The tournament was nothing short of breathtaking—a whirlwind of raw strength, dazzling abilities, and fierce competition. The roaring crowd celebrated each victory with unrelenting energy. Contestants clashed in battles that defied reality, their powers illuminating the arena in flashes of light and fury.
But no matter how intense the tournament became, Kazuki couldn't shake the words the Savior had spoken to him in the void. "A spark that could change everything." Those words repeated in his mind like an endless loop.
Sonnet nudged Kazuki, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Oi, you good? You've been spacing out the whole time."
Andreas grinned, tossing an arm around Kazuki's shoulders. "Don't tell me you're still thinking about that dramatic speech! Come on, tournaments are supposed to be fun."
Lumi trailed behind them, unusually quiet, her eyes darting around nervously. Something about the whole situation didn't sit right with her, but she kept those thoughts to herself.
The group left the coliseum as the sun dipped below the horizon, the once-bustling streets now nearly deserted.
"Well, that was something," Sonnet said, stretching her arms above her head. "I could've made a fortune gambling on those matches."
Kazuki chuckled weakly, trying to play along, but his thoughts still lingered elsewhere. The eerie feeling from the void gnawed at him, a whisper in the back of his mind warning him that something wasn't right.
They walked down a narrow alleyway, their footsteps echoing softly. The air was unusually still.
Suddenly, before anyone could react, a sharp, blinding pain pierced through Kazuki's chest. His eyes widened in shock as he looked down—a spear of pure energy protruded from his heart, glowing with a menacing light.
His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed onto the cold ground.
"KAZUKI!" Lumi screamed, rushing toward him.
Sonnet's silver hair caught the fading light as she froze, her breath hitching in her throat. Andreas stood beside her, his usual carefree expression replaced with raw panic.
A slow, deliberate set of footsteps echoed in the silence. From the shadows, The Savior emerged, his eyes cold and unrelenting. His presence filled the space with an oppressive weight, his calm demeanor at odds with the brutality of his attack.
"Forgive me, Kazuki," the Savior said, his voice devoid of warmth. "But this is necessary."
Kazuki gasped for air, his vision blurring as he struggled to comprehend what was happening. "W-why…?" he choked out, blood dripping from his lips.
The Savior's expression softened, but there was something terrifying in the way he gazed down at Kazuki—a twisted blend of regret and resolve.
"It's for the future of Eidolon… and for something far greater than you can understand right now."
Lumi clenched her fists, her body trembling. "What are you doing?! He's just a kid!"
The Savior didn't answer her. He simply raised his hand, and the spear dissolved into light, leaving Kazuki collapsed on the ground.
The Savior stood motionless, his gaze lingering on Kazuki's unconscious body. His words, calm and chilling, hung in the air: "The wheel is already turning." He raised his hand, ready to snap his fingers and vanish—
But before he could, Andreas and Sonnet sprang into action.
"Not today!" Andreas roared, his left arm igniting with a crackling, dark-blue energy as he lunged toward the Savior with a powerful punch. The energy wrapped around his fist, distorting space with its raw force.
Sonnet, her silver hair glinting in the faint light, strummed the strings of her lute with a fierce intensity. Golden waves of sound erupted, weaving into sharp, cutting vibrations that slashed through the air, forcing the Savior to step back.
"Lumi, grab Kazuki and GO!" Sonnet shouted, her eyes blazing with resolve.
Lumi hesitated, panic flashing across her face. She knew what they were doing—buying time. But something deep inside told her it wouldn't be enough. She rushed to Kazuki, throwing his arm over her shoulder and dragging him back as the battle raged on behind her.
The narrow alleyway became a war zone.
Andreas delivered a rapid series of punches, each strike absorbing the Savior's energy before releasing it in explosive bursts. "Don't think we've forgotten what you did to us!" His voice was raw with emotion as he pressed his attack.
Sonnet's music grew louder, the air vibrating with an eerie melody. Her notes twisted into tangible shapes—chains of golden light—that coiled around the Savior's limbs, trying to hold him in place.
The Savior smiled faintly, his calm demeanor unbroken. With a flick of his wrist, the chains shattered like glass. "You've grown stronger," he said, his voice almost admiring. "But strength alone won't change what's already set in motion."
Before they could strike again, a surge of chaotic energy exploded from behind them, stopping everyone in their tracks.
The air grew thick with heat, the ground beneath them trembling.
Lumi's eyes widened in horror. "No... it can't be!"
Kazuki stood up, his body wreathed in flames—black and crimson, swirling violently around him like a living storm. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and an arrogant smirk played on his lips.
The flames crackled and hissed, dancing in chaotic patterns around him. "Heh... this feels... good," Kazuki said, his voice deeper, darker, filled with raw confidence and menace. He tilted his head, staring at the Savior with a grin that sent a chill down Lumi's spine. "What was it you said? The wheel is turning?" He clenched his fist, the flames surging higher. "Let's see how far it spins."
The world seemed to hold its breath, the chaotic energy crackling with anticipation.