The arena still smoldered from Akira's battle with Lyra Noctis. Dust hung in the air, debris scattered like confetti. Temaki's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
But before they could process their victory, a chilling laugh echoed from the shadows. The ground cracked as a towering figure emerged from the rubble—Lord Kharis, shrouded in dark energy, eyes glowing with malice.
"Impressive," Lord Kharis said, voice low and commanding. "You've eliminated my pawn… but now, you face the master."
Temaki tensed. "Akira… we can't—"
"No time!" Akira snapped, her crimson aura flaring. She moved in front of Temaki, ready to strike. Blood-fueled power from her past feasts thrummed in her veins, Rank 15+ flames licking her blade. "Stay behind me!"
The battle erupted instantly. Lord Kharis was fast, brutal, and strategic, striking at both Akira and Temaki. Every dodge and parry tested their limits. Temaki tried to fight, but Lord Kharis' dark energy was relentless.
Then—quick as a heartbeat—Lord Kharis lunged at Temaki with a shadow-infused slash. Akira reacted, but she was a fraction too late. The blade connected, slicing across Temaki's neck. Time froze.
Temaki collapsed, eyes wide in shock, blood spilling. Akira screamed, aura erupting violently. Flames and shockwaves tore through the arena as she turned her fury on Lord Kharis.
Every strike she threw was amplified by blood-fueled rage. Her aura blazed, flames spiraling higher than ever before. Lord Kharis staggered, caught off guard by the intensity of Akira's unleashed power—but he fought back fiercely, and the arena shook with every collision.
Finally, with one devastating, precise strike, Akira cut through the last of Lord Kharis' dark energy, obliterating him completely. The master was defeated—but at a cost: Temaki lay motionless, lifeless in her arms.
Akira fell to her knees, crimson flames still roiling around her. For the first time since Chapter 1, she was alone. Her anger, grief, and guilt fused into one quiet resolve. She would survive. She would grow stronger. And one day… she would bring him back.