"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions."
- Confucius 孔子 (c. 551-c. 479 B.C.E.).
Meanwhile back in the Spirit Realm Sun Wukong and King Gilgamesh were sitting down with Talus and Lupus, all four of them shoveling food into their mouths with their enormous appetites. Sun Wukong broke the silence by saying, "Tomorrow is a big day for both of you, for you have trained on my mountain for two years, and now you have a great task ahead of you." Talus and Lupus both gulped down their food. Lupus was the first to respond: "What the hell are you talking about?" Monkey replied: "Tomorrow you will climb to the top of the Mountain of the Devas in the Southern Heaven and if successful you will achieve wisdom from Lord Laozi and eventually from Sakuyumi Buddha. If you reach the Saykumi Buddha he will give you the Dragon Jewels and only after this we'll you receive new Enlightenment that was unachievable to you before." Talus chimed in: "New enlightenment? I see." Lupus furrowed his brow, still chewing on the weight of Monkey's words. "And if we fail?" Wukong shrugged, shoving another dumpling into his mouth. "Then you're not ready. And if you're not ready, you'll never stand a chance against what's coming." His golden eyes glinted as he leaned forward, his tone momentarily serious. "The path to true power isn't just about swinging your sword faster or making your flames burn hotter. It's about understanding yourself. About refining the chaos inside you into something unbreakable." Talus crossed his arms, his violet flames flickering faintly as he considered. "And what exactly are these Dragon Jewels? Why do we need them?" Gilgamesh finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the air like a blade. "The Dragon Jewels are relics of immense spiritual energy, remnants of the first divine dragons who shaped the foundations of reality itself and who of course were steadfast 0n the Dharma path. They are not mere trinkets. They will test you, mind and soul."
Lupus scoffed, though there was uncertainty in his voice. "Great. Another test." Wukong cackled, slamming his fist onto the table. "Oh, don't be such a baby! You survived me, didn't you?" He leaned back, resting his staff against his shoulder. "Besides, Laozi and Saykumi Buddha won't kill you. Probably." Talus let out a slow breath, his gaze shifting toward the dark sky outside. "We'll be ready, we've had two months to train after all." Gilgamesh rose from his seat, his golden cloak flowing behind him as he turned toward the exit of the great hall. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow will challenge you beyond the limits you've known." Lupus shot Wukong a look. "And you? Are you coming with us?" The Monkey King grinned. "Nah. This is your journey, not mine. Besides—" he stretched lazily, yawning exaggeratedly—"I already climbed that mountain centuries ago. And trust me, you'll have plenty of company."
The next morning, as the sun created the horizon, Talus and Lupus stood at the base of the Mountain of the Devas. It loomed impossibly high above them, its peak lost within the clouds. The air shimmered with divine energy, an unseen force pressing against them even before they took their first step. A set of ancient stone steps stretched upward, winding into the mist. Intricate carvings of celestial beings and primordial dragons adorned the sides, their eyes seeming to follow the two warriors as they prepared to ascend. Lupus exhaled sharply. "Alright. Let's do this. It's about time we started." As they took their first steps, a deep voice echoed from above, vibrating through the very fabric of reality. "To climb this mountain is to strip away the illusions of self. Are you prepared to face what lies within?" Talus and Lupus exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. They ascended, unaware of the trials that awaited them in the clouds above.
Meanwhile, on Helios, the tournament at Xelious University was about to begin. The grand arena was packed with students, instructors, and military officials, all gathered to witness the clash between Xelious and Zoozoo Academy. Hermes, Mark, Nelly, and Khadija stood in the waiting area, their nerves sharpened to a fine edge. Across from them, Glorio and his team from Zoozoo Academy exuded nothing but arrogant confidence. A booming voice echoed over the intercom. "Let the tournament… begin!" As the fighters stepped into the arena, the weight of the moment settled upon them. This was more than just a match. It was a proving ground. And none of them intended to lose. When the announcer shot his gun all of them who were positioned at different points of the giant forest they would be competing in entered the forest. The moment the starting gun echoed across the arena, the fighters scattered into the dense forest. The tournament battleground was vast, filled with towering trees, shifting terrain, and hidden obstacles meant to test their adaptability. This wasn't just about brute strength—it was a battlefield designed to push their tactical minds as well.
