His massive frame collapsed, his own weight now an unbearable burden.
His crimson eyes flickered, staring up at the warrior before him. Unstoppable. Unbreakable. Absolute.
For the first time in his existence—he knew true fear.
Hakan stared down, both blades dripping with blood. "You fought well," he admitted. "But strength isn't just about power."
Darius trembled, his breath ragged. He opened his mouth—
SWIPE.
The larger blade took his head clean off.
The chamber fell deathly silent. The severed head rolled a few feet before stopping, its once-burning eyes fading into lifeless embers.
But Hakan wasn't finished.
With a swift motion, he drove the smaller blade through Darius's chest, piercing straight into his heart.
Then, gripping the hilt of the larger sword, he stabbed down, locking the corpse in place.
With one brutal pull—
He tore the heart free.
A wet, sickening squelch echoed through the air as Hakan ripped the massive, still-beating organ from the corpse. Blood poured over his hands, steaming against the cold air.
For a moment, he simply stared at it. Then—
CRUSH.
He squeezed. The heart burst in his grip, its power fading into nothingness.
With an effortless flick, Hakan wiped the excess blood from both blades, sliding them back together into one weapon.
He turned toward the corridor, where Aria, Ezekiel, Lucian, and Maris stood in silence.
No words were spoken. None were needed.
Hakan simply walked past them.
"Let's move."
And just like that, the First Guardian was no more.
Coming back to the city which was already in chaos
Northern Towers – Team One
Kaede Arashi sprinted across the battlefield, her Stormcaller blade crackling with electricity. The northern towers loomed ahead, their dark energy pulsating like a beacon of corruption.
Selena Voss hovered mid-air, silver moonlight swirling around her as she cast an illusion, cloaking their movements from the enemy forces.
"We need to bring them down fast," Kaede said, dodging a barrage of arrows from the enemy forces. "Liora, Mira—clear a path!"
Liora Ashen raised a hand, her golden aura flaring. "Solar Flare!"
A blinding pulse of light erupted, disintegrating a squad of orcs and shattering the darkness around the battlefield.
Mira Solis followed up, slamming her palm into the ground. Crystal shards surged upward, impaling the monstrous enemies and forming protective walls for their advance.
Selena, still veiled in moonlight, smirked. "I'll handle the snipers."
She disappeared into the night, her form flickering as she hunted down the ranged attackers lurking on the tower balconies.
Kaede tightened her grip on her blade. The Control House lay beyond these towers—but first, they had to burn these fortresses to the ground.
Shizumi – Team Two
Raiden Jin stood at the city's frontline, his arms crossed as he watched the chaos unfold. The enemy waves came in endless surges—orc battalions, shadow beasts, and monstrous golems storming the city streets.
Victor Steele cracked his knuckles, his arms morphing into indestructible metal, his already massive frame becoming even more imposing. Titan's Might wasn't just about durability—it was about sheer, overwhelming strength.
"Time to smash," he muttered.
Dante Cross grinned, molten lava dripping from his fingertips as he forged a massive greatsword mid-battle.
"Let's get to work," Raiden muttered.
BOOM!
A monstrous stone behemoth crashed into a building, roaring as it swung its massive arm at them.
Raiden simply raised a hand.
A void rift opened, consuming the behemoth's entire arm into darkness. The creature howled in agony.
Victor took the opening—he charged forward, his fists gleaming with metallic fury, and delivered a devastating punch, the sheer force sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The behemoth's body exploded into rubble.
Dante swung his molten blade, sending a wave of fire across the battlefield, incinerating the incoming orcs.
Raiden smirked. "Hold the line. The moment the northern towers fall, we push back."
As they continued their relentless defense, the battle for Shizumi raged on.
The ground trembled as the last group of civilians disappeared beyond the city gates.
Rex Stone, Victor's second-in-command, approached with several city officials. His metal-plated arms glowed dimly from overuse, his breathing heavy. "It's done," he confirmed. "Everyone's been evacuated."
Victor exhaled a slow breath, rolling his shoulders. "Good. No more holding back."
Raiden Jin stood motionless, gazing up at the sky. His void energy flickered ominously as a deep, unsettling grimace formed on his face.
Because above them, the sky was no longer their own.
