In the open training grounds, Kazuki collapsed onto the ground with a dramatic sigh, arms sprawled wide.
"I need a break…" he groaned.
Standing a few feet away, Diablo tilted his head, arms crossed. "We were just getting started. Why do you always have to get tired so quickly?"
Kazuki sat up, visibly irritated. "It's because every single time we spar, you block or dodge everything like it's a joke!"
Sitting under a shaded tree, Alex took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes on Diablo. "You know, sometimes I wonder if you're even human, Diablo.", he muttered.
Diablo turned slightly, eyebrow raised. "Where did you get that idea?"
Alex shrugged. "I mean, no attack ever lands on you. You just brush everything off like it's air. It's like nothing ever works against you."
With a knowing smile, Diablo raised a hand and conjured a glowing magic circle. A tiny, concentrated beam of energy formed at its center.
"Watch this," he said calmly.
The moment the beam fired, it streaked into the distance and struck a chain of mountains. In an instant, several peaks were reduced to ash, leaving only smoke and silence behind.
Alex and Kazuki stood frozen.
"That," Diablo said, turning back to them, "was only 20% of my power. I could easily wipe out a country with a blast like that. Although that's just my basic energy manipulation."
Alex blinked rapidly. "Kazuki… did you see that?"
Kazuki gulped. "Pretty sure we're hallucinating."
Diablo approached them, seemingly amused. "You two alright?"
"That was insane," Kazuki muttered.
"I have a special power," Diablo said, raising his hand. "It's called The Almighty. It grants an immense amount of energy… and makes me immune to most attacks. It even deflects them. In short—it defies other abilities."
He paused to let that sink in.
"The Almighty is a power passed down by a god once every thousand years. The god's name… was Bansha, the God of Creation, Destruction, and Power."
Alex and Kazuki stared at him, clearly overwhelmed.
"That's… way too much to process," Alex admitted.
Diablo sighed and shook his head. "Kazuki, when did you become such a knucklehead?"
Alex narrowed his eyes. "So you're telling me this power makes you almost like a god?"
"Not just like one," Diablo said, his voice low and calm. "It is the power of a god. Although I'm yet to fully understand it's true capabilities."
Kazuki frowned. "Wait. If you have an ability like this, then why do you just laze around all day while the city's under attack? You barely do anything."
Diablo chuckled. "Because I don't care."
Both Alex and Kazuki stared at him in disbelief.
"You're insane," they said in unison.
Later that day, on another side of the training grounds, Sōn stood before Tomoa, his eyes filled with resolve.
"I want to get stronger," Sōn said. "I need your help."
Tomoa smiled. "I'm glad you came to me. But why the sudden change? You've barely trained with me since the three years training ended."
Son clenched his fists. "It's because of my brother, Saito. I have to stop him. No matter what it takes. He's JUST TO DAMN STRONG."
Tomoa's smile widened. "That's what I wanted to hear. Then start by blasting me with everything you've got."
Meanwhile, Raquel was in the middle of a sparring session with Mori. Her punches flew fast, but Mori dodged and blocked them effortlessly.
"Sharpen your mind," Mori instructed. "Leave no chance for your enemy to attack. Strike like you want to kill."
In response, Raquel crystallized her fists and swung hard. Mori flash-stepped behind her and lightly tapped her head.
"That's enough for today. We've been training for hours."
Raquel let out a sigh and wiped her brow. "I worked harder than ever today."
"You've improved a lot," Mori praised. "Your speed's gotten much better."
"Thanks," she said sincerely. "Although, constantly building momentum for heavier strikes is very tiring. But still, I guess it's part of the process."
"You've still got a long way to go in order to become stronger than you are," Mori said, "but you're getting closer every day." He paused for a moment. "How are things between you and Alex?"
Raquel hesitated. "I haven't seen him in a few days. I should probably go see him"
Later, as Raquel walked through the market with a bag of food in hand, she made her way to Alex's house.
She knocked and called out, "Alex? You home?"
When there was no answer, she stepped inside. "He hasn't been around all day..."
She walked toward his room just as the door opened, she saw that Alex was visibly exhausted.
"Whatever Diablo was talking about…" he muttered. "It's melting my brain."
Raquel turned to him. "Where have you been?"
"Training," Alex said as he rolled himself around his bed. "I'm dead tired."
He glanced at her. "How are your injuries?"
"Didn't get much. Unlike Serena and Sukuna."
Alex sat up slightly. "If those two got beat up that bad, then the enemy must've been insanely strong. I'm surprised to hear Serena and hospital in the same sentence."
Raquel nodded. "She was terrifying. I honestly wonder if we'll ever beat the Dark Sign. Those guys, they're power houses.
Alex picked up his video game controller with a sigh. "Whatever they're plotting, it's not gonna work. Kojin already sent assassins to handle their plans, or so i think.."
He leaned back, his voice calm but cautious. "I just hope things don't take a crazy turn soon. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble. "
End of Chapter.