Pikur was sinking.
The swell of the black waters wrapped around him like a deadly, cold, heavy embrace, dragging him toward a silence from which there was no return. His body fought, but his strength was slipping away drop by drop… and, in that moment, a memory blazed in his mind.
The day he lost everything.
War was devouring the world. Three nations —Tereval, Rundoria, and Norkhast— were fighting over the distant shores of Mulbert, and the sky was choked with pillars of smoke and fire. Pikur was just a child… and that day, he learned the true meaning of fear.
The doors of his home gave way with a dry crash.
CRASH!
A guard stormed in without mercy. His father, desperation burning in his eyes, shoved him into a makeshift hiding spot between crates.
—Don't come out —he whispered urgently.
But the enemy's blade cut through him before he could say more. Pikur saw his father's last breath fade away. Tears blurred his vision, and a stifled sob escaped him, betraying his hiding place.
—You little brat… —the killer spat when he found him.
The sword came down—
But a figure stepped in the way: his mother.
The slash caught her, and blood darkened her lips.
—Run… sweetheart… —she said, before collapsing.
Pikur ran through burning streets, dodging attacks that sliced the air with lethal whistles, until he tripped and fell face-first. The guard caught up, a victorious smile twisting his face.
—This is the end…
The sword descended.
BOOOOM!
A blinding light engulfed him. The ground shook. A deep roar, like the crash of a raging storm, swept through everything. Without knowing it, Pikur had unleashed the energy of his core for the first time, shielding him from the blast. His entire home was gone before his eyes, and he cried bitterly, as if that empty plain could give his family back.
…
In the present, the black sea was drowning him, but his hands clenched in fury.
—I won't die here… —he growled, his voice turning into a roar—. I promised I'd become the strongest! I will not die!
First Core Opening: Dynamic Burst!
An explosion of power tore through the dark water. Pressure ruptured outward in a shockwave, and his sword cut the liquid as if it were air, freeing his master in the process.
—You did it, Pikur… —Dakur smiled.
—Sir, let's finish this madman.
…
Another memory struck him. After that childhood explosion —like a nuclear blast tearing through Mulbert— nothing remained. The sea carried him away, drifting on a log, until the shadow of a man rescued him: Dakur.
When Pikur opened his eyes, he felt the man's aura.
—You're… a guardian… damn you! —he shouted, striking Dakur's face. Dakur took the blow without flinching.
—Why do you destroy what you swear to protect? —the boy cried through his tears.
—That's what I keep asking myself, kid… —the man replied, heavy with regret.
From that day, Dakur became his guide, and Pikur loved him as a son loves a father…
…
On the battlefield, Minao was watching them.
—So, you managed to break free… Let's make this interesting. Secret Technique: Creature Control — Summon!
The mirrors cracked. From them emerged two Draguld —twisted creatures with smoking jaws and eyes like burning coals.
The air trembled with their roar.
—Kill them! —Minao ordered.
The Draguld lunged like lightning, and the clash was so brutal that the BOOM echoed as if the whole world held its breath before true hell broke loose.
The two Draguld, under Minao's command, charged straight for Dakur and the others.
—Don't let them touch you —Dakur warned, his deep voice cutting through the roar of the sea.
—I know —Pikur replied, muscles tense.
Both dodged the creatures and, with a calculated leap, broke above the water's surface. Each step splashed black water as the beasts burst upward from the depths with savage speed, tearing through the air faster than seemed possible.
—First Core Opening: Death's Seal! —Pikur roared, his voice rumbling like thunder.
—That won't help you… you're far too predictable —Minao sneered.
Boom! A Draguld appeared behind Pikur without warning. The air grew heavy and cold. When he turned, the beast was already a breath away—there was no way to dodge. Pikur shut his eyes, ready to take the killing blow…
But in that instant, a shadow passed in front of him. Bam! Ibaki's brutal kick smashed into the creature's snout. The impact rang like a cannon, and the black sea churned into a towering wave. The Draguld was hurled away, smashing through one of the glass walls enclosing that dimension.
—You alright? —Ibaki asked, eyes locked on the enemy.
—I… I think so… —Pikur answered, voice unsteady.
—How are you still alive? I could swear my pet tore you apart from the inside —Minao said, a sadistic gleam in his eyes.
Ibaki stayed silent, steady, gaze fixed on him. His only option was to get out alive… and he had no intention of failing.
Dakur joined the boys, though the second Draguld was locked onto him with murderous focus.
—Kid… how are you still alive? —Dakur asked, a mix of surprise and respect in his tone.
—That doesn't matter. The only thing I care about right now is getting out of here in one piece. I have a mission —Ibaki replied, his voice loaded with resolve.
—Then we have to be very careful with this one —Dakur warned. This kid surprises me… I think he used that technique. It's the only reason I can think of for him being unharmed, he thought.
—I know. Those creatures really can hurt you. Stay sharp.
—But… you just hit one. That should kill you just like a simple touch would —Pikur said, incredulous.
—I'm not that naïve —Ibaki shot back—. I used a passive strike.
—You strike with energy —Dakur nodded.
—Exactly… and I'm going to take this guy down before this place drains all my strength.
—Take me down…? —Minao growled.
The second Draguld surged up behind them, but Ibaki moved first. Crack! He struck its side, disintegrating it instantly.
—Now you —he shouted, pointing at Minao.
—Come, if you dare —Omeraje said, stepping forward with his sword.
The air filled with metallic sparks as blade and blows collided. Minao attacked with lethal precision; Ibaki dodged and blocked, hardening his body. He feigned a wound, and in that instant, Minao dropped his guard.
Bam! Ibaki focused all his energy into his right fist and drove it into Minao's abdomen. Boom! A hook rocked his jaw, followed by a devastating kick that sent him hurtling like a projectile into the depths of the black sea.
—What the hell…? How can he…? —Minao muttered as he sank into the darkness.
He shot back to the surface. The mirror-world began to shatter, fragments fading away, and the level of the black waters slowly dropped.
—I don't know what's driving you to escape —Minao said, soaked and furious—, but I don't care. My daughter will die if I don't kill you.
—We both have our reasons —Ibaki replied with a half-smile—. But I'll be the one walking out of here.
They launched at each other through the air, colliding in a battle that could only have one victor.