As the Lion spoke, Tai stepped forward.
"I've heard of you," he said.
The Lion looked puzzled.
"You are Trasam," Tai continued. "Father of life. You planted the first seeds on Earth—you fought for this world when others thought it was meant to die."
Trasam's eyes narrowed.
"You've read the Forbidden Book of Tales," he growled.
"You broke a law set by beings older than time itself."
Tai didn't flinch.
"I broke nothing. That book was found in the land of humans, where no one even knows those laws."
Trasam's voice grew cold.
"Then I have no choice. I must kill you all."
Sai opened his eyes sharply, stepping forward.
"You won't kill my friend," he said firmly. "I'll kill you first."
Trasam gave a small nod.
"Brave. I see... But I will break that."
In an instant, Trasam transformed. His lion form twisted into a tall, battle-worn human. His skin was covered in scars—bite marks, burns from lava, wounds from long-forgotten wars.
Amal gasped.
"Those scars… they tell a long and dangerous story. It's not too late to run."
Tai shook his head.
"We will not run."
He turned into his true form, energy surging through his body. Without hesitation, he charged Trasam, throwing punch after punch, kick after kick—but Trasam dodged every move with effortless precision.
Sai summoned his flames and launched them like a burning arrow.
Trasam tilted his head slightly.
"Eternal Flames from Hell," he muttered.
Then, in a blur, he moved—so fast it looked like teleportation. He appeared in front of Sai and knocked him out with a single punch.
Tai's eyes widened.
"Amal! Get Sai out of here!"
"I'll hold him off!"
But before she could move, Xei stepped forward.
"I'm with you," he said. "Let's take him together."
Tai and Xei rushed in, striking from both sides. But Trasam met their attacks easily—dodging, blocking, countering with perfect precision.
Then Shi entered the battle, joining without a word.
Trasam suddenly stepped back, raising his hand.
"You've impressed me," he said calmly.
"You didn't run."
Breathing heavily, Tai said,
"Wait—why must I die?"
Trasam answered,
"Because you read the Forbidden Book."
"Why did you place such a book on Earth?" Tai asked.
"I didn't," Trasam replied. "I told them to place it at the Throne of Death. But they didn't listen."
Tai's voice softened slightly.
"You care about Earth's creatures, don't you?"
"…Yes," Trasam said.
"Then is it fair to punish us for what others did?"
Trasam lowered his gaze.
"No. It's not."
"Then the one who should be punished," Tai said, "is the one who decided it was a good idea to place that book on Earth."
Trasam slowly nodded.
"True."
Xei spoke next.
"Then… can you let us pass?"
Trasam shook his head.
"No."
"Why not?" Xei asked.
"I let you live. But the next fighter you face will kill you."
Shi narrowed his eyes.
"So, you want us to turn back?"
Trasam replied,
"No. I will train you—for one year. You must become stronger. Strong enough to reach the top… and save him."
Tai blinked.
"Save who?"
Trasam turned to Amal.
"Bring Sai to me," he said. "And bring the girl who took him.