Younes moved slowly toward Rick.
Rick (thinking, coldly):
"He's a fool if he thinks that pathetic attack will hit me… I won't even use the stone. I'll end this now."
Younes launched a weak strike with his sword, closing in step by step.
Rick countered, dark threads snapping from his hand and wrapping around Younes's leg before kicking him hard.
The blow slammed into Younes's stomach—he flew backward, hit the ground, his sword clattering beside him.
Rick (with a mocking smile as he approached):
You really are a fool if you thought that miserable attack could reach me."
Younes (lying on the ground):
No… you're the fool. Tell me… what's this thing?"
Slowly, he raised his hand.
Between his fingers gleamed the Defense Stone.
Silence swallowed .
Rick froze where he stood, shock and fear twisting across his face.
Rick (in disbelief):
That's impossible…"
He glanced at his belt—
The stone was gone.
Rick (voice trembling):
How… did he take it?"
A short flashback flickered—the image trembling, fading in and out.
It revealed that Younes had intentionally attacked weakly so Rick wouldn't use the stone.
When Rick struck him, Younes had reached for the belt and quietly slipped the stone away without Rick noticing.
Back to the present.
Rick thrust his hand forward again, dark threads whipping toward Hina.
Younes opened a portal before her, teleporting instantly through it, raising the Defense Stone to block the attack.
A radiant shield burst forth, glowing bright as it surrounded the small girl—protecting her completely.
Younes (firmly):
Hina."
Hina (behind the shield):
What?"
Younes:
Take this stone… and protect yourself."
Hina:
Aren't you going to use it?"
Younes (with absolute confidence):
I don't need it. All I need… is to make sure you don't get hurt."
He looked straight at Rick, his eyes burning with resolve, then advanced once more.
Younes (whispering to Hina):
Use this stone with all your strength… the shield must not break."
Hina (serious):
Understood."
Younes smiled as he faced Rick head-on.
Younes (strong voice):
Fight me now—without tricks."
Rick (inner voice trembling):
"The stone… it was in my hand. Victory was certain… but he reversed everything… What do I do now?"
Younes (calm and deadly):
"I'll end this."
---
Scene Change — The Palace Courtyard
After the attack
Kira extended her hands.
Roots burst from the soil, intertwining rapidly and forming a thick vegetal dome around everyone.
Aro (angrily):
Why did you trap us here?! Let us out—we should finish the fight!"
Dylan:
We didn't come to fight. We came to buy time. I said that already."
Zak (calm, confident):
I agree with Dylan… I won't enter a meaningless battle."
Aro (snapping toward Zak):
Since when do you even talk?"
Marcus (peering through a small gap between the roots):
He's had enough time."
Aro (punching the wall):
I doubt that fool will succeed… I don't even know why we chose him!"
Dylan (steady gaze):
"We chose him. That's the end of it."
The dome trembled violently. Roots twisted, light forcing its way through the cracks.
Outside the dome — a few meters away
Elliot:
This barrier… can't be breached head-on."
Ethan:
Then we just keep the pressure on. Let's see how long they last."
Inside the dome again
Kira:
The dome won't hold much longer… Decide quickly!"
Dylan:
The decision's made. Zak—now!"
Zak (breathing deeply):
I know… let's begin."
The dome opened slowly—
A brief silence.
Then, thick white fog erupted from the ground, spreading in every direction, covering the entire courtyard.
The mist was heavy—so dense that vision disappeared.
Everything drowned in pale darkness, even the sounds were muffled.
Lynia:
"The fog… it's too thick… I can't see anything!"
Rin (raising his arm, ready):
"Where are they?"
Ethan (charging his energy):
It doesn't matter, just attack.
The fog swirled slowly… thinning at last.
The courtyard was empty.
The attackers were gone.
Kaiden (from atop the wall):
"We've won!"
A short silence—
Then scattered voices rose among guards and civilians, merging into a single overwhelming chant.
Everyone:
"We won! We won! We won!"
The heroes watched quietly—tears and smiles mixing on soldiers' faces.
But then—
Rin:
"So… what now?"
Elliot:
"Nothing. We just watch."
Ethan:
"Let's go sleep… sunrise is already here, and we're still standing."
Lynia (looking around, confused):
"Where's Younes?"
Rin (raising both hands, casual tone):
"In short? He ran away."
Lynia (turning sharply toward him):
"Does he look like the kind of person who runs?"