As Luz and Elena moved through the forest, they suddenly felt a strong presence behind them.
Stepping out from the shadows was Den.
Luz and Den stood face to face once again.
"How've you been, old friend?" Den smirked.
Luz didn't answer, his grip tightening on his sword.
Den crossed his arms. "I'm giving you 24 hours to surrender. Me and my army will launch a full-force attack to take over Aetheris and finally end this war." His voice was calm but filled with arrogance.
Elena's heart pounded. She could sense Den's confidence—it was almost like he had already won.
Then, Den's smirk widened. "Oh, and before I go, let me tell you something." He leaned slightly forward. "We've created something… something capable of destroying you."
Luz's eyes narrowed.
"A clone," Den said. "Your clone."
Luz and Elena froze.
Den chuckled at their shocked expressions, then stepped back. "Think about it, Luz. You have 24 hours." With one arrogant smile
---
Meanwhile, Ino faced Hook in a different part of the battlefield.
Ino wasted no time, rushing forward with a powerful strike.
Hook simply grinned. He flicked his wrist, and suddenly, dozens of kunai appeared, flying toward Ino from every direction.
Ino dodged and counterattacked, his fists moving like lightning. The battle had begun.
---
Elsewhere, Munfa stood face to face with Matthew.
Matthew, unlike the others, didn't attack. He simply stood there, staring at Munfa with a serious expression.
"Why did you reveal that you were stealing weapons and selling them to us?" Matthew asked coldly.
Munfa smirked. "I don't owe you an explanation."
Without another word, Munfa turned and vanished into the shadows, escaping before Matthew could react.
Matthew didn't chase him. Instead, he just stood there, thinking.
---
Back in the forest, Den battled Luz and Elena alone.
It was a fierce fight, but Den was just as powerful as ever. He fought them both at the same time, blocking Luz's light attacks and avoiding Elena's healing interference.
After a long clash, Den suddenly jumped back, creating distance.
He wiped a bit of blood from his lip and laughed.
"Again, Luz," he said. "24 hours. Kneel before me… or be destroyed."
Then, with a final smirk, he disappeared into the night.
Luz and Elena stood there, troubled by his warning.
---
A moment later, Ino ran toward them.
"Ino!" Elena called, relieved to see him.
But just as Ino approached—Luz swung his sword of light at him.
Elena gasped. "Luz, what are you doing?!"
Before their eyes, Ino's body shifted and transformed—revealing Hook.
Hook laughed as he stepped back. "I put your friend to sleep."
Luz clenched his jaw in frustration.
Hook grinned. "The light will be dead forever." Then, in a flash, he disappeared into the darkness.
Luz and Elena were left standing in silence. The war had truly begun.