The sky was gray.
The wind felt heavy.
The arena was full, voices echoing across the stands.
"Quarterfinal match! Arcanis' representative—Kashikari Lior!"
"Opponent: Zane Or'thar, Master of the Iron Armor!"
Zane stepped forward.
Massive.
Every part of his body was covered in enchanted armor, layered with dense magic. Each step he took shook the ground beneath him. The sword in his hand gleamed like a towering pillar.
Kashikari stood still.
No greeting.
No reaction.
Only his gray eyes, fixed on his opponent.
Jinwi whispered.
"Armor won't stop you, Kashikari."
"I know."
A pause.
"But be careful. That isn't just defense… it devours."
Kashikari's gaze didn't shift.
"I don't get devoured."
Another pause.
"I spread silence."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Zane moved first.
The moment his foot struck the ground, magic circles expanded outward. The arena trembled under the pressure.
Kashikari didn't move.
"Come on!" Zane roared. "Let's see your defense, Arcanis' legend!"
The sword cut through the air with a metallic scream.
A gray wave formed in front of Kashikari.
Bodyguard Aura—active.
The blade collided—
And melted.
The crowd exploded in shock.
Kashikari lifted his hand slightly.
The aura reversed.
Zane was thrown back—
But didn't fall.
The armor vibrated.
Changed.
A blue glow spread across its surface.
"That armor… it's absorbing the destruction!" Dorum shouted.
Selvan's voice was low.
"…We didn't account for that."
Zane laughed.
"Good! Now my turn!"
The armor flared.
Power surged outward, pushing Kashikari back. Stone cracked beneath his feet as he was forced several steps away.
The audience held its breath.
Kashikari stood again.
Blood traced slowly from his nose.
Jinwi's voice thundered.
"Don't let it turn your power against you!"
Kashikari closed his eyes.
For a moment—
Time slowed.
"Jinwi."
"What?"
"I'm not afraid anymore."
A pause.
"…What?"
Kashikari's voice was calm.
"Because this time… I'm in control."
He opened his eyes.
The gray aura had changed.
Darker.
Heavier.
The air itself bent around him.
Zane stepped back instinctively.
"…What is that?"
"That's not aura…"
Kashikari raised his hands.
The gray energy spread—quietly.
No explosion.
No impact.
Just… contact.
A cracking sound followed.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
The armor began to break.
Piece by piece.
Fragments falling like dead weight.
Zane dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.
Kashikari stepped closer.
His voice barely above a whisper.
"Your mistake…"
A pause.
"…was thinking this was defense."
"…Damn it…"
"Defense is just fear… shaped."
Kashikari lifted his hand again.
The aura pulsed one last time.
But he didn't kill him.
He only erased the armor.
Zane remained conscious—
Defeated.
"WINNER: KASHIKARI LIOR!"
The crowd erupted.
For the first time—
Zane's armor had been broken.
Completely.
Yet Selvan didn't move.
"…This power…"
His voice lowered.
"It's no longer contained."
Dorum shook his head slightly.
"He's not controlling it."
A pause.
"He's directing it."
"…That difference could reshape everything."
Nyari watched in silence.
Her eyes glistened.
Beside her, Iria spoke quietly.
"That boy…"
Nyari didn't look away.
"Yes?"
"…He's not just a fighter anymore."
Nyari whispered softly.
"…But he's still my Kai."
Kashikari walked out of the arena.
Applause followed him.
Loud.
Endless.
But his expression didn't change.
Step by step—
His aura faded.
Dorum waited near the exit.
"…That's the first time I've seen you bleed."
Kashikari passed him.
"Blood… reminds."
"Of what?"
A brief pause.
"That I'm still human."
He kept walking.
Jinwi's voice was quieter now.
"…If you disappear completely…"
"…Who will remember you?"
Kashikari didn't stop.
"…It's better if they don't."
That night, he stood alone.
Silence filled the space around him.
The semifinal opponent had been announced.
"Veyron — Master of Light Speed."
Kashikari looked at his reflection.
"Light…"
Jinwi whispered.
"Darkness is always born within light."
Kashikari closed his eyes.
"…Then tomorrow—"
A pause.
"…darkness will be born."