The air still felt heavy, even though Sukojo's presence was long gone. Dark stood amidst his allies, his crimson eyes reflecting frustration, anger, and a hint of fear. His hands trembled at his sides, clenching and unclenching as if trying to crush the lingering echoes of Sukojo's control.
Leona took a step forward, her voice cautious, almost hesitant.
Leona: Dark... Are you okay?
He didn't answer immediately. He stared down at his hands, the weight of his failure clawing at him. His mind raced, replaying every second of Sukojo's dominance over him. He felt weak. Useless. He finally spoke, his voice low and sharp.
Dark: I wasn't strong enough. He took over... and I couldn't stop him.
Gilmuar crossed his arms, his voice steady but grim.
Gilmuar: None of us could've stopped him. Sukojo isn't just a problem you fight head-on. He's a goddamn nightmare. You're lucky we're even standing here.
Leona's frustration flared as she turned to face Gilmuar.
Leona: That doesn't mean we just roll over and let him win! We need a plan—something, anything—because this can't happen again.
Cron, standing a little farther back, spoke quietly, his golden aura flickering faintly.
Cron: She's right. Sukojo isn't invincible. He's chaos, but chaos can be fought... if we're ready.
Dark let out a bitter laugh and turned to Cron, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Dark: Fought? You've fought him before, right? You barely survived. So tell me, Cron. How do we fight someone who doesn't even care if we exist?
Cron's jaw tightened, his aura briefly surging before he forced himself to stay calm.
Cron: (quietly) That was a long time ago. Things are different now.
Dark: (snapping) Are they? Because it sure doesn't feel like it.
The group fell silent, the weight of Dark's words settling over them like a storm cloud. Before anyone could respond, the air shifted violently. Time itself seemed to stutter, freezing for a fraction of a second before resuming in an almost imperceptible loop. The ground trembled faintly beneath their feet, and a strange hum echoed through the wasteland. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to make every hair on their bodies stand on end.
Leona's hand instinctively went to her weapon, her eyes scanning the horizon.
Leona: What the hell is this?
Cron's voice was low, his expression dark.
Cron: It's him.
The hum grew louder, and then he appeared. It wasn't dramatic, no blinding light or deafening noise. Sojo simply stepped into existence as if he had always been there, his calm smile as disarming as it was familiar. His simple, flowing robes shimmered faintly, catching the light in a way that made them seem alive.
Sojo: Long time no see, everyone.
Leona visibly relaxed, lowering her weapon but keeping her sharp tone.
Leona: Took you long enough. What, saving another verse?
Sojo chuckled softly, his gaze shifting to Dark. His expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, perhaps.
Sojo: Something like that. But I heard about your little... situation. Thought I'd drop in before things got worse.
Dark's expression hardened as he stepped forward, the weight of his frustration and anger channeling into his voice.
Dark: Worse? Sukojo nearly destroyed me. He's still out there, and you think things can get worse?
Sojo's smile faded slightly, replaced by a calm but serious demeanor. He stepped closer to Dark, his movements deliberate.
Sojo: Yes. Things can always get worse. And if you don't stop doubting yourself, they will.
The air around them grew heavy as Sojo's presence settled fully. It wasn't oppressive, but it carried an undeniable weight, the kind of energy that demanded respect without asking for it. Dark's fists clenched, his anger barely contained.
Dark: What's your point?
Sojo stopped a few feet from Dark, crossing his arms as his faint smile returned.
Sojo: My point is that you've come far, Dark. Farther than most. But you're still thinking small. Sukojo isn't a problem you can solve with brute force or raw power. He's chaos incarnate. If you want to stand a chance, you need control.
Dark's crimson eyes narrowed as he stared at Sojo.
Dark: And you think you can teach me that?
Sojo's grin widened, his confidence unwavering.
Sojo: (playfully) I don't think. I know. And if anyone can teach you, it's me.
Leona interjected, her voice firm but not unkind.
Leona: He's not wrong, Dark. Sojo's saved you—us—more times than we can count. If he's offering to help, take it.
Dark hesitated, his gaze flicking between Leona and Sojo. He knew Sojo's power, knew his reputation, but there was a part of him that couldn't let go of the doubt eating at him.
Dark: (softly) What's the catch?
Sojo's expression shifted, his voice dropping to a tone that sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Sojo: The catch is simple. You're going to hate every second of what's coming next.
Before anyone could respond, Sojo raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The world around them shattered like glass, fragments of the wasteland dissolving into an endless void. The group found themselves in a new realm—one that defied logic.