A wave of dragons descended upon Shizumi.
Their scales glowed with unnatural energy, their eyes burning with feral rage. Shadows stretched across the city as wings blotted out the sun.
For a moment, even the battle-hardened warriors stood frozen.
And then—
Raiden moved.
He launched himself skyward, a streak of void energy tearing through the sky.
The first dragon—a black-scaled monstrosity—opened its maw, preparing to unleash a breath of destruction.
Raiden warped behind it.
His fist slammed into the back of its skull, and with a single pulse of void energy, the creature's head exploded in a spray of black mist.
Before its corpse could even fall—
Raiden had already vanished.
Another dragon screeched, twisting midair to claw at him.
But Raiden was faster.
He reappeared above it, his hands crackling with dark energy.
"Void Severance."
He swiped downward, and in a single motion, the dragon was bisected, its massive halves collapsing into the burning city below.
From the ground, Victor Steele and Dante Cross watched in awe.
"He's… taking them apart," Dante muttered.
Victor crossed his arms, his metallic skin glinting under the dying sunlight. "Yeah," he said, his voice laced with something between respect and amusement.
"But there are more coming."
And indeed—the sky darkened further, as even more dragons poured in from the horizon.
Raiden hovered in the air, breathing heavily, eyes burning with exhilaration.
"Good," he muttered. "I was just getting started."
With a smirk, he surged forward again—diving straight into the heart of the storm.
Northern Towers – The Storm Unleashed
The northern district lay in ruin, the battlefield littered with shattered stone and the remnants of broken towers.
Kaede Arashi stood atop a crumbling watchtower, her eyes locked onto the darkening sky. Her white cloak whipped violently in the wind, her blade humming with restrained power.
The air grew heavy, thick with a dark presence.
Selena Voss, Liora Ashen, and Mira Solis stood ready, their weapons drawn.
Then, from the shadows of the ruined skyline, she emerged.
Nyxara, the Abyssal Harbinger
A four-winged abomination, her body a blend of humanoid grace and monstrous terror.
Her two massive wings stretched wide, woven from abyssal feathers that shimmered with eerie black and violet hues, while her two smaller wings twitched with anticipation. Her midnight-black armor clung to her form like living shadows, and her piercing crimson eyes burned with twisted amusement.
"Mortals," she purred, her voice a haunting melody, both beautiful and deadly. "You stand in defiance of inevitability. Today, your kind is erased."
She raised a clawed hand, and the sky itself darkened.
A maelstrom of black energy spiraled behind her, crackling with power as countless shadowed blades manifested from the void.
With a cruel smile, she swiped downward.
The Battle Begins
The storm of blades descended like a midnight tempest, aimed to annihilate them in an instant.
Kaede moved first, her katana flashing in arcs of lightning, slashing apart dozens of the spectral blades midair.
Selena raised her hands, weaving illusions of moonlight to distort the trajectory of the remaining blades, but it wasn't enough.
Mira shouted, "Liora, shield us!"
Liora thrust her hands forward, summoning a blazing wall of solar energy, but the sheer force of Nyxara's assault shattered the barrier, throwing them all backward.
Nyxara laughed, her voice echoing like a cruel symphony. "You cannot hope to match me!"
Kaede gritted her teeth, lightning crackling along her blade. "We'll see about that."
Pushed to the Brink
The heroes launched a coordinated assault.
Kaedeunleashed her full power, her Tempest Rend cleaving through the battlefield, but Nyxara absorbed the attack with her wings, deflecting it into the ruins below.Selenaconjured an illusionary army of moonlit warriors to confuse Nyxara, but the Abyssal Harbinger tore through them, her claws ripping the illusions apart as though they were paper.Lioraand Mira combined their abilities, Liora firing radiant solar beams while Mira manipulated crystal shards to strike from multiple angles, but Nyxara retaliated with a wave of abyssal energy that destroyed everything in its path.
Each attack seemed to land with little effect, Nyxara shrugging off the damage with a terrifying grin.
"You're ants," she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I am the storm, and you are nothing but fleeting sparks."
Desperation Sets In
Bruised and battered, the heroes regrouped. Kaede's breathing was ragged, her katana glowing faintly but far dimmer than before.
Liora wiped blood from the corner of her mouth. "We're not strong enough. She's… too powerful."