Hermes took off instantly, her keen senses scanning the treetops as Niffy trailed behind her. She knew their opponents from Zoozoo Academy were aggressive, but if she could take the high ground early, she could control the pace of the battle. Nelly wasn't far behind, her sharp eyes flicking between the branches as she moved like a shadow through the underbrush. Mark, slower but methodical, positioned himself near the base of a thick oak, his instincts telling him to stay hidden until an opportunity arose. Khadija, however, had other plans. She advanced straight ahead, her hands glowing with energy, daring anyone to come at her first.
Meanwhile, on the opposing side, Glorio's team was already closing in. He moved with practiced ease, his eyes gleaming with the arrogance of someone who had won countless battles before. Cratako flanked him, his movements sharp and calculated, while Gator prowled the lower ground, sniffing the air for any sign of prey. Frim, as always, moved silently, his presence barely detectable. Suddenly, a rustle in the trees. Hermes twisted mid-air, narrowly dodging a burst of energy from Cratako, who had launched himself upward with surprising speed. She spun, using the force of her movement to bring her leg around in a sharp kick. Cratako barely blocked, his forearm trembling under the impact. "Not bad," he sneered. "But not good enough." He retaliated with a rapid strike, but Hermes twisted away, landing gracefully on a higher branch. "You talk too much," she shot back. Below, Nelly encountered Gator. His unsettling grin widened as he lunged, his unnerving speed forcing her to react instantly. She ducked, rolling to the side before striking out with a precise palm strike to his ribs. He grunted but barely flinched, countering with a vicious backhand. Nelly barely managed to block, the sheer force sending her skidding back. "Fast," she muttered. "But predictable." Gator lunged again, but this time Nelly was ready. She sidestepped, grabbing his arm and using his own momentum against him, flipping him onto his back. He growled, but before he could recover, she delivered a sharp kick to his stomach, sending him crashing into a tree. Mark, meanwhile, found himself face-to-face with Frim. The silent fighter simply stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he vanished. Mark barely had time to react before a sharp blow struck his side. He stumbled but didn't fall. Another strike came from behind. Then another from the left. Frim was toying with him, attacking from angles he could barely register.
"Damn," Mark muttered, gritting his teeth. He steadied himself, forcing his mind to slow down. If Frim was too fast to track visually, he'd have to rely on something else. Closing his eyes for just a second, he listened. The rustling leaves, the shifting dirt—there. Mark spun and lashed out just as Frim appeared. His fist connected squarely with Frim's jaw, sending the silent fighter stumbling back for the first time. "You're not the only one who can fight without sight," Mark said, rolling his shoulders. Elsewhere in the forest, Khadija had found her match in Glorio. Unlike the others, she didn't hesitate—she attacked first, striking with raw power. Glorio blocked with ease, barely moving an inch as he parried her blows. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "You're strong," he admitted. "But strength alone won't be enough." With a flick of his wrist, an unseen force slammed into Khadija, sending her flying backward. She crashed through the underbrush, but before she could recover, Glorio was already upon her, his movements impossibly fast. He raised a fist, ready to end it. Then a gunshot rang through the forest. A signal. The first elimination had occurred. Back at the main arena, the spectators roared in excitement. The battle was only just beginning, and already, the tension was high. The instructors and military officials observed closely, noting every move. This wasn't just a tournament—it was a proving ground for the next generation of warriors.
In the audience Ungar was standing next to Narcis Matreya standing in front of the bleachers with a screaming, excited crowd. Ungar with his arms crossed and Matreya with his hands behind his back both wearing their respective capes. "They seem to be doing well, but after all it's only the beginning," said Ungar. Martreya nodded, while thinking to himself, "today is an auspicious day, for heaven has bestowed mercy upon this world and peace has triumphed over the chaos of the masses." Far away in the outskirts of the city a mysterious being causally walked closer, it appeared to look like a ghoulish humanoid being with horns and red skin. He was walking down the street and slowly began causing a causal moderate level of chaos by throwing a car here, destroying a fire hydrant there causing nature and roots to grow up out of the ground and black and fleshy tendrils as well. He slowly preceded closer and closer; it would be some time before he arrived as he was heading straight for the tournament.
