The battle between Leo and Wox had already crossed the limits of what could be called a fight.
It looked less like two warriors… and more like two monsters clashing for dominance.
The ground around them cracked violently with every impact. The earth split open, deep fractures spreading like spider webs across the land. Trees that had survived Wox's earlier arrival were now reduced to splinters. The entire island trembled, as if it could collapse into the ocean at any moment.
Leo stood tall despite the destruction, his body bruised but his spirit unbroken.
"This ends now," Leo said, breathing heavily. "To defeat you… I'll have to show you my true power."
A dangerous aura began to rise around him.
"Pride Beast Form."
His body started to transform—his muscles tightening, his energy surging, something ancient awakening inside him.
But before the transformation could complete—
A sharp movement.
A flash.
Wox had already moved.
Leo froze.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then blood spilled.
Wox had cut him down.
Leo's body weakened instantly, his breath fading. The transformation stopped midway, his power collapsing before it could fully awaken.
Wox turned his back, his expression cold.
"Leo… the Beast King," he said quietly. "I warned you eight years ago. Never use humans for your selfish goals."
His voice hardened.
"But you did the opposite."
"This… is your punishment."
Leo struggled to breathe, his vision fading. Yet, in his final moments, he forced himself to speak.
"Humanity… is already destroyed…" he whispered. "I broke the barrier… the beasts are free now…"
Wox paused slightly.
Leo's lips trembled.
"And in three years… he will come…"
Before he could finish—
Wox ended it.
Silence fell.
For a moment, only the sound of the broken world remained.
Wox leaned slightly and whispered near Leo's ear,
"Some secrets are better buried."
He stepped away, ready to leave.
But suddenly—
Three powerful presences appeared.
The air itself grew heavy.
Pirate King Zong.
Criminal leader Kuaal.
And Wox.
When their auras collided, even the strongest creatures nearby lost control. Massive beasts, including a Gorilla King, went mad under the pressure.
The three figures faced each other.
No words.
Only intent.
Then—
They attacked.
The collision of their powers shattered a part of Beast Land into fragments. The sky distorted. Even the wind cracked under the pressure of their energy.
Far away, across the world—
Five figures stood together.
The Government Savior Commanders.
For the first time in 1200 years, all five had gathered in one place.
One of them, Raaro, spoke while staring into the distance.
"They've all moved… to the same place… chasing the same objective."
Another commander, Sako, replied calmly,
"They are rulers of this world."
He continued,
"There are four powers in this world. The Government. The Pirates. The Criminals. And the Warriors."
"And among them… the strongest are the Government… and the Criminals."
Meanwhile—
The scene shifted to Iceheat City.
Zarko stood at the center of destruction, his ring glowing faintly. He had managed to stop the earthquake—but it was too late.
Eighty percent of the city was gone.
Buildings destroyed.
Smoke rising.
Bodies everywhere.
When Zarko saw the devastation… he slowly dropped to his knees.
A scream escaped his throat.
On the other side—
Zak opened his eyes.
The moment he regained consciousness, panic filled his face.
"My friend… Querry—where is he?!"
He looked at Seek desperately.
"What happened to him? Who are you?!"
His voice shook with fear.
Seek hesitated… then spoke the truth.
"Your friend is critically injured."
Zak's heart stopped.
"He cannot be saved."
"No…" Zak whispered. "You're lying… right?"
He grabbed Seek by the collar.
"You're lying!"
But Seek didn't move.
"This is the truth."
Before Zak could react further—
The door opened.
Wox entered.
Zak's eyes widened.
"Brother!"
He ran toward him—
But before he could reach him—
Wox punched him.
Hard.
No powers. No abilities. Just pure physical strength.
Zak was thrown across the room, crashing into the wall.
Everyone present stood in shock.
Wox's voice thundered.
"Didn't I tell you?!"
"Warriors have power. Wealth. Fame."
He stepped forward slowly.
"But what do you have?"
His gaze was sharp.
"You don't feel like my brother."
Zak froze.
Wox turned away.
"Don't show me your face again… until you're strong enough to land a single punch on me."
And with that—
He walked out.
Zak screamed in frustration, punching the ground again and again.
Outside—
Wox stood silently.
Tears rolled down his face.
Seek and Kamoon approached him.
"Why did you do that?" they asked.
"You always talk about him…"
Wox closed his eyes.
"I'm not happy," he said. "But this was necessary."
"I won't always be there to protect him."
"He needs to stand on his own."
Inside—
Zak sat on the ground, broken.
His brother rejected him.
His best friend was dying.
Everything felt lost.
Then—
Someone appeared in front of him.
Another… Zak.
The same face.
The same voice.
But colder.
"So this is all you had?" the other Zak said. "This is your strength?"
"Your dream is over."
"The promise you made to your father… ends here."
Zak trembled.
"Stand up," the other Zak said.
"For your goal."
"For your father."
"For your friends."
"For justice."
"For freedom."
"For a better world."
Zak clenched his fists.
Slowly—
He stood up.
"You're right," he said quietly. "My dream… isn't over."
He looked up—
But the other Zak was gone.
Unseen by him—
This had been Wox's plan.
Zak ran outside.
He rushed to Querry.
His condition was worse than he imagined.
A doctor nearby spoke,
"He can survive… but he will never wake up."
Zak's heart tightened.
"There is only one way," the doctor continued.
"A rare herb… Cerloon Herb."
"It grows at the top of Cyclone Mountain."
Zak looked up immediately.
"I'll get it."
The doctor's expression turned serious.
"You have three months."
"After that… nothing can bring him back."
Zak didn't hesitate.
"Three months is more than enough."
"For my friend… I'll do anything."
The wind grew stronger.
A new journey had begun.
And with it—
A new arc.
End of Chapter 8