Selena's voice trembled as she stared at Nyxara. "She's toying with us."
Kaede clenched her fists, her lightning aura flickering weakly. "We don't have a choice. If we fall here, Shizumi falls."
Nyxara descended slowly, her wings casting a massive shadow over the battlefield. "Give up, mortals. I'll make your deaths… painless. If you kneel."
Her laughter echoed as she raised both hands, a colossal sphere of pure void energy forming above her. It pulsated, growing larger by the second, crackling with enough energy to obliterate the entire district.
A Glimmer of Hope
Kaede's mind raced. They needed more power—something, anything.
"Selena," Kaede called, her voice sharp. "Use the Lunar Veil to distract her. Liora, Mira—focus everything you have on destabilizing that sphere."
Selena nodded, summoning a veil of moonlight that cloaked the team, distorting their movements and confusing Nyxara.
Liora and Mira combined their attacks, Liora's radiant beams striking the void sphere while Mira's crystalline shards converged on its core.
For a moment, it seemed to work. The sphere wavered, its edges flickering.
But Nyxara snarled, her crimson eyes blazing. "Enough!"
With a single swipe of her claw, she shattered the moonlit veil, sending Selena flying into a wall. Mira and Liora were thrown back as the void sphere stabilized, its size now overwhelming.
Kaede's Final Stand
Kaede stood alone, her team scattered and broken. Her katana trembled in her grip, its lightning aura barely flickering.
Nyxara smirked. "You fought well… for mortals. But this ends now."
The void sphere began its descent, its immense energy pulling the air around it into a crushing vortex.
Kaede closed her eyes, her mind reaching for the storm within her.
Memories of her guild, her friends, and Shizumi flashed before her.
She opened her eyes, her gaze steely.
"No… it ends with you."
With a shout that pierced the heavens, Kaede unleashed the last of her strength, her body glowing with an intense, electric-blue light.
Her katana burned brighter than ever as she charged straight into the void sphere, slicing through its core. All the other joined her as well in hat moment
Together, the team launched a final, coordinated assault. Selena bound Nyxara in chains of moonlight, Liora unleashed a concentrated solar blast, and Mira drove crystalline spikes through Nyxara's wings.
For a moment, it seemed as though victory was at hand. Nyxara writhed and screamed, her movements hindered by the relentless combination of their powers. The ground quaked beneath her thrashing form, and cracks of abyssal energy spread like veins through the battlefield.
But the victory was fleeting.
Nyxara roared, her voice a deafening, otherworldly sound that reverberated through the ruins. Her crimson eyes burned with raw fury as her dark aura expanded, shattering Selena's moonlight chains and disintegrating the crystalline spikes impaling her wings.
With a single, devastating flap of her remaining wings, a shockwave of black energy erupted outward, sending Selena, Liora, and Mira tumbling to the ground.
Kaede barely managed to hold her ground, using her katana to anchor herself. She surged forward, her blade humming with storm energy.
Nyxara sneered, her voice laced with cruel amusement. "You think you can defeat me? I am the abyss! Your light and storms are nothing but flickers before the void!"
Kaede gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain in her legs from the earlier blast. "We don't need to defeat you. We just need to stop you."
Nyxara raised her clawed hand, a vortex of shadow forming above her. Dark tendrils lashed out, aiming directly for Kaede. She dodged and weaved through the onslaught, her movements fueled by sheer determination.
But Nyxara was relentless.
She closed the distance in an instant, her claws aimed directly at Kaede's heart. Kaede parried with her katana, sparks flying as the blade met the abyssal claws. Nyxara pressed forward, forcing Kaede back step by step.
The others tried to intervene, but Nyxara's aura flared, pinning them to the ground with an oppressive force. Selena and Mira struggled to rise, while Liora's solar energy flickered, nearly extinguished.
Kaede was alone.
Nyxara loomed over her, a malicious smile curling her lips. "It ends now, little stormbringer."
She raised her claw, a massive orb of condensed shadow energy forming at its tip. Kaede's legs trembled, her strength waning as she prepared to make one final stand.
Then, a voice rang out. Clear. Resolute.
"Not yet."
From the ruins above, a blazing spear of solar energy tore through the air, striking Nyxara's shadow orb and detonating it mid-attack.