The tournament battle continued to rage within the dense forest, every fighter pushing their limits as the crowd roared in excitement. The air was thick with tension, each exchange of blows a testament to the months of grueling training leading up to this moment. Hermes barely had time to breathe before Cratako lunged again, his fists like battering rams. She twisted away, narrowly avoiding his strikes, her mind racing. He was relentless, but she had faced worse. With a sudden burst of speed, she ducked low, sweeping his legs out from under him. He crashed to the ground, but instead of groaning in pain, he grinned. Then time stopped and Hermes saw Cratako leaping in the air stuck in time. Niffy said: "Look a pop-up!!" Hermes had gotten used to it, she quickly hit the pop-up and entered a world where a giant demon, with red skin, horns and fangs began charging at her. She battled it for about two minutes and then triumphed over it. After the beast was killed a Notification appeared Level 906 Achieved! She was previously Level 820. The virtual world soon after melted away and Hermes began to explode with energy which terrified Cratako. "Where is this power coming from? Did she just achieve this?!" Hermes began to unleash a meteor combo on Cratako finally landing a punch to the gut which knocked him out causing him to crash into the dirt, utterly what was a challenging fight just a moment ago became a cake-walk in an instant.
Nelly, meanwhile, was locked in a brutal clash with Gator. Every blow she landed felt like striking solid iron, and he absorbed the damage with an eerie resilience. She shifted her strategy, aiming for precision over power, exploiting the small openings in his movements. But Gator, unfazed, suddenly feinted left and then surged forward, grabbing her wrist in a crushing grip. "Gotcha," he hissed. Before he could throw her, Nelly twisted, using the momentum against him. She flipped over his arm and drove her knee into his jaw, forcing him to release her. Gator staggered back, but his smile never wavered. Mark and Frim's battle had become one of pure endurance. Mark had learned to anticipate Frim's silent, unpredictable attacks, relying on instinct rather than sight. Each exchange was razor-thin, with Mark barely dodging strikes that would have knocked him out cold. He had to end this soon, or Frim's relentless speed would overwhelm him. Khadija, still reeling from Glorio's attack, forced herself back to her feet. Her vision blurred, but she refused to go down easily. She knew Glorio was powerful, but she also knew he underestimated her. Gritting her teeth, she gathered energy into her palms, the air around her crackling. If she was going down, she was taking him with her.
Back in the arena stands, Ungar and Narcis Matreya continued their quiet observation. Ungar's arms remained crossed, his expression unreadable. "They are proving themselves worthy competitors," he said. "For now," Matreya replied, his voice laced with wisdom. He glanced toward the horizon, an unshakable unease settling over him. "But the true test has yet to begin." Far beyond the tournament grounds, the city remained oblivious to the creeping danger approaching. The horned figure walked with an eerie calm, destruction trailing in his wake. Black tendrils slithered from the cracks in the pavement, wrapping around lamp posts and shattering glass. The air warped around him as he exuded an unnatural presence, each step bringing him closer to the tournament. A police siren blared, and an officer stepped out of his patrol car, drawing his weapon. "Halt! Put your hands where I can see them!" The horned being turned slowly, regarding the officer with a mixture of amusement and boredom. Without a word, he lifted a single clawed hand, and the officer was suddenly yanked off the ground by unseen forces. His body twisted in agony as the dark tendrils wrapped around him before tossing him aside like a ragdoll.
The being smirked, his glowing crimson eyes locked onto the distant sounds of the cheering crowd. "Almost there," he murmured, his voice a whisper that sent shivers through the empty streets. The tournament fighters might have been prepared for their battles, but they had no idea of the true storm that was heading their way. Mark and Frim continued her battle in some bizarre temple, Frim swung her powerful axe but Mark who was quickly learning the art of battle dodged her attacks with ease. The fight continued until large tree trunks came up from the ground. Driving both Mark and Frim backwards as this foreign attack nearly killed both of them. Mark and Frim barely had time to react before the ground beneath them trembled violently. The massive tree trunks that had erupted moments ago continued to grow, their bark twisting with an eerie darkness. Frim, always silent, took a step back, her grip on her axe tightening. Mark, still catching his breath, surveyed the strange phenomenon with narrowed eyes. This wasn't part of the tournament. From above, Hermes felt it too. The air itself was shifting, vibrating with an unnatural energy. She had faced simulations, virtual projections, even high-level adversaries, but this was something different. Something real. Her gaze flickered toward the distant city, where a plume of smoke had begun to rise. The horned being was getting closer. In the stands, Ungar's expression hardened. He turned to Matreya, who remained eerily calm despite the looming threat. "This isn't part of the test," Ungar stated. Matreya nodded. "No. It is something else entirely."
