The first set of forty assassin shadows that launched themselves from above were destroyed the instant they struck the ground, their bodies crumbling into dark dust. But there was no time to breathe. More shadows poured down in waves, their speed overwhelming. Jackson and Alfie struggled to keep pace—attacks rained from above and below simultaneously, forcing them to block frantically as sparks and shockwaves shook the air.
Jackson barely noticed when eleven shadows merged behind him. Their black blades fused into a massive, grotesque greatsword, towering over them both, they swung it down in a crushing arc toward Jackson's exposed back.
"Jack!" Alfie's voice rang out.
He sprinted, sword raised high. With both hands gripping tight, Alfie intercepted the monstrous blade. Steel screamed against steel as the impact rattled his arms, the sheer force driving the weapon closer and closer toward his chest. His boots carved trenches into the dirt as he fought to hold it back.
Jackson spun, shock etched on his face. "Alfie—?!"
Alfie's knees buckled, the giant sword now only inches from impaling him.
"Like hell—!" Jackson dashed forward in a blur of speed, his sword raised. With a single devastating strike, he cleaved through all eleven shadows in one arc. Their bodies exploded into fragments of dark mist, their focus too fixed on holding the massive sword to defend themselves.
The enormous blade fell with a crash, crushing into ten more shadows that had been charging from behind. The ground trembled as dust shot into the air.
But the others were relentless. The remaining shadows swarmed, their blades flashing, refusing to grant the boys even a second of relief.
"Alfie! You've got more Renshi—go break the formation!" Jackson shouted, parrying another strike, his voice breaking with strain.
"Hell no!" Alfie roared back. "You go break it—I'll hold them off!"
The two of them clashed with the tide, blades clashing in a storm of sparks. Every strike sent echoes through the field, the assassin shadows pressing harder with inhuman precision. Both boys fought shoulder to shoulder, their movements wild but sharp, refusing to fall even as the swarm closed in.
Yet something was off. Amid the chaos, three shadows stood motionless at the back, their hollow eyes locked forward, unmoving.
"What the hell are they doing…?" Jackson thought, sweat dripping into his eyes as he cut down another attacker. His instincts screamed danger.
Alfie ignored them, focused only on keeping the ones before him at bay. The fewer the shadows grew, the more powerful the remaining ones became—their strikes heavier, faster, more precise.
Finally, the last twenty halted. Seventeen stepped back slowly, their dark bodies trembling as if preparing for something.
Jackson's breath caught. "What… are they up to now?" he muttered under his breath, his lungs burning.
"This is your chance, Jack!" Alfie yelled through his exhaustion. "Go break the formation! We can't waste any more time—Mr. Reaper will die!"
But Jackson wasn't listening. His eyes narrowed, locked on the shadows' movements.
The seventeen dissolved into dust, their essence flowing into the three that had been waiting silently all along.
"Damn it…" Jackson's grip tightened around his blades. "This is bad. They're no ordinary shadows anymore. Alfie—you sure you can hold them off?"
Alfie spat blood onto the ground, smirking despite his fatigue. "Yeah. Someone's got to put an end to this."
"Then I'm counting on you." Jackson sprinted toward the barrier.
The fused shadows spread enormous black wings from their backs, their bodies radiating crushing Renshi. With a roar, they shot forward like arrows.
Alfie's eyes widened. "Shit—Jackson!" He bolted after him.
The winged shadows landed before the barrier, claws stretching long, their mouths opening in unison.
"You'll have to go through us first," they hissed together, their voices layered and unnatural.
Alfie and Jackson froze for an instant.
"They… can talk?!"
The shadows surged forward. Two of them shot past Jackson, claws slashing at Alfie. He leapt, spinning midair to avoid the scything strikes, his blade clashing against theirs in a deadly ballet. The third shadow collided with Jackson, claws screeching against his Renshi-coated blade.
The battlefield erupted again. Each blow from the fused shadows was ten times heavier than before, forcing Jackson and Alfie to fight with every ounce of strength they had.
Alfie clenched his teeth, his concentration razor-sharp as he parried two shadows at once, their claws tearing through the ground with every missed strike. Jackson pressed forward against the third, his Renshi-infused blade glowing faintly as sparks flew.
Then, all three shadows spun simultaneously, their claws glowing with dark force. They unleashed a joint attack that detonated like an explosion, sending Alfie and Jackson flying across the field. Dirt and dust erupted in clouds as the boys crashed into the ground, coughing violently.
Alfie staggered to his feet, panting, his body trembling. He felt the boiling rage of his Renshi fighting to burst free. He jumped high, intercepting another claw strike head-on, his arms trembling as he screamed internally.
Calm down, Alfie… calm down…
But the shadows pressed without pause, claws slicing in flurries.
Jackson landed hard but used the moment to his advantage. Slamming his palm against the ground, he formed a clone tentacle from his Renshi, stretching it close toward the formation. The writhing construct crept forward while Jackson engaged the shadow before him, blades flashing to keep its attention.
But one of the other two noticed.
Its wings flared as it dove through the air at high speed, aiming for the tentacle.
Alfie saw it instantly. "Shit—not there!" He sprinted, weaving past the shadow attacking him. The winged shadow tried to intercept midair, claws cutting down in an arc to stop him. Alfie gritted his teeth, ducking beneath its strike, rolling forward, and charging on.
But it was too late.
The winged shadow slashed, severing the tentacle in two. The construct crumbled into the air.
"Nooo!" Alfie's fury boiled. "Don't you dare hurt Jackson!" His fist, burning with force energy, slammed into the shadow's face with explosive force, sending it crashing back.
Jackson, still battling the last shadow, heard his words in his mind and narrowed his eyes. That wasn't me, you fool. It was just a clone.
But Alfie clenched his fists tighter, his thoughts burning. Even if it was just a clone… there's still a part of Jack inside it,Alfie said in his thought.
The shadow Alfie punched recovered instantly, its wings beating as it dove back at him with a storm of claws. At the same time, the other shadow flew back toward the formation.