ANTARA'S TOWN CENTRE CITY.

  Clashes tear through the air.

  The ground vibrates beneath fractured concrete. The street falls into an unnatural stillness between impacts, so quiet, a pin could echo.

  Evening darkens. Rain begins to fall.

  Fury’s Edge stands at the edge of the chaos.

  Above him, figures rise and crash through the skyline.

  He exhales.

  “I better check that out.”

  He steps forward, following the tremors.

  A presence forms behind him.

  He turns.

  K.B stands there.

  His left eye burns crimson.

  Fury’s Edge narrows his gaze. “What happened to you?”

  K.B doesn’t answer. He walks forward.

  Fury’s Edge opens his hand. His massive, curved blade takes shape, glinting in the night.

  He barely takes two steps—

  K.B is suddenly in front of him.

  A palm slams into his stomach.

  Air rips from his lungs.

  “Huh—”

  He leaps back—

  A fingertip touches his back

  He tries to turn—

  Too late.

  Heat detonates inside him.

  Flames erupt through his veins.

  He screams.

  Falls.

  Burns.

  Rain hisses against fire as his body collapses into ash.

  His blade clatters to the ground.

  Snap.

  K.B turns away, embers crawling along his left arm.

  “My job here is done.”

  A MEMORY

  K.B stands before his master.

  His fist tightens.

  “I can see everything now. This power… it’s unbelievable. I see what’s coming.”

  The old man rests a hand on his shoulder.

  “This power is dangerous. Don’t use Angel for every fight. It demands something back.”

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  K.B frowns. “What are you talking about?”

  A pause.

  “That’s why I kept you from knowing its second nature.”

  The master walks to a bench and sits.

  “In my youth, I never used Angel at full strength. She’s a legend-class weapon… and she feeds on grief.”

  K.B’s jaw tightens. He grabs the sleeve of the old man’s coat.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I only want this power to protect the people I love. How am I supposed to protect anyone if it’s not meant for battle?”

  The master studies him.

  “Then protect them. Just don’t drown in it.”

  He lights a cigarette.

  “These forged weapons weren’t made by accident. Science. Invocation. Sacrifice. They grant miracles… and take pieces of you in return. Used wrong, they rot the soul.”

  K.B releases him.

  “All I care about is having the power.”

  The master smiles faintly.

  “I trusted you. Keep your moral code. Avoid endless battles. Or one day, your power won’t belong to you anymore.”

  The memory dissolves.

  Rain returns.

  “This time… there’s no going back.”

  K.B vanishes into the storm.

  ELSEWHERE IN ANTARA

  Steel flashes.

  Sonia advances.

  Nathan sees her shadow before he feels the first strike.

  Her blade moves—

  And the world fractures into streaks of light.

  His Orbit Flash slows Sonia’s blade. But even dulled, the strike is monstrous.

  Cuts bloom across his arms.

  Pious crashes in from behind—

  Clang.

  The impact shakes the street.

  Sonia pivots.

  A kick.

  He tears through a building wall.

  Nathan lunges, knife approaching.

  She disappears.

  Reappears inches from his face.

  The blade erupts again.

  He dodges—

  Not enough.

  Blood sprays across rain-slick pavement.

  He crashes hard.

  Orbit fades.

  His body trembles.

  “She’s insane…”

  Pious charges from above.

  Steel meets steel.

  Clang.

  Clang.

  Clang.

  Each strike heavier than the last.

  Sonia’s smile grows.

  “Why does a legend-class fighter pretend to be normal?”

  Pious scowls. "What do you mean?"

  “Legends don’t live quietly. And you’re holding back.”

  She steps closer.

  “Fatality Claw. Sixth Stand.”

  One swing.

  A red seam opens across Pious’s arm.

  His eyes widen.

  She’s already in his space again.

  Nathan rushes to assist—

  A kick shatters his balance.

  Another caves his ribs.

  He hits the pavement again.

  Pious moves in—

  Sonia twists.

  Steel whistles past his throat by inches.

  Blood drips down both his arms.

  Damn. Her timing… her rhythm… got to retreat, fast.

  She lunges again.

  Pious grabs Nathan.

  They run.

  Sonia laughs softly. “Running now?”

  "We have to slit," Pious says.

  They split directions.

  She chooses Nathan.

  Her speed is decisive.

  He runs until his lungs burn—

  A lone figure walking calmly toward the chaos.

  The Alligator.

  Nathan slips behind him without hesitation.

  “Mr. Alligator… help me, sir,” he pants.

  The Alligator glances at him. “What’s chasing you?”

  Nathan points.

  “She is.”

  Sonia stands several meters away. Rain streaks down her blade, dripping into the puddles.

  The Alligator studies her carefully. “Who are you?”

  She says nothing, fingers tightening around the hilt.

  Nathan smirks. “You asked for the Alligator during our first encounter, remember?”

  “Yes,” she replies once.

  “Well, this is the Alligator,” Nathan says, eyes glinting.

  Her lips curl faintly.

  “So… I finally found you. Where are the rest of your toys? Paloma? Your little gang?”

  The Alligator raises a brow. “Good. I prefer this one-on-one.”

  Black threads coil around his palm like living veins.

  “You’re from the North?” he asks.

  “Less talking,” she snaps. “If I win, you and Paloma die.”

  She postures her sword.

  “Fatality Claw. Seventh Stand.”

  She moves.

  The collision detonates the street.

  Concrete erupts upward.

  Nathan is thrown to the ground.

  When he looks up—

  They’re gone.

  Only shattered asphalt remains.

  He exhales slowly.

  “So she was holding back…”

  He gives a lazy salute toward the wreckage.

  “Dear Mr. Alligator… I hope you win. Thanks for showing up.”

  He runs.

  Pious meets him halfway.

  “Who was that fighting her?”

  Nathan grins through blood.

  “Jacob. The Alligator.”

  “No time. Let’s find Mami.”

  They disappear into the rain.

  Meanwhile..

  Daisy runs through what used to be a landmark.

  Nothing looks familiar anymore.

  “Where the hell is Mami? Fuck.."

  A sharp whistle cuts through the rain.

  A bullet.

  It screams toward her forehead—

  A low hum vibrates from her body.

  The bullet curves away.

  Johnny steps forward.

  Gun raised.

  Eyes burning.

  “That power is corrupt!” he shouts.

  Daisy blink her eyes. “What?”

  “Look at you! It changed you. You’re not a child anymore.”

  She tilts her head slightly. “Is that so bad?”

  “Drop it!” he yells, pointing at One-biskae.

  She takes a cautious step forward.

  “It’s not corrupt. It’s—”

  Gunshot.

  The hum flares.

  The bullet drops harmlessly.

  Her expression changes.

  “You were really going to kill me?”

  His hands tremble.

  “I’ll fire again. Drop it. Or I’ll end this right now.”

  Rain falls harder.

  In Antara, the tension doesn’t break.

  Not tonight.

  When K.B. says there’s 'no going back,' he isn’t just talking about the fight. He’s talking about his soul.