Michael and Torren pushed through the dense brush, branches scraping against their arms as they moved faster than ever. The screams from ahead still echoed in their minds—this time, it was Ralph and Rob.
Michael's heart pounded. "That was Ralph… and Rob," he said, breath catching in his throat.
Torren's face darkened. "We're close. But we have to hurry."
"I'm trying," Michael said, struggling to keep up. "How much farther?"
Torren glanced around, scanning the landmarks, then looked toward the slope up ahead. "Five minutes. Maybe less if we push hard."
Michael nodded, jaw set with determination. His legs burned, lungs ached—but he didn't slow.
"We can't let them face him alone," Torren added.
Michael didn't need the reminder. He already knew what was at stake.
The forest ahead shimmered faintly with residual heat, and the scent of scorched bark grew stronger.
"Let's move," Torren urged. "Now."
They pressed on, the sound of their footfalls lost beneath the crackling tension of the forest.
The battle was still going—and they were almost there.
Michael and Torren burst into the clearing at last—and what they saw stopped them cold.
Bodies lay scattered across the scorched earth. Zigrane, Felix, Elaira, Renald, Katsu, Erdan, Akatsuki… and more. Burned, unconscious, unmoving.
Michael's breath caught in his throat. "No way…"
Torren stepped forward, eyes wide with disbelief. "They're all… down."
They rushed to the fallen, checking for signs of life. Torren knelt beside Zigrane, feeling for a pulse. "He's alive. Just unconscious."
Michael moved from body to body. The heat from their burns was still faintly rising into the air.
"How many?" Michael asked.
Torren looked around quickly, counting. "Thirteen. Only one's missing."
Michael's brows furrowed. "Only Blitz?"
He looked again at the damage—at the sheer scale of it—and anger surged inside him. "He could've done this… I've seen what he's capable of."
Torren raised an eyebrow. "You really think Blitz did this?"
Michael turned sharply. "Yes. He used a forbidden technique once—Lightning Pillar. If he used it again…"
Torren cut him off. "Think for a second. Could he really have done this to all of them? Ralph? Zigrane? All of them at once?"
Michael hesitated. "Maybe if he surprised them."
Torren crossed his arms. "And you heard six people scream at the same time. You think he could take on six people at once?"
Michael's lips tightened. "I…"
Torren pressed on. "Did you even see any lightning pillars?"
Michael's posture faltered. "No. I didn't."
"Exactly. And using that technique on thirteen people thirteen times? That'd be suicide for someone like him. No way he pulled this off."
Michael's anger deflated into realization. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just… I didn't know who else it could be."
Then a voice cut through the air.
"I did."
Michael and Torren both spun around. From the shadows, a cloaked man stepped forward—the same one they'd heard of but never seen.
Michael's rage reignited. "You… you did this to them!?"
The man smiled, wicked and amused. "I had a little fun, that's all."
The tension snapped taut, but the battle hadn't yet begun.
While the forest remained heavy with tension, the elder moved at a leisurely pace. Step by step, he made his way through the trees, the sound of leaves crunching softly beneath his feet.
"What a beautiful forest this is," he murmured, his eyes drifting up to the canopy above where golden rays of sunlight filtered through.
Every so often, he paused to admire a blooming flower or a particularly ancient tree, his expression peaceful, even amused. Despite the screams and danger ahead, there was no panic in his gait—only calm assurance.
"Mmm. The moss here… it's grown thicker than I remember. Time has a funny way of nurturing things in silence."
He continued, unfazed, as if the chaos waiting ahead were a mere afternoon stroll.
"Violence may reign, but nature… nature remains unchanged," he whispered.
The path bent slightly, and he stepped over a fallen log with the grace of someone who had done so a hundred times before.
"Yes. It is time I joined them. After all, even old men must walk into storms… now and then."