Ego
Don't get cocky, child. I was—
Before he could finish, Abel vanished.
In a single Body Flicker, he reappeared right before Ego and smashed his face into the wall — as if he had always been standing there.
The impact echoed through the ruins of the bar.Abel
What did you do to my sister? I just need answers.
After that—I'll decide whether to kill you here.
Ego (smirking)
Honestly? All this is wasted effort. None of your attacks have ever truly landed on me. I simply deflect them with gravity — I push your strikes aside. Still… the force you put out is impressive. I'll give you that.
Abel thought:
> This feels different… If I'd truly hit him, he should have bled out.
At that instant, Tasha froze Ego in place, letting Abel land a clean, brutal strike. The hit was devastating — ribs cracked, a heart punctured — and Ego sailed across the street, slamming into a row of buildings.
Ego (coughing up blood, stunned)
What… what kind of power is that? That isn't ordinary elemental fire. It's… different. I can feel it inside me — my ribs are shattered.
Abel
Where is she?
Ego (stuttering)
M–mountain… Ki–Kish—
Before Ego could finish, one of the Eternal Six intercepted, stepping between them like a living verdict.
Kraedon (with cold disdain)
What were you about to do, Ego? Pathetic. Master Crane will be disappointed in you.
Kenny
Crane? You mean—Vain Crane?
Kraedon's eyes went distant. He inhaled once, as if drawing weight from the world itself, and invoked a power that answered like an opening wound in the earth.
Kraedon
WORLD ANNIHILATION!
For a heartbeat the world froze — even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Then a sound deeper than thunder split the air, not loud at first but felt in the bones, like the planet's heart snapping.
The ground convulsed. Cracks ripped through stone and pavement like jagged teeth. Buildings twisted; glass erupted into a shower of silver. Power lines screamed and sparked in the dust-choked sky.
The roar grew into a furious, all-consuming tempest. Mountains groaned. The sea backed away as if recoiling from the land's pain. From beneath the earth a wave of Rift-light and raw energy surged upward — a blinding pulse that painted the sky.
People fell to their knees, toppled by the force. Screams were swallowed beneath the world's roar. Even the clouds above were pulled into the quake's vortex as the street itself began to tear open.
"Save the citizens!"
Icabod's voice thundered through the burning streets. The air itself trembled, thick with a strange energy that made even those without elemental powers freeze in awe. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped — the wind held its breath, and the ground hummed beneath their feet.
Then, through the haze of smoke and ruin, two dark figures emerged.
Kraedon's presence was suffocating. Shadows bent toward him like servants to a master.
"This is no time for games, boy," he said, his tone cold and smooth. "And if that girl, Rika, belongs to one of you, consider her dead the next time an eclipse rises.
We came for someone named Kenny. Next time, we'll finish what we started."
Icabod's eyes burned with fury. His aura flared, igniting the air around him like a living flame.
"Don't you dare touch my brother!" he roared. "Tell whoever sent you this — I'm coming for him. I'll burn down his world before he takes another soul from my family!"
Kraedon smirked, unfazed by the heat.
"So, you are Icabod. Hard to believe Master Crane once called you one of his own. Pathetic."
He paused, his grin widening. "But fine — your message will be delivered. Prepare yourself… a storm is coming."
With a swirl of black smoke and crackling light, both vanished — leaving behind only silence and scorched earth.
Mountain Kishora — The Hidden Summit
A cold wind swept through the ancient peaks. Kraedon appeared beside another man wrapped in arrogance — Ego, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the mist.
"What were you thinking?" Kraedon snapped. "Your pride nearly got you killed by that boy. You're lucky I was the one watching this time. If it were him, you'd already be ash."
Ego clenched his fists.
"I didn't need your help. That kid's flame… it wasn't normal. There was something ancient in it — something I've never felt before."
Kraedon's expression twisted with disgust.
"Excuses. That's all I ever hear from Pride's bloodline. Let's move — the council won't wait forever.
And remember: if you ever reveal our hideout, not even death will save you."
The City of Ruins
Back in the city, smoke curled into the sky.
Mothers called their children's names through the rubble. Fathers lifted broken stones with trembling hands. Those blessed with water elements knelt beside the injured, their glowing palms sealing wounds and soothing pain.
The town — battered but unbroken — moved as one.
And in the midst of it all stood Icabod, silent. His fists trembled, eyes burning red with anger and guilt.