The moonlight barely filters through the dense canopy. The forest is quiet… too quiet.
Kael walks along a narrow path. The Axiom in his hand, now pulsating not blue but a deep, glowing orange—as if he senses something approaching.
He reaches a clearing.
He stops.
The air suddenly heats up.
Kael slowly raises the Axiom.
Kael (quietly):
"Show your power…"
He launches it.
The peonza glows—and in the next moment flames erupt around it.
A huge, demonic figure forms from the fire: horns, glowing eyes, flaming armor.
The Axiom.
It doesn't attack. It just hovers behind Kael, as if guarding him.
The ground trembles slightly.
Footsteps are heard.
A figure emerges from the trees.
Virex.
Calm. Cold. Still.
Nova Strike in hand.
The air cools.
Lightning zigzags in the darkness.
Virex:
"I saw you watching."
Kael doesn't move. The flame creature behind him gains strength.
Kael:
"I learned. I'll need it in the finals."
Virex smiles faintly.
Virex:
"The finals? …You still think this is just a tournament."
A moment of silence.
Then Virex launches Nova Strike.
The ground cracks with dark energy—and a massive phoenix-like being of shadow and lightning rises from behind it.
Its wings spread. The sky flashes purple.
Short Trial
The two peons spin simultaneously in the middle of the clearing.
CLASH!
Fire and dark lightning collide.
Both creatures strain against each other—flames clash with shadows.
The forest echoes.
The Axiom is stable.
The Nova Strike… vibrates. Too strong. Its energy is building too fast.
As if it's not fully under control.
Virex suddenly calls it back.
The dark creature immediately disappears.
Silence returns.
The real warning
Virex turns his back.
Virex:
"Not yet. In the finals… full force."
He disappears into the shadows.
Kael is left alone.
The Axiom slowly stops… but still pulses.
Kael's Recognition
Axiom speaks softly:
Axiom:
"Energy Analysis: Nova Strike shows an unstable growth pattern."
Kael clenches his fists.
Kael:
"Then we must endure its strongest phase... and then attack."
The flame creature behind him glows faintly—as if in agreement.
Final Scene – Shadow Watcher
In a hidden location.
Monitors flash.
The footage of the forest clash plays over and over.
Two names appear:
KAEL – AXIOM
VIREX – NOVA STRIKE
An unknown figure is watching.
And he says quietly:
"It has begun