Yirina's crimson slash tore through the ground as it raced toward Lawine, splitting the earth apart in its wake. Lawine tightened her grip around her sword, preparing herself for the impact.
But before the attack could reach her—
Kondo suddenly appeared in front of her.
Lawine's eyes widened in terror. Everything had happened too quickly. Even if she wanted to pull him away, there wasn't enough time.
"Kondo!"
With a roar, Kondo planted his feet firmly and caught the slash with his sword. Every muscle in his body screamed as he struggled to stop the overwhelming force from advancing.
"AAAGH!!"
His arms trembled violently.
Then, gathering every ounce of strength he had left, Kondo forced the attack upward.
The massive crimson slash shot into the sky, disappearing high above the battlefield.
Kondo staggered backward, breathing heavily from the effort. He turned toward Lawine with a tired smile.
"I'm okay—"
"LOOK OUT!" Lawine screamed.
Kondo's eyes snapped open in alarm.
The moment he looked forward, he saw Yirina standing directly in front of him, her sword already raised above her head.
Without thinking, Kondo lifted his sword horizontally over his head.
CLANG!!
Yirina's blade slammed into his.
The impact was monstrous.
Cracks exploded beneath Kondo's feet as the ground caved inward, and blood burst from his mouth.
"...So... heavy..."
Before Yirina could press her advantage, Lawine rushed in from the side and unleashed a flurry of strikes.
Yirina effortlessly danced around every slash, retreating with a faint smile. It was obvious she wasn't taking the fight seriously anymore.
She was simply toying with Lawine.
Taking advantage of the opening, Lawine grabbed Kondo by the shoulder and pulled him back to safety.
Once they were a safe distance away, she looked him straight in the eyes.
"Kondo... never let your attention wander during a battle."
Kondo lowered his head in silence and nodded.
He knew it.
His carelessness had nearly cost his mother her life.
Lawine took a slow, steady breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
Facing an opponent this powerful was a nightmare for anyone...
Especially for a child.
"Kondo," she said seriously, "listen to me carefully. I'm going to show you something. Watch closely... and copy everything I do. It's the only way you'll be able to answer her attacks."
Kondo looked at his mother.
Lawine met his gaze and spoke calmly.
"This technique isn't easy to learn. Under normal circumstances, it would take years of practice... but we don't have that luxury right now. So listen carefully and do exactly as I say."
She raised her sword slightly.
"When you attack, you must create a connection between your mind and your sword. Imagine a thread extending from your thoughts... and bind that thread to your blade. Once you succeed, you'll no longer think of the sword as a weapon in your hand."
A faint smile crossed her lips.
"It will become a part of you."
She continued,
"If you can do that, the next step is Red Lightning. Control your energy, stabilize it into a single state, then let it flow through your sword... like this."
Lawine tightened her grip and slowly calmed her breathing.
Tiny strands of crimson lightning began dancing across her blade.
The instant they appeared—
"Cough!"
Blood spilled from her mouth.
Kondo's face turned pale.
"Mom! Are you okay?"
Lawine glanced at the blood staining her hand.
...I'm reaching my limit.
My strength is fading. My body won't be able to endure this power much longer.
She looked back at Kondo and forced a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine."
Then her expression grew serious.
"But focus. This... will be the first and last time I can show you."
Kondo silently nodded.
Crimson lightning gathered around Lawine's sword once again.
"Connect yourself to your sword," she said. "Let your energy flow naturally into it. I know it isn't easy... but you have to do it."
She took a step forward.
"I'll keep her occupied until then."
Kondo clenched his fists.
"No... Mom, it's too dangerous."
Lawine looked back at him with unwavering eyes.
"You have to do this."
"The sooner you master it..."
"...the sooner you can come and help me."
Kondo knew arguing was pointless.
He nodded.
"...Okay."
Lawine gave him one last glance before turning toward Yirina.
Gripping her sword with one hand, she unleashed a surge of brilliant crimson lightning that engulfed the blade.
Yirina let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Are you two done with your little family conversation?"
Without answering, Lawine shot forward in a blur, leaping straight at her.
Clang!
Their swords collided instantly.
Yirina blocked the strike effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Kondo watched them exchange blows before forcing himself to look away.
He lowered his eyes to his own sword.
I have to do this...
If I can't... then all I'll do is become another burden for Mom.
He closed his eyes and concentrated.
At first, it was impossible.
Every sound around him invaded his senses.
The clash of steel...
Explosions...
Shouts...
Everything echoed inside his head.
Focus...
Focus...
Focus...
Just focus, Kondo...
Gradually...
The noise disappeared.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in ankle-deep water.
The water stretched endlessly in every direction.
Above him...
There was only darkness.
Kondo slowly looked around.
Nothing.
Only endless darkness and silent water.
He instinctively looked down at his hand.
His sword...
...was gone.
"What...?"
Then...
A faint light appeared in the distance.
Kondo walked toward it.
As he drew closer, he saw it.
His sword floated silently in midair, bathed in white light.
He stopped before it.
"I don't know who you are..."
"...but I need your help."
"I have to protect everyone."
A calm, ancient voice echoed through the darkness.
> "Power shall be yours."
> "As long as your heart remains untouched by despair..."
> "...I shall remain at your side."
> "And to preserve that hope..."
> "...I will grant you the strength you seek."
A gentle smile appeared on Kondo's face.
He reached out his hand.
"...Thank you."
"...for choosing me."
The moment he grasped the sword—
It vanished.
Kondo froze.
"W-Where...?"
"Where did you go?"
The voice answered once more.
> "I am where the thing you treasure most has always been."
Kondo frowned.
He didn't understand.
Slowly, he closed his eyes again.
This time, he didn't search outside.
He searched within.
He felt the blood flowing through his veins...
He followed its current...
Toward his heart.
A smile slowly formed across his face.
"...So that's where you are."
His eyes opened.
The hilt of a sword was emerging from the center of his chest.
Kondo didn't panic.
He simply wrapped his hand around the hilt...
...and slowly pulled it free.
As the blade left his body, the blood covering it turned pure white.
That white liquid spread across the sword and over Kondo's body, coating him like flowing bone-white water.
**
Meanwhile, Lawine continued enduring Yirina's relentless assault.
She fought back with everything she had, trying to overwhelm her opponent, but Yirina slipped past every strike with effortless grace.
Then—
Boom!
Yirina drove a kick into Lawine's stomach.
Lawine was launched backward, coughing up blood before barely managing to regain her footing.
She dropped to one knee.
It's not enough...
Kondo still needs more time.
I can't afford to lose here...
Yirina calmly walked toward her, lifting her sword overhead.
"Time to say goodbye."
A cruel smile spread across her face.
"You're nothing like the Lawine I once knew."
"And now..."
"...you're of no use to us anymore."
She brought her sword down.
CLANG!
Lawine barely blocked it.
The strain was written all over her face.
She couldn't withstand attacks like these much longer.
Then—
Crack.
A fracture spread across her sword.
Lawine's expression stiffened.
She finally realized...
Her power was fading.
The chains covering her body were slowly disappearing.
Which meant...
Her transformation was nearing its end.
The next attack...
...my sword won't survive it.
Yirina smiled as she raised her blade for the finishing strike.
But before she could swing—
A slash flew past Lawine and rushed straight toward Yirina.
Yirina immediately pulled back and blocked it.
Even so, the force drove her several steps backward before she finally redirected the attack into the sky.
"Tch..."
She clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Why is it that one of you always shows up at the perfect moment?"
Lawine slowly turned around.
Kondo was standing behind her.
But...
He wasn't the same anymore.