Down in the thick of the battle, Nelly sensed the shift before she saw it. Gator, who had been relentless in his assault, suddenly hesitated. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the air, his grin finally slipping. "What… is that?" he muttered. A low growl echoed through the trees, reverberating in their bones. Then, with terrifying speed, black tendrils burst from the ground, wrapping around trunks, twisting through the battlefield like living serpents. The fighters barely had time to react as one tendril snapped toward Hermes, forcing her to slice through it with a swift energy-infused strike. But for every one cut down, more took its place. Khadija, who had been locked in her clash with Glorio, skidded to a stop. Her fists clenched as she noticed the sudden change in their environment. Glorio, ever the composed warrior, merely smirked. "Interesting," he mused. "Looks like we have a new challenger." At that moment, the horned figure finally stepped into the outskirts of the tournament grounds. His red skin seemed to pulse with dark energy, his eyes glowing like molten embers. The crowd, still unaware of the full scope of the threat, continued cheering. The officials, however, had begun moving, security forces being dispatched toward the mysterious intruder. The announcer's voice crackled over the speakers. "Fighters, hold positions. Security will handle the disturbance." But the fighters on the ground knew better. This wasn't just some rogue intruder. This was something else. Something beyond what any of them had trained for. Frim and Mark exchanged a glance. Nelly shifted into a defensive stance. Hermes took a deep breath, steadying herself. And Khadija, always eager for a challenge, smirked. "Well," she muttered, "about time things got interesting." Then, with a single flick of his wrist, the horned being sent a wave of dark energy crashing into the battlefield, shattering trees, uprooting the earth, and sending fighters flying in all directions. The tournament was over. The real battle had begun.
The audience began to scream in horror. Ungar began to shout to Narcis, "We have to find the kids now!!" Narcis and Ungar leaped into battle. For his part this strange demon quickly began to search for Mark and Hermes. The demon appeared before Hermes in an instant which shocked her Mark and Frim ran up to her and found the creature in front of her. He was thin but muscular, average height about 5'8" or 5'9", red skin, large yellow horns, fangs and pointy ears and a tail. He also had leather clothing. "Hello Prophet, King Apollo the King of the Gods has hired a lot of demons to take care of you from the Underworld, but where are my manners? My name is Krampus." Hermes' grabbed onto the Spirit Blade, Mark assumed a Martial position as well. Krampus' grin widened as he cracked his knuckles, his tail flicking behind him like a serpent preparing to strike. The air around him thickened with dark energy, distorting the space ever so slightly. Hermes could feel it—the unnatural power that pulsed from his very being. "You're not the first to try," she said, her grip tightening on the Spirit Blade. "And you won't be the last." Krampus chuckled, a low rumbling sound that sent a chill down Mark's spine. "Oh, I hope not," he mused. "It would be dreadfully boring if I were."
Then he moved. In an instant, Krampus closed the gap between them, his claws slashing toward Hermes' throat. She barely managed to raise her blade in time, sparks flying as steel met demonic talon. The force of the blow sent her skidding backward, her boots digging into the dirt. Mark wasted no time, lunging forward with a precise strike aimed at Krampus' side. But the demon twisted effortlessly, catching Mark's fist in his own palm. "Nice try, kid." With a flick of his wrist, he sent Mark flying backward into a tree, the impact sending leaves and bark flying. Frim leaped into the fray next, her axe glowing with raw energy as she brought it down in a crushing arc. Krampus sidestepped at the last second, his tail whipping around to strike her midsection. She barely dodged, rolling away as the ground where she stood cracked from the force of the impact. Hermes lunged again, her blade a blur of motion as she unleashed a flurry of strikes. This time, Krampus was forced onto the defensive, his movements a graceful dance of evasion and counters. But she was faster than before, her enhanced strength from the virtual battle evident in every strike. The Spirit Blade hummed with power, slicing through the very air itself.
