The Abyss Stares Back
The arena of the
Zephyros Gym
was no longer a battlefield.
It had become something else.
A void.
A place where shadows didn't just exist—
They lived.
At its center—
Lunashade Abyss Form stood still.
Massive.
Distorted.
Its form flickered between shapes—
Unstable.
Uncontrolled.
Elior Steps Forward
Despite the overwhelming darkness—
Elior didn't step back.
"…I won't fight you."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
Behind him—
The shadows surged violently.
Like rejecting his words.
Noctra Watches
From the edge of the arena—
Noctra observed silently.
No interference.
No guidance.
"…Show me your answer."
Without warning—
Lunashade moved.
A burst of abyssal energy tore through the air—
Straight toward Elior.
No Dodge
He didn't move.
Didn't run.
Didn't defend.
The attack stopped—
Just inches away from him.
Lunashade's form trembled.
Its energy flickered violently.
Like something inside it was resisting.
Elior's Voice
"…You know me."
A step forward.
"…You trust me."
The shadows roared.
Trying to consume everything again.
Trying to erase that connection.
Inside Lunashade—
A silent war raged.
Darkness pulling it deeper.
Memory pulling it back.
Fragments flashed—
Moments with Elior.
Battles fought together.
Trust built over time.
"…I'm not your enemy."
Another step.
Closer.
Closer to the abyss.
Noctra's Eyes Narrow
For the first time—
Noctra showed slight tension.
"…He's stepping into it…"
Lunashade raised its claw—
A massive attack forming.
Far stronger than before.
Unstoppable.
Elior Doesn't Stop
"…If you lose yourself…"
He looked directly into its void-like eyes.
"…then I'll bring you back."
The attack launched—
Everything went silent.
Light Within Darkness
At the moment of impact—
A faint glow appeared.
Inside the darkness.
Inside Lunashade.
A memory.
Elior holding Lunashade for the first time.
A promise without words.
A connection beyond power.
The attack stopped.
Mid-air.
Disintegrating into particles of shadow.
Lunashade's massive form trembled violently.
The abyssal aura cracked—
Like glass.
Slowly—
The form shrank.
Distortion fading.
Darkness retreating.
Lunashade reappeared—
Falling forward.
Elior rushed forward—
Catching Lunashade in his arms.
"…I got you."
Silence
The shadows faded.
The arena returned.
The air became normal again.
After a long silence—
Noctra finally spoke.
"…You didn't defeat it."
A pause.
"…You understood it."
Elior looked down at Lunashade.
"…It's still dangerous… isn't it?"
Noctra nodded slightly.
"Abyssal Sovereign doesn't disappear."
A pause.
"It waits."
Elior's expression didn't change.
"…Then I'll get stronger."
He tightened his grip slightly.
"…Strong enough to control it."
The gym lights slowly returned.
The battlefield stabilized.
The test was over—
But not the journey.
Noctra turned away—
But her voice echoed one last time:
"…Next time…"
A pause.
"…we finish the battle."
And the journey continues....