The air was heavy, suffused with an energy that made breathing difficult. The ground beneath them shifted constantly, warping between jagged rock and liquid-like surfaces. Above, the sky churned violently, its colors changing with each passing second.
Dark staggered slightly, his senses overwhelmed.
Dark: (growling) What is this place?
Sojo: (smirking) My domain. Time doesn't work the way you think it does here. And neither will you.
The gravity shifted suddenly, slamming down with crushing force. Dark dropped to one knee, gasping as the weight bore down on him. Leona, Cron, and the others struggled to stay upright, their auras flaring weakly in resistance.
Leona: (gritting her teeth) What the hell are you doing, Sojo?
Sojo: (calmly) Helping. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
Dark forced himself to stand, his legs trembling under the pressure.
Dark: (panting) This... is insane.
Sojo's smirk widened, his voice laced with amusement.
Sojo: Insane? Oh, Dark. This is mercy. You're lucky I'm holding back.
He snapped his fingers again, and the environment shifted. Massive, jagged spikes erupted from the ground, forcing Dark to dodge. Walls of energy slammed toward him from every direction, each one designed to test his reflexes and adaptability.
Sojo: Move faster, Dark! You think Sukojo's going to give you time to think?
Dark growled, his crimson eyes blazing as he pushed himself forward, narrowly avoiding the next attack. The training had only just begun.
The air in Sojo's domain was suffocating, heavy with an energy that pressed down on everyone like an invisible weight. The shifting terrain below pulsed with chaotic energy, cracking and reforming with every passing second. The gravity spikes, the erratic temperature shifts, the unpredictable assaults from the very fabric of the environment—it was a nightmare designed to crush even the strongest will.
Leona dropped to one knee, her breathing ragged as she tried to push herself upright. Her aura flickered weakly, barely shielding her from the relentless onslaught of Sojo's domain. Nearby, Tier collapsed, his body trembling as his knees hit the unstable ground.
Leona: (gasping) This... this isn't training... This is a death sentence!
Gilmuar landed hard beside her, his gravitational aura sparking as he deflected another wave of energy spikes. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his jaw clenched as he fought to stay standing.
Gilmuar: (growling) Damn it! This is insane! Nobody can fight like this!
Sojo stood a few meters away, his arms crossed and his expression calm but unyielding. His golden eyes shimmered faintly, taking in every movement, every hesitation. His voice carried easily over the chaos.
Sojo: (coldly) Nobody? Then what are you all doing here? If you think this is impossible, you're already dead.
Leona forced herself to stand, glaring at Sojo with defiance burning in her eyes.
Leona: (snapping) How the hell is this supposed to help us?! This isn't training—it's torture!
Sojo tilted his head slightly, his expression unchanging.
Sojo: (mockingly) You think Sukojo's going to give you breathing room? Think he's going to stop if you cry foul? Wake up, Leona. This isn't a game. This is survival.
The ground beneath them shifted violently, throwing everyone off balance. Massive shards of energy erupted from below, spiraling upward like jagged spears. Gilmuar deflected one with a burst of gravitational force, but the effort left him staggering.
Gilmuar: (panting) No... I'm done. This isn't worth dying for.
Sojo's gaze flicked to Gilmuar, his tone sharp.
Sojo: (coldly) Then leave. If you're not willing to push past your limits, you have no place here.
Tier struggled to his feet, shaking his head as he stumbled toward Leona and Gilmuar.
Tier: (weakly) He's... right. I can't do this. I'm done.
Leona hesitated, her fists clenching as she looked between Tier and Sojo. Finally, she let out a frustrated growl and turned away.
Leona: (bitterly) Fine. But don't come crying to us when this kills you, Dark.
Sojo waved his hand, and the spikes of energy dissipated around Leona, Tier, and Gilmuar. The three vanished in a burst of golden light, leaving only Cron and Dark standing amidst the chaos.
Dark stood still, his body battered and bloodied, his crimson eyes blazing with determination. His breathing was labored, but his aura remained steady, flickering faintly around him. Cron stood beside him, his golden energy flaring brightly as he deflected another wave of energy spikes.
Cron: (calmly) They made their choice. Now focus, Dark. You're wasting time.
Dark clenched his fists, his teeth grinding as he forced himself to move. His body screamed in protest, every step feeling like dragging himself through quicksand. The spikes came faster now, their movements erratic and impossible to predict.
Sojo watched them silently, his expression unreadable. Then he stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
Sojo: (calmly) You're holding back.
Dark froze, his crimson eyes narrowing as he turned to face Sojo.
Dark: (growling) What the hell are you talking about?
