The moment before the blade struck Lyra, a blur swept past. Silas's sword embedded itself into the ground, missing its mark.
"And who are you?" Silas turned slowly to Ren.
"Does that matter?" Ren laid Lyra next to Elowen, eyes never leaving the towering figure.
"I guess not."
Ren's grip tightened around his sword. "Big black armor... all that for us? Seems overkill."
Silas didn't answer. Ren swung his blade, a surge of ice racing across the ground, freezing Silas in place. Milo darted in from behind, daggers flashing. The blades bounced off Silas's helmet with a sharp clang — not even a scratch.
The ice shattered as Silas broke free, obsidian sword meeting Milo's next strike. "Ice users. Always a nuisance."
Ren lunged, his blade slicing toward Silas's arm. Silas twisted aside, backstepping and sweeping his sword at both of them. They barely evaded, skidding across the ice.
"Ren, I have an idea," Milo panted.
"What?"
"It's a one-time thing. I trust you'll make the best use of it."
Ren frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"My core technique... it can stop time. If I touch you while it's active, you'll be the only one able to move."
Ren stared at him. "You sure about this?"
Milo nodded. "Just be ready."
Silas stood still, watching them with eerie calm. He didn't move — didn't need to. There was no urgency in his stance. Just curiosity.
Milo sprinted forward, daggers dancing in a flurry of strikes. Silas parried each blow with effortless precision, his sword a dark blur. Ren leaped, slamming his blade into the ground. A jagged wave of ice erupted, swallowing Silas's lower body.
"Time — stop." Milo pressed his hands together. A translucent dome expanded outward, freezing the battlefield in place.
Milo touched Ren's shoulder. "Have at it, White Star."
Ren dashed forward, faster than ever. His blade carved through the air, striking Silas again and again. Sparks flew as steel scraped against the armor. Each blow felt useless — the thick black plating shrugged off every attack. Ren's teeth clenched. Was this even possible? Should they run? Could they?
Suddenly, the dome shattered. Time resumed. Silas moved instantly, ice exploding from his legs. Ren barely reacted before Silas was already on him. An arrow whistled past, embedding into Silas's side. He staggered, gaze snapping toward the shooter.
Lyra. Her ethereal bow faded as she stumbled toward her scythe, but Silas advanced. Ren threw out his hand, ice chaining around Silas's legs.
Lyra swung her scythe, the blade hooking into the armor. Ren hurled icy projectiles, aiming for Silas's weapon hand. The ice shattered harmlessly against his gauntlet.
With a grunt, Silas wrenched free, snapping the scythe's handle in two. He yanked Lyra toward him, driving his fist into her stomach. Blood sprayed from her lips as she collapsed.
"Lyra!" Reid's voice broke the air. He charged, ignoring his shattered arm. "Get away from her!"
"You're insane," Ren muttered. He hurled his sword like a spear, impaling Silas's back. Ice surged, locking him in place once more.
Reid leaped onto Silas, gripping his helmet. "You're not going to hurt my sister without consequences!"
Mana surged through Reid, his body crackling with unstable energy. He slammed his forehead against Silas's helmet, a sharp crack echoing as a piece of the black armor fractured. For a brief moment, Reid saw it — the eye beneath the helmet. Cold. Empty. Inhuman.
Silas roared, grabbing Reid and slamming him into the ground. Again and again, he stomped down, each impact shaking the ice beneath them.
A dark portal shimmered behind Silas. Ryoma and Sosuke stepped through, their expressions dark.
"Who's this guy?" Ryoma asked, fists clenching.
Sosuke's eyes gleamed like twin stars in the night. "Someone strong."
Ryoma ignited his fists with blue mana, Azure Drive roaring to life. "You ready?"
Sosuke unsheathed his katana. Lightning crackled violently around him, scorching the air. Silas turned, tilting his head slightly. "More? You're human, yet manifested a portal on your own?"
Sosuke answered with a slash. His blade met Silas's with a deafening clang, shockwaves blasting across the battlefield. Lightning surged through Silas's armor, tendrils of violet electricity crackling along the black steel. The shock threw Silas off balance, giving Sosuke an opening. His katana carved a deep gash across Silas's chest plate — but no blood spilled. He swung again, but Silas caught the blade barehanded, sparks dancing off his gauntlet.
Ryoma lunged, fist cocked back, blue flames roaring. Silas twisted, hurling Ryoma into the ground, the impact cracking stone. Before Sosuke could react, a gauntleted fist smashed into his face, sending him skidding across the ice. Sosuke dug his heels in, barely catching himself.
"This is insane," Ren croaked, struggling to rise. "You need to run. I'll freeze him. I've got one more in me."
Sosuke nudged Ren back down with his foot. "No, you don't."
Silas dropped his sword with a heavy clang. "Go on," he said, raising his arms. "Give me your best shot." No taunt — a test.
Sosuke's mana flared, crackling tendrils searing the earth. Ryoma grabbed Ren, dragging him to safety as the sky split with purple lightning, scorching the ground and tearing through ruins. The air screamed.
A bolt of violet light streaked across the battlefield, fast as thought. The sound came after — a metallic groan as Silas dropped to one knee. Blood dripped into the snow. Silas raised his trembling hand, staring at the crimson streaks.
"You actually did it." His voice brimmed with something close to joy. "I'll look forward to a future fight when you're stronger. Violet Storm."
"There won't be a future fight." A new voice rang out.
A figure stood atop a crumbling building, Westoria uniform stark against the night, a black cloak billowing behind him. An officer's cap shadowed his eyes.
Sosuke caught his breath, glancing at the others before sprinting to their side.
"You," Silas growled, turning toward the newcomer. "You, I want to know. Who are you?"
"Virgil Quinn."
Virgil leapt from the rooftop, boots crashing into the ice, cracking stone beneath him. Silas moved, obsidian blade flashing, but Virgil met him with his longsword. The steel sang as they clashed, Virgil's blade holding firm. He extended his free hand, index finger aimed at Silas's chest.
"Fire."
A small burst of mana shot forward, piercing clean through Silas's armor. Silas stumbled, dark blood staining the ice.
"That works?" Virgil muttered. He raised his hand again. "Bulletstorm."
Invisible bullets of mana tore through Silas, each impact rattling the dark knight's massive frame. Silas staggered, armor dented and smoking.
"Charge!" Silas roared, voice like thunder. The blight army surged forward.
Virgil raised his sword. "Legendary Sword: Willbreaker."
One slash. The air itself seemed to scream as the attack carved through the horde, erasing it in an instant. The battlefield fell silent.
Virgil wiped his blade clean and adjusted his cap. Sosuke landed beside him, sheathing his katana.
"Am I safe to leave this place now?" Sosuke asked.
Virgil didn't look at him. "You've gotten stronger, Estrella. Get everyone out of here."
"Got it."