The ruined hall of the Sunflower Kingdom's inner castle groaned with every tremor. Dust floated in the air, mingling with the suffocating pressure of Renshi that leaked from both Pascal and Rhino.
Pascal's voice broke the silence, sharp and cruel.
"Rhino… I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it seems you've misunderstood something. I'll correct you—though it won't matter, because you're going to die here anyway."
His tone carried no hesitation. He raised his chin, eyes gleaming with sinister confidence.
"Listen carefully. Whatever I'm doing… whatever we're doing—it isn't for our own interest. It's for our Lady's will. You don't know who she is, so don't bother asking. That should be enough knowledge for a man about to die. Now, I won't waste another second on you. It's time to go grab our package."
With a wave of his hand, Pascal's Renshi flared violently, condensing into a gleaming sword of pale light.
Rhino staggered but steadied himself. His horn shrank into nothing, skin reverting to its human tone. The ground trembled as the twin hammers he had embedded earlier burst free, slamming into his hands with booming force. His voice carried fury, but also resolve.
"I can't die here, Pascal. I only wanted to drag information out of you, but I guess I failed. Still… you'll have to cut me down to pieces before you kill me."
Pascal smirked, raising his blade.
"I knew you weren't finished. Don't think you fooled me. The one who's been playing this whole time… is me. And playtime ends now."
In a flash, his body twisted, right arm and leg swelling into the grotesque yet majestic shape of a wolf's limb—thick cords of muscle pulsing with an otherworldly Renshi aura. His hand and leg radiated with a golden light that made the entire chamber quake.
Rhino's eyes widened, his breath caught in disbelief.
"Impossible… that aura…! Was he holding back all along? Even if I were in my complete form, this strength… I'd still be crushed…"
Before the thought could finish, Pascal's form blurred. Switch Mode.
In less than a blink, Pascal appeared before Rhino, blade swinging down in an arc faster than sight.
BOOOOM!
The impact detonated through the hall. Stone exploded, walls shattered, and Rhino was sent crashing backward. Blood trailed from his chest, though his body remained intact—his instincts had forced his Renshi into a hardened shield at the last possible instant.
Pascal clicked his tongue. "Impressive… You actually survived a serious strike. Not a pushover after all."
Rhino staggered, coughing, but forced his hammers up again. Pascal, relentless, blinked through the air once more with Switch Mode. His sword screamed downward, aiming to split Rhino clean in two.
CLAAAANG!
The hammers caught the strike. Sparks of Renshi crackled violently, shaking the earth beneath them. Rhino roared, veins bulging as he poured everything into the block—yet Pascal's blade cleaved through steel as if it were paper. One hammer shattered, half of Rhino's arm flying with it.
"DAMN IT!" Rhino bellowed.
In desperation, his other hand fumbled at the chain around his neck. A glowing Renshical orb glimmered in his grasp. He smashed it against the ground.
FLASH!
A blinding radiance erupted, swallowing the chamber. Pascal snarled, stumbling back as his vision seared white. By the time the light faded, the hall was empty.
"..." Pascal scanned the room, his blade humming, but the presence of Rhino was gone.
Rhino had escaped. Teleported far beyond the castle—near the borders of the kingdom itself.
"Tch…" Pascal exhaled, fury etching his face.
"Every time… I toy with my prey. Every damn time. And they slip away. If it weren't for the sand tornado domain I cast around the outer castle, those Shinra dogs would already be swarming this place. Whatever. Half the assignment's done. It's time to regroup with the others."
He slashed the air, forming a teleportation circle with no incantation—his mastery frightening in its precision. In a blink, he vanished.
---
Meanwhile, outside the castle…
Across the Kingdom of Sunflower, Shinras scrambled in confusion. The inner chambers of the castle were sealed off by a massive tornado of sand, an impenetrable domain roaring across the block. Their attempts to breach it failed one after another, leaving the Shinras helpless as the castle crumbled inside.
Far away, near the border leading toward the Kingdom of Eminence—Zanagi and Fladigo.
"Hey, Fladigo…" Zanagi's voice carried unease. "Do you think Rhino's okay?"
Fladigo snapped at him instantly, irritation boiling over.
"Don't ask me stupid questions, you idiot. We're both here—how the hell would I know?"
Zanagi chuckled dryly, unfazed. "Relax, dickhead. I know you're worried too. Don't pretend you don't care. Show it once in a while. You won't lose a finger."
Fladigo's face hardened, eyes narrowing. "I don't have time for your nonsense."
"Suit yourself." Zanagi's expression softened. "Still… I hope he's fine. And you should too. Stop acting cold when I know damn well you care."
That struck a nerve. Fladigo spun on him, anger bursting.
"What the hell is your problem, Zanagi?! We lost Towondo to some impostor—some reinforcement bastard who infiltrated us, tricked us, and then killed him! And you… you let him tail the bastard! That was your decision! Now Towondo's gone, his death covered up just to keep other kingdoms—especially Eminence—from finding out that a Pro Darkside Knight fell. And you expect me to CARE after that?! I can't! Not for Rhino, not for you, not for anyone!"
Zanagi didn't flinch at the shout. He simply let a faint, sad smile curve his lips.
"That's what I wanted to hear. You can't bottle it all inside, Fladigo. Hatred is poison… and you're already drinking it."
The two continued toward the border, their footsteps heavy with tension, each man wrestling with the storm raging inside as much as the storm looming in their path.