Sojo's smirk returned, sharp and mocking.
Sojo: (mockingly) Don't play dumb. I've seen what you can do, Dark. This? This isn't even a quarter of it.
Dark's fists trembled at his sides, his aura flickering faintly.
Dark: (snarling) I'm giving it everything I've got! This place is impossible!
Sojo stepped closer, the ground beneath him shifting unnaturally with each step.
Sojo: (coldly) Impossible? Or are you just afraid? You've fought gods, devils, and everything in between. And now you're telling me you're at your limit? Don't make me laugh.
Cron glanced at Dark, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Cron: (firmly) He's right. You're holding back.
Dark turned to Cron, his voice sharp.
Dark: (snapping) Stay out of this, Cron!
Cron didn't flinch, his aura steady as he met Dark's gaze.
Cron: (calmly) I've fought beside you, Dark. I've seen what you're capable of. You're afraid to let loose because you think it'll destroy everything around you. But if you keep holding back, you'll never survive this.
Dark growled, his fists clenching tighter as he forced himself to move forward. His aura flared brighter now, the crimson energy crackling around him like flames.
Dark: (snarling) Fine. You want me to stop holding back? Then don't blame me when this place falls apart.
Sojo's smirk widened, his golden eyes glinting with approval.
Sojo: (softly) That's more like it.
The environment shifted again, this time escalating to an unimaginable level of chaos. The gravity spiked so high that the very air seemed to shatter, fragments of space twisting and reforming around them. Spikes of energy shot out in all directions, faster and more violent than before. The ground itself became a living thing, shifting and writhing beneath their feet.
Dark's aura exploded outward, the sheer force of it carving a path through the chaos. His movements became faster, more fluid, his strikes leaving trails of crimson energy that ripped through the spikes of energy as if they were nothing.
Cron followed suit, his golden aura surging as he moved in perfect synchronization with Dark. The two fought side by side, their combined power pushing back against the relentless onslaught of Sojo's domain.
Sojo watched them with a faint smile, his voice soft but laced with satisfaction.
Sojo: (softly) Now we're getting somewhere.
The environment shifted again, but this time, the escalation wasn't just chaos—it was complete annihilation at every step. The air screamed as it tore apart under the strain of the forces at play. The ground shattered and reformed in seconds, creating jagged landscapes and bottomless pits that swallowed everything that fell into them. Lightning, fire, ice, and shadows raged from all directions, each element alive with lethal intent.
Dark's aura flared wildly, his crimson energy carving through the onslaught. He moved faster now, his strikes precise and devastating, but his face was twisted in fury. Cron matched him step for step, his golden aura rippling with godlike energy, his calm focus a sharp contrast to Dark's raw emotion. Together, they fought as if the world itself were against them.
Sojo stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate as he watched them with a faint smirk. His presence remained unaffected by the chaos. No matter how violent the domain became, he walked through it as if it were a quiet field on a peaceful day.
Sojo: (mockingly) Is this it? Is this the best you've got? Come on, Dark. I thought you wanted to stop holding back. Or was that just talk?
Dark snarled, his eyes blazing as he turned his fury toward Sojo.
Dark: (shouting) You want more? Fine! Take it!
The ground beneath Dark erupted as his aura surged, a crimson shockwave blasting outward with enough force to obliterate the spikes of energy around him. The sheer power of it shook the domain, cracks spidering through the distorted space as if reality itself was struggling to hold together. His fists glowed with fiery energy as he charged toward Sojo, each step leaving molten craters in his wake.
Cron: (shouting) Dark, wait!
But Dark didn't listen. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, his fist arcing toward Sojo with enough force to shatter planets. The impact came with a deafening roar, but Sojo didn't move. His hand shot up at the last second, catching Dark's punch with a casual ease that sent a shockwave rippling outward.
Sojo: (calmly) Better. But still not enough.
Before Dark could pull back, Sojo twisted his wrist, redirecting the energy of the punch back toward Dark. The resulting explosion sent him hurtling backward, his body skidding across the shifting ground until he managed to flip upright. He wiped blood from his lip, his eyes blazing with defiance.
Dark: (snarling) You smug bastard...
Sojo's smirk widened, and his voice carried a sharp edge.
Sojo: (mockingly) Smug? Dark, this is me being kind. If I really wanted to push you, you wouldn't even be standing. You think Sukojo's going to let you catch your breath? You think he's going to give you time to get angry and power up? No. He's going to kill you before you even know he's there.
Cron stepped forward, his golden aura flaring brighter as he stood beside Dark.
