Chapter 54 — Shattered Bonds
The silence didn't last.
It broke—
The moment John moved.
—
A burst of unstable energy erupted around him as he forced his body forward, ignoring the pain, ignoring the pressure crushing down on him.
Only one thing remained clear in his mind.
Scar.
—
"You said you were always my enemy…" John's voice trembled, but his eyes burned. "…then stop standing there like nothing changed."
—
Scar watched him calmly.
Almost… patiently.
—
"Something did change," Scar replied.
A pause.
"You finally understand."
—
John clenched his fists.
"Then I don't need to hold back anymore."
—
In an instant—
He vanished.
—
The ground beneath him exploded as he launched forward, his speed tearing through the battlefield like a storm.
A direct strike aimed at Scar's chest.
—
Scar didn't move.
—
Impact—
The shockwave spread across the ruins, splitting the earth apart.
—
But—
John's fist stopped.
—
Right in front of Scar.
—
Blocked.
Effortlessly.
—
"…too slow," Scar said quietly.
—
John's eyes widened.
—
Scar's grip tightened slightly—
And then—
John was thrown.
—
His body crashed through layers of broken ground before finally stopping, carving a deep path behind him.
—
But this time—
He didn't stay down.
—
John stood again.
Breathing heavier.
Energy more unstable.
—
"…again."
—
He rushed forward once more.
Faster.
Stronger.
More desperate.
—
Strike after strike—
Each one filled with anger, confusion, and something deeper—
Betrayal.
—
Scar blocked every attack.
Not struggling.
Not even moving much.
—
"You're wasting energy," Scar said.
—
"Shut up!" John roared.
—
A sudden surge—
John's power spiked wildly, forcing Scar to take a step back for the first time.
—
The battlefield trembled.
—
Scar's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…good."
—
John appeared above him, bringing his full force down.
—
Scar raised his hand—
And caught it.
—
For a moment—
They locked.
—
Power against power.
—
"Was any of it real?" John asked through clenched teeth.
—
Scar's expression didn't change.
—
"No."
—
Something inside John broke.
—
His energy flared violently, becoming unstable—dangerous even to himself.
—
"Then I'll make you regret it!"
—
A massive burst of force exploded outward, forcing Scar back several meters.
—
For the first time—
Scar slid across the ground.
—
Silence followed.
—
John stood at the center of the destruction, his body shaking, his aura flickering uncontrollably.
—
"I don't care what you planned…" he said.
"I don't care what I was used for…"
—
He raised his head.
—
"But I decide what happens now."
—
Scar looked at him.
And for a brief moment—
There was something in his eyes.
—
Not hesitation.
But recognition.
—
"…you've changed," Scar admitted.
—
John smirked faintly, though blood ran down his face.
—
"So have you."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
Scar's aura shifted.
—
The calm—
Disappeared.
—
What replaced it—
Was something far more dangerous.
—
"Good," Scar said.
"Then I won't hold back either."
—
The pressure exploded.
Far greater than before.
—
Even the distant enemy stepped back slightly, watching carefully now.
—
"Now this is worth watching…" he muttered.
—
Scar took one step forward.
The ground beneath him collapsed instantly.
—
Then—
He vanished.
—
John's eyes widened—
But this time—
He reacted.
—
Their fists collided mid-air.
—
A shockwave tore through the sky.
—
For the first time—
They were equal.
—
But only for a moment.
—
Scar's second strike came faster.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
—
John barely blocked—
And was sent flying again.
—
"…damn it…" he gritted.
—
Before he could recover—
Scar was already there.
—
A hand reached out—
Grabbing John by the throat.
—
"Still not enough," Scar said coldly.
—
John struggled, his vision blurring.
—
But then—
He smiled.
—
Scar's eyes flickered.
"…?"
—
"Got you…" John whispered.
—
A sudden surge of energy exploded point-blank.
—
Scar was forced back this time.
—
A shallow cut appeared on his arm.
—
The battlefield went silent.
—
Scar looked at the wound.
—
Then at John.
—
And for the first time—
He smiled.
—
"…so you can hurt me."
—
John dropped to one knee, exhausted but grinning.
—
"Yeah…"
—
A pause.
—
"I'm not your pawn anymore."
—
Scar stepped forward again.
Slow.
Interested.
—
"Then show me."
—
His aura rose higher.
Darker.
Endless.
—
"Show me you're worth breaking."
—
The sky cracked.
The ground trembled.
—
And the war between them—
Finally began in full