The city was already gone.
What remained was dust, broken steel, and two figures standing in the center of what used to be civilization.
Zane rose from a crater shaped like a scar across the earth. His breathing was heavier now. Not human heavy. But not effortless either.
The anti Spinat field hummed across kilometers, suppressing the resonance that made him untouchable.
For the first time, Zane looked irritated.
Xin stood opposite him, Raxton glowing along the seams. His body felt like it was tearing itself apart under the strain. Bones grinding. Muscles spasming. But he stayed upright.
They rushed each other again.
The collision split the ground beneath them like an earthquake. Mountains in the distance cracked. Shockwaves rippled outward for miles.
Zane caught Xin mid strike and slammed him through the skeleton of a half standing tower. Steel beams wrapped around Xin's body before snapping apart.
"You are persistent," Zane said, stepping through falling debris.
Xin wiped blood from his mouth. "You talk too much."
He lunged again.
Phenom Force detonated through his fist, driving Zane backward across several blocks. Zane retaliated with a knee to Xin's ribs that sent him flying through an entire district.
Deep underground, Alaric's voice cut through the comms.
"Resonance dropping. This is the window. Injection team move."
Rion was already moving.
He burst from a concealed transport tunnel with two resistance fighters at his side. One carried the injection device encased in reinforced shielding. The liquid inside glowed faintly blue, unstable and violent.
"One chance," Rion said.
They sprinted toward the epicenter of destruction.
Above ground, Zane caught Xin mid air and slammed him face first into the street hard enough to crater the entire block.
"You built a clever trap," Zane said calmly. "I almost respect it."
He lifted Xin again.
And that was when Rion moved.
Berzar.
Rion's blade flashed in a violent arc, amplified by Kurai's remaining power. The strike carved across Zane's back and actually drew blood.
Zane dropped Xin.
Turned.
"You," Zane said softly.
Rion did not hesitate.
He attacked again, blade moving faster than sound, each slash forcing Zane to split his focus.
Xin hit the ground and rolled, gasping, then forced himself up again.
Raxton pulsed.
Stabilize.
Survive.
The two of them pressed Zane from opposite angles. Rion's speed and technique forced Zane to block. Xin's amplified strikes forced him to absorb impact.
For the first time, Zane stepped back.
Only once.
But it happened.
Alaric shouted through the comms. "Now!"
The resistance fighter carrying the injection device sprinted in from behind Zane.
He was fast.
Brave.
Too slow.
Zane felt him.
Without turning, Zane reached back and grabbed the man by the skull.
Lifted him off the ground.
Snapped him clean in half with one hand.
The body fell in pieces.
Silence hit for half a second.
Then Rion roared and attacked again.
Zane flung the corpse aside and turned fully now, annoyed.
"You brought toys," Zane said.
Xin charged straight at him.
No hesitation.
No fear.
He grabbed Zane's arm mid swing and locked it.
Rion drove his blade into Zane's thigh, pinning him momentarily.
"Now!" Xin shouted.
The second resistance fighter dove in from the side, clutching the injection device with both hands.
Zane moved.
Too fast.
But not fast enough.
The needle pierced his neck.
For a fraction of a second, nothing happened.
Then the world screamed.
Zane convulsed violently.
Veins lit up under his skin like lightning trapped beneath flesh. The anti Spinat field surged in response. Resonance readings plummeted.
Zane staggered backward.
Actually staggered.
Xin stared.
It was working.
Zane dropped to one knee, gripping his own throat as if trying to rip something out.
"You," he growled through clenched teeth. "Insects."
The resistance fighter who injected him tried to retreat.
Zane's hand shot out and crushed the man's chest instantly.
He died without sound.
Two sacrifices.
One injection.
Zane's aura flickered violently.
His glow dimmed.
He looked up at Xin.
And for the first time, there was no amusement in his eyes.
Only rage.
"You made me bleed," Zane said.
Xin stepped forward.
Raxton fully locked.
"Yeah," Xin replied. "And I'm not done."
Zane roared.
And even weakened, the shockwave flattened everything left standing.