Nyxara staggered back, her crimson eyes narrowing in confusion and fury.
Descending from the skies like radiant warriors, the Silver Valkyries arrived.
At their head was Iffah, her presence radiating both grace and power. She landed between Kaede and Nyxara, her Solar Spear shimmering with golden light. Her silver armor gleamed, her long hair flowing like molten silver in the wind.
"I hope we're not too late," Iffah said, glancing back at Kaede.
Kaede exhaled sharply, a faint smirk forming on her lips. "Took you long enough."
The Valkyries moved with precision.
Iffah raised her spear, channeling concentrated solar energy into its tip. "Silver Valkyries, formation!"
The Valkyries formed a protective circle around the wounded, their shields raised as Nyxara roared in frustration.
Iffah twirled her spear, its light intensifying. "Kaede, recover. We'll hold her off."
Nyxara laughed darkly, her voice dripping with disdain. "More lambs to the slaughter. It doesn't matter how many of you come—I will consume you all."
She lunged, her wings creating a vortex of shadow energy.
But Iffah met her charge head-on.
The Solar Spear pierced through the dark energy, its golden light cleaving a path through the abyss. Nyxara hissed, forced to retreat momentarily.
Selena, Liora, and Mira took the chance to regroup, their auras flaring as they rejoined the battle.
Kaede leaned on her katana, breathing heavily as she watched the Valkyries hold the line. "She's not invincible," Kaede muttered to herself. "We just need to hit her together."
Iffah called out, her voice carrying across the battlefield. "Kaede! When you're ready, we'll give you the opening!"
Kaede straightened, her storm aura reigniting. She nodded, gripping her katana tightly.
The battlefield was alive with radiant light and shadow. The Silver Valkyries fought with unmatched elegance, their movements synchronized as they worked to push Nyxara back. Iffah's spear struck with devastating precision, each strike forcing Nyxara further on the defensive.
Selena's moonlight chains reformed, binding Nyxara's wings once again. Liora unleashed another solar blast, this time burning through Nyxara's armor. Mira conjured massive crystalline walls, boxing Nyxara in.
Kaede saw her chance.
"Now!" Iffah shouted, driving her spear into the ground. A radiant shockwave burst outward, momentarily blinding Nyxara.
Kaede surged forward, her katana glowing brighter than ever before.
"Tempest Rend!"
With a powerful slash, she unleashed a massive arc of wind and lightning, striking Nyxara head-on. The abyssal harbinger screamed, her form flickering and twisting under the relentless assault.
But even as the light faded, Nyxara still stood, her body battered but unbroken. Her crimson eyes locked onto Kaede, her expression a mix of fury and begrudging respect.
"You… are stronger than I thought," Nyxara hissed, her voice strained. "But this isn't over."
With a final, defiant roar, Nyxara spread her wings and vanished into the shadows, retreating into the abyss.
The battlefield fell silent, save for the crackling of residual energy.
Kaede collapsed to one knee, exhausted but alive. Iffah approached, offering her hand.
Kaede took it, pulling herself up. "Thanks for the save."
Iffah smiled faintly. "You'd do the same."
Selena, Liora, and Mira joined them, their expressions a mix of relief and determination.
"This isn't over," Kaede said, gazing at the dark horizon. "She'll be back."
Iffah nodded. "Then we'll be ready."
Together, they turned toward the ruined skyline, their resolve stronger than ever. The storm had subsided, but the war was far from over.
The sky over Shizumi darkened, the last embers of daylight swallowed by the looming shadows of war. The battlefield was silent now, save for the distant crackle of dying flames and the whispers of the wind sweeping over countless corpses. Blood soaked the earth, pooling beneath the fallen dragons, their once-mighty forms reduced to lifeless husks.
Raiden Jin stood atop the carnage, his armor stained with battle. Around him, his team and the warriors of their guilds stood in grim silence, their breaths heavy, their eyes hardened. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over.
Victor Steele exhaled, his voice cutting through the stillness. "This isn't the end. The Northern Towers—Kaede and the others are waiting. We need to move now."
Raiden lifted his gaze to the dark horizon, his expression unreadable. The weight of command settled on his shoulders, but hesitation had no place here. He tightened his grip on his weapon and turned to his forces.
