The war had begun, and both sides were ready. Luz and the warriors of Biringan prepared to defend the world, while Den and his followers gathered their strength in the shadows.
Den was not one to wait. With Matthew's mind and Hook's illusions, he launched his first attack. Strange mechanical creatures, designed by Matthew, spread across Biringan, infecting warriors with an unknown virus. It weakened their bodies and drained their energy, making them easy targets.
Luz and his people fought back. Ino crushed the machines with his bare hands, while Elena worked tirelessly to heal the infected. But the virus was something the world had never seen before. Even Elena struggled to cure it completely.
Then, under the cover of darkness, Den arrived.
He moved like a storm, cutting through the battlefield with weapons formed from his own body. Hook's illusions filled the air, making it impossible to tell what was real. Luz, seeing his former best friend leading the charge, stepped forward.
Their battle shook the city. Light clashed with darkness, and for a moment, it seemed like Den had the upper hand. Luz was still getting used to his new power, while Den had already mastered the darkness.
But Luz was not alone. Ino struck from behind, forcing Den to retreat. Hook tried to confuse them, but Elena's healing light shattered his illusions.
Den gritted his teeth. He had lost this battle, but the war was far from over.
As he and his followers disappeared into the night, Matthew only smiled. "That was just a test," he muttered. "Next time, they won't be so lucky."
Luz watched them go, gripping his Sword of Light tightly.
He knew this was only the beginning.
The real war was just getting started.