Cron: (calmly) He's right. You need to stop thinking like a fighter, Dark. You're not going to win this by brute strength alone. Adapt. Or die.
Dark glared at Cron, his fists trembling, but he knew they were right. He growled low in his throat, his aura flickering dangerously around him.
Dark: (gritting his teeth) Fine. Let's see how far this goes.
Sojo raised a brow, his smirk twisting into something sharper, more dangerous.
Sojo: (softly) That's more like it.
He clapped his hands together, and the domain exploded. The air itself became an enemy, tearing at their skin with invisible blades. The ground fragmented into a thousand floating platforms, each one unstable and threatening to collapse at any moment. From above, massive spheres of energy descended like meteors, their impact obliterating everything in their path.
Leona, watching from a safe distance where Sojo had teleported her, stared in disbelief.
Leona: (to herself) They're still fighting... How the hell are they still fighting?
Dark leapt from platform to platform, dodging the meteors as his aura tore through the smaller fragments of energy chasing him. Cron moved with practiced precision, deflecting and redirecting attacks while keeping his focus on the ever-changing battlefield.
Cron: (shouting) Dark! Stay close! This place isn't stable!
Dark ignored him, his focus entirely on Sojo. He lunged forward, his aura flaring as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. Each punch, each kick, each movement was sharper, faster, more powerful than the last. Sojo dodged them all, his movements fluid and effortless, his smirk never fading.
Sojo: (mockingly) That's better. But not good enough.
He raised a hand, and the space around Dark twisted violently. The air became like quicksand, dragging at his limbs and slowing his movements. Dark growled, his aura flaring as he fought against the force, but it was relentless.
Dark: (snarling) What... is this?!
Sojo: (calmly) Time. It's slowing you down. Not much fun when it's against you, is it?
Dark roared, his aura bursting outward in a crimson wave that shattered the distortion around him. He launched himself forward again, his fists glowing as he aimed another punch at Sojo. This time, Sojo sidestepped, his movements impossibly fast. Dark's punch connected with empty air, and before he could react, Sojo's hand was on his shoulder.
Sojo: (softly) You're still holding back, Dark.
With a flick of his wrist, Sojo sent Dark hurtling downward, crashing into one of the unstable platforms. Cron rushed forward, his golden energy surging as he engaged Sojo directly. Their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the domain, the sheer force of their strikes obliterating the platforms around them.
Dark pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping from a cut above his eye. His breathing was heavy, his body screaming in protest, but he refused to stop. He clenched his fists, his crimson aura flaring brighter than ever.
Dark: (thinking) I'm not done. Not yet.
Sojo glanced down at him, his expression shifting ever so slightly. There was something in his gaze now—something beyond amusement. Was it respect? Or curiosity? Whatever it was, it only lasted a moment before his smirk returned.
Sojo: (calmly) Good. Then let's make this interesting.
He clapped his hands again, and the environment shifted one final time. The platforms disappeared, replaced by an endless void. There was no ground, no sky, nothing to anchor them. Only darkness, stretching infinitely in every direction. The air itself felt alive, pressing against their skin with a malevolent force.
Sojo's voice echoed through the void, calm but commanding.
Sojo: (coldly) This is it, Dark. The edge of survival. The line between life and death. If you can't survive here, you're not ready for what's coming.
Cron floated beside Dark, his golden aura flickering faintly. He glanced at Dark, his voice low and steady.
Cron: (quietly) Don't hold back now. Not here.
Dark closed his eyes for a moment, steadying his breathing. When he opened them again, his gaze was sharp, his crimson eyes burning with a fire that refused to be extinguished.
Dark: (softly) I won't.
With a roar, he charged forward, his aura blazing as he faced Sojo head-on.
The void pulsed with energy that felt alive, malicious, and unrelenting. The oppressive force pressed down on every molecule of their being, threatening to crush them entirely. Every movement Dark made felt as though he were pushing against an infinite tide, and even Cron's golden aura flickered dangerously under the strain.
Sojo stood calmly in the center of the chaos, his golden eyes glinting with quiet anticipation.
Sojo: (mockingly) Show me, Dark. Show me why you think you can survive Sukojo. Prove you're worth the trouble.
Dark roared, his crimson aura exploding outward in a massive shockwave. He charged at Sojo, each step carving ripples into the fabric of the void itself. His fists glowed with raw power, and as he reached Sojo, he unleashed a barrage of strikes faster and more precise than anything he had ever done before. Each punch came with enough force to obliterate entire worlds, yet Sojo dodged every single one effortlessly.
Dark: (snarling) Stand still, damn it!