Krampus' expression shifted ever so slightly, amusement giving way to mild annoyance. "Hmph. So you're not entirely useless." He suddenly jumped back, putting distance between them. His hands moved in a blur as dark energy coalesced around them. "Let's see how you handle this." The ground trembled as massive black tendrils erupted from beneath, twisting and writhing like living nightmares. They shot toward Hermes and the others, striking like spears. Hermes sliced through one, but another wrapped around her ankle, pulling her off balance. Mark barely dodged one, rolling to his feet in time to deflect another with a quick strike. Frim hacked at them wildly, her axe cleaving through the darkness, but they kept coming. From above, a powerful energy blast cut through the battlefield, obliterating several tendrils at once. Ungar and Matreya had arrived. "Enough," Matreya's voice rang clear, his presence radiating an authority that even Krampus seemed to acknowledge. The demon tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Ah, the babysitters," Krampus mused. "I was wondering when you'd show up." Ungar wasted no time with words, launching himself at Krampus with a devastating punch. Krampus caught it with one hand, the impact sending a shockwave through the battlefield. For a moment, the two were locked in a silent test of strength. Then Krampus' grin returned. "You're strong," he admitted. "But strength alone won't be enough."
With a sudden burst of power, he hurled Ungar back, his tail lashing out toward Matreya. But the wise warrior had already moved, appearing behind Krampus in the blink of an eye. A precise, glowing strike slammed into the demon's back, sending him stumbling forward. Krampus rolled to his feet, shaking off the attack with a laugh. "Alright, alright," he conceded. "Maybe this won't be so easy after all." His eyes flicked back to Hermes. "But my contract isn't with you two. It's with her." Matreya stepped in front of Hermes. "Then you'll have to go through us." Krampus sighed theatrically. "I was hoping you'd say that." Krampus' eyes began to glow green, he looked at Narcis and saw his ascendant soul and then he looked over at Ungar nothing, he was confused. "Wait… a minute." He couldn't find anything. As he was doing this Frim began to attack him swinging her axe. He shot out his palm facing her: "Give me one damn moment!" In a moment a burst of light flew from him and the woman who was Frim was transformed into a terrible monster, long slug like eye balls, two tentacles with sword blades at the end and a terrible bird beak and a second mouth with rows and rows of teeth.
The creature began to swing its blades at Mark which kept him occupied. Krampus began to laugh. "It's called Soul Manipulation, weak souls can be changed into anything. It's irreversible. I'm afraid I couldn't change her back if I wanted to." Hermes began to shake: "You damn monster!" But Krampus' attention turned to Ungar: "You don't have a body, you don't have a form, a chi, soul, light, darkness, how the hell do you even exist. It's like I'm fighting a fictional character but at the same time I'm not. It's like you're neither real or fake. What the hell are you?!" said Krampus. Ungar through his cold-metallic voice: "Wouldn't you like to know." Krampus' grin faltered for the first time. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the anomaly before him. Ungar stood motionless, his form shifting slightly in the flickering light of the battlefield. He wasn't real, yet he wasn't an illusion. He simply was.
But Krampus had no time to contemplate further. Hermes lunged, her Spirit Blade burning with divine energy. The blade cut through the air, aimed directly for his throat. Krampus barely managed to twist away, but the edge of the sword nicked his shoulder, sizzling as it made contact with his demonic flesh. He snarled in frustration, but before he could retaliate, Matreya was upon him again, his movements impossibly fast. A devastating kick sent Krampus stumbling backward.
