Kael swung with all he had, carving a wide arc through the air that met the beast's advancing claws. The impact nearly knocked his sword from his hands. His grip tightened as he twisted midair, landing a sharp kick to the creature's jaw.
For a brief moment—it reeled.
Kael took the chance and landed another slash across its chest. Then another. And another.
"Fall already!!" he roared, unleashing a powerful Void burst straight into its torso.
The blast lit up the entire battlefield in a wave of black and violet energy. It tore through the creature's armor-like flesh, ripping scales and sinew, forcing the beast to roar in pain and stagger.
But then… it retaliated.
In a blink, its tail coiled around Kael's leg and slammed him to the ground. Before he could react, its claws came down, shredding through his shoulder and hurling him like a broken arrow into the dirt.
He didn't move for a moment.
The world blurred. His hearing rang. His vision pulsed in and out of darkness.
But in the center of that fading view—Kael saw it.
A flicker of light. A memory.
Renzo, laughing.
Tetsu, calling his name.
Ryuu, standing with him in the Academy training fields.
Kaito's body, still breathing—barely.
And Kiyomi… that glowing child of two worlds… who saw this thing long before any of them.
Kael's fist clenched.
The Last Will responded.
Light sparked from his back, wrapping his broken form in starlit aura. The injuries didn't heal—but his spirit ignited.
He rose again—limping, staggering, blood flowing freely.
The beast tilted its head. Confused.
"You're strong," Kael muttered, coughing. "But I've fought fate itself. You're just another wall to break through."
His aura surged again—flickering violently.
The final phase had not yet begun… but Kael was still standing.
And the beast knew now—he wouldn't stop until it was over.