"Let's move out," he ordered, his voice steady, commanding.
Without another word, the warriors followed, leaving behind the field of death as they marched toward their next battle. The storm had only just begun.
Kaede, Iffah, Selena, Liora, and Mira stood amidst the ruins, barely holding themselves together as Iffah's healers worked swiftly to tend to their wounds. The golden glow of their magic began to mend the worst of their injuries, though exhaustion lingered heavily in the air.
Before anyone could relax, the sound of guttural snarls cut through the silence. From the shadows of the wrecked battlefield, a horde of monstrous beasts emerged. Twisted and malformed, they charged with terrifying speed, their glowing red eyes locked onto the vulnerable group.
Iffah immediately stepped forward, raising her glowing Solar Spear. The weapon crackled with raw power as she prepared to meet the incoming threat head-on. "Stay behind me!" she commanded, her voice firm.
But just as the beasts closed the distance, a sudden wave of destructive force tore through the battlefield. Blinding arcs of lightning and a shockwave of kinetic energy obliterated the creatures in an instant, leaving nothing but ash in their wake.
The air shimmered with residual power as Torren and Alaric emerged from the distance.
Torren rested his massive claymore on his shoulder, the blade still crackling with leftover energy. Alaric's hands glowed faintly with kinetic energy as he surveyed the group, his sharp eyes scanning the injured heroes.
"Looks like we made it just in time," Torren remarked, his deep voice calm.
"You always manage to arrive after the hard part," Kaede said, though there was a faint trace of humor in her voice.
Alaric smirked. "That's because we let you handle the messy bits. We just clean up afterward."
Before Kaede could respond, two more figures appeared behind Torren and Alaric.
Rina and Sylvia walked forward, their expressions a mixture of concern and relief. Sylvia's green cloak billowed as she hurried to assess the group's condition, while Rina moved with calm precision, her sharp gaze sweeping over the battlefield.
"You all look like you've been to hell and back," Sylvia said, stopping next to Selena.
"Feels like it," Selena muttered.
Rina nodded, glancing at the scorched remains of the battlefield. "You held your ground well, but we've got to stay ready. This isn't over yet."
As the group began to regroup, Rina's eyes fell on Iffah. She froze mid-step, her expression shifting from calm to shock.
Sylvia, noticing Rina's reaction, turned her gaze to Iffah as well. She, too, stopped in her tracks, her emerald eyes widening in disbelief.
Torren and Alaric followed their gaze.
The four of them stood motionless for a moment, staring at Iffah—the woman clad in radiant silver armor, her Solar Spear glowing faintly in her hand.
"It's… her," Sylvia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rina's usual composure faltered, and she stepped closer. "You're…" Her words trailed off as she stared at Iffah with a mixture of disbelief and awe.
Torren exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on his claymore. "The Valkyrie of Dawn, standing right here in front of us."
Sylvia shook her head, as if trying to process the sight before her. "We've heard the stories. But seeing you here, fighting alongside us… it's surreal."
"You've made quite the impression already," Alaric added, his tone more subdued than usual.
Iffah's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "I'm just doing what needs to be done."
Kaede, sensing the growing tension, stepped forward. "We don't have time for this. Save the introductions for later. We need to regroup and prepare for the next wave."
Rina nodded slowly, forcing herself to refocus. "She's right. There's no telling what else is coming."
Torren glanced at Iffah one last time, his expression thoughtful. "Still… it's good to have you here."
Iffah didn't reply, but the faintest glimmer of determination flickered in her eyes.
The distant sound of more monstrous roars echoed across the battlefield. Whatever reprieve they'd earned was going to be short-lived.
"Let's move," Kaede commanded, her voice firm.
With renewed resolve, the group pressed forward. Though they said little, a shared thought lingered in the minds of Torren, Rina, Sylvia, and Alaric:
"The Valkyrie of Dawn… and she's connected to him."
It only fueled their determination to protect her at all costs.
As the group prepared to move forward, Mira glanced over at the Black Dragons, her expression thoughtful. "Before we go… I need to ask something."
Kaede turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Mira hesitated for a moment before asking, "Where's Hakan? Shouldn't he be with you?"
The name cut through the air like a blade.
