(Chapter unfolds :21)
That combined attack shook even the walls of the monastery. As Jinso's black fire and Haru's white wind merged, it transformed into a lethal Fire Tornado.
"You cannot stop this...!!!"
Jinso roared.
The Zek extended both his hands forward, crafting a shield made of dark shadows. The fire and wind shattered against that armor, scattering in all directions. Cracks began to form across the hall due to the sheer force of the air pressure.
"Haru... he isn't dropping the shield! We need to increase our speed!" Jinso shouted.
"Right," Haru replied, tightening his grip on his sword and closing his eyes. He was ready to unleash the second form of the "Spirit Wind "sword.
His eyes glowed brilliantly within the light.
Haru vanished in an instant. He began circling the Zek at such high speed that to any observer, it looked as if he was standing in multiple places at once.
"Spirit Wind: PIERCING GALE!!!"
Hundreds of sharp, invisible blades formed from the wind and pierced into the Zek's shadow shield. Cracks began to spiderweb across the barrier.
The moment the Zek's focus wavered, Jinso raised his Morikara high into the air. He spun the blade and leveled it toward the Zek. Suddenly, a strange silence fell over the air...
"Morikara Art: First Cut: DREAD SLASH...!!!!!!!!!!"
The power Jinso had awakened within Morikara was designed to weaponize the fear of the enemy standing before him to destroy them.
Caught off guard by Haru's relentless assault, the Zek found Jinso's sudden strike to be an unexpected and devastating blow. Jinso had awakened his first stage; a heavy silence spread around, but it didn't last long. That power bled into the air, shattering the Zek's protective shield and destabilizing his aura in an instant.
"This... this is impossible...!" the Zek thought to himself as he was hurled backward. His body began to smoke as he stared at Jinso, who stood a short distance away.
Even Haru was stunned. He hadn't yet unlocked the true stage of his Soulrend Edge, and seeing Jinso do it so suddenly sent a shock through him.
As the Zek weakened, the smoke surrounding the child began to clear. However, the Zek lunged forward once more, aiming his sharp claws at the boy.
"Haru... the child...!" Jinso cried out.
Haru swung his sword through the air and rushed forward.
"Spirit Wind: DIVINE SHIELD!"
A shield of pure white wind enveloped the child. The Zek's attack struck the barrier and was deflected... Haru, too, was thrown back by the force of the impact.
"Run! Get to safety!" Haru shouted to the boy. The child scrambled up and bolted out of the monastery.
Haru was exhausted; he was reaching his limit. When he looked over at Jinso, he saw a similar sight. Smoke was still rising from the hilt of Jinso's sword and from Jinso's own hand. Jinso was paralyzed. Because he had forced open the first stage at such a young age, his body couldn't handle the strain. They weren't supposed to be ready to unlock their stages yet which is why Haru hadn't been able to but because Jinso had done it so effortlessly, his hand was severely burned
Haru struggled to catch his breath. Looking at Jinso, who lay fallen and exhausted with burnt hands, Haru felt no fear; instead, a fierce determination ignited within him.
However, the Zek was still not ready to concede. The ashy aura around his body intensified and began to turn pitch black.
"You have hurt me!! The thousand-year darkness of this monastery is with me!!!" the Zek roared.
He struck the floor with his hand once again. A shadow, like a dark liquid, spread across the hall, forming a massive sphere around him. Sharp shadow spikes began to protrude from the orb.
Haru was shocked. He hadn't expected such an overwhelming attack from the Zek.
"What is this...? Is he really this powerful?" Haru thought to himself.
"Shadow Dome..." Jinso whispered weakly.
The force was so great that neither Haru nor Jinso could get close to it.
"Haru, I can't move my hands," Jinso said through the pain, unable even to grip his sword.
"I'll handle this, Jinso," Haru said, standing up and tightening his grip on his sword.
He looked at his Soulrend Edge. "This is our moment, Soulrend...!!!"
Haru clenched the blade. Memories of his failures during training and the struggles he faced to understand his own strength flashed through his mind.
"Some opportunities come to us only once in a lifetime... and that opportunity found me today. I won't let it go...!!!" he declared, pressing his hands against the sword.
Suddenly!!
A cool breeze blew from Haru's sword. His hair shimmered in a white light. Jinso, lying exhausted, watched him in awe.
Haru channeled his inner Spirit Power into the blade. The power surged through his veins, fully concentrating into the sword.
Haru held his sword straight.
"Spirit Wind: HEAVENLY!!!!! SKY!!!!!! SLAAAAASH!!!!"
In a single leap, Haru soared into the air. As he descended, his sword glowed with a brilliant white light and struck the Zek's Shadow Dome with immense force.
The ashen shadow shield shattered under Haru's assault. As the barrier broke, the Zek lunged forward to attack, but Haru immediately unleashed his next move...
"Soul Art: First Cut: TEAR MAAAAARK!!!!!!"
In an instant, Haru drove his sword deep into the Zek's heart.
As the blade touched the cursed energy, the Spirit Power flared white. The sword pierced straight through the center of the Zek.
"You are cursed... your time is up, Zek," Haru said, looking at the broken creature.
"No... it is not you who decides my fate... none of you do. Only my Master has that power...!!!" the Zek said with a laugh. Within seconds, his body began to dissolve into ash in the air. Haru tried to stop him, but the Zek vanished from the spot.
The dark smoke and shadows in the hall cleared. Light flooded into the room.
Haru ran back to Jinso, who was still unable to get up.
"He escaped... we failed, Jinso," Haru said, hanging his head.
"No, we didn't fail. He fled in fear fear of our power. We are the victors here, Haru. He is just a pawn, a lead to catch his Master," Jinso said.
"Your hand..." Haru asked, looking at the injury.
"Ah... every war leaves its mark, doesn't it? This is mine," Jinso said with a faint smile.
Haru gently placed his sword against Jinso's burn. The soft Spirit Wind emanating from the blade provided temporary relief to the wound.
"Ah... that feels a bit better now."
Exhausted, the two of them lay down in the monastery, with the child safe beside them.