Tension…No—this was pure, suffocating terror.
It wasn't something unfamiliar—after all, what stood before them was a dragon, mere steps away.
Its presence alone weighed heavily on their chests…but its voice—deep, ancient, almost echoing from a forgotten era—was something else entirely.
…Can dragons speak?
Before anyone could even process the thought—
The dragon moved.
Its arms ignited violently, and with a single motion, it unleashed a devastating strike toward them all.
And in that very instant—
Aldous smiled...
He vanished.
And reappeared—right in front of the attack.
Impact.
A massive collision shook the ground beneath them.
He stood there… alone—holding back that overwhelming force as if it meant nothing...
For a brief moment—
The dragon hesitated.
Surprised.
Then—
It intensified its assault.
Blow after blow.Relentless speed. Crushing force.
Yet—
It barely pushed Aldous back.
In fact…
His smile only widened.
His aura surged...
The clash escalated.
Power against power.Monster… against monster.
Without a word—
Aldous glanced back...
That was enough.
Everyone understood...
They retreated instantly—putting as much distance as possible—
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Dust and smoke swallowed the entire battlefield...
Seconds passed…
Then slowly—
It cleared...
Revealing them both...
Standing...
Unshaken...
Their eyes locked—
A gaze filled with respect… and fear.
But then—
The dragon's expression twisted...
It lunged...
Fangs aimed straight at Aldous.
He evaded—
But—
It wasn't over.
A violent tail strike sent him flying.
He crashed—
Yet didn't break.
A stone armor had formed around him at the last second.
"…His element…"Raym muttered in disbelief...
Daniel smirked slightly:"That's just one of them… don't forget who he is."
And yet—
Amid all of this—
One person was missing...
Lorian.
He wasn't watching the dragon...
He was searching.
For someone else...
Not far away…
Araki stood before a strange structure—something resembling a statue, yet radiating an unsettling presence.
Beside him stood Zak, along with several cult members...
Zak spoke casually:
"So… this is our feast???"
A faint smile formed on Araki's lips as he nodded...
"The key… to understanding everything."
He paused...
Then his smile deepened...
"…Ah. Our guests are getting lively."
He turned...
His steps—slow… steady… deliberate.
Behind him, Zak and the others began chanting strange, distorted words…like a ritual in motion...
Back outside—
Lorian saw it.
That subtle shift—
That faint trace of annoyance on Araki's face...
That was all he needed.
He moved.
At full speed.
Inside him—
Apology.Regret.And a decision… already made.
He wasn't alone...
Saon followed.
Elsewhere—
Raym didn't fully understand what was happening.
But one look from Aldous—
Said everything.
"Do what you must..."
Raym froze for a brief second.
Then—
He sheathed his sword.
And ran.
A faint grin appeared on Aldous's face as he turned to the others:
"Seems this cake… won't be mine alone."
Daniel stepped forward...
Then Arvela...
The rest followed—Lyra among them—watching in awe...
Three commanders.
One battlefield...
Facing Araki—
Lorian sensed Raym behind him...
He spoke, voice low… carrying something heavy:
"Raym… please. There's no time… I've already decided."
But Raym stepped forward—
"I'm here to support you."
Then, quieter—
"…and to settle my own score."
A faint, bittersweet smile crossed Lorian's face.
Araki took a step back...
Then another...
It was clear—
He wasn't one for direct combat.
Lorian advanced slowly, his voice cold:
"You filthy coward… what are you planning this time???You drag us here, make us fight a dragon… while you hide???"
Araki smirked:
"Oh… the main guest.I didn't expect you to grow bored of my arrangements so quickly."
In an instant—
Lorian grabbed him by the collar...
"Enough games!!!Speak—and make your last words worth something."
Araki laughed...
But before anything more—
Zak intervened.
Forcing them apart.
In that moment—
Raym and Saon found themselves facing him.
Raym glanced at Lorian.
He nodded.
Lorian… smiled faintly.
Then moved again...
Now—
Two figures...
Only a few steps apart.
Lorian raised his sword—
Aimed at Araki's neck.
But—
In a blink—
His blade was knocked away.
Araki stepped back…
Then assumed a familiar stance.
And smiled...
His voice—calm… yet terrifying:
"Nine Arts of Flame…""Seventh Art…""Total Combustion!!!"