Meanwhile, Mark struggled against the abomination that had once been Frim. The creature's bladed tentacles lashed out with terrifying speed, forcing him to remain on the defensive. He ducked, barely avoiding a swipe that would have taken his head off. "Frim, if you can hear me… fight this!" he called out, desperation in his voice. But the monster that had once been his ally did not respond. Its grotesque beak clacked together as it screeched in fury, lunging at him again. Narcis, seeing the situation, summoned a wave of golden light and hurled it at the beast. The energy slammed into Frim's mutated form, momentarily stunning her. "We have to find a way to undo this," Narcis said, stepping beside Mark. "There has to be a way." Krampus, overhearing, let out a sharp bark of laughter. "Oh, I assure you, there isn't," he taunted. "She's mine now." Ungar suddenly moved, his body shifting like a shadow breaking reality. "You misunderstand something, Krampus," he said, his voice cold and metallic. "You think you hold dominion over souls, but you've never encountered something like me." Krampus narrowed his eyes. "And what, exactly, are you?" Ungar raised a hand. The very air around him seemed to warp as an eerie hum filled the battlefield. "I am the absence of what you understand. I am neither bound nor broken. And I am not something you can control." A pulse of energy exploded outward. Krampus staggered, his grin vanishing completely as he felt something unfamiliar—fear. In the midst of the chaos, Hermes took her chance. She surged forward, her Spirit Blade shining brighter than ever. Krampus barely had time to raise his arms before the weapon struck him square in the chest, sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, skidding across the dirt.
The fighters pressed the advantage. Matreya Narcis moved quickly launching precise, advanced strikes. Ungar advanced, his very presence disrupting the demonic energy that had infested the battlefield. Krampus let out a frustrated growl, rolling to his feet. "This wasn't supposed to be this difficult," he hissed. "I was promised an easy hunt." Mark, still battling the twisted Frim, caught his breath. He locked eyes with Narcis. "We need to free her." Narcis shook his head and launched in front of Frim with a single strike he launched from his palm eliminating Frim and turning the beast to ashes. "The best we can do is give her the ability to reincarnate." Mark had tears in his eyes but just nodded. As the battle raged on, Krampus wiped a streak of black ichor from his mouth. His glowing green eyes burned with renewed fury. "You think you've won?" he sneered. "This is just the beginning."
Krampus' body crackled with raw energy, the air around him vibrating with malevolent force. His grin was gone, replaced by something colder, something far more dangerous—determination. The demon spread his arms, dark energy swirling around him like a raging storm. "You've taken away my plaything," Krampus growled, his gaze fixed on Narcis. "I should be furious… but I think I'll just have to make another one." Before anyone could react, Krampus' tail lashed out like a whip, striking the ground and sending a wave of black energy outward. The battlefield quaked as the darkness twisted and reshaped the terrain. Cracks formed in the earth, and from those cracks, monstrous figures began to claw their way to the surface. Twisted creatures, hybrids of beasts and men, their bodies distorted by Krampus' corrupting touch. "Enough of this," Ungar intoned, his metallic voice devoid of emotion. He stepped forward, his form shimmering slightly, as if flickering between realities. "You've played your hand, Krampus. Now let's end this." Krampus let out a barking laugh. "You think you can end me? I don't think you even understand what I am." "Neither do you," Ungar countered. Hermes and Matreya moved at once. Hermes surged forward, her Spirit Blade singing with divine energy, while Matreya weaved through the battlefield like a phantom, striking at the emerging monstrosities before they could fully take form. Narcis summoned a radiant sigil, its golden light holding the creatures at bay.
Krampus, however, had his sights set on Mark. "You're the weak link," he sneered, appearing before Mark in an instant. His claws lashed out, too fast to dodge. Mark barely managed to block, his arms crossing in a desperate defense, but the sheer force sent him crashing to the ground. He gasped for breath, pain searing through his body. Krampus raised his foot to stomp down— —but a black tendril snared his wrist. Krampus' eyes widened as he was yanked backward. Ungar stood there, hand raised, and for the first time, there was something unmistakable in Krampus' expression. Panic. "What… are you doing?" Krampus hissed, struggling against the force holding him in place. Ungar didn't answer. Instead, his body pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly energy. The battlefield seemed to flicker, as if the very nature of reality was shifting around him. Krampus let out a strangled gasp. "No… that's not possible!" Ungar's head tilted ever so slightly. "You corrupt souls, Krampus. You twist them, break them. But I am not bound by the laws of this world, nor yours." Krampus' body began to contort involuntarily, his own form writhing as if something unseen was pulling at him. The green glow of his eyes dimmed.