Sojo's smirk widened as he stepped inside Dark's guard, his movements so fast they seemed to bend reality. With a flick of his wrist, he sent Dark flying backward into the void. Dark twisted mid-air, landing on an invisible surface as his aura flared brighter.
Sojo: (calmly) You're still holding back. Even now, you're afraid to go all out.
Dark's fists trembled as he rose, blood dripping from his lip. His crimson eyes locked onto Sojo, blazing with fury.
Dark: (growling) You think I'm holding back?! I'm giving it everything I've got!
Sojo tilted his head slightly, his voice soft but cutting.
Sojo: (coldly) Everything? You're barely at a quarter of your potential, Dark. Stop lying to yourself. Stop being afraid.
Dark froze, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. Cron's voice broke through the tension, calm but firm.
Cron: (sharply) He's right, Dark. Stop holding back. Let it out, or we're both dead.
Dark's jaw tightened, his aura flickering violently. Memories of Sukojo, of his friends falling, of his failures—everything surged through his mind at once. He let out a guttural roar as his aura exploded outward, the sheer force of it shaking the void.
Sojo's smirk disappeared for the first time, replaced by a faint look of interest.
Sojo: (softly) There it is.
Dark's movements became faster, more fluid, his strikes sharper and heavier. He closed the distance between himself and Sojo in an instant, unleashing a punch that connected with a deafening boom. Sojo slid back slightly, his golden eyes narrowing as he caught Dark's fist.
Sojo: (calmly) Good. Now let's see if you can keep up.
The void twisted violently as Sojo unleashed his full presence. Time itself seemed to shatter, fragments of the past and future colliding as the environment became an incomprehensible storm of chaos. Sojo moved faster than light, his strikes coming from all directions as he pressed Dark and Cron relentlessly.
Cron stepped in, his golden aura flaring as he intercepted one of Sojo's blows. The resulting clash sent shockwaves rippling through the void, obliterating everything in their path.
Cron: (gritting his teeth) Dark! Focus! You're still holding back!
Dark growled, his crimson aura flaring brighter as he joined Cron. The two fought side by side, their combined power creating brief moments of balance in the overwhelming chaos. Sojo's strikes became faster, heavier, more precise, yet Dark and Cron refused to back down.
Dark: (shouting) I'm not holding back anymore!
Sojo: (mockingly) Prove it.
The three clashed again and again, the intensity of their battle escalating to impossible levels. Every strike, every movement, every clash of their auras felt like the birth and death of entire realities.
Seven Months Later
The wasteland was eerily quiet, the sky above a pale gray as if mourning the trials that had taken place. The ground, once jagged and chaotic, had been smoothed over, a testament to the sheer destruction and rebuilding that had occurred during Sojo's training.
Dark stood at the edge of the wasteland, his crimson eyes calm but sharp, his body radiating a quiet, deadly confidence. His aura was no longer wild and uncontrollable—it was precise, refined, and suffused with a power that felt endless. His body bore the marks of his training—scars that told a story of survival, of pushing past every limit.
Cron stood a few feet away, his golden aura flickering faintly. He looked at Dark with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
Cron: (calmly) You've changed.
Dark: (quietly) So have you.
Behind them, Sojo leaned casually against a boulder, his expression relaxed but satisfied.
Sojo: (smirking) Not bad. You're not the same reckless idiot I met seven months ago. Almost looks like you're worth something now.
Dark turned to face Sojo, his crimson eyes steady.
Dark: (coldly) I'll take that as a compliment.
Sojo chuckled, pushing off the boulder as he approached them. His golden eyes glinted with something unreadable—pride, perhaps, or amusement.
Sojo: (calmly) You're ready now. Ready to face whatever comes next. But don't get cocky. Sukojo's still out there, and he's not going to wait for you to catch up.
Dark nodded, his gaze unwavering.
Dark: (quietly) I'll be ready. No matter what it takes.
Sojo's smirk widened as he turned to Cron.
Sojo: (lightly) And you? Think you'll survive the next round?
Cron: (calmly) I always do.
Sojo laughed, the sound sharp but genuine.
Sojo: (softly) Good. Then let's see how far you can go.
The wasteland fell silent again as Sojo vanished, leaving Dark and Cron standing alone. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the past seven months settling over them.
Dark: (quietly) It's not over yet.
Cron: (calmly) No. But we're closer.
Dark's crimson aura flared faintly as he turned to face the horizon, his gaze sharp and determined. The path ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, he felt ready to face it.
To Be Continued...
End Of Arc 4 Chapter 8.