The sun never rose.
Instead, the skies ignited in shades of cobalt and blood.
Gigel's fortress rose like a leviathan above the ruined continent of Aqua. His soldiers lined the towers—faces wrapped in synthetic flower bands, their humanity long replaced by engineered wrath. Each pulse of their aura mirrored his.
He stood at the apex.
Larger now. The blue marigold burned from his chest, but no longer pure. It had fused with something new—raw hatred molded into crystalline veins that ran across his arms and face.
"This world never deserved order," he said.
Behind him, the final weapon whirred.
The Oblivion Petal—a device designed to unleash a synthetic storm capable of destroying every natural flower and its bearer.
He raised his arms.
A wave of blue flame erupted across the battlefield.
Meanwhile – Temple of the Dragon
Mai stood silently, her new form humming with restrained power. The Dragon Rose shimmered behind her heart.
Duncan approached her slowly.
"You know what's waiting," he said.
Mai nodded. "I saw it in the ritual. He's not alone. He built a new army."
Tiffany flexed her fingers. Her sunflower aura glowed again, sharper, stronger than ever. "Then we burn brighter."
They descended from the cliffs.
Mid-Flight – En Route to Aqua
Riding on aura-enhanced gliders conjured by Mai's new pulse technique, the trio flew above the broken continent. Below them, lakes boiled. Forests died.
"This isn't just war," Tiffany said. "He's changing the world's shape."
Mai clenched her fists. "Then we change it back."
The Battle Begins
The three arrived at the outer gates of Gigel's fortress. Dozens of synthetic flower soldiers surged toward them.
Duncan stepped forward, a violet shield pulsing from his hands. "Go."
He struck first.
The wave of enemies crashed against him. His shield cracked, but his compassion never wavered. "This time, I stand between the fire and the innocent."
Tiffany leapt into the air, spinning mid-strike. "Solar Cascade!"
A barrage of golden discs ripped through the air, tearing synthetic warriors to shreds.
Mai moved last.
She didn't run.
She walked.
And with each step, the ground beneath her split open from sheer pressure.
"Where is he?" she whispered.
Inside the Fortress
Gigel smiled.
"She's arrived."
He stepped forward.
The doors exploded.
Mai walked through them.
The Final Duel – Duncan's Fall
Duncan pushed deeper into the fortress to disable the Oblivion Petal. He found it guarded by Gigel himself.
Gigel, already transformed, stepped toward him.
"You again."
Duncan raised his arms. "I never forgave myself. But I won't let you finish it."
They clashed.
Gigel's blade severed Duncan's right hand.
Duncan screamed, then struck with a burst of violet light.
Gigel's next strike took his right leg.
Duncan collapsed.
Mai burst into the chamber, too late.
Duncan looked at her with blood in his mouth.
"Mai..." he gasped. "I've always believed in you... even when you didn't."
She crawled toward him, but he raised a weak hand.
"Don't... become... him."
He smiled once, eyes flickering.
"I love you."
And then—
He died.
Mai Unleashed
The chamber shook.
Her Dragon Rose surged.
Her body erupted in red and white fire.
She roared—one that split the heavens.
Gigel turned, smiling. "Now we begin."
To be continued...
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