Riku's blazing aura gradually dimmed as he shifted back to his normal form, the raw power settling into quiet strength.
He moved swiftly among the injured—Yumi, Toru, and the Vanguard Protocol team—his hands glowing faintly as he channeled small but potent bursts of energy into their weary bodies.
"You'll all need to get to a hospital for a full checkup," Riku said calmly, his voice steady but firm. "But this should hold you over for now."
Grateful, the others murmured their thanks, their eyes filled with renewed hope.
Toru, still breathing heavily, gave a determined nod. "I'm going to get stronger too."
Riku smiled faintly, "Good."
Soon, the remaining S-rank Essence Warriors regrouped. The mood was grim—many of their comrades were gone, fallen in the brutal fight.
Questions buzzed through the air as Riku started walking away.
"Where are you going?" someone called out.
"You all return to the planes," Riku said without turning back.
"We can't just leave you! You're injured."
Riku's expression was unreadable. "I'm fine."
Without hesitation, he summoned a massive dragon shrouded in silver-blue flames, its eyes gleaming with an ancient intelligence.
Mounting the beast, Riku shifted back into Celestial Nexus form. Within two minutes, every last EX-rank Essence Beast was annihilated in a sweeping storm of power.
With the threat eliminated, the remaining Essence Warriors boarded the waiting planes.
From the skies, Riku and his dragon soared away, a lone guardian heading toward the next unknown battle.