The eerie echo of the Rift's voice lingered in the air, sending a chill down Luna's spine. It wasn't just a tear in reality anymore—it was something alive.
Kai exhaled slowly, gripping his energy blade as he stared at the sky. "Well… that's ominous."
Luna turned to him, her expression serious. "We need to report this."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Report it to who? The people who already don't know what the hell they're dealing with?"
Luna frowned. "This isn't a joke, Kai."
Kai sighed, running a hand through his black-and-white-streaked hair. "I know. But you think the Academy officials will do anything? We're the ones who fought that thing."
She hated to admit it, but he wasn't wrong.
Since the Rift appeared, the government had formed the Hellion Defense Corps (HDC)—an organization tasked with studying the Rift and combating Hellions. But the truth was… they were struggling.
And now, the Hellions were evolving.
A sudden shockwave shook the ground.
Luna and Kai spun around just as another Hellion emerged from the Rift—this one larger, more monstrous than before.
Its body pulsed with energy, and its red eyes locked onto them with awareness.
It wasn't just a mindless beast.
It knew them.
The Battle Begins
The Hellion charged, moving faster than the last one.
Kai barely had time to react before it was on him, its massive claws slashing through the air.
He dodged—but barely. The shockwave from the attack sent him skidding across the ground.
Luna leaped forward, summoning a barrier of light just as the Hellion lunged again. Its attack collided with the barrier, but cracks formed instantly.
She gritted her teeth. It's stronger than before.
Kai jumped back to his feet, spinning his energy blade in his hand. "Alright, big guy. Let's dance."
He dashed forward, slashing at the Hellion's side. The blade cut through, but unlike the previous Hellion, this one didn't disintegrate—it absorbed the energy.
Kai's eyes widened. "Okay. That's new."
The Hellion's body pulsed, and suddenly, it fired the stolen energy back at him.
Kai barely managed to throw up a guard, but the attack still sent him flying into a crumbling building.
"Kai!" Luna shouted.
The Hellion turned its focus on her now.
Luna steadied her grip on her spear, eyes narrowing. "I won't let you win."
She channeled her magic, sending a barrage of light spears at the monster. Each one exploded on impact, but the Hellion kept coming.
It's adapting.
It lunged, aiming directly for her.
But before it could land a hit—
BOOM!
A blast of blue energy struck the Hellion's side, sending it crashing into the ground.
Kai stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, his aura glowing faintly.
"Okay," he muttered. "No more holding back."
Kai's Hidden Power
Luna's eyes widened as Kai's energy fluctuated, the familiar blue lightning crackling around his body.
His energy blade shifted, expanding into a larger, more unstable form.
The Hellion growled, sensing the increase in power.
Luna clenched her fists. "Kai… just what rank are you?"
Kai flashed her a grin, but this time, there was something serious behind it.
"Something that shouldn't exist."
Then he vanished.
In a blink, Kai reappeared above the Hellion, bringing his blade down in a single, powerful strike.
The impact shattered the ground, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.
For the first time, the Hellion screamed in agony.
Luna stared. That attack… wasn't normal.
The creature staggered, its body flickering, struggling to reform itself.
Kai exhaled. "Guess you guys aren't invincible after all."
But then—
The Hellion smirked.
Luna's blood ran cold.
Kai froze.
Hellions weren't supposed to be able to express emotions.
Before they could react, the Hellion's body convulsed, dark energy bursting out in all directions.
Then, it spoke.
"You are still unworthy."
A massive explosion of Rift energy erupted, swallowing the entire battlefield.
And everything went white.