"No… NO!" he howled, clawing at the air. Hermes saw her chance. With a single bound, she closed the distance, raising the Spirit Blade high. "This is for Frim." A huge translucent octopus appeared behind her with countless eyes, this was Hermes' Avatar. It wasn't known by anybody but Krampus grinned, "Good, you just saved me kid." After the explosion that Hermes unleashed was dealt dust and debris flew into the air and in its wake was a very small crater with Krampus lying on his back, eyes closed, unconscious, his hands pointing upward as his fingers twitched, and his mouth wide open with his fangs exposed. At first everyone began to celebrate but in an instant Krampus lurched up with his mouth open as he growled a ray of light left from his mouth and went directly through Hermes' chest. Crimson blood was everywhere. She began to throw up blood in large amounts and howl in pain. Ungar began fighting Krampus. He was contacted telepathically by Nova, "Ungar this debacle has been all over the news, the government is sending a powerful warrior named "Zenkaisu," he apparently can exercise this evil spirit. He should be there in 5 minutes." Ungar responded in the middle of the fight: "Sure, Hermes was wounded but Narcis is currently healing her wounds."
Krampus snarled, his demonic energy surging as he grappled with Ungar. Every blow from Ungar sent ripples through reality itself, warping the very space around them. Krampus' claws lashed out, but they met nothing—Ungar's form flickered, his body existing in a state beyond comprehension. Hermes gasped for breath, Narcis' healing light barely keeping her alive. The hole in her chest slowly sealed, but she was pale, her energy drained. Mark pushed himself up from the ground, wiping blood from his mouth. He was weak, but his spirit still burned. He looked toward the battlefield, where Ungar and Krampus clashed with terrifying force. Then he turned to Narcis. "Can you heal her in time?" "I can stabilize her, but she won't be back at full strength anytime soon," Narcis admitted, his voice strained. Sweat beaded on his brow as he poured more energy into Hermes. "She needs time." Mark clenched his fists. Time was a luxury they didn't have. Suddenly, the air vibrated with an overwhelming presence. A sharp wind cut through the battlefield, and a golden aura illuminated the sky. The temperature dropped, yet there was no cold—only a chilling sense of finality. Zenkaisu had arrived. He was a simple man with white hair, and blue eyes, wearing a business suit. Zenkaisu shot a burst of energy from his hound; the power was colossal. Ungar screamed for everyone to get out of the way. Krampus declared: "I know I'm no match for the likes of Zenkaisu. I'm out!" He clapped and in a flash he disappeared saving his life just before the blast hit. In its wake was a chasm that cut through the forest that was 2 miles long and 20 miles deep.
Ungar and the others landed by a nearby creek. Narcis had just finished healing Hermes. He noted she would be unconscious for a little white, as Krampus had almost killed her. Soon after Zenkaisu descended and everyone including Ungar thanked him. Zenkaisu adjusted his tie, scanning the battlefield with an expression of mild interest. "Messy work," he muttered. "But at least it's handled." Ungar studied the devastation before turning his gaze to Zenkaisu. "You may have driven him off, but Krampus is not dead. He will return." Zenkaisu nodded, seemingly unconcerned. "Of course he will. But not today. He had to flee; he knew that if that attack hit him he would have been destroyed." Mark, still reeling from the battle, turned to Narcis. "Are you sure Hermes will recover? She looked... bad." Narcis wiped the sweat from his brow. "She'll live. But whatever Krampus hit her with, it wasn't just an attack. There was something else in that energy—something... ancient. Her soul is intact, but I can't say what lasting effects there might be." Ungar frowned. "We need to move. Krampus will come back when he's stronger. And now, he knows more about us." Zenkaisu raised an eyebrow. "That's assuming I let him live next time." Mark, still shaken by Frim's loss, clenched his fists. "She didn't deserve that," he murmured. "None of us did." Ungar placed a hand on his shoulder. "We avenged her by stopping him. For good." Zenkaisu crossed his arms. "Then I suggest you all rest up. You'll need it. Krampus wasn't lying—this was just the beginning."