Iffah froze, her Solar Spear slipping from her hand and clattering onto the ground. Her radiant expression faltered, and her entire body seemed to tremble as if an unseen weight had struck her.
"Commander!" Emaan Shah, her vice commander, was at her side in an instant, wrapping a steadying arm around Iffah to keep her from collapsing. "What's wrong?" Emaan asked, her voice laced with concern.
The rest of the Silver Valkyries were equally stunned, their usually composed leader now visibly shaken. Amara Malik stepped closer, her hands glowing faintly as she readied her Luminous Shroud to shield Iffah from prying eyes. Sana Qureshi and Naila Zafar exchanged worried glances, clearly unnerved by their leader's sudden reaction.
Sylvia's emerald eyes narrowed, flickering between Iffah and Mira. "What… just happened?"
Rina tilted her head slightly, studying Iffah with a mixture of curiosity and alarm. "That name… it meant something to her."
The Black Dragons stood rooted in place, their gazes flicking between Iffah and Mira. They had all expected some sort of reaction at the mention of Hakan's name, but nothing like this.
Torren shifted uncomfortably, his deep voice breaking the tense silence. "I didn't expect… this."
Alaric frowned, his usual confidence replaced by unease. "What's going on?"
Iffah seemed to struggle for breath, her hands gripping Emaan's arm as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. Her golden eyes, usually fierce and commanding, were now clouded with an unreadable mixture of pain and disbelief.
Emaan gently guided Iffah to sit on a nearby rock, her voice calm and soothing. "Commander, take a moment. Breathe. It's okay."
Iffah didn't respond, her gaze distant, as if she were lost in another time and place.
Kaede, sensing the growing tension, stepped forward and addressed Mira. "Mira, what are you doing? Now's not the time for this!"
Mira looked genuinely confused. "I just… I didn't think it would…" She trailed off, guilt flashing across her face.
Amara cast a protective glance at Mira and the others. "You have no idea what you've just done, do you?" Her voice was sharp, though the glow of her shroud around Iffah remained steady.
Sana, her usual cheerful demeanor gone, spoke quietly. "Whatever that name means… it's something more than we understand."
The Truth Unveiled
Naila stepped closer to Iffah, her tone resolute. "We'll protect her no matter what."
Emaan Shah, standing firm beside her shaken commander, looked at the others with a calm yet somber expression. She spoke softly but with conviction. "You all don't understand… That name—Hakan—means everything to her."
The Black Dragons exchanged glances, their expressions growing tense. Torren's brows furrowed as if piecing something together, while Alaric's jaw tightened, his arms crossed defensively.
Emaan continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "Hakan wasn't just anyone. He was Iffah's fiancé—the man she loved more than life itself. A man the rest of the world declared dead after the asteroid's impact. They said he was powerless, unfit for this new world, but Iffah never believed them. She's been searching for him ever since, refusing to let go of the hope that he's still alive."
Iffah lifted her head at those words, tears brimming in her golden eyes. Her voice trembled as she spoke for the first time since hearing his name. "They all told me to move on… that he was gone. But how could I? Hakan wasn't just my fiancé. He was my light, my strength, and the reason I've fought so hard to keep going."
Her guild members listened in silence, their loyalty unwavering as they stood by their leader. Amara reached out, placing a comforting hand on Iffah's shoulder, while Sana wiped away her own tears.
Emaan's voice grew more intense as she addressed the group. "She's poured everything into finding him—every mission, every lead, every whisper of a chance. And now, hearing his name again after so long… How could she not react this way?"
The Black Dragons shifted uncomfortably. Their leader, Hakan, had never shared much about his past, and this revelation was starting to put together pieces they didn't even know were missing.
Sylvia, however, remained quiet, her expression unreadable.
Finally, Selena Voss, leader of the Lunar Sentinels, broke the silence. "Is this true?" she asked, her voice directed at the Black Dragons. "Do you know something about Hakan?"
The other guild leaders echoed the question, their voices a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. All eyes turned to the Black Dragons, searching for answers.
Torren and Alaric exchanged uneasy glances. Alaric finally spoke, his tone cautious. "We know Hakan. He's… our leader. we did know about Their relation , but we didn't knew that he was the same Hakan That was declared unfit ."
