The battlefield had fallen silent.
Too silent.
The sky had returned to normal.
The enemies were gone.
The war… should have been over.
But Zareth Voidragon didn't move.
His eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
"…He woke up."
A cold wind passed through the academy.
Below, students slowly began to recover.
Some cheered.
Some collapsed in relief.
"…We survived…"
"It's over…"
Kael let out a heavy breath, still kneeling.
"…He actually ended it…"
Lyra, however, wasn't smiling.
Her eyes were on Zareth.
"…No," she whispered.
"…It's not over."
At that exact moment—
The sky darkened again.
Not like before.
This time—
It wasn't forced.
It was natural.
As if the world itself was reacting to something…
Something far worse.
CRACK.
A deep fracture spread across the sky—
But unlike the previous rifts—
This one didn't glow.
It absorbed light.
Everything grew darker.
Heavier.
Students froze.
"…What… is that…?"
"I can't… breathe…"
Even Valthor staggered slightly.
"…This presence…"
His voice trembled.
"…Impossible…"
Zareth stepped forward.
For the first time since his return—
His expression was serious.
"…You've finally decided to show yourself."
From within the darkness—
A figure appeared.
Slowly.
Calmly.
No aura explosion.
No dramatic entrance.
Just presence.
A man.
Dressed in pure black.
His eyes—
Empty.
But endless.
"…Zareth Voidragon."
His voice echoed softly—
But reached everyone.
Silence fell instantly.
Zareth's gaze sharpened.
"…You're late."
The man smiled faintly.
"…I wanted to be sure."
A pause.
"…That you eliminated the weak ones first."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"…Weak…?"
Zareth didn't react.
"…Still the same."
The man stepped forward.
The ground beneath him didn't crack.
It disappeared.
"…You haven't changed either," he said calmly.
"…Still playing king."
A brief silence.
Then—
Zareth spoke.
"…Name yourself."
The man looked at him—
And smiled.
"…You really don't remember?"
For the first time—
Zareth's expression shifted slightly.
"…Should I?"
The man's smile faded.
"…How disappointing."
The air grew heavier.
"…I was the one who ended you."
Silence.
Zareth's eyes narrowed.
"…You?"
The man nodded slowly.
"…Not them."
A pause.
"…Me."
A wave of pressure exploded outward.
Everyone dropped to their knees.
Valthor's eyes widened in shock.
"…He's the one…?"
The truth hit—
This wasn't just another traitor.
This was the mastermind.
The one who truly killed the Demon Sovereign.
Zareth stepped forward.
"…So you survived."
The man tilted his head slightly.
"…No."
A pause.
"…I evolved."
The sky twisted violently.
Reality itself began to break.
"…I surpassed everything."
Zareth's aura slowly rose.
"…Then prove it."
In an instant—
The man disappeared.
Zareth reacted immediately—
Blocking an invisible strike.
CLASH.
The impact shattered space itself.
A shockwave exploded across the entire academy.
Students screamed.
The ground split.
Barriers shattered instantly.
"…What… is this level…?"
Zareth pushed forward—
But the man didn't move.
"…Still holding back?" the man asked calmly.
Zareth's eyes glowed.
"…Not anymore."
Darkness surged around him.
Not the same as before.
Deeper.
More terrifying.
The man smiled.
"…Good."
For the first time—
Both of them released their power.
The sky collapsed.
The world trembled.
Reality began to distort beyond repair.
This wasn't a battle anymore.
This was something else.
Something beyond war.
Below—
Lyra looked up, trembling.
"…What are they…?"
Kael whispered:
"…Monsters…"
Valthor closed his eyes briefly.
"…No…"
His voice was heavy.
"…Gods."
In the sky
Zareth and the man stood facing each other.
Silence.
Then
Both vanished.
The final battle
Had begun.