Rina tilted her head, studying Sylvia, who still hadn't spoken. "But you did, didn't you?"
All eyes shifted to Sylvia, who sighed deeply, finally stepping forward. Her emerald eyes locked onto Iffah's tear-streaked face.
"Yes," Sylvia said, her voice calm but filled with a quiet intensity. "I know the truth about Hakan. He isn't dead."
The words hung in the air like thunder, sending shockwaves through the room. Gasps erupted from the guild leaders and members alike, disbelief etched onto their faces.
Selena was the first to recover. "What?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sylvia continued, her gaze unwavering. "Hakan survived. He's alive, and he's become something no one could have ever predicted." She paused, her voice growing stronger. "The man who was once powerless, who the world cast aside, has become the strongest in Japan."
The revelation struck like a lightning bolt. The guild leaders exchanged glances, their initial confusion turning to understanding. They had all heard of Hakan's strength, but none of them had connected the dots to the man from the past.
Kaede's eyes narrowed. "The Hakan we know… is the same Hakan from the first tower break incident?"
Sylvia nodded. "Yes. The same man who was declared powerless and unfit for this world."
The room grew heavy with silence as the implications sank in.
Iffah, still crying and laughing at the same time, clutched Emaan tightly. Her voice broke with a mix of relief and joy. "I knew it! I knew he wasn't gone! I knew he was alive!"
Emaan held her tightly, her own tears falling as she whispered, "I told you, Commander. You were right all along."
The other Silver Valkyries gathered around their leader, their faces reflecting a mixture of joy and relief. Amara and Sana hugged each other, while Naila wiped her eyes, her usual confidence momentarily giving way to raw emotion.
The Black Dragons stood silently, processing what they had just learned. Torren let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Unbelievable," he muttered.
Alaric crossed his arms, a rare grin tugging at his lips. "Hakan, huh? That man really knows how to rewrite the rules."
The room was alive with the energy of disbelief, joy, and awe. Even Kaede, who rarely showed emotion, looked genuinely impressed. Mira covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with wonder.
Iffah, still crying and smiling at the same time, looked at Sylvia with gratitude shining in her golden eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for telling me the truth."
Sylvia nodded, her expression softening. "You never stopped believing in him. That's what kept him alive."
As Raiden's team arrived at the scene, what they saw made even the strongest among them pause.
The once-mighty warriors of Kaede's faction were scattered across the battlefield, some clutching their wounds, others barely holding themselves upright. Blood stained the broken pavement, and the scent of burnt flesh lingered in the air. Healers rushed between the wounded, their hands glowing with desperate attempts at restoration.
"What the hell happened?" Dante Cross demanded, his molten eyes scanning the wreckage. "You all look like you barely made it out alive."
But before anyone could answer, something else caught their attention—a sound that didn't belong in the aftermath of battle.
A woman was crying.
The sound was raw, unrestrained, filled with a grief that made the air itself feel heavier.
And then they saw her.
Iffah.
The Silver Valkyrie herself, leader of the Silver Valkyries, knelt amidst the ruins, her hands trembling as she clutched a piece of shattered armor close to her chest. Tears streamed down her face, her golden eyes filled with anguish.
Raiden, Victor, and Dante—all three men who had fought through hell and back—stood frozen. None of them knew what to say, what to do. Because they all recognized that pain.
And worse yet… they knew who it was for.
"Hey, guys, am I seeing things, or is that Iffah, the Valkyrie of Dawn?" Dante said, his voice filled with awe. The rest of them stood there, their eyes wide open, unable to comprehend what was going on. Each of them had a deep respect for Iffah as the strongest female hero on the planet, but right now, they were at a loss for how to react.
Kaede noticed the three of them frozen in place and called them over. As they approached, Iffah turned around and acknowledged their presence. Raiden Jin moved closer to Kaede, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"What happened?" Raiden asked quietly, his gaze flicking between Kaede and Iffah.
Kaede took a deep breath, her expression serious as she prepared to reveal the secrets of Hakan and every thing that has happened here.
"Wait! So, you're saying that he is the Hakan who was declared unfit for the world—and he's her husband?" Raiden, Victor, and Dante all exclaimed in unison, their minds blown. They couldn't process it. The revelation was too much for them to grasp.